Social enterprises provide jobs for vulnerable groups and contribute to the public interest by promoting regional development, thus playing an important social role. However, young people often do not fully recognize the role of social enterprises.

To raise awareness among and motivate young university students about such social enterprises, Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) has established the Youth Social Entrepreneurs Academy. The opening ceremony was held at 4:00 p.m. on the 11th in the University Museum Auditorium, and the seven-week program has begun.

The program, organized by the Industry-University Cooperation, is scheduled to take place at the Entrepreneurship Education Center of the newly opened Institute for Basic Liberal Arts Education in the former Graduate School building at JBNU through June 30.

At the event, President Seo Geoseok and Cho Nam-pyo, Vice-President of Industry-University Cooperation, along with university officials, Mayor Song Ha-jin of Jeonju, Yun Jae-shin, Director of the Regional Economy Division, and about 40 students attended the opening ceremony and orientation.

At the opening ceremony, Part 1 included an overview of the program and a special lecture by Mayor Song Ha-jin on the theme "Challenge Toward a Dream." In Part 2, during the orientation, Park Se-sang, CEO of I Am Gung, a prospective social enterprise based in Daejeon, shared vivid experiences and the preparatory process of running a social enterprise.

This program focuses on raising awareness of, and strengthening capabilities for, social enterprises through invited lectures by leaders running social enterprises, field experiences at JBNU and Jeonju Hanok Village, and weekly missions set differently each week.

In particular, students will explore and experience Jeonju firsthand to develop travel courses, and will be supported to directly discover and plan a variety of projects such as youth career guidance, programs to foster understanding of multicultural families and foreign workers, revitalization of cultural performances, and promotion of local traditional culture.

At the opening ceremony, President Seo Geoseok said, "The Youth Social Entrepreneurs Academy, which will run for seven weeks starting today, will be an excellent program to nurture social entrepreneurs and the talent needed by social enterprises who will lead our society. We expect it will produce many social entrepreneurs who can communicate closely with the local community and provide new vitality to local social enterprises."