Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) is receiving strong responses for its 'Student Self-Designed Project Competition', held to nurture creative convergence talent, as it helps students put their ideas into practice.

JBNU has held the Self-Designed Project Competition every semester. In the recently held 2021 Winter competition, a total of 64 teams applied, and after internal review three teams with outstanding results were honored with the President's Award.

The 'This Ability!' team, which produced a storybook to improve disability awareness in collaboration with people with developmental disabilities, won the Grand Prize. The Grand Prize team consisted of In Hana (Business Administration, Class of 2020), Kim Bo-won (Korean Language & Literature, Class of 2020), and Lim Chae-hee (Department of Sociology, Class of 2021). Through this competition they collaborated with people with developmental disabilities, incorporated those individuals' drawings into the storybook, and created a book that can be read by both children and adults.

The 'LIPET' team, composed of student Lee Seung-seok from the Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and others, confirmed the feasibility of a start-up item — a meal kit for companion animals — through the full process of planning, production, promotion, and feedback, and received the Excellence Award. The 'Ttobagi' team, composed of Bae Jin-eui from the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy, College of Social Science, and others, produced a commemorative calendar based on a historical exploration of the independence movement and donated all proceeds from its sales, receiving the Excellence Award as well.

In Hana, the Grand Prize winner, said, "This experience in the Self-Designed Project Competition was a form of personal growth. My goal now is to become someone who can help establish institutional measures to improve public perceptions of people with disabilities."

Kim Nam-su, Director of Student Affairs, stated, "The Self-Designed Project Competition provides opportunities to nurture creative, interdisciplinary talent by allowing students to select their own topics and proactively solve problems, and it has a positive impact on students. Going forward, we will expand small-scale and non-face-to-face activities suited to the COVID-19 situation to support the development of self-directed capabilities and career planning."

Meanwhile, the Student Affairs Office plans to provide additional support for the outstanding teams' outputs, donate booklets to relevant organizations, and reaffirm students' excellent activities and achievements to the student body through on-campus exhibitions.