Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Buan County ESG Local Industry Development Project Group (Director Kim Deok-su) operated the 'University Student ESG Basic Training and ISO Internationally Accredited Certification Auditor Special Training Course' from January 13 to 21 to support university students in the Jeonbuk region in strengthening employment competitiveness, including obtaining ESG-related certifications.

As part of a university collaboration-based regional innovation autonomous project, this weekend program was conducted jointly with the Enterprise Certification Institute under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups as an ISO internationally accredited certification auditor special training course. It provided in-depth certification training to outstanding students who were selected from the ESG basic training course held last November.

Through Management System Audit (AMS) and Environmental Management System Audit (EMS) courses, students acquired professional knowledge of ISO international standardization for ESG auditing, certification processes and audit activities, and international environmental auditing personnel.

Through the program, students gained competencies for future careers as ESG certification auditors and as internal ESG auditors within companies. They are expected to grow into specialized professionals capable of realizing value creation in ESG-linked regional industries needed by companies in Jeollabuk-do and Buan County.

In particular, Buan County, which has the country's largest tidal flats and is a blue carbon activation area optimized for carbon neutrality and acquiring carbon emission credits, has recently seen active ESG initiatives by major corporations and NGOs. This training is therefore expected to play a very positive role in cultivating talent tailored to the related fields.

Kim Deok-su, director of the project group, said, 'By proactively responding to ESG-linked industries along with Buan County's various ESG initiatives, we will take the lead in establishing the local industry as an ESG-leading model,' adding, 'I expect that JBNU can create an opportunity to grow together with the region through engagement with regional innovation stakeholders.'