University students in the Jeonbuk region have achieved outcomes that simultaneously strengthened practical competencies and global awareness through ODA club activities in the field of international development cooperation (ODA) provided by JBNU Jeonbuk International Development Cooperation Center.

The Jeonbuk International Development Cooperation Center has operated the Jeonbuk-area student ODA club 'ODA利 (Oda-ri)' since 2017. Since the first cohort in 2017, it has carried out various activities to cultivate ODA talent in the Jeonbuk region, and to date a total of 277 program completers have graduated.

The 15th cohort, which took part in activities over three months during this semester, systematically increased their understanding of and practical capabilities in international development cooperation and completed all program components.

ODA利 is a name that combines the Korean character '利' (meaning benefit) with 'Leaders', and it has established itself as a region-based program for nurturing international development cooperation talent.

During the 15th cohort's activities, various programs were implemented to ensure participating students developed a balanced theoretical and field-based understanding of development cooperation. Through special reading lectures and film and book discussion sessions, students cultivated critical thinking on global development issues. Experience-sharing sessions with seniors from fields such as overseas volunteer groups, KOICA, and NGOs enhanced their career exploration and practical understanding.

Notably, this cohort included international students from Myanmar and Russia who participated alongside domestic students, creating an opportunity to broaden international perspectives. In the process of sharing different cultural backgrounds and experiences, participants' global communication skills and multicultural understanding were evaluated to have been significantly strengthened.

Kim Hye-in, the program officer in charge of ODA利, said, 'Students demonstrated results that went beyond mere participation by achieving a substantive understanding of the field of development cooperation and clarifying career directions,' adding, 'It is highly meaningful in that it has laid a foundation for Jeonbuk youth to practice international development cooperation.'