JBNU operates the Jeonbuk International Development Cooperation Center, which is delivering results as a practice-oriented educational platform that builds local university students' capacities in international development cooperation. The center is credited with expanding regional youths' ability to solve global problems by linking understanding of international development cooperation beyond mere theory to policy proposals and presentations based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These outcomes were realized through the center's recently held "2026 Jeonbuk Regional O:DACON" competition. The competition was conducted in a presentation format in which regional university students directly selected target countries and SDG goals, analyzed the international development cooperation situation in those countries, and proposed feasible ideas.

The competition drew 16 students forming eight teams from regional universities. Three of the teams were notable for including both international and domestic students. Their diverse cultural backgrounds and local understanding enabled more realistic policy proposals, earning high praise.

The Grand Prize went to a team from the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy for their presentation "Korea-Style Polycentric Urban Model and Smart Railway ODA for Mongolia." Students Seo Hwa-young and Lee Su-bin diagnosed that Mongolia's existing responses tended to address symptoms rather than root causes. They proposed a polycentric urban model incorporating Korea's regional balanced development experience and plans to construct smart railway corridors. The idea to develop Darkhan, an industrial and mining hub, as an Ulsan-style model and Kharkhorin as a Sejong-/Gyeongju-style administrative and cultural hub attracted attention for combining regional development with infrastructure strategy.

The students said the achievement stemmed from the center's linked programs. The Grand Prize team noted that participation in the center's ODA Club activities and the "JBNU Development Cooperation Seminar Series: Indicode" greatly aided their presentation preparations.

A notable feature of the three teams that received Excellence Awards was the participation of international students. The China-origin "Light Up" team proposed sustainable low-cost solar lamps; the Mongolia-origin "Eco Steppe" team proposed a mold-based bioremediation technology for Mongolia; and the Indonesia-origin "Nutri Cycle" team proposed food waste management measures for Indonesia. These proposals were well received for more accurately reflecting local conditions and for examining policy feasibility from multiple perspectives.

The Outstanding Award teams also broadened the agenda of international development cooperation by addressing various topics, including winter air pollution in Ulaanbaatar's ger districts, an upcycling circular economy ODA model, AI-based smart agriculture education, and the climate crisis in Nauru. It is significant that regional university students are beginning to view international development cooperation as a concrete, practice-oriented field of problem solving.

Kim Hye-in, the program officer in charge, said, "We hope this program will provide local university students with practical understanding of the international development cooperation field," adding, "We plan to continue offering ODA programs that encourage students of diverse backgrounds, including international and domestic students, to participate so they can combine their respective strengths."

Meanwhile, the Jeonbuk International Development Cooperation Center plans to disseminate related videos through its official social media channels so that the award presentation contents can be shared more widely.