Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Department of Social Welfare students explored practical models of community integrated care in the field in the United Kingdom and sought ways to build sustainable local communities.

Ten JBNU Department of Social Welfare students participated in an international training program held at the University of Derby in the UK for 12 days, from the 25th of last month to the 5th of this month. The training was carried out with support from the Regional Innovation-centered University Support System (RISE) project.

The core program was the "Problem-Solving Project (PBL) for the Practice of Community Integrated Care." Students did not simply attend lectures; they participated in problem-based learning that analyzed real issues facing local communities and designed solutions.

After completing customized courses on social welfare, local communities, and climate change, the students refined product and service ideas through group discussions and meetings to improve residents' quality of life and build sustainable communities. They presented final proposals, including measures to revitalize community integrated care by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and drone technologies.

The students visited the Normanton area of Derby to verify in the field what they had learned in theory. Guided by Professor Seong-hee Lee of the University of Derby and local activists, they examined the UK social security system and the community integrated care system, and directly observed residents' living environments and local characteristics.

In subsequent discussions, they compared and analyzed the social welfare systems of Korea and the UK, and discussed domestic challenges and directions for improvement.

Yoo Jae-gang, a second-year student in the Department of Social Welfare, said, "I realized that social welfare should not focus only on the individual's problems but also consider the communities and environments in which they live. Experiencing the field directly made my understanding of community integrated care more concrete and realistic."

Jeong Gyu-hyung, Project Leader of the RISE Integrated Care Workforce Development Project, said, "The process in which students directly experienced the UK field and compared and reflected on domestic systems will be an important opportunity to consider directions for the development of social welfare in Korea," and added, "We will continue to expand international exchanges to support students' growth into social welfare professionals who possess both expertise and practical skills."