Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (Dean Choi Nak-jin) has undertaken efforts to strengthen students' global competencies and field-based problem-solving abilities through the 'Global PBL-Based Problem-Solving Education Program,' implemented as part of the Glocal University 30 Project.

The program was conducted as a problem-solving education initiative to respond to rapidly changing conditions such as the Fourth Industrial Revolution and climate change. Students identified real issues in agriculture and life sciences independently and sought creative solutions. From June to September, eight students participated in team-based PBL projects across four areas—agricultural production, animal science, digital agriculture, and forestry. They refined their projects and explored solutions through mentoring from departmental faculty and researchers.

In particular, participating students visited Hokkaido University in Japan during the break to meet with local faculty and present their team research topics. They revised their projects based on faculty feedback. They also took part in exchange and educational activities with the university, which broadened their understanding of the global agricultural and life sciences field. Based on the problems and solutions identified during the PBL process, they communicated with overseas universities and directly experienced agricultural and research environments different from those in Korea, thereby expanding their disciplinary perspectives.

The program is meaningful in that it helped students connect their disciplinary knowledge with real-world settings and develop the ability to communicate, collaborate, and solve problems in a global environment. JBNU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will use this program as an opportunity to strengthen its cooperative ties with Hokkaido University and plans to continue expanding global education and international exchange programs in the agricultural and life sciences field.

Dean Choi Nak-jin of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences said, 'Through this program, students were able to develop their disciplinary competencies and problem-solving skills as they identified issues in the agricultural and life sciences field and sought solutions on their own. In particular, exchanges with Hokkaido University provided an opportunity to enhance global perspectives and international communication skills. We will therefore continue to expand cooperation with domestic and overseas universities and research institutes to cultivate global talent who can lead the agricultural and life sciences industry.'