Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Department of Social Welfare signed a memorandum of understanding on the 9th with Good Neighbors Jeonbuk Regional Headquarters, one self-reliance support agency for Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province operated on consignment by Good Neighbors, and seven child protection agencies, to train community social welfare professionals and advance social welfare practice.

At the signing ceremony, Department Head Professor Seohyun Kim of the JBNU Department of Social Welfare, Gi-yong Yu, Director of Good Neighbors Jeonbuk Regional Headquarters, and the directors of the self-reliance support agency and the seven child protection agencies in the Jeonbuk region attended to express their commitment to cooperation.

The agreement was established to build a cooperative system between the university and social welfare practice, and to jointly cultivate the social welfare professionals needed by the local community through practice-centered education and hands-on experience.

Under the agreement, participating institutions will pursue: ▲Joint cultivation of social welfare professionals; ▲Establishment of an employment linkage support system and identification of outstanding talent; ▲Cooperation to support youth preparing for independence; ▲Promotion of Industry–University Collaboration to prevent child abuse and advocate for children's rights; ▲Collaboration on self-reliance support and other initiatives as mutually agreed.

Professor Seohyun Kim said, 'Through this agreement, we expect that opportunities for students to apply the social welfare theories learned at university in the field and to develop their expertise will increase. We will create a cooperative system in which the university and the field grow together so that outstanding talents can enter the local community and lead changes in social welfare practice.'

Gi-yong Yu, Director of Good Neighbors Jeonbuk Regional Headquarters, said, 'This agreement is significant in that the university and the social welfare field will be closely connected to jointly nurture future social welfare professionals. While providing students with field experience and growth opportunities, we will actively cooperate in various community service activities needed by the local community, such as supporting youth preparing for independence and promoting children's rights.'