Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) is steadily expanding the foundation of the regional international development cooperation ecosystem by connecting public institutions, universities, companies, and civil society organizations through the "Jeonbuk-Style ODA Cooperation System" launched last year.

The "Jeonbuk Regional ODA Revitalization Council," operated by the JBNU Jeonbuk International Development Cooperation Center (Director Baek Sook-hee), recently expanded to include three institutions — Korea Land and Geospatial Information Corporation, Kamtic Comprehensive Technology Institute, and Grant Bridge — bringing the council to 17 institutions and 22 members.

Korea Land and Geospatial Information Corporation is a public institution based in Jeonbuk with extensive experience implementing ODA projects, and is expected to further strengthen public-sector expertise in international development cooperation within the council. Kamtic Comprehensive Technology Institute and Grant Bridge will participate as collaborative partners to expand opportunities for local companies to engage in international development cooperation and to enter overseas markets.

Since its launch, the council has established itself as a regional cooperation platform that connects each institution's expertise and project experience through regular discussions and information sharing. It shares field experience as well as policy and educational information in the international development cooperation field, while also working to encourage participation from local educational institutions, businesses, and civil society.

Concrete collaborative outcomes are also continuing. Jeonju Kijeon College and Good Neighbors' Jeonbuk branch signed a memorandum of understanding through the council to revitalize international development cooperation and social contribution activities. Council members serve as instructors for international development cooperation training at the Local Government Human Resources Development Institute and for JBNU's Jeonbuk International Development Cooperation Center's INDECODE program, contributing to the training of ODA professionals in the region.

In addition, council members directly participate as instructors in INDECODE, the country's first international development cooperation seminar series that provides reliable information and knowledge, key development cooperation issues, and the latest trends online and offline to those in Jeonbuk seeking careers in the field. Their involvement also contributes to the expansion of ODA expertise in the region.

Baek Sook-hee, director of the Jeonbuk International Development Cooperation Center, said, "The council has expanded compared to last year and has grown into a regional cooperation platform in Jeonbuk with 17 institutions and 22 members. As each institution's field expertise is shared as collective intelligence, it is developing into a knowledge hub for Jeonbuk ODA."

Meanwhile, the Jeonbuk International Development Cooperation Center was established based on an agreement signed in 2015 among JBNU, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). Through international development cooperation courses, professional training, special lectures, and the operation of student ODA clubs, the Center has expanded the local community's participation base in international development cooperation. Going forward, it plans to consolidate ODA capacity across the Jeonbuk region around the council and to develop sustainable models of international cooperation.