Mason Korea

Mason Korea welcomes four new members to U.S. Advisory Board

Katarina Benson — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:30:58 +0000

Mason Korea welcomes four new members to U.S. Advisory Board Katarina Benson Mon, 09/21/2026 - 11:30

91�� Korea has welcomed four new members to its U.S. Advisory Board, expanding the group of university, business, and community leaders who provide strategic guidance and strengthen connections between Mason Korea and the university’s U.S. campuses.

The new members of Mason Korea's U.S. Advisory Board.

Sumeet Shrivastava, MBA ’94, is rector of the 91�� Board of Visitors and president and CEO of Unissant. A longtime university leader, Shrivastava previously chaired the 91�� Foundation Board of Trustees and served as president of the 91�� Alumni Association. He has also played a role in advancing entrepreneurship at the university, including helping to launch CIE.

Jenny E. Herrera, BS ’95, chairs the 91�� Foundation Board of Trustees. A partner and not-for-profit advisory industry leader at Citrin Cooperman, Herrera has more than 30 years of public accounting and advisory experience. She has served as president of the Greater Washington Society of CPAs, on the AICPA Governing Council, as chair of the Accounting Advisory Council/Costello College of Business, and was named George Mason’s School of Business Alumna of the Year in 2019.

Michael P. Gallagher, MBA ’94, is a trustee of the 91�� Foundation and an accomplished entrepreneur and business leader. Gallagher brings decades of experience in entrepreneurship, organizational leadership, and business development to the board. In 2002 he founded the Stevie® Awards, which over more than two decades have grown into one of the world’s most prestigious business awards programs, recognizing workplace excellence among organizations and working professionals. He is also the co-founder of two software startups.

Lisa Donnan serves as chair of the College of Engineering and Computing Advisory Board and as a director on the 91�� Research Foundation Board. Founder of the Donnan Group, she is an internationally recognized national security executive and dual-use technology expert. She has also contributed to the development of George Mason’s cybersecurity engineering degree programs and brings extensive experience at the intersection of technology, national security, and industry.

Their appointments expand the U.S. Advisory Board to 12 members and bring additional expertise in university governance, business, technology, national security, finance, and industry engagement.

“Mason Korea is entering an important new phase of growth, innovation, and global impact,” said Joshua Park, Campus Dean of Mason Korea. “Each of these four leaders has already given generously to George Mason, and each brings something this campus needs at exactly this moment. This board will help us expand opportunities for students, deepen partnerships across Korea and the United States, and prepare graduates for leadership in a rapidly changing world.”

Continuing board members include former Virginia state senator Chap Petersen; Tracy Taeeun Comstock, president of the U.S.-Korea Alliance Foundation; Go Eun (Elaine) Kang, president and founding member of the American Korean Businessmen’s Friendship Forum; Hyun Lee, executive director of public relations for the Organization of Korean American Women; So Jung Lim, Fairfax City Council member; Sang K. Park, partner at Moon, Park & Associates; and Harold Pyon, deputy commissioner of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.

The expanded board comes as Mason Korea continues to strengthen its presence on both sides of the Pacific. The campus recently recorded 12.2% enrollment growth, exceeding the university’s 1.5% goal, and is preparing to establish a representative office on the Fairfax Campus to further facilitate collaboration and engagement between Songdo and Northern Virginia.

Board members advise campus leadership on areas including academic excellence, student success, industry engagement, research partnerships, and long-term growth. Members also serve as ambassadors for Mason Korea in the United States, helping build relationships across the university, industry, government, and the Korean American community.

Their expertise will also support Mason Korea’s growing research and innovation activities, including the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) and its developing C5I initiatives.

CIE connects students and faculty with entrepreneurs and industry partners while supporting entrepreneurship education, mentoring, startup competitions, and opportunities for companies seeking to enter Korean and U.S. markets. Mason Korea’s C5I initiatives are focused on building collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, defense information systems, and applied research, with an emphasis on strengthening public-private and U.S.-Korea partnerships.

As Mason Korea enters its second decade, the U.S. Advisory Board members will work with Mason Korea leadership to identify opportunities for student and alumni engagement, research collaboration, industry partnerships, and greater connectivity across George Mason’s campuses in Korea and the United States.

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Mason Korea students expand global skills through FAO Youth Exchange Program

Katarina Benson — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 18:40:21 +0000

Mason Korea students expand global skills through FAO Youth Exchange Program Katarina Benson Mon, 09/14/2026 - 14:40

91�� Korea students are taking their learning beyond the classroom. Through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Korea–Nepal Youth Exchange Program, students are gaining hands-on experience with global challenges such as climate change, food security, and sustainable development.

Students presented at the FAO headquarters in Rome. Photo provided

The program, which was recently highlighted in a MoneyToday interview with Sangyong Lee, director of Mason Korea’s Career Development Center, allows students to explore how global challenges intersect with the economic, cultural, and social realities of local communities. Lee joined participating students in Nepal as they worked alongside local youth and communities saw the program’s impact firsthand.

“The students are growing from mere participants into active agents who put their heads together with Nepalese youth to brainstorm alternatives,” he said.

The program gives students opportunities to discover their potential through experience, particularly in environments that challenge them to work across cultures and address real-world issues.

Through field-based activities, the experience encouraged students to approach complex issues not only from an academic perspective, but also through collaboration, empathy, and cross-cultural understanding.

“The weeklong journey gave me an opportunity to see people’s lives and the future of local communities through agriculture, while learning about the direction of international cooperation by listening to voices on the ground,” said sophomore global affairs major Suhyun Bae.

The Nepal program builds on students’ participation in an FAO youth program in Laos last year. Following that experience, participating students developed content focused on climate-smart agriculture and later had the opportunity to present their work at the FAO headquarters in Rome.

This progression, from Laos to Rome to now Nepal, reflects an approach to global learning in which individual experiences can develop into longer-term academic and professional opportunities.

International programs like these are an important part of career preparation. Pre-departure preparation, field-based projects, post-program reflection, and career portfolio development help students connect what they experience abroad with their future academic and professional goals.

Participants in the FAO program. Photo provided.

These programs help students develop cross-cultural communication, collaboration, adaptability, and problem-solving skills, which are increasingly valued across international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, global companies, and other internationally focused careers.

“Although we came from different cultures and approached problems in different ways, those differences ultimately became a strength in our teamwork,” said Dayeon Shin, a junior majoring in global affairs.

By engaging directly with communities, students are gaining more than international exposure. They are learning how their academic knowledge, perspectives, and skills can contribute to global challenges that extend far beyond the classroom. The success of the FAO program has inspired the Career Development Center to continue developing opportunities with international organizations and exploring partnerships in areas including international development and environmental, social, and governance initiatives.

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Mason Korea welcomes students from nine countries this fall

ckearney — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 18:07:42 +0000

Mason Korea welcomes students from nine countries this fall ckearney Wed, 09/09/2026 - 14:07

91�� Korea welcomed its newest Patriots at the Fall 2026 Convocation on August 22, bringing together students, faculty, university leadership, and members of the Incheon Global Campus community to mark the start of a new academic year.

Vice Provost Janette Muir and Campus Dean Joshua Park (far right)greet students with Mason Korea faculty. Photo provided

This fall’s incoming class includes students from nine countries: Korea, the United States, Mongolia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Spain, Tajikistan, Vietnam, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. International students make up more than 40% of the incoming class, reflecting the continued growth of Mason Korea’s global community.

Across the campus, students now represent 17 countries, bringing a wide range of cultures, experiences, and perspectives to classrooms and campus life. Mason Korea continues to strengthen its presence on both sides of the Pacific and recently recorded 12.2% enrollment growth.

Janette Muir, vice provost for academic affairs and a founding member of Mason Korea, traveled from Fairfax to join the celebration and welcome the incoming class. Ju Young Byun, CEO of the Incheon Global Campus Foundation, also delivered congratulatory remarks during the ceremony.

Campus Dean Joshua Park welcomed the new students by emphasizing the value of learning in an international community at a time when technology is rapidly transforming education and the workplace.

Mason Korea welcomed its incoming class in August. Photo provided

“Bringing together students from different countries and backgrounds gives them the opportunity to challenge one another’s perspectives and learn from experiences that no artificial intelligence can replicate,” Park said. “Mason Korea is committed to helping our students develop the global competencies they need to succeed wherever their paths may take them.”

Students at Mason Korea follow the same curriculum and earn the same George Mason degrees as their counterparts in Virginia, with undergraduate students spending three years in Korea and one year at the Fairfax Campus. This experience gives students the opportunity to study across two countries while building academic, professional, and personal connections in both Korea and the United States.

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Take a look inside Mason Korea’s 2026 New Student Orientation and meet the students beginning their journey at Mason Korea this fall.

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Expanding George Mason’s presence in South Korea's emerging quantum ecosystem

Katarina Benson — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:07:33 +0000

Expanding George Mason’s presence in South Korea's emerging quantum ecosystem Katarina Benson Tue, 08/18/2026 - 13:07

As South Korea accelerates its national investment in quantum science and technology, 91��'s Quantum Science and Engineering Center (QSEC) is strengthening its engagement with the country's leading research institutions and regional innovation partners.

In July 2026, Pilgyu Kang, QSEC's deputy director and associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, traveled to Mason Korea to sign a memorandum of understanding between QSEC and two of Korea's leading quantum organizations, the Future Quantum Convergence Forum and the QCI Quantum-AI Convergence Center (QCI).

Mason Korea QSEC, Future Quantum Convergence Forum, and the QCI Quantum-AI Convergence Center representatives.

“This memorandum represents much more than a formal agreement—it marks the beginning of a long-term partnership that connects researchers, students, and industry across the United States and South Korea,” said Kang. “By working together, we can accelerate quantum research, expand educational opportunities, and prepare a globally connected workforce capable of addressing the scientific and technological challenges of the future.”

The Future Quantum Convergence Forum serves as a hub connecting Korea's quantum and artificial intelligence (AI) industry, academia, research institutions, and local governments, with the Quantum-AI Convergence Institute (QCI) operating as its secretariat. For QCI, the MOU with George Mason marks a starting point for advancing collaboration with Korea's industry, academia, research community, and local governments.

Partnering with QSEC—a research center spanning physics, engineering, and computer science—is expected to provide QCI with new opportunities to build a global research network and exchange expertise in workforce development. Going forward, the two institutions plan to create opportunities for academic and research exchange through workshops and seminars, and to explore ways for George Mason and Korean companies to expand into each other's markets.

While in Korea, Kang also visited the Quantum Computing Project Group at Yonsei University in Songdo, which operates Korea's first 127-qubit IBM Quantum System One—the second university-based, on-premises IBM Quantum System One in the world. The visit served as an important platform for QSEC, Yonsei University, and Mason Korea to discuss future collaboration in quantum research, education, workforce development, and long-term academic partnerships.

South Korea continues to expand its national quantum strategy through large-scale government investment. Korea's Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is currently reviewing proposals for a nationwide quantum cluster initiative expected to invest approximately KRW 100 billion ($70 million USD) in regional quantum innovation ecosystems.

“This partnership is an exciting step forward for QSEC and George Mason,” said Patrick Vora, QSEC director. “By growing our relationship with our Korean partners, we will create new opportunities for scientific advancement, technological innovation, and quantum education."

A final designation of participating regions is expected in the coming weeks, and discussions around Mason Korea and QSEC's potential role remain ongoing. To support these efforts, Mason Korea's Industry–University Collaboration Foundation (IUCF) facilitated discussions between QSEC and key stakeholders in Korea's quantum community.

Building on its longstanding partnership with Yonsei University, Mason Korea also helped identify opportunities for future international collaboration involving research, education, and innovation.

The partnership was facilitated by Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) and originated when QCI visited Fairfax County for the 2025 Quantum World Congress. A key connector in building international partnerships, FCEDA will continue to support both parties in deepening their collaboration and identifying new opportunities to strengthen ties between Korea and George Mason.

"Mason Korea exists to make George Mason a genuinely global university, not just one with a campus abroad,” said Mason Korea Campus Dean Joshua Park. “Helping QSEC establish real footing in Korea's quantum ecosystem—and bringing other partner institutions along in the process—is precisely that mission in action."

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U.S. congressional delegation visits Mason Korea

Katarina Benson — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:23:21 +0000

U.S. congressional delegation visits Mason Korea Katarina Benson Thu, 07/30/2026 - 09:23

A U.S. congressional delegation, including four members of the House of Representatives and officials from the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, visited 91�� Korea on July 27 to learn more about the university's global education model and explore opportunities to expand U.S.–Korea educational cooperation.

The visit was initiated by Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, who represents Virginia’s 10^th district and proposed the trip to see firsthand how George Mason operates its global campus in Korea. He was joined by Reps. Young Kim (R-Calif.), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), and Michael Cloud (R-Texas), along with professional staff from the House Foreign Affairs Committee and officials from the embassy's economic and public diplomacy sections.

The U.S. congressional delegation at Mason Korea. Photo provided

Mason Korea leadership shared insights into the campus's global education model and current operations. Conversations also focused on ways to expand educational exchange between the two countries and collaborate on developing globally minded talent.

The delegation also toured the campus's academic and research facilities and student support spaces.

"It was a meaningful opportunity for distinguished members of Congress and the U.S. Embassy to see firsthand the innovative educational outcomes and global model we've built here," said Campus Dean Joshua Park. "We remain committed to serving as a hub for educational and research collaboration between our two countries, and to continuing our work in developing global talent and expanding academic exchange."

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Mason Korea graduates the Class of Spring 2026

Katarina Benson — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:37:24 +0000

Mason Korea graduates the Class of Spring 2026 Katarina Benson Mon, 07/06/2026 - 16:37

On June 27, Mason Korea held its Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony at Incheon Global Campus, honoring 116 bachelor’s and master’s graduates.

The Mason Korea Spring 2026 graduate class. Photo provided

Graduates from several academic programs, including global affairs, business, economics, conflict analysis and resolution, and the master of laws (LLM), received their degrees during the ceremony. This year’s graduating class included 23 LLM graduates, following the program’s first graduating class last year.

The ceremony brought together graduating students, families, faculty, staff, and distinguished guests to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2026. Guests included David Burge, George Mason’s vice president for enrollment management, and Shaun Sutherell, associate dean for strategic initiatives at the Antonin Scalia Law School.

In his remarks, Mason Korea Dean Joshua Park emphasized the importance of knowledge, judgment, and character in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

Eunjae Baek, BA in Global Affairs and undergraduate student speaker. Photo provided

“Knowledge, judgment, and character remain essential values, even in the age of AI,” he said. “I hope our graduates will build on the experiences they gained at 91�� and continue taking on new challenges across the world.”

Representing the graduating class, Youngwook Cho, an LLM graduate, reflected on the courage it takes to move forward in uncertain times.

“Meaningful change always begins with uncertainty,” he said. “I hope we will draw on the experiences and courage we gained here as we take on greater opportunities ahead.”

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Mason Korea students tackle real-world business challenges with Hyundai Premium Outlets

Katarina Benson — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:04:44 +0000

Mason Korea students tackle real-world business challenges with Hyundai Premium Outlets Katarina Benson Tue, 06/16/2026 - 14:04

Students at Mason Korea recently stepped into the role of marketing consultants for a day by tackling an ongoing business challenge presented by Hyundai Premium Outlets Songdo.

On June 2, 10 finalist teams gathered for the Mason Korea x Hyundai Premium Outlets Global Marketing Challenge Final Pitch, presenting innovative strategies aimed to enhance the outlets’ appeal to international visitors and younger consumers.

The grand prize team received the highest overall score for innovation and strategic alignment. Photo provided

Participants were encouraged to cover two themes: “Global Expansion Strategy” and “MZ Hotspot Activation Strategy.” All finalists demonstrated strong problem-solving skills by incorporating global consumer trends and local community characteristics of Songdo/Incheon while showcasing their knowledge of digital marketing. Teams were evaluated based on their understanding of target audiences, strategic relevance, and execution potential.

The Grand Prize was awarded to the team led by conflict analysis and resolution major Taeeun Kim, whose proposal received the highest overall score for innovation and strategic alignment. Their project was marketed toward the city’s immigrant population.

“By interviewing foreign residents in Songdo, we were able to understand the needs and challenges faced by people from diverse cultural backgrounds,” said Kim.

The Insight Prize was presented to business major Jiyoon Jeong for exceptional consumer and market analysis, while the Challenge Prize was awarded to the team led by business major Dongkyo Oh for introducing bold and creative ideas with strong future potential.

The Challenge Award team. Photo provided

“This project demonstrated the value of hands-on learning by allowing students to analyze global market trends and develop strategies for real-world business challenges,” said Joshua Park, campus dean of Mason Korea.

As Mason Korea continues to expand opportunities for experiential learning, programs like the Global Marketing Challenge play an important role in connecting students with industry partners and preparing them to become the next generation of global leaders.

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George Mason announces faculty affairs appointments in Korea and Fairfax

ckearney — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:15:34 +0000

George Mason announces faculty affairs appointments in Korea and Fairfax ckearney Wed, 06/03/2026 - 13:15

Jason M. Kinser and Gesele Durham have been promoted to new roles at Mason Korea and the Provost’s Office, respectively.

Jason M. Kinser. Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

Kinser, interim associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Science, will join Mason Korea as associate dean for faculty and academic affairs, effective July 25, 2026.

A George Mason faculty member since 1997, Kinser served as the first full-time chair of Department of Computational and Data Sciences, where he grew the department’s undergraduate enrollment from 25 to more than 400. He helped bring the computational and data sciences degree to Mason Korea, has served on the Mason Korea Executive Committee since 2023, and recently stepped in on-site during a leadership vacancy at Mason Korea.

“His expertise at the intersection of the life sciences and data sciences positions Mason Korea to deepen research and industry partnerships and expand pathways for our students into Songdo’s laboratories and companies,” said Campus Dean Joshaua Park.

Kinser has held faculty appointments across four units—bioinformatics, systems biology, physics, and computational and data sciences—and has served on university-wide bodies including the Mason Core Committee (2016 to 2024), which governs general education for every George Mason student; the Provost and Chairs Executive Committee; and Global Affairs.

Kinser will be the first natural scientist to serve in a senior leadership role at Mason Korea. His appointment aligns closely with the region’s direction: Songdo is one of the world’s leading biotechnology clusters, home to firms such as Samsung Biologics and Celltrion, and Incheon has set a course “from Smart City to AI City,” advancing artificial intelligence, data, and future industries in line with Korea’s national priorities.

Gesele Durham. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Durham will serve as interim vice provost for faculty affairs and development, beginning June 10, 2026, with a national search for permanent leadership of the office expected to begin later this academic year. Durham, who currently serves as vice provost for Institutional Effectiveness and Planning (OIEP), joined George Mason in 2019 and has led university-wide efforts related to strategic planning, accreditation, assessment, and institutional effectiveness. She will assume the interim role ahead of Kim Eby’s departure later this summer while continuing to lead OIEP in the Provost’s Office.

“Gesele brings colleagues together around the assessment and evaluation of teaching and administrative practices,” said interim provost and vice president Ajay Vinzé. “With more than 30 years of experience in higher education across both faculty and administrative leadership roles, she has a broad perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing faculty today.”

Over the coming weeks, Eby and Durham will work together to support the transition in leadership of faculty affairs and development. Incoming Provost Marion Underwood, who assumes the role in July, will lead the search for a permanent vice provost.

“Faculty success is foundational to student success, research excellence, and the university’s broader mission,” said Durham. “I look forward to partnering with colleagues across George Mason to support faculty development, recognize achievement, and create the conditions that enable faculty to do their best work.”

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George Mason US–Korea delegation strengthens ties in Vietnam

Katarina Benson — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:54:32 +0000

George Mason US–Korea delegation strengthens ties in Vietnam Katarina Benson Wed, 04/15/2026 - 15:54

In a joint effort spanning 91��'s Fairfax and Korea campuses, a university delegation recently completed a five-day visit to Vietnam aimed at expanding academic partnerships and exploring new opportunities for collaboration across education, research, and student engagement.

The delegation included Janette Muir, vice provost for academic affairs; Cheryl Druehl, interim dean of the Costello College of Business; Joshua Park, campus dean of Mason Korea; and Danielle Swanepoel, executive director of international relations and strategic initiatives at Mason Korea.

The delegation with HUTECH University in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo provided

Over the course of the visit, the delegation met with leadership and faculty at seven institutions across Vietnam. Discussions focused on student mobility pathways, dual degree opportunities, faculty engagement, short-term programs, and collaborative research initiatives.

"Spending time with colleagues from George Mason in Vietnam was an incredibly rewarding experience," said Muir. "It was inspiring to see the connections being built with partner universities, and especially exciting to imagine how Mason Korea can serve as a gateway for Asian students seeking an American education. I'm very much looking forward to future articulation agreements with our partners."

A key highlight of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with HUTECH University in Ho Chi Minh City, a highly ranked institution with a strong focus on technology and innovation. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the two universities, opening the door for joint academic programs, faculty collaboration, research partnerships, and student mobility.

Janette Muir signing the Memorandum of Understanding with HUTECH. Photo provided

The delegation also met with Van Lang University, Dong A University, VNUK (VN-UK Institute for Research and Executive Education), and Saigon Business School, among others. These discussions explored articulation pathways for undergraduate students, short-term study programs in Korea and Vietnam, faculty exchanges, and potential joint conferences and seminars.

Another significant moment of the trip was the launch of the Mason Korea Debate Lab–Vietnam, an initiative designed to introduce high school students across Vietnam to international debate formats and critical thinking training. The program was formally launched through a showcase event hosted by EMASI Nam Long, the first partner institution to join the initiative. Two Mason Korea student debaters traveled from Korea to provide introductory coaching and participate in the showcase debate alongside EMASI students.

"This visit reflects a more intentional approach to George Mason's internationalization—connecting partnerships across academic programs, student pathways, and research," said Park. "The Debate Lab is one example of how we extend that engagement to younger students, building the critical thinking and global citizenship that are central to George Mason's mission."

The launch marks the beginning of what Mason Korea hopes will become an expanding program across Vietnam, offering debate training, judging opportunities, and future camps and competitions.

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From Laos to Rome: Mason Korea students take climate solutions global

Katarina Benson — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:46:15 +0000

From Laos to Rome: Mason Korea students take climate solutions global Katarina Benson Thu, 04/09/2026 - 13:46

Last fall, what began as a hands-on learning experience in Southeast Asia became a journey that took five 91�� students to the heart of global food policy—and left a mark along the way.

The Mason Korea Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Builders—Seongjun Park, Jaehee Yang, Hyunseo Lee, Damin Jeong, and Taeyeong Kim—first traveled to Laos for the First Lao National Youth Forum 2025, hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations Lao PDR and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry with a theme of climate-resilient and sustainable food systems.

The trip was the culmination of three months of preparation, including virtual consultations with FAO technical experts and collaborative planning with Lao and Chinese youth teams. Notably, Mason Korea was the only institution from Korea invited to co-develop content and co-lead sessions.

The Mason Korea Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Builders. Photo provided

The student team led a board game session at the forum, connecting with young changemakers from across the region. They also visited local farms, met young farmers and NAFC College students, and experienced organic agriculture firsthand.

But their journey was only beginning.

The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) board game the team had developed and launched in Laos was selected as a best-practice case, earning the students an invitation to present at the FAO World Food Forum 2025 in Rome, Italy. Supported by Mason Korea's Career Development Center, the SDGs Builders traveled onward to FAO Headquarters, one of the world's most prominent gatherings of policymakers, researchers, youth leaders, and innovators working to transform global agrifood systems.

“We developed the CSA board game to make climate-smart agriculture more accessible by translating global policy ideas into a practical learning tool,” said Jaehee Yang, who is majoring in global affairs and is president of the SDGs Builders group. “It was incredibly meaningful to see a project our team started with Lao youth grow into something we could share with the global community at FAO Headquarters in Rome.”

Project participants presenting the “Farm Smart Laos” Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) educational tool kit at the Lao National Youth Forum. Photo by FAO Lao PDR

The game piloted with Lao youth took center stage at the FAO Food Exhibition, where the team presented their Farm Smart Lao Climate-Smart Agriculture tool to delegates from around the world. They hosted interactive sessions, exchanged ideas with FAO experts and global youth organizations, and joined FAO's official youth podcast to discuss climate-resilient food systems.

From village farms in Laos to the floors of a UN agency in Rome, these five students demonstrated that meaningful contributions to the world's most pressing challenges don't have to wait until after graduation.

This year's FAO program is set to take them to Nepal and then Rome.

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