The history of Yonsei University began in 1885 with Korea’s first modern hospital Chejungwon which was established by medical missionary Horace N. Allen. Around that time, missionary Horace G. Underwood visited Korea and assisted in medical treatment at Chejungwon while starting his work in education and missionary activities. The work of these two missionaries in Chejungwon has become the foundation of Yonsei. Committed to our founders’ core principles of Truth and Freedom, Yonsei has deeply engaged in the needs of our society.

Yonsei University aims to ultimately contribute to the peace and development of humankind. On a smaller scale, it will provide a platform for solidarity and innovation where the many youths who come to Yonsei University can pursue dreams and build their future. Yonsei will bring light to the world by fostering in-depth academic research, inspirational education, and the spirit of community service.

For galvanizing its vision, the Institute for Global Engagement & Empowerment (IGEE) was launched in 2017 at Yonsei University in Seoul, Republic of Korea to contribute to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by integrating various missionary and volunteer activities within the University, directing intellectual and human resources to address social issues, and educating the next generation of global citizens.

Within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals, the collaborative engagement of IGEE will offer a new dimension of social service to achieve the SDGs and university social responsibility in Korea and overseas as a member of University Social Responsibility Network (USRN).

Especially, the Ban Ki-moon Center for International Cooperation will focus on exploring effective and lasting solutions to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals by the year 2030 and play a major role in training global citizens through comprehensive engagement & empowerment.

Read more about the IGEE: https://igee.yonsei.ac.kr/igee_en_new

University Website: https://www.yonsei.ac.kr/en_sc/index.jsp