Creative volunteer activity proposals to grow together with the local community

Spreading the culture of social contribution and realizing the value of sharing

Grand Prize to student Lee Dae-hyeon for “Sharing Warm Rice Bowls – A University Student Social Contribution Program Utilizing Local Agricultural Products”

[November 14, 2025]

 Yeungnam University (President CHOI Oe-chool) held the final presentation and award ceremony for the 2025 YU Social Contribution Idea Contest at Sojae Hall on November 7. Conducted as part of the University Innovation Support Project, the contest was organized to promote the culture of social contribution by discovering students’ creative social contribution ideas and fostering volunteer spirit.

 The contest focused on developing practical support plans for underprivileged groups that university students can implement in connection with their academic majors. Based on written evaluation criteria including logicality, creativity, and feasibility, and PT presentation evaluation criteria including delivery skills, concreteness, public interest, and sustainability, a total of nine teams (individuals) advanced to the finals.

 In the finals, students examined local community issues from their own perspectives and presented practical implementation strategies applying their major expertise. As a result, LEE Dae-hyeon (junior, Department of Food Economics and Culinary Arts) won the Grand Prize with the proposal “Sharing Warm Rice Bowls – A University Student Social Contribution Program Utilizing Local Agricultural Products.” LEE proposed developing convenient yet nutritious rice bowl menus using ingredients produced by local farms and providing meals to neighbors in need of social care, such as senior citizens living alone. The idea was highly evaluated for going beyond simple food sharing by integrating his major expertise, diagnosing social and economic issues, and adding the values of emotional connection and regional cooperation.The Story Makers team, consisting of four students from the Department of English Language & Literature, won the Excellence Award with “English Theater Volunteer Activities for Little Actors.” The educational volunteer program aims to improve language skills and confidence among local children and enhance cultural understanding by adapting literary works into English theatrical performances. In addition, nine teams received awards, including the Grand Prize, one Excellence Award, three Merit Awards, and four Encouragement Awards.

LEE Dae-hyeon said, “Sharing a warm meal made with local agricultural products is not merely volunteer work but a practical act of growing together with the region,” and added, “I hope to continue participating in various social contribution activities as a YU student.”

JUNG Jin-young, Director of the YU Social Contribution Center, said, “This contest was a meaningful opportunity for students to independently recognize social issues and propose concrete solutions,” adding, “YU will continue to strengthen support and education so that student-centered social contribution activities can spread sustainably.”

 The YU Social Contribution Center, which hosted the contest, will continue to expand social contribution programs based on ideas contributed by university members and promote various initiatives to grow together with the region and build a community that lives in harmony.