The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) held the 2024 Dr. Lee Jong-wook Fellowship Program Opening Ceremony and Orientation on September 3 at the KOFIH LEE Jong-wook Hall located in the Health and Welfare Administration Town in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

   Over 170 individuals from 14 countries receiving training at universities including Korea University, Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Soon Chun Hyang University attended the ceremony.

   On September 4th, Korea University College of Medicine and College of Nursing held an orientation for the 2024 Fall Dr. Lee Jong-wook Fellowship Program at Yoon Byung-Ju Hall in the College of Medicine Main Building. 

   15 trainees from 7 countries attended the event and steering committee chairs and members were introduced. 

   Nursing fellows had a luncheon with Dean Nah-mee Shin and academic advisors at the College of Nursing Woojung Hall. A gift ceremony was also held at the hall, the event included the Dean providing each trainee with a laptop.

   Korea University held a Campus Globalization and Declaration Ceremony on October 10th at SK Future Hall.
    All trainees attended the ceremony alongside Nah-mee Shin, the Dean of the College of Nursing, and Professor Hyunmi Park, a faculty member in the Department of Medical Education. 
  Commemorating the internationalization of Korea University, the fellows gathered and had pizza with other international undergraduate and graduate students. 

   The fellows had a wonderful time experiencing the Chuseok festival, organized by the program office. They learned about the significance of Chuseok, a traditional Korean harvest festival, and enjoyed sharing traditional sweets.

   The event included Ddakji-chigi, a traditional Korean game that involves skillfully flipping thick paper tiles, known as ddakji, to overturn the opponent’s tiles while aiming for strategic placement and precision. This engaging gathering enabled the fellows to deepen their understanding of Korean culture

   The fellows attended the 2024 Annu- al Ko-Yon-Jeon (Korea-Yonsei Games), a rivalry sports event between Korea University and Yonsei University. This event typically features competitions in various sports, including baseball, football, and basketball, drawing significant attention and enthusiasm from students and alumni of both institutions.

   Among the games, fellows attended a baseball game on September 27th, where they watched Korea University defeat Yonsei University. Nursing major students also attended an ice hockey game, which they won. On the 28th, fellows watched an exciting football match that ended in a well-fought draw.

   One fellow remarked, “It was an exciting showdown between two of South Korea’s top universities. The game brought everyone together, creating a sense of unity. Strangers became friends, dancing and experiencing the events as one family. I really loved it, and I can definitely refer to this as the Ko-Yon-Jeon family.” With memories made and friendships formed, fellows left the stadium feeling inspired and connected.

   On October 10th, a colloquium was held featuring Professor Jang Sun-joo from Seoul National University College of Nursing as the speaker. The topic was 'Understanding and Applying Health Literacy.' Fellows, other graduate students, and faculty members participated in the event, creating an engaging environment for learning the importance of health literacy in healthcare. 

   On October 29th, the fellows attended a 3rd Quarter Workshop to share their lives and experiences. They were divided into five groups, each representing a diverse mix of nationalities, majors, and genders. After group activities, Professor Jae-wook Choi from the Department of Preventative Medicine gave a special lecture on Korea's National Health Insurance Scheme.

   On November 11, a special lecture was delivered by Dr. Pamella Cipriano, CEO of the International Council of Nurses, under the auspices of the Korean Nursing Association. This event commemorated the enactment of the Nursing Act in Korea. Dr. Cipriano’s lecture focused on future directions and perspectives in nursing and global health policy, offering invaluable insights to the attending trainees. 

   On November 12th, Professor Claire Stewart, Dean of the University of Nottingham's College of Medicine delivered a special lecture on global leadership. The lecture provided trainees with valuable insights into the medical education system in the United Kingdom 

  On November 13, Mr. Duong delivered a presentation to basic medical science students during the KUM: Finding the Way of Social Contribution course. He shared fundamental information about Vietnam, discussed the country’s ongoing health challenges, and reflected on his experiences as a trainee in the Dr. Lee Jong-wook Fellowship Program. 

Members of the Korea University Dr. Lee Jong-wook Fellowship Program — including the Program Steering Comm-ittee, advisors, fellows, and coordinators—designed and ordered custom puffers to stay warm during Korea’s cold winter. To commemorate this occasion, the program members gathered for a group photo.

   On November 23, fellows participated in a cultural field trip to the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, enjoying a crisp autumn day under clear skies. The visit offered a hands-on experience of Korea’s rich cultural heritage. Fellows engaged in traditional activities, such as playing Korean folk games and learning traditional ironing techniques, providing hands-on insight into historical daily life.

   After exploring the folk village, the group attended a Taekwon-do class. They practiced basic martial arts techniques under a skilled instructor's guidance. At the end of the session, each participant received a certificate commemorating their parti-cipation.

   The field trip provided an engaging opportunity for fellows to deepen their understanding of Korean culture and history.

   The KU Nursing Research Institute hosted the 14th International Conference, where trainees attended and learned about transitional care for chronic illness. The conference focused on family-centered, community-oriented transitional nursing, with a particular emphasis on managing chronic conditions and promoting lasting health, especially as Korea moves toward becoming a super-aging society. 

   Key presentations included Professor Ka-Young Lee's insights on transitional care within Korea’s home healthcare system, Professor Doris Yu’s perspectives on family-based transitional care for heart failure, and Professor Kyoko Yoshioka-Maeda's work on real-world database systems for public health nursing in Japan. Other presentations included Professor Rowena L. Escolar Chua's examination of ethical concerns in chronic care and Professor Mei-Ling Yeh’s innovative research on nurse-led qigong and acupoint therapies for dementia patients. These lectures explored various approaches, including the integration of technology and holistic patient care in nursing practices.

   During the conference, Duc Hoa Duong delivered an oral presen-tation on “Nursing Errors and Prevention Strategies among Nursing Students." He was awarded the Best Oral Presentation Award and received a prize for his outstanding work. The fellows also had the opportunity to meet their buddies, Jihyun and Geunseol, fostering connections and sharing experiences.

 Nursing major fellows Mr. Kasan Suy (Cambodia, Health Officer) and Ms. Seble Abera Eshete (Ethiopia, ICU Nurse) participated in the U21 Health Sciences Nursing & Midwifery Discipline Group Research Postgraduate Symposium, hosted by The University of Hong Kong. This hybrid event attracted over 100 attendees both onsite and online.

 15 research postgraduates delivered concise three-minute presentations on cutting-edge nursing and midwifery research. By engaging with diverse global topics, Mr. Suy and Ms. Eshete gained new insights into their research areas, ultimately enhancing their potential contributions to advancing nursing practice and global healthcare.

   On December 13, the Mongolia KOFIH Alumni Meeting and Networking Session took place at Songlim Hall, Sudang Samyang Faculty House, with online participation via Zoom. Despite technical challenges with the internet, the event fostered meaningful engagement and collaboration.

   Team Leader Jung Hye-jin, alongside KOFIH staff and fellows from the Korea University Dr. Lee Jongwook Fellowship Program, introduced themselves and connected in a warm, collaborative atmosphere.

   To ensure inclusivity, vegetarian and Halal-friendly meal options were prepared, with Chinese cuisine providing a delightful dining experience.

   The session highlighted KOFIH's commitment to strengthening alum-ni bonds and advancing international collaboration, reaffirming its role as a bridge between global health professionals.