Sierra Leone’s Minister of Higher and Technical Education and Ambassador to Korea Lead High-Level Delegation to YU Seeking Saemaul Studies Cooperation

Practical Implementation Accelerates Following December MOU Between YU and the Government of Sierra Leone

Agreements Signed with Two Public Universities to Establish Departments of Saemaul Economic Development and Saemaul Research Institutes

Sierra Leonean Education Minister: “Redesigning the National Education System Through Partnership with YU”

[April 27, 2026]

<YU signed agreements with two public universities in Sierra Leone to establish Departments of Saemaul Economic Development>

The government of Sierra Leone, located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa, has stepped forward to establish “Saemaul Studies Departments” at local public universities. Through the sharing of Saemaul Studies—a Korean-born academic discipline—YU and the Sierra Leonean government have entered a new phase of international development cooperation that extends beyond higher education innovation to community development and national economic growth.

 On April 21, a high-level delegation including Sierra Leone’s Minister of Technical and Higher Education Haja Ramatulai Wurie, Sierra Leonean Ambassador to Korea Paul Sobba Massaquoi, senior government officials, and professors from local public universities visited YU. The purpose of the visit was to sign agreements for the establishment of Departments of Saemaul Economic Development at two public universities in Sierra Leone.

 YU signed separate agreements with Milton Margai Technical University and Eastern Technical University. The agreements were personally signed by Minister Haja Ramatulai Wurie, representing both the Sierra Leonean government and the two universities. Minister Wurie, regarded as one of Sierra Leone’s emerging leaders, holds a master’s degree in biomedical science from the University of Wolverhampton and a doctorate in medicine from University of Warwick. She currently oversees higher education in Sierra Leone and is recognized for leading future talent development and national innovation.

 The agreements were designed to accelerate the practical implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between YU and the Government of Sierra Leone in December 2025 and to expand cooperation into institution-level execution. Under the agreements, the participating institutions will collaborate in the following areas: ▲curriculum development and consulting for the establishment of Departments of Saemaul Economic Development ▲support for the establishment and operation of Saemaul Movement Research Institutes ▲exchange programs for faculty, students, and staff ▲sharing academic information and materials ▲promotion of joint research initiatives.

 Under the agreements, YU plans to provide phased support for the establishment of academic departments and educational and research systems within Sierra Leonean universities, while further developing a cooperation model linking the cultivation of experts in Saemaul development with community advancement.

<YU President CHOI Oe-chool delivers a special lecture to the Sierra Leonean high-level delegation>

 Minister Haja Ramatulai Wurie stated, “Education has always been at the center of the national development agenda.Today’s agreement with YU marks a turning point in Sierra Leone’s national framework for technological and educational innovation.” She added, “By learning from Korea’s development experience, Sierra Leone will also place technological and educational innovation at the center of its development agenda and follow Korea’s path.” She continued, “Through our partnership with YU, we aim to go beyond simple cooperation and redesign how educational innovation functions throughout Sierra Leone.We will localize Saemaul Studies across Sierra Leonean educational institutions and establish research institutes. The principles of diligence, self-help, and cooperation will become practical tools for community and national economic development.”

 Ambassador Paul Sobba Massaquoi described the visit as “not merely a ceremonial diplomatic schedule, but a historic moment in which years of exchange and trust have borne fruit in the form of a comprehensive partnership.” He added, “YU’s exceptional commitment to Africa’s Saemaul Movement projects and Sierra Leone’s development made today’s achievement possible.” He further expressed hope that the outcomes of the visit would be broadly shared within the Sierra Leonean government and that President CHOI Oe-chool would receive an official invitation from the government to further strengthen bilateral ties and sustainable cooperation.

 Following the signing ceremony, the delegation from Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Technical and Higher Education participated in a four-day training program on the Saemaul Movement and Saemaul Development. Organized by YU’s Institute for International Development Cooperation, the program included lectures and discussions on ▲Saemaul Studies ideas linked to Sierra Leone’s national development strategy ▲introduction to the curriculum of YU’s Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul ▲sharing the experiences of the Saemaul Movement and Korea’s national development. The delegation also held discussions with international students from the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul, exchanging views on academic and research experiences as well as practical applications in their home countries. In addition, the delegation visited the Cheongdo Saemaul Movement Birthplace Memorial Park, the National Institute of Crop Science in Miryang, the Samsung Electronics Promotion Hall in Gumi, and the Park Chung Hee Presidential Archives, participating in field visits designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of Korea’s development experience.

<Minister Haja Ramatulai Wurie of Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Technical and Higher Education poses for a commemorative photo with her certificate after completing the Saemaul Movement and Saemaul Development training program at YU>

(From left: President CHOI Oe-chool, Minister Haja Ramatulai Wurie)

 After completing the program, Minister Wurie remarked, “I was deeply impressed by President CHOI Oe-chool’s explanation of Korea’s development process and the background behind the spread of the Saemaul Movement based on his own experiences. I came to understand why there is such strong international demand for sharing the Saemaul Movement and why President CHOI is so passionate about spreading it globally. The program provided valuable insights applicable to Sierra Leone’s circumstances.” She added, “I highly commend YU’s efforts to expand the Saemaul Movement and Saemaul Studies to other countries. I especially appreciate how the university enables young people from around the world to study at YU and bring that knowledge and experience back to their home countries. This will greatly contribute to promoting global citizenship and harmony among nations.” She further emphasized, “My vision is for the Saemaul Movement to become fully institutionalized in Sierra Leone and established as a ‘way of life.’ I believe this will drive Sierra Leone’s sustainable development.The movement must be localized to reflect Sierra Leone’s sociocultural norms, and its core principles should be firmly embedded throughout the educational curriculum, from elementary to secondary education.” Minister Wurie also noted, “From President CHOI’s remarks, I could clearly sense his consistent commitment to giving back to society. Leaders should prioritize global and community interests above all else, and that is the aspect of his philosophy I admire most.” She added, “I believe there are many similarities between the vision of the President of Sierra Leone and that of President CHOI.I hope to invite President CHOI to Sierra Leone in the near future so the two leaders can meet, exchange ideas, and share experiences.”

<The Sierra Leonean high-level delegation holds a completion ceremony after finishing the Saemaul Movement and Saemaul Development training program at YU>

 Building on the agreements, YU plans to continue follow-up discussions so that its higher education cooperation with Sierra Leone evolves beyond visits and exchanges into a practical and sustainable cooperation system encompassing department establishment, research hubs, personnel exchanges, and joint research.

 President CHOI Oe-chool stated, “The Saemaul Movement, which embodied the spirit of Hongik Ingan through public policy, was a crucial driving force behind Korea’s overcoming poverty and achieving national development. Saemaul Studies, which systematized this experience academically, has also proven its effectiveness internationally.” He added, “Following the agreement signed with the Sierra Leonean government last December, today’s implementation-level cooperation with Sierra Leonean public universities represents another significant step forward. We will move ahead with a strong sense of responsibility so that achievements in education, research, and talent cultivation lead to real change within Sierra Leone.” He continued, “Through the establishment of Departments of Saemaul Economic Development, the creation of research and training hubs, and the expansion of human exchanges within Sierra Leonean universities, we will help future leaders grow into key drivers of community development while building a sustainable cooperation model through which both countries can share and verify tangible outcomes.”