Seoul National University was selected as the recipient of "the merit for best practice for promotion in 2021" by the Ministry of Education. The merit for best practice for promotion is awarded by the Minister of Education to institutions that promoted their education policy and actively pursued internal and external communication.
SNU was commended for promoting its various research accomplishments for overcoming COVID-19 and its responses to social issues. SNU was also praised for actively communicating with the students and faculty and staff members, who amount to about 60,000, regarding the university policy.
SNU ran a web page titled "SNU Responds to COVID-19" on its main website and shared research findings from various fields with the public. The university also increased the public ability to respond to disasters by providing accurate and accessible information on COVID-19 through its YouTube videos, titled "SNU Catch."
SNU also paved the way to restore its community spirit. Despite the non-face-to-face situation, SNU student reporters continued to cover school news in Korean, English, and via social network channels and reported on SNU's efforts to normalize the university by providing rapid COVID-19 tests on campus and establishing policies for in-person classes. The postings on social network channels, such as Instagram, went viral and effectively raised awareness toward the information.
Taking the commendation from the Minister of Education as a new opportunity, SNU will place more effort to actively communicate with the public and its members.