SNU's College of Engineering will soon open a volunteer work center on the first floor of the ShinYang Building (44-1), the opening ceremony for which will take place in November 2011. The center will be named 'GongHeon' and the College of Engineering is the first SNU College to establish a center specializing in volunteer work.

The main objective of 'GongHeon' is to develop 'engineering-specific volunteer work' programs that use the special skills of engineering students. For example, the center will organize volunteer programs utilizing solar energy technology, rain water research, and architecture technology. Moreover, the center will subsidize independent student projects, and help with the organizing of teams to carry out such projects.

When the center is completed, it will include a conference room for the use of student volunteers. The center will also connect volunteer organizations with students who are interested in contributing to society through social work and service projects. Funding for the establishment and maintenance of the center will come from philanthropic corporations, alumni associations and the SNU Development Fund.

In order to promote volunteer work projects, as well as to communicate with interested students, 'GongHeon' will launch an official homepage and a smart phone application. In addition, the center will give out incentives to the students who participate actively in volunteer projects. The incentives will include a certificate confirming completion of a project, a prize to congratulate excellent volunteers, course credits, financial support stipends and scholarships.

CHO In-Su, an administrator at the College of Engineering commented,"The center will be able to integrate the advantages of individual volunteer work and club volunteer work. Students from other departments can join too, so this will be an open volunteer center."

Written by JANG Hyo Jeong, SNU English Editor, fatalbonds@snu.ac.kr  ?
Proofread by Brett Johnson, SNU English Editor, morningcalm2@gmail.com