“2014 Dream Together Master Program” for International Sport Development and Cooperation

“2014 Dream Together Master Program” for International Sport Development and Cooperation begins 2^nd year in South Korea

The ‘Dream Together Master Program (DTMP)’ began its first semester on September 1, 2014, with full support from the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism (MCST) and Korea Foundation for the Next Generation Sports Talent (NEST Foundation).

Study Together! Work Together! Dream Together!

A number of developing countries have shown an interest in the program, and 93 students from 36 developing countries applied for this year’s program. Among them, 19 students were admitted and have joined the Dream Together Master Program last month. The students will stay in Korea for three semesters, participating in various courses. They need to pass all courses as well as the final team project. In the fourth semester, the students submit their individual thesis after going back to their countries.

The Dream Together Master Program, operated by Seoul National University, is the only national policy project related to Sport ODA in South Korea. This project is aimed at educating sport administrators who are working at National Olympic Committees (NOCs) or National Federations (NFs) from countries where sport is underdeveloped. This program launched in 2013 in cooperation with MCST, NEST Foundation and Seoul National University.

DTMP is composed of module-type classes and extracurricular activities such as sport facility field trips, forums and special lectures by world-renowned experts in the sport industry such as members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and sport administrators. Later this month on September 25, IOC member Adam Pengilly will be invited to deliver a special lecture at Seoul National University.

Module-type classes are taught by famous professors from many other countries including the U.S., U.K., Switzerland and Australia, and the curriculum consists of 36 credits that embraces a wide range of topics – 10 themes (3 modules per theme) and 2 consulting projects (team/individual). Most of regular classes are focused on sport administration, the Olympic movement, sport development, sport values, international development and cooperation.

Last year, 18 foreign students were admitted and have participated in the regular classes and extracurricular activities. DTMP will be on the IOC University Selection List 2014/2015, which lists postgraduate courses offering Olympic-related content.

Welcome to Korea, a welcome party for the freshmen

On September 2, there was a welcome dinner for the freshmen, where students admitted in 2014 could meet and ask the students of 2013 for advice. This event was meaningful for all students since they could communicate and share the knowledge each other.

Ee Laine, admitted in 2013 from Malaysia, spoke to the freshmen, “How time flies. I have had to put more effort and time than I expected but it has been totally worth it. As I have done, you need to do your best. Welcome to the Dream Together Master Program.”

One of 2014 freshmen, Paola (Ecuador), said “I am very grateful to be here tonight and looking forward to studying at Seoul National University. After graduation, I will go back to my country to contribute to the development of sport in Ecuador as well as the cooperation with Korea. Nami Kim, Secretary General of the Nest Foundation, addressed the new students in her welcoming speech, “Through this program, you can design your dream as global sport leaders and contribute to sport development in your countries as well as in the world. I also hope you get the most out of this program.”

DTMP is operated by the Global Sport Management Graduate Program at Seoul National University and funded by Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism through the Korea Foundation for the Next Generation Sports Talent using the national sports promotional funds from the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation in cooperation with the Korean Olympic Committee.