Civil society and NGOs have emerged as one of the most important actors in our society in the 21st century and research on the formation. Also, the developmental process of Korean civil society, conceptual studies of civil society, research on political implications, and regional and national comparative studies between the two are being actively developed in the field of social science. In particular, the importance of research on civil society is not limited to an academic perspective but has practical implications for seeking a positive role for civil society in the development of democracy, and its importance is being highlighted.
In this context, the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program of NGOs was established in 2002 with the educational goal of cultivating professional manpower in civil society and NGO fields, the academic goal of establishing NGO studies, and the practical goal of playing a central role in the network of NGO activists and researchers.
the program aims to educate activists, citizens, and students who work in or desire to work in NGOs through a professional training program so that those professionals can contribute to developing a healthy civil society.
the program aims to construct the academic basis for research on civil societies and NGOs as an independent study by offering an interdisciplinary curriculum based on Sociology and Public Administration as well as contributions from other fields of studies.
the program aims to contribute to the revitalization of civil societies and their international exchange through education and research, bringing together people and scholarly resources and information to share with communities, both in domestic and international levels, while building a network of solidarity between other research institutes and NGOs.
Q1
Would you introduce yourself and what motivated you to enter the program?
Before entering the master's degree program in the Interdisciplinary Graduate School of NGOs, I was working for an NGO for international development cooperation. As a project manager at the Myanmar branch, I was in charge of supporting children in local communities and providing water tanks for drinking water. I decided to study in graduate school because I thought I needed to know more about NGOs.
Q2
Did you have any difficulties while studying at CNU?
It was difficult to study in a new field because I majored in different fields of study in the undergraduate program.
Q3
What was the best part of graduate study?
There were opportunities to learn about various theories on NGOs and civil society as well as to meet people with diverse backgrounds and share various perspectives.
Q4
What is your plan after graduation?
My goal is to return to the NGO field and engage in more systematic and professional activities based on what I studied during my graduate school coursework./p>
Q1
Would you introduce yourself and what motivated you to enter the program?
I worked for an NGO in Bangladesh for four years. There, I participated in NGO activities related to human rights. While looking for further studies, I found the GNMP program at CNU and applied to enter the school.
Q2
Did you have any difficulties while studying at CNU?
Language difference was never an easy part. Personally, it was difficult to read Korean text, but My advisor professor and administrative officer helped me a lot. So it wasn't difficult to adapt.
Q3
What was the best part of graduate study?
Studying abroad gives very good opportunities as it is as well as the GNMP has an excellent system for supporting research. In particular, professors helped me a lot in writing my thesis and I am grateful that administrative officers paid much attention to the writing process. In addition, the quality of classes remained unchanged and high even during the period when offline classes and online classes were combined due to COVID-19. I think this is an advantage of the GNMP at CNU.
Q4
What is your plan after graduation?
I'm planning to study abroad to prepare for my Ph.D. degree, but I'm also planning to find a suitable job to maintain my studies. Thank you.
