Kyonggi University Hosts Opening Ceremony for 2026 ESG Leading University Program

경기대학교 (Kyonggi University) successfully held the opening ceremony for its 2026 ESG Leading University program on June 18. The initiative, organized by the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and the Gyeonggi Social Economy Promotion Agency, aims to cultivate leaders in ESG management within the province.

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ESG is no longer an optional task for companies and institutions, but a core competency for sustainable growth and social responsibility. Kyonggi University will fulfill its duty as a university by nurturing practical ESG talents needed by the local community and industry, and by spreading ESG values to create a sustainable future.

The program, now in its third year, selects 50 participants from companies, public institutions, and social economy organizations. Over 28 sessions totaling 120 hours from June to November, students will develop practical ESG execution capabilities. The ceremony saw attendance from notable figures including Son Yul, chairman of the Kyonggi Academic Foundation, Nam Hyang-ho, president of the Gyeonggi Social Economy Promotion Agency, and several local politicians and officials.

Son Yul emphasized ESG's critical role in sustainable growth and social responsibility, stating, "Kyonggi University will fulfill its duty as a university by nurturing practical ESG talents needed by the local community and industry, and by spreading ESG values to create a sustainable future." Nam Hyang-ho highlighted the program as a vital educational platform for Gyeonggi Province's businesses and institutions to adapt to the evolving ESG landscape.

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The ESG Leading University is an important educational platform that helps companies and institutions in Gyeonggi Province actively respond to the changing ESG environment. I expect all participants in this course to grow into key talents who practice and spread the value of ESG in the field.

Choi Soon-jong, the project manager from Kyonggi University, described the program as a practical curriculum designed to train experts who can diagnose ESG challenges and lead ESG initiatives within their organizations. He noted that the university has refined the curriculum based on previous operational achievements to ensure participants become key drivers of ESG management and value dissemination in Gyeonggi Province. Since its inception in 2024, the program has graduated 102 students, with 100% achieving ESG certifications and a 141% increase in ESG understanding.

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The ESG Leading University is a practical training course that goes beyond simple knowledge transfer to foster experts who can diagnose ESG tasks in actual organizational settings and lead the implementation of ESG practices and policies. This year, based on the results of previous operations, we will further enhance the curriculum to support students in leading ESG management in Gyeonggi Province and becoming key forces in spreading ESG values.