University of Seoul Holds GPD Performance Sharing Seminar

Sharing Overseas Urban Development Cooperation Models and Achievements

The Graduate School of International Urban Sciences at the University of Seoul announced on August 1 that it had held the "2026 Summer Graduate School of International Urban Sciences GPD (Global Project Development) Performance Sharing Seminar."

Participants are taking a commemorative photo at the "2026 Summer Graduate Program for International Urban Sciences (GPD) Performance Sharing Seminar" held on the 24th by the Graduate School of International Urban Sciences at the University of Seoul. University of Seoul

This seminar was designed for trainees participating in the master's degree program for foreign government officials, which is supported by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The aim was to share the achievements of urban development projects carried out in the "GPD" class, and to explore ways to link overseas projects through cooperation with relevant organizations.

The GPD course is a practice-oriented subject where foreign government officials and Korean students form teams to plan and propose projects in the fields of urban development, infrastructure, and environment. Through the curriculum, trainees develop business proposals with high potential for local application and have opportunities to build cooperative networks between relevant domestic organizations and foreign cities.

The event, which took place on July 24, was attended by more than 80 participants, including officials from the Seoul International Development Cooperation Agency, Korea Overseas Infrastructure and Urban Development Corporation, International Contractors Association of Korea, Seoul Human Resource Development Center, Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements, Topec Engineering, and Nara Space Technology. Participants also included trainees from the graduate school's master's programs: MUAP (Seoul Metropolitan Government), MUD (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), MGLEP (Ministry of Environment), and MUDSIP (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport).

The seminar was held in three sessions. In the first session, representatives from the Seoul International Development Cooperation Agency (SUSA), Korea Overseas Infrastructure and Urban Development Corporation (KIND), and the International Contractors Association of Korea (ICAK) presented ideas for linking and developing overseas business based on the foreign government officials' training program.

The second and third sessions showcased results from six countries: Laos, Rwanda, Oman, Uzbekistan, Paraguay, and Malaysia. The Laos team proposed a pilot project model for an electric power supply line for a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. The Rwanda team presented a support model for affordable smart energy and eco-friendly construction for social housing. The Oman team suggested a solar power project.

Additionally, the Uzbekistan team announced a project for sustainable school sanitation facilities. The Paraguay team introduced a renewable energy and safe drinking water supply project for the Gran Chaco region’s rural communities. The Malaysia team presented a project for an integrated marine plastic recovery and circular resource facility.

Following the presentations, a panel discussion was held to discuss the feasibility of the projects and ideas for expanding cooperation.

In his closing remarks, Lee Shin, Dean of the Graduate School of International Urban Sciences, said, "This seminar was a meaningful time that confirmed the potential for trainees' creative ideas to grow into practical urban development cooperation projects. The Graduate School of International Urban Sciences will continue to expand its cooperative networks to promote sustainable urban development and the spread of international collaboration."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.