SNU Dream Together Master Program Holds Reunion in Paris
The Global Sports Management Graduate Program (Director: Joon-Ho Kang, Dean of the College of Education) at Seoul National University (SNU) hosted a reunion event for Dream Together Master (DTM) graduates on August 4th (local time) in Paris, France. The event took place at Korea House, a comprehensive promotional venue operated by South Korea to promote K-culture to visitors of the Paris Olympics and local tourists, as well as to support the national athletes.
SNU's Dream Together Master (DTM) program, which was established in 2013 to foster the next generation of sports administrators in developing countries, is a flagship international sports development cooperation project of Korea. Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, the program has produced 221 graduates from 57 countries, who are now actively contributing to the development of sports in their respective countries through various roles in government agencies, National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and international sports organizations. Among these, over 30 graduates have been dispatched to Paris, representing their countries' Olympic Committees, governments, international sports federations, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), thereby elevating the program's global standing.
DTM Graduates Expanding Beyond Their Home Countries to the WorldThis year's DTM alumni reunion event was held at Korea House during the 2024 Paris Olympics, 12 years after the Korean government first announced its intention to share South Korea's sports development experience with developing countries at Korea House during the 2012 London Olympics. At this gathering, DTM graduates shared their experiences and success stories while discussing strategies to promote sports development and Olympic values in their respective countries.
The event was attended not only by alumni but also by key figures from the international sports community, including IOC (International Olympic Committee) officials such as IOC member Auvita Rapilla, as well as representatives from major organizations like ANOC (Association of National Olympic Committees) and FISU (International University Sports Federation). They encouraged the alumni and engaged in networking activities.
Olzhas, a graduate of the first cohort and Secretary-General of the Kazakhstan Taekwondo Association, shared his thoughts: "Even after 10 years since graduating as part of the first DTM cohort, the knowledge and experience I gained from DTM continue to be immensely helpful in my daily work in sports, significantly contributing to the development of sports in Kazakhstan. I am always grateful to Korea for the opportunity to connect and network with fellow alumni from diverse countries here." Firas, a graduate of the fourth cohort and a coordinator at World Triathlon from Jordan, expressed his determination: "This meaningful event allowed me to network with fellow alumni and professors, reaffirming the importance of this program and making me realize once again the value of DTM, which has been the foundation of my growth to this point. I will continue to work hard for the development of international sports.“
SNU Dream Together Master Program Holds Reunion in Paris
Director Joon-Ho Kang stated, "It is meaningful that alumni who have grown into sports administration leaders through the DTM program over the past 11 years have gathered once again at Korea House, one of the most prominent National Houses during the 2024 Paris Olympics, to share their experiences and achievements. We will continue to do our utmost to ensure that the DTM program continues to grow, contributing to the development of international sports and strengthening Korea's sports diplomacy.“
Translated by
InKyung Bae (Department of English Language and Literature)