On December 10th, 2024, the Dream Together Master Program hosted the graduation ceremony for its 11th batch at Seoul National University. The event brought together students from the 11th and 12th batches, family members, DTM professors, and representatives from the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation (KSPO).

The ceremony began with the formal conferral of degrees to 11th batch graduates, recognizing their successful completion of the 17-month program. Highlights of the event included the presentation of the Outstanding Thesis Award, acknowledging exceptional academic achievements, and a valedictory address by a representative of the graduating batch.

The ceremony also featured a commemorative video produced collaboratively by the 11th and 12th batches, reflecting on their time in the program and celebrating key milestones. This video highlighted the diverse experiences and shared memories of the students, emphasizing the program’s core values of collaboration and cultural exchange.

The Dream Together Master Program is proud to see the 11th batch graduates complete their journey and transition to the next phase of their careers. Equipped with the knowledge and skills gained during their time in the program, they are now prepared to make meaningful contributions to the global sports community.

Congratulations to the 11th batch graduates! The DTM community looks forward to seeing their impact as they apply their expertise and leadership in their home countries and beyond.

By DTM Office

Another year has passed, and the time has come to welcome the newest batch of students to the Dream Together Master Program. The entire staff and faculty are delighted to extend a warm greeting to the 12^th batch, who will embark on an enriching journey filled with learning and collaboration.

 The 12^th batch consists of 20 students from 19 countries, highlighting the global reach and diversity of the Dream Together Maser Program. This year’s batch includes students from Indonesia, Mongolia, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Zambia, Jordan, Namibia, Kyrgyzstan, Guatemala, Pakistan, Kenya, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, the Philippines, Egypt, Botswana, Myanmar, and South Korea.

 A defining characteristic of the DTM program is its vibrant diversity, with individuals from various cultures and backgrounds united by their shared passion for sports. This unique blend fosters a dynamic and collaborative environment, enriching the learning experience for everyone involved.

 Accepted into the program, students receive a prestigious full-ride scholarship for 17 months in Korea, where they will engage in an extensive curriculum under the guidance of world-renowned professors. Beyond academics, they will have opportunities to apply their knowledge through team projects, participate in sports events, and gain internship experience with Korean sports organizations. Additionally, the program provides extracurricular activities such as summer/winter sports field trips, Korean cultural experiences through field trips, and Korean language classes to enhance their proficiency.

 As this new batch begins their journey, they carry the hopes and dreams of their respective nations, aiming to make a significant impact in the global sports community. The Dream Together Master Program continues to serve as a beacon of excellence, uniting individuals through the transformative power of sports and education.

By DTM Office

1. How do you feel about being appointed as a member of the IOC’s Olympism 365 Committee? When were you appointed?
   On December 4, 2023, I received an official letter from Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), appointing me as a member of the IOC’s Olympism 365 Committee. The Olympism 365 initiative was created to spread the spirit and values of sports and the Olympics every day, while contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is an honor to be able to contribute to the dissemination of sports and Olympism and the achievement of the UN SDGs through the Olympism 365 Committee.

2. In what areas do you wish to play a role and contribute?
   First, as a member of the Olympism 365 Committee, I intend to deeply consider what is necessary to promote sustainable development around the world through sports. The world is currently at the peak of uncertainty due to the climate crisis, economic and social polarization, AI-based digital transformation, US-China conflicts, and so on. The UN SDGs specify common global issues that are necessary to solve global problems. As the Director of the DTM program, striving for a balanced global sports ecosystem through the development of sports in developing countries, I believe it is very meaningful to work towards achieving UN SDGs through Olympism 365. I want to promote Olympism and strive to make sports a force for a better future for humanity.

3. What is the relationship between the IOC and DTM?
   The relationship between the IOC and DTM is very deep. The IOC maintains and spreads the Olympism to promote individual growth, social development, and peace between nations through sport, thereby creating a better world. As I have mentioned before, DTM pursues sustainable development and balanced global sports development through sports in developing countries. Thus, the IOC and DTM share similar goals and values, and I believe that through cooperation, we can contribute to the sustainable development of the world as pursued by the UN SDGs.

4. Are there any plans for cooperation between Olympism 365 and DTM in the future?

   We are looking to explore a cooperative relationship in the future. Auvita RAPILLA, the Chair of the Olympism 365 Committee, is not only well-informed about DTM but also has a high interest in it. As soon as I was appointed as a member, she sent me an email expressing her desire to discuss areas of cooperation with the DTM program. Cooperation between Olympism 365 and DTM can be attempted in various ways, and there might be two possible approaches I have in mind. One is a top-down approach where Olympism 365 and DTM discuss and proceed with a collaborative project, and the other is a bottom-up approach where the proposals from DTM graduates, students, or individual countries are reviewed by DTM and then proposed again to the Olympism 365 Committee.

By DTM & DTM Director Joon-ho Kang