Introduction

Started in 2007 its multidisciplinary curriculum, integrating academic and practitioners’ training with dynamic changes occurring in Asia and throughout the globe, is unique in the field of studies on social change, non-governmental organizations and civil society. The curriculum covers a wide range of current issues from both regional and global perspectives, all of them taught in English. The MAINS is intended for the people who have been contributing or have the potential to contribute to leading social progress in Asia. With academic and practical resources of the university together with outside corporate donors and partners, MAINS offers intensive and flexible preparation for those who seek leadership and skills for more just and equitable social development in Asia. For this purpose the program provides the foreign students with the good scholarship opportunity and living stipend. 

Other merits of the MAINS include the possibility of working closely with the May 18 Memorial Foundation in Gwangju—our partner organization—in terms of its summer international workshop and other related programs. The status of the foundation as the official body commemorating the democratic struggle in Gwangju on May 18, 1980 means that the student lucky enough to secure an internship with the foundation will have an excellent chance to know and trace the spirit and history of pro-democracy movement of Korea in the modern period. We welcome applicants with an undergraduate degree, preferably in social science fields, and with experiences generally in the non-profit or non-governmental sectors in Asia. We are looking for individuals with sensitivity to and involvement in issues such as the promotion of social change, human rights, democratization, local community development, solidarity across borders, and humanitarian aid in Asia.

Eligibility

We welcome applicants with an undergraduate degree, preferably in social science fields, and with experiences generally in the non-profit or non-governmental sectors in Asia and Korea.

Given the nature of the program, those applicants who are from the outside of Asian region will not be given a priority consideration in the admission. We are looking for individuals with sensitivity to, and involvement in, issues such as the promotion of social change, human rights, democratization, local community development, solidarity across borders, and humanitarian aid in Asia. We will particularly scrutinize these points through the process of admission decision.

Therefore an application with a sole purpose of career advancement in the NGO sector is not encouraged.

Main Schedule for 2026 Admission 

Completed application and materials should be sent by deadline through email to the following address : mains@skhu.ac.kr

Please make sure to check the detailed schedule and other required document in the attached file.