Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) officially launched its Olympic Council of Asia Graduate School of Sustainability and ESG, established in cooperation with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), with an opening ceremony held at the Academic Conference Hall in the Main Administration Building on Saturday, September 6. The Kookmin University Olympic Council of Asia Graduate School of Sustainability and ESG holds significant meaning as the first Olympic graduate school in Asia to receive OCA certification.

Approximately 200 key figures from academia and the sports world attended the opening ceremony, including Kim Ji Yong, Chairman of the Kookmin University Foundation;Jeong Seung Ryul, President of Kookmin University; Rha Chang Soon, Dean of the Olympic Council of Asia Graduate School of Sustainability and ESG (Vice President for Academic Affairs); and Ryu Seung Min, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee.

Honorary President Hussain Al-Mussallam, President of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) and Secretary General of the Asia's First OCA-Certified Graduate School! Kookmin University Opens ‘Asian Olympic Graduate School’OCA, congratulated the opening via a video message, stating, “The Asia Graduate School of Sustainability and ESG will become a symbolic institution leading sports and social values.” He plans to visit Korea in November to attend the Honorary President appointment ceremony.

In his welcome address, Kookmin University President Jeong Seung Ryul stated, “The  Asia Graduate School of Sustainability and ESG is a crucial challenge in realizing Kookmin University's grand vision of becoming an ‘Entrepreneurial University’,” adding, “We will cultivate global talent through educational programs that integrate sports and ESG management.” Dean Rha Chang Soon also emphasized, “It will become a hub for education encompassing international sports governance and sustainable management.”

Kim Byoung Joon, Director of International Affairs, presented the establishment history and introduced the graduate school's development process. Notably, the event was attended by Lee Jung Su (Short Track Speed Skating, 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Gold Medalist), Seo Young Woo (Bobsleigh, 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics Silver Medalist), Kim So Young (Badminton, 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games Gold Medal), Lee Nam Yong (Hockey, 2006 Doha Asian Games Gold Medal), and Jeong Jun Yong (Krash, 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games Silver Medal).

The Asian Olympic Graduate School plans to lead in integrated education for international sports and ESG by offering two majors: ▲ ‘Asian Olympic Governance and Policy (Master of Public Policy, MPP)’ and ▲ ‘Global Sports Sustainability and ESG Management (Master of ESG Management, MEM)’.

A Kookmin University official stated, “Asia Graduate School of Sustainability and ESG will lead in global sports governance and ESG fields, contributing to global sports development through research and educational programs in collaboration with international sports organizations.” The official further outlined the school's vision: “Moving forward, the graduate school will pursue the introduction of an international student admissions track and the establishment of a doctoral program by 2026. It will also progressively realize mid-to-long-term goals, including building an international education and research collaboration platform, revitalizing academic seminars, launching ESG and artificial intelligence (AI) convergence programs, and expanding international accreditation through cooperation with the OCA and other international organizations.”