The UPTC currently has a volunteer from the KOICA program. Her name is Ahn Saein, and she is a Korean teacher who teaches level 1 and 2 of the Korean language in UPTC classrooms. There are many young people interested in learning about Korean culture and traditions. KOICA is a governmental international organization cooperation agency which has a volunteer program for Koreans. The UPTC is one of the beneficiaries of this program. Its objectives are to improve the quality of life through knowledge, technology, and experiences, as well as to strengthen cooperation by sending Korean volunteers, who also grow personally and professionally through these service activities. However, the main objective is to promote the KOICA program itself, through its volunteers, by implementing activities and projects required for regional development. Currently, KOICA operates in 43 countries, carrying the motto of "Un mundo mejor a través del intercambio y aprendizaje,” or “A better world through exchange and learning.”
KOICA delivers grants through various development cooperation programs, such as:
- Bilateral Projects and Development Experience Exchange Program (DEEP)
- Overseas Volunteers
- Development Innovation Programs
- Fellowship Programs
- Multilateral Cooperation Projects
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
- Public - Private Partnership Programs
- Global Disease Eradication Fund
The director of the International Language Institute at the UPTC participated in the "Directors Meeting 2023" event on March 31st in Bogota. This event is directed at the beneficiary entities that have Korean volunteers who are part of the KOICA program. At this event, the activities of the program were presented, along with the volunteers’ projects within different areas of the country as well as some KOICA Colombia expectations and program activities.
The main purpose of this meeting was to create an environment to exchange experiences and opinions on basic competencies, behavioral indicators, and other characteristics to assess the field-dispatch-type volunteer program.
Definitions of Volunteer Competencies
| Competency Type |
Competency Elements |
Competency Definition |
Behavioral Indicators |
| 1. Problem-Solving Competency |
- Creative Problem- solving
- Integrative thinking |
Ability to reason out a sensible solution by using integrative thinking skills. |
Solve the problems through multifaceted review and integrative thinking skills when they happen. |
| 2. Research and Analysis Competency |
- Logic construction and analytical skills
- Expertise in the field of activity |
Ability to collect information and analyze it to find meaningful information. |
Analyze information from various perspectives to solve a problem while avoiding personal bias. |
| 3. Global Citizenship Competency |
- Global Leadership
- Communication skills
- Cultural sensitivity. |
Volunteer understands international trends as a global citizen. |
Try to meet the responsibilities based on thorough planning and carrying out the duties. |
| 4. Foreign Language Competency |
- The local language
- English |
Volunteers can express their intentions verbally and writing in the local language where the volunteer is dispatched. |
Live with others by accurately communicating in the local language or English verbally and in writing. |
| 5. Job Performance Competency |
- Documentation skills
- Potential for advancement. |
Plan and review the feasibility of the tasks and write and submit the related documents accordingly. |
Utilize and reconstruct the data without difficulty in carrying out the duties. |
This event was an opportunity to share experiences, reflections, ideas, proposals, and challenges to be met.
