Foreign universities line up to support PyeongChang
Volunteers are always a vital contributor to the smooth and successful running of the Olympics and PyeongChang organisers have teamed up with a number of foreign universities to ensure that students from around the world play a part in the volunteer programme at next year’s Olympic Winter Games.
Lee Hee-beom, the President of the PyeongChang Organising Committee (POCOG) was in Washington (USA) this week to sign a memorandum of understanding with George Washington University, which is set to send 40-50 students to volunteer at next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“This exciting partnership with the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will offer our students a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about how the Games are organized, while also experiencing the riches of Korean life and culture,” said Dr. Steven Knapp, president of the university.
“PyeongChang volunteers will come from many different backgrounds and cultures. I am confident that students from George Washington University will enjoy this special opportunity in PyeongChang and bring their professionalism and passion to the Games. With only 16 days left until the one-year-to-go mark, I hope that that all the volunteers we select for the Games enjoy their experience with us to help create a Games for all. I also hope that we can inspire many more people to engage in volunteering after PyeongChang and to create a culture in Korea where people give their time to support organizations or events well beyond 2018.”
POCOG has also signed an agreement with four more foreign universities, all of which have campuses in Songdo Incheon: the State University of New York, George Mason University and the University of Utah (all USA) and Ghent University (BEL). Between ten to 30 students from each will be selected to work as volunteers in the areas of airport reception, transportation and protocol during Games time. Competition for volunteer places among the students is not surprisingly fierce. In order to be selected by their university students have to complete an application demonstrating their desire and suitability.
The main volunteer programme for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games has generated a huge amount of interest – 91,656 applications from 145 countries for the 22,400 positions available. The final allocation of places is due to be completed in April 2017.