“KDI School President Joon Kyung KIM(left) and KOICA Young-mok KIM(right)
pose for a photograph after signing the MOU”

KDI School of Public Policy and Management signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on March 8, 2016. According to the MOU, which was inaugurated with a signing ceremony at KOICA headquarters in Gyeonggi Province, KDI School’s Impact Evaluation Lab will help KOICA measure the outcomes and impact of their Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects. KOICA anticipates that this will generate the qualitative and quantitative evidence necessary in sustaining its ODA activities and also improve the effectiveness of overseas assistance.

At the MOU signing ceremony, KOICA President Youngmok KIM said, “Evaluating the impact of our ODA projects will become one of the most important aspects in innovating KOICA’s operations.” President Joon Kyung KIM reiterated the importance of impact evaluation and KDI School’s role saying, “We’ve been operating an Impact Evaluation Lab since 2011. Based on the knowledge and experience we’ve accumulated so far, along with the expertise of KDI, we are confident we can contribute to the successful outcome of KOICA’s ODA projects.”

The collaboration between KDI School and KOICA is expected to draw from the depository of knowledge and experience involving international development at each organization. Collaboration between the two organizations will surely bring several additional opportunities to improve the ability of both organizations and create synergy in utilizing their resources.

KDI School, the first national college to operate an Impact Evaluation Lab, is well aware that the quality, relevance, and impact of their research would not be possible without extensive collaboration with their partners and research networks around the world. Cooperation between KDI School and KOICA reflects the School’s commitment to its strategic partnerships to share research results, knowledge, and experience in the field.

Another important aspect of the MOU is that it confirms both KDI School and KOICA’s commitment for student mobility and support. KOICA specifically encourages KDI School students to participate in KOICA internship opportunities that are expected to give students an opportunity to gain field experience.

By Eun Hye Grace Choi (2015 MPP, Korea)