A group photo from an art therapy volunteer activity in Vietnam. [Provided by Daegu Cyber University]
A group photo from an art therapy volunteer activity in Vietnam. [Provided by Daegu Cyber University]

Daegu Cyber University announced Wednesday that Im Ji-hyang, head of its art therapy department, received a commendation from the Asia Korean Business Federation of Vietnam (president Kim Jeong-min) at a ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh City on June 18.

The award recognized Im's consistent contributions since 2024 to the mental health and psychological well-being of the Korean expatriate community in Vietnam through art therapy volunteer work and outreach activities.

Im has been conducting art therapy internships and volunteer programs in collaboration with overseas universities, medical institutions and educational organizations, working alongside students in the university's undergraduate art therapy department and graduate art counseling program.

Beyond Vietnam, she has partnered with local institutions across Nepal, Guam, Thailand, China, Japan, Germany, Albania and the United States to run art psychology counseling programs, while also working to develop globally competent professionals through overseas internship training.

Of particular note is an English-language art therapy undergraduate transfer program she has run for local students in Nepal, which produced its first Nepali graduates in 2026.

"I will continue to research and verify the effectiveness of art psychology counseling across diverse settings and develop programs that promote the mental health and well-being of students, parents, faculty and community members," Im said. "I intend to apply and expand these programs in the field together with current students and alumni working around the world."

Im previously served as president of the Korea Art Therapy Professors Association and currently serves as an adviser to the organization. Daegu Cyber University established South Korea's first undergraduate art therapy department in 2005 and continues to train art psychology counseling specialists through master's and doctoral programs in its graduate art counseling department.


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