Now in its second year, Samsung Nanum Weeks has grown significantly with 110,000 people from 23 Korean affiliates participating and various regional offices taking part. Employees worldwide actively engaged in volunteer efforts centered around youth education, blood donation, charitable contributions and community service.

Samsung Newsroom captured how employees around the world came together not only during Samsung Nanum Weeks but throughout the year with a shared commitment to make a meaningful impact on their communities.

• Brazil: Empowering Local Youth Through Art and Games
• Indonesia: Hosting a Blood Donation Campaign With Employees
• South Africa: Organizing an E-Waste Collection and Recycling Campaign
• Türkiye: Building Connections Between Employees and Future Leaders
• Vietnam: Extending a Helping Hand to Children in Need
• United Kingdom: Supporting Young People and Local Organizations
• United States: Coming Together on Samsung Day of Service

Brazil: Empowering Local Youth Through Art and Games

To support underprivileged communities in the Campinas Region, employees from Samsung R&D Institute Brazil visited a local children’s center that offers free educational programs. Volunteers painted the front wall, created art in the cafeteria and organized interactive educational games for the children.

▲ Employees volunteer at a local children’s center in Brazil’s Campinas Region.

“I’m very happy to be here today and have the opportunity to make a positive impact on these children’s lives,” said Gabriel Veschi, Clinical Research Project Manager at Samsung R&D Institute Brazil. “I am grateful to be part of Samsung, where we have opportunities to step outside our usual environments and be part of the local community — something I believe everyone should experience.”

Indonesia: Hosting a Blood Donation Campaign With Employees

Together with the Red Cross, Samsung Electronics Indonesia organized a blood donation campaign called “Give Blood & Keep the World Beating.” This initiative was launched to address the local blood shortage with nearly 200 employees stepping forward to donate.

▲ Employees donate blood during the “Give Blood and Keep the World Beating” campaign in Indonesia.

“Donating blood is one of the most impactful activities in helping save lives,” said Fakhruzi Fakhruzi, a Samsung Electronics Indonesia employee who has participated in the annual blood drive for 26 years since joining the company in 1998. “We are proud to bring employees together to offer help to those in need.”

▲ Samsung Indonesia employees pose for a photo after donating blood.

South Africa: Organizing an E-Waste Collection and Recycling Campaign

In South Africa, Samsung employees participated in an e-waste collection and recycling campaign during Samsung Nanum Weeks — with the goal of gathering discarded electronics from local communities and promoting resource circulation.

Employees collected unused or end-of-life consumer electronics donated by residents, ensuring their safe transport from accredited service centers to certified recycling partners. At Samsung warehouses, employees collected scrap electronics for recycling and installed e-waste collection boxes in accessible locations throughout the office. The collected e-waste will be disassembled and recycled into raw materials for manufacturing.

▲ Employees recover discarded electronics for recycling in South Africa.

“The proper disposal of e-waste is crucial for environmental preservation and the sustainable development of local communities,” said Nicky Beukes, a Samsung South Africa employee. “We will continue to promote activities that protect the local environment and encourage recycling.”

▲ Employees set up collection boxes for unused or unwanted electronics throughout the Samsung office in South Africa.

Türkiye: Building Connections Between Employees and Future Leaders

In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, Samsung Electronics Türkiye hosted a Mentoring Day to empower talented young students as part of Samsung Innovation Campus. Samsung employees offered professional insights, career guidance and an in-depth look into Samsung’s history and culture.

▲ Samsung Electronics Türkiye employees pose for a photo on Mentoring Day.

“Mentoring these future leaders was incredibly fulfilling,” said Meral Çizmeci, a Samsung Electronics Türkiye employee. “We will continue to support and inspire the next generation.”

Vietnam: Extending a Helping Hand to Children in Need

At Samsung Electronics Vietnam Complex, employees came together for a fundraising campaign to support underprivileged children through the Nanum Kiosk — Samsung’s fundraising platform that allows employees to donate money by tagging their employee ID at designated kiosks.

▲ Employees make donations through the Nanum Kiosk at the Samsung Electronics Vietnam Complex.

“I’m grateful to give back to those in need in such an accessible way,” said Nguyen Truong Xa, a Samsung Electronics Vietnam Thai Nguyen employee who has made over 200 donations each year through the Nanum Kiosk to become the top contributor. “I look forward to participating in more sharing activities in the future.”

Samsung Electronics Vietnam Thai Nguyen also organized a walkathon on November 4 to raise funds for children with heart disease in the Thai Nguyen Province. Around 600 employees and local officials took part in the event, raising about 340 million Vietnamese dong ($13,423) to support the cause.

Samsung employees shared their volunteer activities on social media, encouraging colleagues and the wider community to get involved and promote a culture of giving. By matching each shared post with a donation of $1, Samsung Electronics Vietnam Complex donated approximately 200 million Vietnamese dong ($7,896) to support childhood cancer treatment.

Following these events, Samsung CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Day was held on November 8 to highlight social contribution initiatives across Vietnam and express gratitude to stakeholders for their support. Now in its second year, Samsung CSR Day featured an exhibition of Samsung Electronics Vietnam’s key CSR initiatives alongside an award ceremony recognizing individuals and organizations who have actively contributed to Vietnamese society.

United Kingdom: Supporting Young People and Local Organizations

Employees from Samsung Electronics U.K. volunteered to paint a community center near the SEUK office that provides essential support to vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the community.

In addition, Samsung Electronics U.K. employees served as Solve for Tomorrow mentors and joined the Design Thinking Workshop held at Samsung King’s Cross as part of the Solve for Tomorrow 2024/25 competition launch in October. Mentors from different business areas volunteered their time to help young people and students develop and discuss their innovative “tech-for-good” ideas.

▲ Mentors speak with young people during Solve for Tomorrow’s Design Thinking Workshop in the U.K.

“Volunteering to help at Solve for Tomorrow was a truly rewarding experience,” said Daisy Faulkner, a mentor at Solve for Tomorrow’s Design Thinking Workshop. “I return to my work inspired by the students’ ambition, creativity and overall passion for technology.”

Samsung Electronics U.K. also organized a “Back to School Career Talk” to provide career guidance to students from nearby schools. Mentors shared their own career journeys and discussed their roles at Samsung, giving students insight into essential skills and different career paths.

United States: Coming Together on Samsung Day of Service

In October, Samsung Electronics America organized the 14th annual Samsung Day of Service — a hands-on volunteer initiative involving employees from Samsung Electronics America and Samsung Research America. Partnering with over 50 NGOs and schools, Samsung Day of Service focused on key areas like STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, accessibility, sustainability and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion). Employees took part in more than 2,000 volunteer activities including showcasing technology careers at workshops, tutoring at elementary schools, preparing meals for those in need, participating in environmental cleanups and building an accessible nature trail.

▲ Employees construct a nature trail using sustainable materials at Flat Rock Brook in Englewood, New Jersey.

“The Samsung Day of Service was a meaningful opportunity for us to connect with the communities in which we live and work,” said Joy Lee, a Samsung Electronics America employee who volunteered at Oasis — A Haven for Women and Children in Paterson, New Jersey. “We hope our efforts will greatly benefit our neighbors.”

▲ Samsung employees serve up meals at Oasis — A Haven for Women and Children, in Paterson, New Jersey.

Samsung’s corporate citizenship activities will continue to bring warmth and support to communities moving forward. Guided by its CSR vision of “Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People,” Samsung is committed to empowering young people through education and collaborative efforts — further strengthening the company’s bond with local communities and embodying a spirit of generosity through a variety of meaningful programs.

The World Economic Forum’s 2023 Future of Jobs Report¹ underscores the growing prominence of technology in the job market. As approximately 75% of companies intend to integrate technologies such as big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) within the next five years, it’s important for young individuals to familiarize themselves with these tools to stay competitive. What’s more, widespread digitalization significantly impacted commerce and trade, with 86% of companies considering platforms and app adoption. Now more than ever, technology skills are necessary for young job seekers to succeed in today’s evolving business landscape.

Through its global corporate social responsibility programs, Samsung Electronics remains committed to empowering, engaging and nurturing the creativity of young minds who aspire to be the problem solvers of tomorrow. One such program, Samsung Innovation Campus, plays a crucial role in shaping and honing the capabilities of young individuals by providing comprehensive training in information and communications technology (ICT). To date, this initiative has expanded its reach to 35 countries worldwide — successfully impacting 119 thousand talented participants.

Samsung Newsroom takes a deep dive into this global initiative, highlighting how Samsung fulfills its corporate social responsibilities and celebrates the empowerment of youth around the world.

Türkiye: Unlocking the Future With Samsung Innovation Campus — Özge Özkaya

“Through Samsung Innovation Campus, you can find solutions and apply them to areas where they are most needed in society.”

“Draw your future with Samsung Innovation Campus to become an AI engineer, big data analyst or AI researcher — like I did!”

Türkiye is among several nations with a growing demand for ICT specialists in its job market — approximately 18% of Turkish businesses hired an ICT specialist in 2022 compared to 12% in 2020.² Turkish students have an opportunity to stand out from other job applicants through the technical education and hands-on experience offered by Samsung Innovation Campus.

One of these students is Özge Özkaya, whose life took a transformative turn when she participated in Samsung Innovation Campus to fulfill her passion for AI and big data. Now, working at an AI Lab under the United Nations Development Programme, Özge attributes her achievements to the invaluable knowledge gained from the program. By collaborating with her friends, Hale Afra İriş and Gözde Gözütok, Özge developed an AI solution capable of predicting forest fires, an essential asset for building sustainable cities and communities. The team meticulously worked on web scraping, API calls, data cleaning and feature engineering to develop an advanced machine-learning model with an impressive 80% accuracy rate in forecasting potential fires.

This success showcases the real-world impact that Samsung Innovation Campus strives to deliver — offering a beacon of hope to young minds, such as Özge, who aspire to make a positive impact on the world.

“Through Samsung Innovation Campus, you can find solutions and apply them to areas where they are most needed in society,” said Özge. “It’s a worthwhile experience. Draw your future with Samsung Innovation Campus to become an AI engineer, big data analyst or AI researcher — like I did!”

South Africa: Fueling the Dreams of a Young Technologist — Katlego Magoro

“Students now have the necessary skills to make meaningful contributions to society one day.”

“Technology can be a powerful tool for ending social divides, promoting greater equality and extending opportunities to all South Africans.”

Katlego Magoro is one of the recent graduates of Samsung Innovation Campus at Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. After losing his parents at a young age, Katlego was raised by his grandparents. He credits his seamstress grandmother for instilling the value of hard work and attention to detail. Although his lifelong dream was to become a lawyer and fight for underserved communities like his own, fate had other plans for Katlego. When he missed the chance to enroll in law school, he found himself studying Information Technology (IT) at Walter Sisulu University. This is where Katlego discovered his passion for coding and programming despite his initial hesitation.

With the support of university lecturers and Samsung’s program, Katlego excelled in IT and became a skilled software developer. “Samsung Innovation Campus focused on applying our theoretical knowledge to solve real-world problems. This practice equipped us with the relevant tools to stand out as aspiring software developers, data analysts and scientists in this highly competitive industry,” said Katlego. “Thanks to Samsung and the university, students now have the necessary skills to make meaningful contributions to society one day.”

Katlego’s passion for bringing digital strength to South Africa is stronger than ever — where only 22% of households have a computer and a mere 10% have internet access.³ Katlego strives to build the foundation for a brighter future by supporting marginalized communities in his country and granting them access to big data analytics. “Technology can be a powerful tool for ending social divides, promoting greater equality and extending opportunities to all South Africans,” he explained.

Fueled by the belief in technology’s potential for positive change, Katlego and other Samsung Innovation Campus students are determined to pave the way for a more inclusive and connected future.

Greece: From Student to Samsung’s AI Linguist — Georgia Maniati

“The program’s excellent curriculum surpassed my expectations. Exposure to real-world scenarios and collaboration with like-minded individuals were the most valuable parts for me.”

“We can actively contribute to bridging the gap between skills supply and demand while fostering innovation and driving the industry forward.”

Greece’s tech sector has surged recently, driven by an increase in government and foreign investments around innovation. Thanks to heightened demand, Greece is now actively seeking tech-savvy individuals.⁴

One such example is Georgia Maniati, a language engineer from Greece, who deepened her passion for AI at Samsung Innovation Campus. Following her linguistics and AI studies in the U.K., she returned to Athens to dive deeper into data analytics.

She credits Samsung Innovation Campus for expanding her horizons. “Despite my experience in AI, I had no background in big data or e-commerce,” said Georgia. “The program’s excellent curriculum surpassed my expectations. Exposure to real-world scenarios and collaboration with like-minded individuals were the most valuable parts for me.”

Now, as an AI speech and language research scientist at Samsung, Georgia works on projects like Samsung’s Bixby digital assistant, product launches and updates, and global language endeavors. “As part of the Samsung family, I take pride in the company’s commitment to equipping recent graduates with AI and data analytics skills,” she said. “We can actively contribute to bridging the gap between skills supply and demand while fostering innovation and driving the industry forward.”

Thailand: Clearer Vision Ahead — Sirithorn Pinthong & Jitchaya Phuwanatum

“Samsung Innovation Campus provided me with step-by-step guidance starting from the basics and unwavering support from teachers and mentors.”

“Now, I have a clearer vision of my engineering career path!”

Over the past decade, Thailand has transformed into a tech-driven economy, fostering innovation and attracting funding for new technologies. With a target to invest 2% of its gross domestic product in research and development by 2027, the country is enhancing its appeal as an investment hub and emphasizing education that cultivates innovation, moving beyond traditional industries.⁵

Samsung Innovation Campus plays a pivotal role in line with Thailand’s shift towards innovation. Two high school students from Thailand embarked on their tech journey through the program and built a foundation for their education and careers: Sirithorn Pinthong from Suankularb Wittayalai Rangsit School and Jitchaya Phuwanatum from Princess Chulabhorn Science High School Pathumthani. Both students share a deep interest in data science and had wonderful experiences with the program.

“I lacked solid Python skills and felt unsure about developing them,” Sirithorn explained. “However, Samsung Innovation Campus provided me with step-by-step guidance starting from the basics and unwavering support from teachers and mentors. Now, I have a clearer vision of my engineering career path.”

Jitchaya recommended the program to fellow students who share her interest in data science, emphasizing the increasing relevance of new technologies across all industries. “I am grateful for the opportunity to explore new concepts and subjects through Samsung Innovation Campus,” she said. “The program was rich in knowledge and hands-on activities, greatly enhancing our learning experience.”

Spain: Deeper Into the World of Data Science — Yana Gizdova

“Through immersive training, access to the latest technologies and guidance from industry experts, Samsung Innovation Campus equipped me with the skills I needed for the real world.”

“Samsung Innovation Campus has been a driving force for my growth, leaving me well-prepared and enthusiastic to embrace the exciting challenges of the data-driven world.”

In Spain, companies face challenges in filling job vacancies, particularly in ICT and STEM fields. Data analysts, computer engineers, big data experts, IT security technicians and other renewable energy, business intelligence and data mining roles have become increasingly difficult to fill, especially in 2022.⁶

Amidst this demand for skilled talent, Yana Gizdova, a STEM student from Bulgaria studying computer engineering and business administration in Spain, plans to make a positive impact through data-driven solutions. Discovering Samsung Innovation Campus in 2022 became a game changer for her career.

“Through immersive training, access to the latest technologies and guidance from industry experts, Samsung Innovation Campus equipped me with the skills I needed for the real world,” said Yana.

She had a rewarding experience with Samsung Innovation Campus, working on a capstone project that involved analyzing false social media content by detecting and studying programmed bot users. This opportunity not only improved her data science skills but also emphasized the importance of ethical data handling.

Thanks to the program’s unwavering support, Yana secured an internship in the data field, further preparing her for a promising future in data science. “My goal is to become a skilled data scientist, crafting captivating stories and empowering individuals and organizations to make informed decisions,” described Yana. “Samsung Innovation Campus has been a driving force for my growth, leaving me well-prepared and enthusiastic to embrace the exciting challenges of the data-driven world.”

Samsung is committed to empowering bright young minds worldwide through educational programs that nurture their talents and help them become leaders in their communities. For more inspiring stories about how Samsung is encouraging the problem solvers of tomorrow, stay tuned to Samsung Newsroom.

¹ World Economic Forum, The Future of Jobs Report 2023, May 2023
² Turkish Statistical Institute, Survey on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Usage in Enterprises, September 2022
³ Africa.com, The Digital Divide: Barriers To The Realization Of Digital Rights For Learners In South Africa, March 2023
⁴ Bloomberg, Greece Goes All In On Tech — Now It Needs Skilled Workers, December 2022
⁵ Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council, Public Policies and Measures Aim at Boosting R&D Expenditure to 2% GDP by 2027, June 2023
⁶ EURES, Labor Market Information: Spain, March 2023

The measures are aimed at strengthening the review and approval process for donations and payments to CSR projects. The company will also enhance the review of how these projects are being executed.

Board Approval for Donations Over 1 Billion Won

All financial donations and CSR funding amounting to more than 1 billion won will require the approval from the company’s Board of Directors.

This is to enhance the transparency of the management of such donations and funds and to strengthen the compliance by requiring the approval of the Board, which is comprised of a majority of outside directors.

To date, the company only required board approval for endowments that were more than 0.5% of the company’s shareholder equity. Currently, 0.5% of the shareholder equity is approximately 680 billion won.

Public Disclosure of the Resolution

Samsung Electronics will disclose details of the financial donations and CSR funding agreed at the Board of Directors through the DART – the electronic disclosure system operated by the Financial Supervisory Service.

Related details will also be made available in quarterly business reports, as well as the annual sustainability report.

Establishment of the Review Council for Preliminary Review

In order to strengthen the preliminary review process, Samsung Electronics will establish a Review Council comprised of the head executives of legal, financial, human resources and communication departments. The council will meet once a week to review the proposed projects.

Any financial donation or CSR funding amounting to more than 10 million won will be subject to review, and will be transferred to the next process only after approval from the Review Council.

Quarterly Review of Project Execution

The operation of approved financial donations and CSR funding will be reviewed every quarter not only by the Review Council and the management, but also the audit committee of the Board of Directors.

The review by the Board’s audit committee, comprised solely of outside directors, will help toward improving transparency related to the execution of financial donations and CSR funding.