Seoul National University is to award a student who died while volunteering in Tanzania with an honorary diploma.

Architecture major Lee Young-jun passed away last July, after finishing design plans for a school in Boma Ng’ombe, Tanzania.

The veteran volunteer died of a heart attack while swimming, just before he was due to return to Korea.

Lee, who was 24 years old at the time of his death, had spent every summer volunteering in Tanzania since his freshman year, and was especially loved by students from the impoverished villages that he helped.

Lee helped dig wells, install solar panels, teach children and even design buildings through his volunteer projects.

He had several ongoing projects from last year including remodeling plans for a library and classrooms at a secondary school

Lee’s body was laid to rest in Tanzania between a kindergarten and a hospital, and his funeral, held in a cafeteria that he designed, was attended by his family and those who benefited from his love for the country.

Last October, Lee was awarded the “Korea Young Talent Award” by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

“He was a student that worked hard in everything he did,” said a professor in the architecture department at the university

“Awarding the deceased friend with an honorary diploma is the last consideration that the university can do,” she was quoted as saying on Monday in other news reports.

By Robert Lee (rjmlee@heraldcorp.com)