When students from the University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC) stepped into Cottonwood Heights City Hall this fall, they weren’t just presenting a park design—they were helping shape a growing partnership between two communities separated by more than 9,000 kilometers. And in many ways, their work reflects the rapid evolution of UAC itself.
Now in its 11th year, the Songdo-based campus is becoming a vital connector between Korea and the Mountain West—linking cities, cultures, and industries in ways that are drawing national attention in Korea.
Students at the Center of a New Model for City Diplomacy
This year, UAC’s Department of Urban Ecology took a leading role in the Korea–U.S. Sister Park Project, a collaborative effort between Incheon’s Yeonsu District and Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Guided by Dr. Idil Ayral, students designed a public park that merges Korean traditional aesthetics with modern, sustainable planning principles.
Their first design review, held in April on the Songdo campus, brought Yeonsu District officials to UAC to provide feedback and cultural insights. By October, the students were in Utah—standing before the mayor, city council, and planning staff to present their finalized design.
Local leaders described the proposal as “creative, balanced, and deeply thoughtful about community needs.”
Planned for a 45,000-square-meter site in the heart of Cottonwood Heights, the park will incorporate motifs from Gwanghwamun Square and Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden, blending seamlessly with the Wasatch Mountains. Construction is expected to be completed in 2027.
To honor the partnership, Incheon recently named the road in front of the Incheon Global Campus “Utah Cottonwood Heights-ro,” symbolizing a growing friendship between the two cities.
Our students are learning what global public diplomacy looks like in real time. It’s an experience that goes far beyond the classroom.”
said Dr. Reazul Ahsan, program lead for the Urban Ecology program.
Korean Culture Takes Center Stage in Utah
The collaboration doesn’t stop with urban planning. In September, more than 10,000 people gathered on the Salt Lake City campus for the 2025 Bopsim Korean Festival—one of the largest Korean cultural events ever held in Utah.
Hosted by the University of Utah, the Korean Cultural Center in LA, the Bopsim Cultural Foundation, and Cupbop—with support from UAC and more than 20 organizations—the festival offered everything from traditional performances and taekwondo demonstrations to Korean food, fashion, and calligraphy.
UAC hosted an information booth throughout the event, drawing interest from local families and prospective students. Many attendees were surprised to learn that they could earn a University of Utah degree while studying in Korea.
For many students, this was their first introduction to UAC. Seeing people connect with Korean culture and then discover the Songdo campus felt really special.”
said Eliza Coe, a former exchange student who volunteered at the festival.
Growing Momentum for Industry and Technology Partnerships
UAC is also becoming a platform for innovation. Marking the fifth anniversary of its Electrical and Computer Engineering program, the campus hosted the first-ever Utah–Korea Global Innovation Forum in Songdo. More than 80 organizations—from the U’s College of Engineering to Samsung SDI and emerging tech startups—participated in networking sessions, one-on-one business meetings, and discussions on the future of global collaboration.
The new Delta Air Lines direct route between Incheon and Salt Lake City is already making academic and industry exchanges easier and accelerating collaboration.
By linking the strengths of Utah and Incheon, we’re expanding what international partnership can look like. UAC is becoming a launchpad for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.”
said Gregory Hill, Chief Administrative Officer of UAC.
A Campus Connecting Local Communities to the Global Stage
With initiatives spanning city diplomacy, cultural exchange, and industry partnership, UAC is redefining what a global campus can be. As the university celebrates its 11th year in Korea, it continues to strengthen its role as a bridge—from Songdo to Salt Lake City, and from local communities to the world.
UAC is currently accepting applications for Spring 2026 (2nd Priority deadline: Dec. 15; final deadline: Jan. 15). As the only campus in Korea offering degrees identical to those earned in Utah, UAC is expanding access to global education for the next generation of leaders.