[UAC 10th Anniversary Special Feature] Advancing Educational Innovation, Regional Growth, and Global Leadership

* Translated from Dong-A Daily’s special feature article in Korean.

The University of Utah Asia Campus in Songdo, Incheon, South Korea

The University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC), located in Songdo International City within the Incheon Free Economic Zone, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Since its establishment, it has garnered recognition for achieving remarkable growth, positioning itself as a new model for global education. By combining the academic excellence of its home campus in Salt Lake City, Utah, with Songdo’s international presence, UAC has provided both domestic and international students with world-class education, successfully carving out a distinctive position in Asia.

Opened in September 2014 as the University of Utah’s first overseas campus, UAC initially offered only four academic programs. However, it has since experienced rapid growth, now offering nine undergraduate majors, including Accounting, Computer Engineering, Communication, Electrical Engineering, Film & Media Arts, Games, Information Systems, Psychology, and Urban Ecology as well as a master’s program in Communication. This expansion reflects the university’s ability to respond swiftly to the evolving demands of the global workforce and the interests of its students.

Brian Byun, Assistant Director of Admissions and Marketing at UAC, reflected on the campus’s journey, stating, “We started with only 13 students in our first semester, but now more than 200 students enroll each semester, and the campus atmosphere has transformed completely. This growth has been driven by the introduction of diverse majors, robust research infrastructure, and dynamic industry-academia partnerships that reflect the needs of both domestic and international students.”

13 students enrolled in the first semester of Fall 201

Marking the University of Utah Asia Campus’s 10th anniversary, over 200 students enrolled in Fall 2024

A Global Education with Localized Support

UAC offers the same rigorous academic curriculum as its U.S. counterpart, while also tailoring its programs to help students excel in a globalized environment. Recognizing that many students do not speak English as their first language, UAC offers extensive language support programs to help students improve their academic performance. Jaehoon Choi, Assistant Director of Admissions and Recruitment, emphasized, “No domestic students have had to drop out due to language barriers. Even students from general Korean high schools, with the support offered by the university, are able to successfully adapt to the English-language instruction.”

Commitment to Educational Innovation and Global Impact

Beyond physical expansion, UAC remains committed to educational innovation, deeply rooted in the academic excellence and progressive vision of its U.S. home campus. The University of Utah ranks 83rd globally and is consistently rated as one of the top 100 universities worldwide (Center for World University Rankings 2018). It was also recognized as the 11th best-value university in the U.S. (Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education 2019) and ranked 30th for innovation (Reuters, T University Rankings 2018). These achievements reinforce the high standard of education provided at UAC.

Students are posing with the ‘U’ during the Spring 2024 Orientation

Utah’s Legacy of Innovation and Global Influence

The University of Utah has produced a number of distinguished alumni, including Nobel Prize and National Medal of Science winners, contributing significantly to both academia and industry. Notable alumni include John Warnock, co-founder of Adobe, Edwin Catmull, co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios and former President of Pixar and Disney Animation, and Stephen Covey, author of the bestseller The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

The legacy of innovation continues with UAC. The introduction of Utah’s Center for Medical Innovation (CMI) to the Asia Campus in 2020 has bolstered the synergy between the campus and the burgeoning biotech sector in Songdo, helping Korean startups enter global markets.

UAC also launched a Games program in the fall of 2023, mirroring the success of the program at the U.S. campus. New cutting-edge facilities, including a Games Streaming Room, a Games Lab, and a Games Lounge, allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world projects. Gregory Hill, UAC’s Chief Administrative Officer, highlighted that students in Games are working on actual development projects, while those in Film & Media Arts get opportunities to showcase their work in on-campus theaters. “These hands-on experiences are essential in helping our students become competitive in global industries,” Hill said.

Gregory Hill, Chief Administrative Officer at the University of Utah Asia Campus

Fostering Growth through Regional Collaboration

Since its inception, UAC has maintained a close relationship with the Incheon community, fostering mutual growth. The Asia branch of CMI supports local biotech startups in gaining FDA approval and globalizing their products.

UAC’s Career Center provides students with internship opportunities at prestigious organizations such as the Green Climate Fund, Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, and Incheon Tourism Organization, offering them practical experience and enhancing their career prospects. Partnerships with POSCO E&C, the Korea Coast Guard, and the Incheon Port Authority further demonstrate UAC’s commitment to integrating students into the local economy.

The university also contributes to the community through free cultural performances, exhibitions, and workshops. Notable events include performances by the world-renowned ballet troupe led by University of Utah faculty and gymnastics showcases by the University’s women’s team, the Red Rocks. Additionally, UAC offers lectures and mentoring programs for local middle and high school students, and collaborates with the Incheon Institute for Talent and Lifelong Education to provide academic courses to the general public.

Students are posing with the ‘U’ during the University of Utah Asia Campus’s Seoul Tour.

‘Connecting Our World, Forging Our Future’

Under the slogan “Connecting Our World, Forging Our Future,” UAC plans to continue its innovative educational policies, aiming to expand its degree offerings and strengthen its global network. The university also intends to incorporate cutting-edge trends, such as ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management, into its curriculum.

These efforts are closely tied to the University of Utah’s “Strategy 2030,” which aims to position the university among the top 10 public universities in the U.S. by 2030. This vision includes boosting employment rates for graduates to 90% and increasing research funding to $1 billion. By 2030, UAC plans to grow its student population to 3,000, with a goal of having 40% international students, further enhancing its global learning environment.

Randy McCrillis, Senior International Officer at the University of Utah, remarked, “The 10th anniversary of the Asia campus marks a critical and exciting time for our university’s global expansion. UAC will serve as the central hub for all of the University of Utah’s international strategies.”

As UAC continues to build on its foundation of innovation and collaboration, it remains steadfast in its mission to connect the world and shape the future, fostering a new generation of global leaders.