The University of Utah is celebrating the Utah Asia Campus’ 10th Anniversary.
The U Asia Campus (UAC) in Incheon, South Korea will host a three-day celebration from Sept. 26 to 28. The anniversary marks a decade of substantial growth at the university’s only international campus—in student body numbers, international student exchanges and degree programs.
“This celebration highlights the incredible growth and strong partnerships we’ve cultivated in Incheon at the Utah Asia Campus,” said President Taylor Randall. “Establishing a campus in Korea was a bold and visionary step, and it’s paying off as we continue to serve a growing number of students from across Asia and the United States.”
U Asia Campus opened in September 2014 with fewer than 20 students and three undergraduate degrees offered—Communication, Psychology, and Social Work. For the fall 2024 semester, 620 students are enrolled in 9 major and five minor programs—ranging from accounting to urban ecology—taught by dozens of U faculty. The campus also offers a master’s degree in communication. Students who enroll directly through UAC typically spend three years in Incheon and one year in Salt Lake City.
The celebration will include tours, community gatherings, a student and program expo, and a family BBQ and carnival. The event wraps up with a gala on Sept. 28 focused on recognizing Michael Hardman, former chief global officer and president emeritus of UAC. Hardman was the major force behind the university launching a campus in Asia.
“Ours is a world that is in need of leaders, and it is important for us to prepare our students to be leaders who are part of the global community,” Hardman said, at the time the campus opened. “They must be able to communicate, to understand other cultures—to connect to other cultures—whether it be in business, social, cultural, or educational experiences. The global aspects of a university education are absolutely critical to thriving in the world as we know it today.”
The U is a founding member of the Incheon Global Campus (IGC)—located in Songdo International Smart City—along with Ghent University, the State University of New York-Stony Brook, and George Mason University. Backed by a $1 billion investment from the Korean government, IGC is slated to become home to 10 colleges.
The schedule of events includes:
- Thursday, Sept. 26—Tour of Songdo, Incheon and UAC; family BBQ and carnival
- Friday, Sept. 27—Private tour of Seoul; traditional Korean food and drink workshops; film showcase; and a student and department expo
- Saturday, Sept. 28—Anniversary Gala
“We are excited to welcome alumni, students, faculty, and the community to celebrate this significant milestone,” said Gregory Hill, the Chief Administrative Officer of UAC. “This event is a testament to our commitment to providing a world-class education and fostering a vibrant, inclusive community.”
All events will take place in Incheon, South Korea, and are free and family-friendly (with the exception of the gala), but registration is required. For more information, and to register, please visit UAC 10th Anniversary Event Page.
About the University of Utah Asia Campus: The U Asia Campus is an extended campus of the University of Utah in the United States. Opened in Songdo International City, Incheon in 2014, the campus started with just 14 students and three majors. Over the past decade, it has grown to host 637 students and nine majors, including Accounting, Communication, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Film and Media Arts, Games, Information Systems, Psychology, and Urban Ecology. Students who enroll at the U Asia Campus study in Incheon for three years, then travel to Salt Lake City for a year to finish their degree and receive the same diploma as the University of Utah in the United States. U students enrolled through the Salt Lake City campus can also have an impactful international experience at the U Asia Campus, take courses in English from U faculty, and pay in-state tuition for up to two semesters. Learn more at asiacampus.utah.edu.