As the world transforms at breakneck speed, educators across the country are emphasizing the importance of learning through not only books, but also via actual experiences.

Officials from the University of Utah said the school mirrors this trend by providing students with learning opportunities through actually exploring the world.

“The way we want to brand our university is to imagine, which really focuses on exploring, learning and making a difference,” said Michael Hardman, the chief global officer at the university. He said the school’s programs are based on practical experience.

“For example in communications, we’ll be working with broadcast systems for students who will be able to go to television studios and learn directly from leaders in the field,” he said. These experiences, he said, are part of preparing students to acquire a global mindset that will teach them the importance of becoming a part of the global community. 

The Asia Campus, an extended campus of the U.S.-based school, offers students a chance to interact with others from all over the world, he said. In its undergraduate program, called “Living and Learning Communities,” students are encouraged to work together and act as mentors to each other.

These programs aim to equip students with the capacity to cope with challenges that may come later in life, said Stephen Alder, the chief of the Division of Public Health at the University of Utah. “We want them (students) to be adaptable because that (challenges) change over time.”

“We want them to have practical experiences of working in the field that can integrate with their classroom education, so they can get multiple perspectives.”

Hardman said students attending the Asian Campus will be given opportunities to experience a U.S. education program, as it will have the exact same degrees, programs and several faculty members as the Utah campus.

The attending students will spend one year in Utah, and will be able to participate in student exchange programs with other universities in Korea and other parts of Asia such as China, Vietnam, Thailand and India.

Utilizing the Asian Campus as a stepping stone to build a relationship with Korean students was a logical step, Hardman indicated. “The Korean people, there’s no country in the world (like Korea) where education as a whole is more active. It’s a high value,” he said.

To foster the next generation, the University of Utah plans to continue their “Global Impact Program” for high school students. It will invite a group of students to the university’s campus to interact with faculty members.

Students should not refrain from exploring various options while in school, for it could ultimately prepare for them for obstacles that may hinder them later in life.

“They should have the opportunity to explore, to be able to take that exploration and make a difference,” Hardman said.

The University of Utah Asia Campus is set to kick off its first semester in September.

By Yoon Min-sik (minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)