UNIST has announced a transformative new vision charting the university’s path over the next 25 years.
During the UNIST Vision 2050 Proclamation Ceremony, held in the Main Auditorium of UNIST on September 23, President Chong Rae Park outlined how UNIST will evolve from a research-centered institution into a global nexus of innovation—deeply integrated with industry and regional development, aiming to a key driver of technological progress worldwide.
This occasion marked a decisive declaration of ambition, emphasizing that UNIST will go beyond past achievements and embrace bold new challenges. A detailed roadmap toward realizing this vision was shared, outlining concrete steps to be undertaken through 2050.
During the UNIST Vision 2050 Proclamation Ceremony, held on September 23, President Chong Rae Park of UNIST outlined how UNIST will evolve from a research-centered institution into a global nexus of innovation.
The core message of Vision 2050 is ‘Bringing Imagination to Life, the Hub of Humanity’s Future.’ To achieve this, UNIST has set its sights on establishing the ‘UNIque & beST Science & Technology Nexus‘ by 2050—a platform where multiple disciplines converge and foster groundbreaking innovation. The guiding principles include pioneering leadership, national and industrial transformation, and addressing humanity’s most pressing challenges. Nexus here signifies a central hub where diverse fields connect and integrate seamlessly.
With the Vision 2050 launch, UNIST commits to synergizing with industry and regional partners to become a key driver of global innovation.
The strategic framework is encapsulated in the five key keywords—U.N.I.S.T.—which serve as a blueprint for transformative action across research, education, and innovation ecosystems:
① Unique Pioneer: Cultivating trailblazers opening new frontiers
② New Knowledge: Bridging fundamental and applied research to redefine the future of humanity and industry
③ Innovative Hub: Bridging together top global researchers and innovators
④ Super Intelligent Society: Developing a hyper-connected ecosystem where humans, technology, and knowledge intertwine
⑤ Transformative Net-zero: Achieving sustainability through carbon-negative campuses and innovative green initiatives
This vision encapsulates UNIST’s cumulative achievements, serving as a catalyst for leading the next era of science and technology. The university aims to contribute to humanity through a tripartite focus on a hyper-connected knowledge ecosystem, a global research hub, and a sustainable campus—transcending traditional university rankings and positioning itself as a central player in regional and national strategic technology development.
Esteemed guests joined the button-press ceremony for UNIST Vision 2050 Proclamation Ceremony, symbolizing their collective support.
A highlight of the event was the time capsule ceremony, during which the capsule—crafted by the UNIST 3D Printing Center—was filled with messages for future generations. This capsule was thoughtfully designed to resemble a unicorn’s horn, inspired by UNIST mascot, symbolizing innovation and a forward-looking spirit. Attendees shared their visions of what UNIST and society might look like in 2050, imagining a future shaped by progress and creativity. The ceremony concluded with an enthusiastic declaration of the university’s aspirations, accompanied by a group photo to commemorate this significant moment.
The event was attended by government officials, regional leaders, and presidents of leading science and technology institutions, including DongJun Kim from the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), Director BongChul Kim of Busan Digital Economy Office, Deputy Mayor Hyo Dae Ahn for Economic Affairs of Ulsan, President Gi-Cheol Lim of GIST, Provost and Executive Vice President Gyun Min Lee of KAIST, President Sang-hoon Bae of Pukyong National University, and Executive Vice President Seong-taek Yoon of Korea University for Research. An UNIST spokesperson emphasized, “This declaration marks not just the future of one university, but a new chapter in the national science and technology landscape.”
At the ceremony, President Park announced the ‘UNIST Vision 2050’ and shared strategic initiatives for implementation.
Notably, the Vision 2050 plan includes a regional AI collaboration strategy centered on the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (B.U.G.) area. UNIST aims to establish a regional AI hub—fostering innovation and simultaneously advancing national strategic technologies.
This is not UNIST’s first long-term strategic plan. Since unveiling its Vision 2030 in 2011—aiming to rank among the world’s top 10 universities—the university has achieved remarkable progress. Its achievements include ranking No. 15 among emerging global universities in the THE Young University Rankings 2024, securing No.4 position in the THE World’s Best Small Universities 2024, and holding the No. 1 spot domestically in the Leiden Ranking. Additionally, UNIST boasts ten researchers included in the top 1% worldwide (Highly Cited Researchers 2022), demonstrating its research excellence.
President Park emphasized, “Science and technology are the keys to solving humanity’s greatest challenges. Vision 2050 is not merely a declaration—it is a promise we must fulfill for future generations.” With this reaffirmed commitment, UNIST is poised to lead beyond its 2030 goals and shape the future toward 2050.
