Science Playground 'Science ON' a Huge Success... UNIST Hosts Creative Design Festival

110 Science Exhibition Booths and Thousands of Citizens Filled the Campus on September 26-27
Lectures by Lee Jiyoung and Lee Sedol, Performances, and Tours Created a Truly Open Campus

UNIST (President Park Jongrae) concluded its "2025 UNIST Creative Design Festival - Science ON," held across the campus on September 26 and 27, with an enthusiastic response from citizens.

Citizens are enjoying the Bubble Magic Show performance at the lawn square on the UNIST campus. Photo by UNIST

Over the two days of the festival, thousands of local students, teachers, parents, and citizens visited UNIST. The event blended curiosity about science and technology with active participation, creating a science and culture festival enjoyed by both the university and the community.

From the morning of the first day, the campus was bustling with visitors. More than 110 exhibition and hands-on booths set up in the plaza and the engineering building lobby attracted large crowds, adding to the lively atmosphere. As students introduced the latest research achievements in fields such as AI, renewable energy, semiconductors, quantum science, bio, robotics, and neuroscience, the venue quickly transformed into an "open science classroom."

The "Science Dreamer Experience Booth," operated by high school students from Ulsan, was also highly popular, providing a space for youth and citizens to glimpse the possibilities of future science together.

The talk concert further heightened the excitement, with the 400-seat auditorium filled to capacity at every session. Special Professor Lee Ji-young of UNIST delivered a lecture on "The Power to Turn Dreams into Reality," emphasizing that "loving yourself is the greatest strength needed to achieve your dreams," which resonated with the audience.

During the Q&A session, she shared honest stories that are often overlooked in the journey of challenge and growth. She stressed, "Above all, it is essential to maintain both physical and mental health to pursue your dreams to the end," highlighting the importance of self-care and balance throughout the process of taking on new challenges. She added, "Even if you have just one or two people around you who believe in and support you, that can give you the strength to get back up," underlining the significance of small but steadfast support on the path toward one's dreams.

Special Professor Lee Ji-young is continuing her lecture at the UNIST Creative Design Festival Talk Concert.

In the afternoon, a cooperative activity inspired by the Squid Game concept brought citizens and students together, fostering a sense of community. By evening, the lawn square had transformed into an "Autumn Starlight Film Festival." Families and students sat on picnic mats, enjoying food from food trucks and watching movies under the autumn sky-a scene that showcased the university and local community coming together through science.

The second day saw a noticeable increase in family visitors. Parents and children explored the science experience booths together, with children's laughter filling the campus.

The talk concert featuring Special Professor Lee Sedol drew long lines even before it began, demonstrating high interest. Professor Lee shared his experience playing against AlphaGo, emphasizing that "the advancement of technology expands human limits and opens up new possibilities." The audience responded with enthusiastic applause to his inspiring lecture on the spirit of challenge.

He also communicated directly with citizens during the Q&A session, sincerely answering a variety of questions that the public had long been curious about, and sharing his thoughts on Go, artificial intelligence, and life.

He personally signed copies of his book "Lee Sedol: Calculating the Moves of Life" for those who asked questions, and took commemorative photos with citizens and students who requested them, fostering a closer connection with the audience.

The auditorium was filled with citizens and students eager to attend the special lecture by Professor Lee Sedol at the UNIST Creative Design Festival Talk Concert.

The following "Science Magic Concert," "Bubble Magic Show," and busking performances by UNIST students further energized the festival. Children cheered for the live performances before their eyes, while adults also immersed themselves in the stage, applauding enthusiastically.

The picnic zone and campus tour programs were also popular with citizens, who had the opportunity to see advanced scientific equipment and facilities firsthand.

One citizen who attended the festival with their child shared, "I've passed by UNIST several times on the way to Ulsan Station, but this is my first time actually entering the campus. It was meaningful to enjoy various science experiences with my children, and I was impressed by how beautiful the campus is."

President Park Jongrae stated, "Science is both a joy and a unifying force. UNIST will continue to walk alongside the local community, sharing the value of science and technology with Ulsan’s students and citizens, and paving the way for innovation for future generations. Through this festival, we were able to show that science is closely connected to citizens' daily lives. Going forward, UNIST will become an open campus that breathes with citizens, reaching beyond the boundaries of the local community."

With exhibitions, lectures, performances, and hands-on experiences, this festival became an open celebration for citizens, where science, culture, and people shone together amid the autumn atmosphere.

This event was sponsored by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, Kyungdong Scholarship Foundation, Korea East-West Power, and Korea National Oil Corporation. All programs were offered free of charge to the public.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.