University of Nevada, Reno Builds a ‘University Hallyu’ Bridge with Korea

[GLOBAL EDUCATION] US-Korea University Cooperation

University of Nevada, Reno Ramps Up All-Round Collaboration with Korean Universities

Teacher Education, AI Tech, Entertainment Tech, Engineering, Business and Design — Multi-Track Exchanges with KNUE, Hanyang, Hongik, Sookmyung and more.

Sandoval-Lee MOU Signing and Ozmen Center Consulting Build a 'University Hallyu' Model

February 9, 2026  |  K-EnterTech Hub Editorial

Sources: University of Nevada, Reno 'Nevada Today'  |  Original Authors: Luke Merlino, Kelly Hanlon, Jenny Luna

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) is ramping up all-round collaboration with Korean universities at an unprecedented pace. On January 15, UNR President Brian Sandoval and Hanyang University President Ki-jeong Lee signed a comprehensive partnership agreement at Morrill Hall, covering research, academic programs, and student recruitment.

The Hanyang deal came on the heels of a similar agreement with the University of Osaka, positioning UNR as a hub for Asian academic partnerships.

Meanwhile, Korea National University of Education (KNUE) sent 14 pre-service teachers for their third consecutive exchange visit. Hongik University runs a major-linked overseas dispatch program with UNR.

The Reynolds School of Journalism maintains global media education partnerships with Sookmyung Women’s University and Sejong University while piloting a joint internship program with K-EnterTechHub.

Discussions are underway with Korea University’s Department of Global Entertainment as well. A multi-layered collaboration model spanning teacher education, AI tech, entertainment tech, engineering, business, and design is taking shape in Nevada.

■ Hanyang University: A Strategic Partnership Signed at the Presidential Level

At a historic signing ceremony at Morrill Hall on January 15, 2026, UNR President Brian Sandoval and Hanyang University President Ki-jeong Lee signed a comprehensive agreement to deepen collaboration across research, academic programs, and student recruitment. Hanyang University, one of Korea’s leading research universities, brings strengths in engineering, AI, and technology that complement UNR’s own R1 research capabilities.

President Sandoval stated, "Partnering with leading institutions in Asia strengthens our academic programs and research capabilities. It demonstrates our commitment to preparing students for success in an increasingly interconnected world."

Mehmet S. Tosun, UNR’s Chief International Officer, added, "With these new agreements in Japan and South Korea, we are building strategic alliances with top research universities in Asia. These partnerships will add significantly to our global branding, and we will continue to invest in our global engagement."

The partnership is a key component of UNR’s broader international strategy through the E.L. Cord Center for Global Engagement. Its timing aligns with the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) Trade Mission, held in November 2025, which spanned four days in Seoul and two days in Tokyo with a focus on the lithium-loop battery supply chain, clean energy, semiconductor value chain, and technology sector cooperation.

■ KNUE: Three Consecutive Years of Pre-Service Teacher Exchange

Fourteen pre-service teachers from Korea National University of Education (KNUE) visited UNR’s College of Education and Human Development at the start of the 2026 spring semester, marking the third consecutive year of exchanges.

Students visited four local public schools—Doral Academy, Hug High School, Debbie Smith Academy, and Herz Middle School—observing American teaching methods, classroom management, and teacher-student communication firsthand.

On campus, students sat in on regular lectures at the College of Education and Human Development and visited the Child and Family Research Center. A trip to UNR’s Lake Tahoe campus provided cultural experiences in a natural setting alongside academic exchange.

The program was launched based on an MOU signed in late 2023 between President Sandoval and KNUE President Kim Jongwoo. It has become an established reciprocal exchange model, with UNR students scheduled to visit KNUE in March 2026.

■ Voices from the Field

KNUE Professor Joosang Lee emphasized, "I hope our students become closely connected with UNR. Through this experience, they will develop an open perspective toward different people, different cultures, and different countries."

Chaeyun Lee, a music education major, shared, "I wanted to experience the world’s diversity firsthand and learn about the communication dynamics between students and professors in the American education system."

UNR Professor Hyun-Joo Jeon, who directed the program, described it as "a wonderful opportunity for future teachers to experience diverse educational environments and cultures, deepen their understanding of different pedagogical approaches, and build friendships between pre-service teachers from both countries."

Associate Dean Ramya Fernandez added, "We designed the events to ensure ample interaction between students from both institutions. The connections formed here will be a valuable asset when UNR students visit Korea."

▲ (From left) Mehmet Tosun, Joosang Lee, Man Seob Lee, Mihyun Koh, Hyun-Joo Jeon, Ramya Fernandez, and Dean Donald Easton-Brooks.  Photo: Nevada Today

■ Hongik University: Major-Linked Overseas Dispatch Program

Hongik University operates a major-linked overseas dispatch program with UNR (summer and winter sessions) as part of its University Education Innovation initiative. Students attend in-person classes at UNR and receive credit recognition across fields including computer science, business, journalism, and art and design. Benefits include US university credit, access to UNR facilities, and scholarship support. UNR’s location in Reno, where Tesla, Panasonic, and other global firms are concentrated, offers additional internship opportunities in AI tech and entertainment tech.

■ Reynolds School of Journalism: Global Media Exchange with Sookmyung and Sejong

UNR’s Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism has been running annual summer ‘Global Journalism Education’ programs with Sookmyung Women’s University’s School of Media and Sejong University. Through its International Institute, the school has offered programs for Korean students since 2019, covering international business reporting, broadcast journalism practicum, and visits to major tech companies.

■ Expansion Discussions with Korea University and Others

UNR is in discussions to expand exchanges with Korea University’s Department of Global Entertainment and other institutions. What began as teacher education cooperation is now extending across AI tech, entertainment tech, engineering, business, and media.

■ Prof. Ko Visits UNR's Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship

Interest in US-Korea university exchanges is growing among policy experts as well. Professor Ko Sam-seok, Distinguished Professor at Dongguk University (former Standing Commissioner of Korea’s Broadcasting and Communications Commission; member of the Presidential AI Committee), visited UNR’s Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship under the College of Business after attending CES in January. He discussed expanding student exchanges and establishing consulting programs to support Korean companies’ entry into the US market.

■ Reynolds School × K-EnterTechHub: Joint Internship Program

The Reynolds School of Journalism is also piloting a joint internship program with K-EnterTech Hub, a global entertainment-tech news media platform. Interns are assigned hands-on tasks including covering Korean corporate and government events in the US and producing promotional videos for K-startups.

K-EnterTech Hub connects K-Content with cutting-edge technology, supporting Korean companies and startups at major international events such as SXSW, CES, and NAB. Through this program, Reynolds School students build practical journalism and content production skills in AI tech and entertainment tech, laying the foundation for careers as media-tech professionals bridging the US and Korea. The partnership was highlighted at the ‘Next K-Wave EnterTech Conference’ during CES in January.

■ Implications: A 'Multi-Axis Collaboration Model' with an R1 Research University

Collaboration between UNR and Korean universities has evolved into a multi-layered model: a presidential-level strategic partnership (Hanyang University), teacher education (KNUE), major-linked overseas dispatch (Hongik University), global media education (Sookmyung, Sejong), entertainment-tech internships (K-EnterTech Hub), and Korean company US market entry consulting (Ozmen Center). UNR’s 150-year history, R1 research university status, and location in the AI-tech industrial corridor of Reno make this collaboration especially impactful.

Beyond the cultural Hallyu centered on K-Content, a new model of ‘University Hallyu’ encompassing education, AI tech, and entertainment tech is being forged in Nevada. As AI and digital technologies rapidly penetrate education and industry, complementary cooperation between US and Korean universities is poised to become core infrastructure for developing the next generation of talent in both nations.