The UMAC Award 2026 was presented on 14 October during the UMAC General Assembly, held in Patras, Greece, as part of the UMAC 2026 Annual Conference.
The ceremony was led by UMAC Chair Sébastien Soubiran, who attended in person, and UMAC Award Chair Joshua Gorman, who joined online and had the honour of announcing this year’s winner.
During the ceremony, the three finalists had the opportunity to present their projects to the General Assembly participants, showcasing inspiring initiatives that demonstrate the creativity, commitment, and impact of university museums around the world.
Winner – UMAC Award 2026
CEMENT: MOMENT – Every Moment of Cement
Hanyang University Museum, Seoul, Republic of Korea
The UMAC Award 2026 was presented to CEMENT: MOMENT – Every Moment of Cement, an innovative project that transformed an everyday material into a powerful tool for exploring Korean history, contemporary art, engineering, and community engagement.
Through collaborations with artists, industry, local government, and social enterprises, the project attracted more than 41,000 visitors and developed lasting initiatives connecting university heritage with wider society.
Watch the video here: Cement Moment Video
Second Place
Reflection, Melody, Rhythm: Museums as Classrooms
Institute of Design and Visual Arts (IDVA), Lahore College for Women University, and Fakir Khana Museum, Lahore, Pakistan
This collaborative project brought together art, music, dance, and poetry to transform historic museum collections into a dynamic learning experience. By connecting university students with original heritage objects, the initiative demonstrated the value of partnerships between universities and museums in strengthening heritage education.
We were particularly delighted that Wardah Naeem Bukhari, the project’s representative, was able to attend the General Assembly in person and receive the certificate on behalf of her team.
Watch the video here: Reflection, Melody, Rhythm: Museums as Classrooms Video
Third Place
Prototyping
Indra and Harry Banga Gallery, City University of Hong Kong, China
Prototyping transformed the university gallery into an interactive “Living Lab”, bringing together 30 years of academic research through 23 scientific innovations presented in immersive and participatory ways.
Developed in collaboration with the Academy of Innovation, the exhibition invited visitors to explore the journey from scientific ideas to real-world applications. The project demonstrated how university museums can make scientific research more accessible, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and strengthen engagement with schools, industry, and the wider public.
Watch the video here: Cement Moment Video
Congratulations to All Finalists!
UMAC warmly congratulates Hanyang University Museum on winning the UMAC Award 2026, as well as the other two finalists for their outstanding projects.
We would also like to thank everyone who submitted a project to the UMAC Award 2026, as well as the Award Committee and jury members for their dedication and work throughout the selection process.
These initiatives remind us of the important role university museums play in connecting collections, research, education, and communities, and in contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Congratulations to all!