Since emergence of a museum, the importance of the museums for the society as a public institution has been kept addressed. The definition of International Council of Museums shows such importance well. This social role of the museum includes research, exhibition, education as well as cultural service for the communities as cultural platform. In the field of Museum Studies, The New Museology(Vergo,1989) presents this social role of museum very well.
Undoubtedly University museum is also an permanent institute for the new social role and highly important stakeholder for the role is a community. In terms of definition of the community, it can be divided into two meaning. Firstly, the group of people who are relevant to the museum geographically such as local communities. The other communities are groups of people who share cultural identity such as interest in the museum collection.
UCL Petrie Museum play an role for the both of communities. For the local communities, the museum is an important part of UCL Culture which is cultural service of UCL for the local. In addition, the relationship with Friends of Petrie Museum is important part of management of museum. The case of Petrie museum is worth to consider to make vision of university museums in South Korea.
The museums in 21st century including university museum cannot considered without the communities. In order for university museum as a cultural platform, university museum need to extend the conception of communities.