Award at the 2026 Asia-Pacific Conference on Giftedness (APCG)

- Recognized for long-term accumulated research achievements in gifted education and outstanding program implementation that has fulfilled social responsibility in real educational settings

Incheon National University announced that Professor Gi-soon Han of the Department of Creativity and Human Development received both the Award for Outstanding Research and the Award for Outstanding Gifted Education Program at the Asia-Pacific Conference on Giftedness 2026, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from February 7 to 11, 2026, achieving the distinction of winning two major awards simultaneously.

Professor Han was selected in recognition of her long-standing research achievements in gifted education as well as her successful implementation of programs that have fulfilled social responsibility in actual educational contexts. Her receiving two out of the five awards presented by APCG to distinguished scholars and practitioners in the Asia-Pacific region is particularly significant, as it demonstrates recognition of both academic excellence and practical impact in gifted education.

The Award for Outstanding Research is presented to one researcher who has accumulated sustained and influential research accomplishments across gifted education theory, policy, and program studies. Over the past 30 years, Professor Han has contributed to the academic refinement and policy expansion of gifted education, emphasizing public value, equity, and sustainability. Her research on expanding access to gifted education and systematically identifying and supporting the potential of diverse learners, including those from educationally marginalized backgrounds, has provided meaningful implications for gifted education policy and program design in multiple countries across the Asia-Pacific region.

The Award for Outstanding Gifted Education Program is granted based on comprehensive evaluation of educational value, feasibility, and social impact. The gifted education program for which Professor Han has served as principal investigator and director at Incheon National University was selected as a model case in the Asia-Pacific region. The program is characterized by its focus on learners who are vulnerable to educational exclusion due to regional, environmental, or social conditions, and is designed to identify and nurture giftedness through potential-based selection and customized educational support. It has been recognized as a global model that goes beyond achievement-centered gifted education to realize educational equity and social responsibility.

APCG is a leading international conference representing the Asia-Pacific region in the field of gifted education. Held biennially, it brings together experts from countries including Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Mexico, and is regarded—alongside the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children—as one of the most prestigious international conferences in the field. Marking its 19th edition in 2026, the conference attracted more than 2,000 researchers and educational practitioners from over 40 countries, who shared the latest research trends, policies, and program outcomes in gifted education. The development and national adoption of the Global Giftedness Index (GGI) emerged as a major topic of discussion.

In her acceptance remarks, Professor Han stated, “This award is deeply meaningful in that it recognizes not only individual research achievements but also that field-based educational programs can lead to significant academic outcomes.” She added, “I will continue to devote myself to research and educational practice so that more gifted individuals—especially those in need of social and educational support—can fully realize their potential.”

The achievements at APCG 2026 demonstrate that the gifted education research and programs led by Incheon National University and Professor Han have reached an internationally recognized level. They are expected to serve as an important foundation for contributing to the advancement of gifted education beyond the Asia-Pacific region and onto the global stage.

Incheon National University plans to continue developing gifted education models that integrate academic research with field-based education, leading future-oriented gifted education that draws international attention.

This latest recognition follows Professor Han’s previous honors, including a Commendation from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education in 2024 and a Commendation from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT, as well as the Korea Social Contribution Award in 2025, further underscoring the significance of this achievement.