Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Center for Gifted Education in Science (Director Son Hong-chan) was recognized for its contributions to closing educational disparities by providing tailored education and career-exploration support for local youth and received a Commendation from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education.

The Center, which was selected for three consecutive years through last year as a host university for the 'University Career Exploration Camp' program organized by the Ministry of Education and the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity, used this project to offer approximately 300 youths from underserved areas a variety of department hands-on experiences, visits to research institutes, and a mentoring program run by undergraduate and graduate students.

In particular, through career experiences in aerospace, advanced component materials, AI, ICT, and the metaverse, the Center provided tiered future new-occupation career programs to youth in underserved areas, supporting their development into talents equipped to face the Fourth Industrial Revolution and future society.

Director Son Hong-chan (Professor, Department of Mathematics Education), Planning Director Jeong Seung-jo (Professor, Department of Mathematics Education), researchers Park Jeong-ju and Kim Areum, and other members of the Center leveraged the university's excellent infrastructure to actively provide youth with career-experience opportunities and made continuous efforts to operate career mentoring programs.

Son Hong-chan, Director of the JBNU Center for Gifted Education in Science, stated, 'We are pleased that our active efforts to help youth from underserved areas set their own career paths and broaden opportunities to prepare for future society have been well received. We will continue to strive to provide better career-experience opportunities for youth by utilizing the university's excellent human and physical infrastructure.'