Han Tae-joon to speak at special lecture Thursday
Incheon's marine resources to be linked to global science and industry
Break from exam-focused education: 'We must give children wings'
A proposal to nurture global talent based in Incheon and transform the foundations of future education is set to be unveiled Thursday.
Han Tae-joon, president of Ghent University Global Campus, is scheduled to speak at two events at Incheon Global Campus (IGC) on Thursday — the 2026 Incheon International Media Conference and the IGC×Sebasi (15 Minutes to Change the World) special lecture series — where he will present his vision for future education and urban competitiveness.
In his lectures that day, Han will outline practical ways to integrate Incheon's marine ecological resources — including seaweed from Jangbongdo and its tidal flats — with next-generation science and industry.
Through that framework, he plans to flesh out his "Incheon Global Talent Circulation City 2035" concept, a system designed to attract top talent from around the world to Incheon, develop them, and draw them back in a continuous cycle.
Central to his message is the conviction that "the ocean has no passport" — an emphasis on the value of marine research that transcends national borders and the necessity of global cooperation.
In the afternoon session of the IGC×Sebasi special lecture, Han will pose the question: "Let's give our children wings."
Speaking under the theme "Learn Bold, Lead Global: A Leap Into a Wider World," he will draw a clear distinction between rote exam preparation and genuine education.
Han will argue that innovation in higher education drives change in primary and secondary schooling, and will share model education case studies from Ghent University Global Campus over the past decade.
"Children already have the wings to fly on their own," Han is expected to say. "What education must do is provide the time and opportunity for them to discover that potential."
Joining Han at the Sebasi lecture will be a range of experts, including Byeon Ju-yeong, chief executive of the Incheon Global Campus Operating Foundation; Noh Hee-yeong, head of Hino Consulting Firm; Choi Jae-bung, a professor at Sungkyunkwan University; and Choi Jong-seong, an associate professor at SUNY Korea — sharing diverse insights on education, branding and future technology.
gilbert@heraldcorp.com
