Dubai Expo

Dubai has been selected to host the 2028 Asia-Pacific Conference on Giftedness, following an official announcement at the close of the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference on Giftedness (APCG 2026) held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from February 7 to 11.

The decision was confirmed by the Asia-Pacific Federation on Giftedness (APFG) at the conclusion of the conference, which was organised under the theme “Fast Forward: Vision 2050 of Gifted Education.”

APFG Confirms Dubai as Next Host City

Professor Kyungbin Park, President of APFG, described Dubai as a global model of diversity, openness, and coexistence, expressing confidence in the emirate’s ability to deliver a high-calibre edition of the conference.

He said the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, which will serve as the host and organising institution, has a strong track record in advancing giftedness and educational excellence, supported by an innovation-driven environment.

UAE Leadership in Gifted Education Recognised

H.E. Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, said Dubai’s selection reflects regional recognition of the UAE’s leadership in advanced education systems focused on identifying and developing gifted learners through integrated policies, initiatives, and partnerships.

He highlighted that the Foundation has developed a globally benchmarked model for discovering and nurturing gifted individuals, supported by specialised expertise and international collaboration. Hosting global conferences, he added, forms part of a broader strategy to empower gifted students and position them for future leadership and impact.

Foundation Concludes Participation in Jeddah Edition

The Foundation also confirmed the conclusion of its participation in APCG 2026 in Jeddah, where its delegation presented research papers, applied models, and innovation-driven practices in gifted education.

Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Foundation, said participation aligns with its mission to advance specialised dialogue, exchange programme design expertise, and strengthen policy development frameworks supporting creative and innovative capacities.

He noted that hosting the 2028 edition in Dubai will further strengthen links between research and classroom practice and expand collaboration with Asian institutions on evidence-based gifted learning models.

Research Papers and Innovation Showcases

Members of the Foundation’s delegation contributed multiple presentations, including:

1. Dr. Mariam Al Ghawi — research on academic giftedness and university major selection

2. Dr. Rashid Al Riyami — the Hamdan–EFQM Educational Model for institutional excellence

3. Dr. Sadeq Abdulwahid — initiatives promoting a culture of excellence

4. Huda Al Hammadi — the Global Talent Mentorship Programme in STEMM fields

The delegation also took part in specialised seminars, a Youth Summit focused on AI and emerging technologies, and secured third place in an Innovation Hackathon addressing educational challenges.

Through its exhibition pavilion, the Foundation showcased global and regional initiatives in gifted education and expanded channels for institutional collaboration.

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