Hoikyoung Bae | Virtual Reality | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Hoikyoung Bae | Virtual Reality | Best Researcher Award

Adjunct Professor | Soongsil University | South Korea

Prof. Dr. Hoikyoung Bae is a distinguished academic and professional who has dedicated her career to advancing early childhood education and digital learning innovation. She currently serves as a professor at Soongsil University and as an adjunct professor at Myongji University, bringing together her academic expertise and extensive professional practice. With decades of leadership in education and care institutions, she has bridged traditional child development practices with cutting-edge technologies such as the metaverse and digital learning tools. Her contributions highlight a lifelong commitment to fostering creativity, innovation, and educational excellence across generations.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Education Background

Prof. Dr. Hoikyoung Bae pursued her doctoral studies with a focus on early childhood education and emerging educational technologies. Her doctoral thesis explored the impact of metaverse-based virtual experiential play education on children’s creativity and playability, reflecting her passion for integrating digital tools into learning environments. Through her advanced research and continued academic pursuits, she has become an influential figure in both early childhood studies and smart education approaches. Her educational journey has enabled her to combine traditional pedagogy with technological innovations, establishing her as a forward-thinking leader in education research and practice.

Professional Experience

Prof. Dr. Hoikyoung Bae has an extensive professional background that includes serving as a kindergarten director for more than three decades, where she gained practical insights into early childhood development and teaching methodologies. She has also led significant organizations, serving as the president of the Korea Smart Future Education Association and as chairman of the Next Generation Research and Development Technology Policy Institute. In addition, she assumed the role of CEO at Angel Silver Nursing Home, contributing to elder care and education. Her academic roles at Myongji University and Soongsil University further demonstrate her dedication to combining practice with academic excellence.

Awards and Honors

Prof. Dr. Hoikyoung Bae has received prestigious recognitions that highlight her contributions to education and research. She was honored with the Seoul Metropolitan Government Chairperson Award, a testament to her impactful work in shaping educational policies and practices. Additionally, she received the National Assembly Excellence Teacher Award from the Korean government, which underscores her dedication to teaching and mentorship. These awards reflect her outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to creating educational systems that integrate both traditional values and modern digital approaches, establishing her as a highly respected and influential figure in the academic and professional community.

Research Focus

Prof. Dr. Hoikyoung Bae’s research emphasizes the integration of technology into education, with a particular focus on early childhood learning, digital education, and metaverse applications. Her innovative work has explored how experiential play within virtual environments can enhance creativity and playability among children. She has also been involved in developing smart instructor certifications tailored for children, youth, and the elderly, reflecting her holistic approach to lifelong learning. Through international collaborations, journal publications, and the development of new qualification courses, she continues to expand the boundaries of educational research by aligning pedagogy with technological advancements.

Publications Notes

Title: Study on the Impact of Metaverse-based Virtual Experiential Play Education on Children’s Creativity and Playability
Published Year: 2023
Citation: 12

Title: Development of Smart Education Model for Early Childhood Learning Environments
Published Year: 2022
Citation: 9

Title: Digital Learning Tools and Their Effectiveness in Enhancing Children’s Play-based Education
Published Year: 2021
Citation: 6

Title: Metaverse as a Platform for Early Childhood Digital Learning and Creativity Development
Published Year: 2020
Citation: 8

Title: Innovative Smart Instructor Certification Framework for Lifelong Education
Published Year: 2019
Citation: 5

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Hoikyoung Bae has built a remarkable career that unites professional practice, academic research, and innovative leadership in education. Her lifelong dedication to advancing early childhood education, combined with her vision for integrating digital tools like the metaverse, has positioned her as a pioneer in the field of smart education. With significant contributions through her teaching, leadership roles, publications, and educational certifications, she continues to inspire innovation and creativity in learning. Her achievements and recognitions clearly demonstrate her suitability for prestigious honors such as the Best Researcher Award.

Gwangyong Gim | Virtual Reality | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Gwangyong Gim | Virtual Reality | Best Researcher Award

Professor | Soongsil University | South Korea

Prof. Dr. Gwangyong Gim is a distinguished professor at the Business School of Soongsil University with a strong academic and leadership background. He has served in several administrative roles including dean of the School of Business, dean of the Graduate School of Business, and vice president of Soongsil University. Beyond his university responsibilities, he has contributed significantly as president of professional societies such as the Society of Global Management, the Society of IT Service, and the Next Generation R&D Technology Policy Institute. His career reflects a dedication to academic excellence, research advancement, and global knowledge exchange.

Publication Profile

Scopus

ORCID

Education Background

Prof. Dr. Gwangyong Gim has pursued advanced education in business, management, and technology-related disciplines that shaped his interdisciplinary expertise. His academic training enabled him to bridge traditional management with modern computational approaches, allowing him to combine theoretical insight with applied research. Over the course of his educational journey, he cultivated a strong foundation that allowed him to guide graduate students, mentor young researchers, and develop international collaborations. His academic development reflects a commitment to lifelong learning, and it has been the cornerstone of his professional and scholarly contributions in the fields of business and artificial intelligence.

Professional Experience

Prof. Dr. Gwangyong Gim’s professional journey spans academia, research, and global collaborations. At Soongsil University, he has played critical roles in both teaching and administration. As a chief editor and reviewer, he has guided scholarly publications, ensuring high-quality research dissemination in fields like IT service, risk, and software engineering. He has actively engaged in collaborative research projects supported by national and international organizations, including UNESCO, and worked closely with private companies. He has also mentored numerous graduate students, particularly from countries such as Vietnam and regions of Africa, offering opportunities for academic growth and global perspectives in advanced research.

Awards and Honors

Prof. Dr. Gwangyong Gim’s contributions have been recognized by multiple prestigious honors. He received the Order of Service Merit from the Korean government, highlighting his influence on academic and social development. International recognition includes being listed among the Top 100 Educators by IBC, acknowledgment in Marquis Who’s Who, and the Albert Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. These awards underline his outstanding academic leadership, scholarly excellence, and contributions to global research communities. His recognition from both domestic and international platforms reflects his status as a respected academic and thought leader who bridges business knowledge with innovative technology-based approaches in research and practice.

Research Focus

Prof. Dr. Gwangyong Gim has built his research expertise around artificial intelligence, big data, machine learning, and digital transformation. His projects explore the convergence of AI, blockchain, metaverse, and human-computer interaction, often addressing critical challenges in education, governance, and business innovation. His current research includes affective computing for emotion extraction, AI-driven distribution structures, and applications of VR/AR in learning environments. His work also extends into organizing international conferences on big data, cloud computing, and emotional AI, further disseminating advanced knowledge globally. His research reflects a balance between theoretical development and applied innovation, shaping both academic thought and practical technological transformation.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Affective Computing Multimodal Research for Human Emotion Extraction
Published Year: 2020
Citation: 45

Title: Convergence Research of Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain in Metaverse Applications
Published Year: 2021
Citation: 52

Title: Improving the Distribution Structure of AI-Created Works
Published Year: 2022
Citation: 33

Title: Utilization of Smart Devices in Educational Settings with VR and AR
Published Year: 2023
Citation: 28

Title: Data Science Approaches for Innovative Business Modeling
Published Year: 2024
Citation: 19

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Gwangyong Gim represents a dynamic blend of educator, researcher, and leader. Through his teaching, mentoring, and innovative projects, he has nurtured global talent and advanced interdisciplinary fields. His contributions span business management, AI, and metaverse research, and he continues to bridge global academic networks by organizing international conferences and publishing significant works. Recognized nationally and internationally, his career embodies service, innovation, and dedication. As a highly accomplished scholar, his focus remains on building future-ready research in artificial intelligence and data science while guiding the next generation of academics, researchers, and industry leaders across the world.