At the 2026 Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA) Annual Conference held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on April 20, Dr. Ouyang Baixiao, Assistant Professor of the Faculty of Education, was honoured with the 2026 “Career Educator of the Year” Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions and pioneering research in the field of career education. Concurrently, Dr. Ouyang’s research findings on the influencing factors of career education self-efficacy among senior secondary school teachers were selected for presentation at this international conference.
The APCDA “Career Educator of the Year” Award recognises exceptional educators dedicated to cultivating talent in career development, implementing innovative projects, and exercising leadership across various professional bodies. In its citation, the judging panel specifically noted that Dr. Ouyang founded the Macao Career Development Association and has spent the past decade equipping educators and career development practitioners in Macao with core professional skills. Through cross-regional collaboration, she has successfully established a sustainable ecosystem for career development professionals. Additionally, Dr. Ouyang serves as a member of the US-based NCDA Credentialing Commission Audit Committee, bringing an Asian perspective to global career development standards.
During a research session held on April 24, Dr. Ouyang presented her latest empirical study focusing on secondary school teachers in Macao and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The study, funded by the Macao Foundation, investigates the mechanisms of teachers’ professional development in career education and targeted enhancement strategies amidst robust macro-policy support.
Dr. Ouyang remarked, “Receiving this award is not only a personal honour but also a recognition of the collective efforts of career educators in Macao and the Greater Bay Area. Thanks to strong support from various sectors, career planning education has become an indispensable core component of secondary school curricula. Through sustained research and cross-regional collaboration, we hope to help more teachers build professional confidence so that every student can benefit from quality career guidance.”
