HKUST Launches Pilot Scheme for Hong Kong's First Secondary Schools–University Dual Program to Nurture Gifted Students

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Prof. Tai-kai Ng stresses that this Hong Kong's first dual program pilot scheme will create a win-win-win situation for HKUST, participating secondary schools and gifted students. Current Students Prospective Students Faculty and Staff Alumni Media Visitors Industry Partners Job Vacancies

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04/09/2011 HKUST Launches Pilot Scheme for Hong Kong’s First Secondary Schools–University Dual Program to Nurture Gifted Students

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) joins hands with a total of 21 secondary schools to launch a Pilot Scheme for the first Secondary Schools-University Dual Program in Hong Kong to nurture gifted secondary students in science and mathematics. The participating students can taste university study mode and campus life, as well as earn university credits at their early age.

HKUST is committed to nurturing gifted students in concerted efforts. Sharing a common vision, HKUST forges partnerships with the seed schools to provide an innovative study pathway for gifted students in science and mathematics. The pilot program aims at creating a win-win-win situation: HKUST can identify and groom the gifted students at their early age to make the most of their abilities. Gifted students can taste the university study mode, share their learning experience and academic knowledge with their secondary schoolmates to promote a learning atmosphere which could raise the school's overall performance in science and mathematics. Gifted students can get a head start to acquire frontier knowledge, identify areas of interest and personal aspiration.

The three-level program offers courses covering the areas of biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics. HKUST will select students nominated by secondary school principals to enter Level 1 at which gifted students will experience an accelerated study in courses at secondary school level. Students with excellent performance will be promoted to Level 2, the introductory university level courses. Outstanding students will then be admitted to Level 3 at which they will take the regular HKUST courses together with university students and have the opportunities to conduct research guided by HKUST renowned professors. If the student joins HKUST as an undergraduate student in the future, the university credits earned can be counted towards his or her studies as part of the University's graduation requirement.

Prof Tai-kai Ng, Director of Center for the Development of the Gifted and Talented, said: "It is a common practice in overseas countries that gifted students are not limited to studying at secondary schools, but could also select some suitable courses of interests at university simultaneously. HKUST introduces the first systematic approach to encourage this study mode in Hong Kong, gifted students could receive a more holistic education and campus life in secondary schools, and only devote part of time at HKUST studying subjects of their interest, early taste the university study mode and campus life, deeper learning of frontier knowledge, which could bring their talent into full play."

Rev. Bro. Steve Hogan, Principal of La Salle College, applauded this initiative. "It is our pleasure to join this pilot scheme and hope our students could perform exceptionally." Mr Wai-chiu Chan, Vice Principal of Our Lady of the Rosary College, added: "We hope to help students to identify their interest in the fields of science and mathematics. Through the program, students could early taste the advanced level courses which could enhance their analytical skills and widen their thinking perspectives."

The nomination for this Pilot Scheme for Secondary Schools-University Dual Program will start in early September. A briefing session will be held on 17 September to introduce more details about the program. Level 1 courses will be commenced in October while Level 2 courses will be offered in summer 2012. HKUST targets to invite all secondary schools in Hong Kong to join this program in the future.

Program led by: Prof Tai-kai Ng

Director of Center for the Development of the Gifted and Talented Tel 2358 7477

Email: phtai@ust.hk

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