Press Release

(Hong Kong – 22 April 2024) Following the Government's announcement in this year's Budget to enhance the cultivation of local talents in science and innovation, the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE or Academy), as the cradle of gifted students, proudly announces the remarkable achievements of its gifted students in the first four months of the new school year. From September to December 2023, the students attained 30 awards in local, national, and international science and innovation competitions, including 5 gold and 9 silver medals. This outstanding feat injects fresh impetus into the development of the local talent pool.

Recognition of Outstanding Gifted Students

In addition to the well-established sciences and maths olympiads, the HKAGE has been actively encouraging gifted students to broaden their horizons and participate in a diverse range of competitions. These encompass practice-focused events in electrical and electronic engineering and the increasingly popular blockchain competitions, as well as future leader selection contests which foster community engagement. These initiatives provide gifted students with multiple platforms to showcase their exceptional abilities. To honour gifted students’ remarkable performance across various domains, different awards are presented by the HKAGE annually. This year's award ceremony is scheduled to be held at the City University of Hong Kong on 11 July.

Looking ahead to the future of scientific and technological innovation, we understand the importance of giving voice to those at the forefront. We are delighted to have two gifted students who are active participants in STEAM competitions and their supportive parents to share their experiences, which may bring some inspiration to us.

Enhancing Success through Whole-person Development

Lester CHONG, a Form 5 student, has actively participated in over 10 diverse competitions. He secured a silver medal at the International Blockchain Olympiad with his teammates in 2022 and was recently recognised as one of the top ten awardees in the Future Leaders 2023 selection. Lester’s impressive achievements result from proactive preparations. "The HKAGE programmes on AI, blockchain, and Internet of Things (IoT) have equipped me with valuable knowledge, while my instructors have taught me project management and research skills. I have also learned to maintain a positive mindset and persevere through setbacks in the whole-person development programmes offered by the Academy. Participating in team competitions has sharpened my skill of collaborating with gifted peers from different schools, with different areas of expertise, and speaking different languages; as we need to complete and enhance our entries within limited time frames."

 Earlier, Lester and his teammates embarked on the development of a “carbon emission collector" for a competition. Although no award was won this time, he embraced the opportunity for ongoing improvement "Participating in competitions allows me to put ideas into practice. Answering questions from the judging panels on-site enhances my adaptability. For me, every competition experience is valuable, regardless of winning a prize. Each occasion offers me unique opportunities to explore novel technologies and expand my research and invention skills into uncharted domains. During on-site presentations, we leverage diverse forms and techniques to cater to the distinct needs of our audiences," shared Lester. 

Empowering Growth through Trusting 

When Lester is preparing for a competition, his parents serve as his unwavering support. Lester's father emphasised, "Families and companies have different dynamics, and parents should not see themselves as their children’s bosses. To demand absolute obedience will only hinder our children’s development and deter them from exploring new possibilities. My son and I are like friends. We discuss things together, and I offer him advice to help facilitate his own decisions. I trust him and encourage him to be independent. As a father, I assume the role of a spectator or assistant, backing him in procuring and preparing materials and equipment for competitions, and providing unwavering support and encouragement."

Embracing Challenges with a Shift in Mindset

Tiffany SUEN, a talented student in Form 6, has cultivated a great passion in physics and mathematics. In 2023, she and her teammate won a gold medal in the Infomatrix World Finals. In the same year, Tiffany and other team members garnered three prestigious awards in the "Safe Cracking" International Physics Tournament in Israel, which marked her first physical overseas competition following the pandemic and held profound significance for her. "Engaging in meaningful exchanges of ideas with fellow physics enthusiasts from different countries opened my eyes to the boundless realm of knowledge and the infinite possibilities for learning. The most invaluable experience was connecting with like-minded teammates, who offered me mutual inspiration and support on our future endeavours."

Tiffany, who has earned numerous awards throughout her competition journey, has also experienced setbacks. "I still vividly remember coming just one step short of being selected as a regular member of the Hong Kong team for the Asian and International Physics Olympiads. I couldn't help but feel discouraged. However, I deliberately adjust my mindset through various means. I ran marathons for relaxation, read Confucian and Mohist works to realign my perspective on life, and sought solace in heartfelt conversations with my dad. I believe the most crucial thing during the preparation for competitions is to embrace a positive outlook and enjoy what you are doing.” With the opportunity to gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies like quantum computing at the HKAGE, Tiffany has already nurtured a strong ambition to pursue astrophysics research in future.

Embarking on Life's Marathon with Resilience

Tiffany's father, a supportive companion to his daughter, once finished a marathon alongside her. He shared his experience in nurturing his daughter, reflecting on the time when she wasn't qualified as a regular team member for the Asian and International Physics Olympics. He encouraged Tiffany to take it easy, saying, "Life is akin to a marathon. You can’t always be in the front. What matters is to keep running. You win some, you lose some. The true value of competition lies in developing the courage to face both." 

 Gifted Students Won 30 Science and Innovation Awards in Q1 of the 2023/24 School Year

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Lester CHONG is energetic and embraces challenges courageously. In 2022, he and his teammates won a silver medal at the International Blockchain Olympiad.	Lester's father is happy to be his son’s spectator or assistant and offstage support and encouragement.
Lester was interviewed by RTHK after attending a gerontechnology course and expo.	Lester took a photo with his mother and Dr Jimmy WONG, Executive Director of the HKAGE, after being selected as one of the top ten "Tomorrow Leaders 2023" recently.
Tiffany SUEN took a photo in Israel.	Tiffany's parents are her best companions. Mr SUEN compares life and competitions to a marathon and encourages Tiffany to keep pushing on with bravery.
Tiffany and her teammate Mary ZHANG were interviewed by CRHK after winning a gold medal in the Infomatrix World Finals 2023.	Tiffany took a photo with Dr Jimmy WONG, Executive Director of the HKAGE, after winning three awards with her teammates at the “Safe Cracking” International Physics Tournament in Israel.