Press Release

(Hong Kong – 1 November 2017) Potential, characteristics, cultivation and inspirations from teachers are all deciding factors on whether gifted students can excel in a specific domain. The Research Division of the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) conducted a “Values in Action” (VIA) survey using self-report question items earlier, collecting information on character strengths of 3,355 students in Hong Kong. The results show that the Hong Kong youth is weaker in Honesty, Love, Leadership, and Spirituality as compared with adults of some other countries. Besides, primary students perform better than secondary students in the pursuit of Honesty, Zest, and Spirituality. In the next year, the Research Division will conduct a “VIA” survey targeting gifted learners in the hope of facilitating their holistic development.

Inspiring Each Other and Passing the Flame

The stories between mentors and student members who had remarkable achievements in international competitions resonate with the “VIA” survey findings, having proved the importance of character strengths. When the gifted meet their mentors, their zest for knowledge flourish, and their potential is unleashed. Wong Chi Fung, a 16-year-old Secondary 5 student, is passionate about Chemistry and experiments. He was awarded a silver medal in both the International Junior Science Olympiad and the Chemistry competition of the International Olympiad of Metropolises (IOM) 2017. Chi Fung said participation in international competitions was a valuable experience, allowing him to show his potential. He also thanked Dr Jason Chan, Lecturer of the Department of Chemistry at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, for his inspirations. “Jason has had some special personal experience, and his zest for Chemistry is strong. He established a laboratory at home and spent most of the time there conducting experiments when he was a secondary student. Jason was even admitted to  hospital because of a laboratory accident.” To Chi Fung, Jason’s devotion to Chemistry is enormous. He is grateful to have met such a mentor who motivates him to explore the world of Chemistry.

Kwok Man Yi, a 17-year-old Year 1 student of the Department of Mathematics (Enrichment Mathematics) at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, has been a fan of Mathematics since young. She reaped a bronze medal in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2015 and 2016 as well as a silver medal in the IMO 2017. Amongst the 62 girl contestants, Man Yi was ranked the second. She said she was lucky to meet her mentors, one of whom was Dr Leung Tat Wing, Vice Chairman of the International Mathematical Olympiad Hong Kong Committee, in the training programme. “Dr Leung has been the person-in-charge of the IMO since the first year I joined the competition. As an experienced trainer, Dr Leung taught us in person. He told us not to weigh too much on victory and to relax, adding that every competition is a new experience and we should give our best.”  The passion  of these mentors aroused Man Yi’s zest for Mathematics. She even becomes an IMO trainer for her fellow apprentices.

Brand New Courses Set Direction for Future Development

Professor Ng Tai Kai, Executive Director of the HKAGE, stated, “The HKAGE will roll out more STEM- focused courses and programmes to provide special learning experiences to our student members. To name a few, the “Big Data Programme”, hosted in Hong Kong for the first time, will teach students the potential of big data in changing the future through studying and collecting big data, as well as analysing its impacts on the academia and businesses. Other programmes will follow in the coming year.”

Mr Albert Hong, Head of Academic Programme Development Division, added that it was the first time the HKAGE signed student members up for the IOM 2017. The IOM covers four domains including Mathematics, Informatics, Chemistry, and Physics. The HKAGE will take every opportunity to enroll student members for international competitions relating to STEM or other domains, allowing them to unleash their talent in different areas.

Caption:

1.    Wong Chi Fung (2nd from left) and Dr Jason Chan (1st from left) are passionate about Chemistry. As “fans of Chemistry”, they love conducting experiments. Both Kwok Man Yi (2nd from right) and Dr Leung Wing Tat (1st from right) love Mathematics. Man Yi even becomes an IMO trainer for her fellow apprentices.

2.    Dr Eric Fung, Head of Research Division, said the division would take reference of this year’s findings and conduct a “Values in Action” survey targeting gifted students next year in the hope of facilitating their comprehensive development.

3.    Professor Ng Tai Kai, Executive Director of the HKAGE, stated, “The HKAGE will roll out more STEM-focused courses and programmes to provide special learning experiences to our student members. To facilitate the local education reform, the HKAGE will infuse the programme-planning experience of different regions into new science programmes.”

Appendix 1

Profile of awardees and mentors

-End-