Press Release

(28 Aug 2012, Hong Kong) The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) received the delegation from Geoje Education Institute for Gifted Children, South Korea. During the one-day visit, around 60 Korean students and teachers made a class visit and exchanged learning experience with student members of the HKAGE. The exchange facilitated better understanding between Hong Kong and Korean students in terms of culture and learning experience.

Dr Stephen Tommis, Executive Director of the HKAGE, said the HKAGE provided gifted students with suitable and diversified learning opportunities to enhance their interests in learning and widen their horizons, helping them further develop their potential. The HKAGE would continue to organise more exchange programmes and create learning opportunities for student members.

The Korean delegation finished a five-day experience exchange tour to Hong Kong and Macau. Mr Kim Bog-Kyeun, the Chairman of Geoje Office of Education, was the leader of the delegation, which also included six teachers and administrative staff members from Geoje Education Institute for Gifted Children who provided supports for the tour. The 54 students are 13-15 years old and are gifted in Mathematics and Science.

The delegation spent a day visiting the HKAGE. Aiming to understand the education level of the gifted students in Hong Kong, the Koreans visited an Information Technology class on “Object-Oriented Design and Programming using Java” and sat in with more than 30 Secondary Three – Seven Hong Kong students. The course, taught by a lecturer of Department of Electronic and Information Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, aimed at enriching students with basic software engineering methodologies and developing a software solution for a real-world problem via the application of the methodologies. Although the course content was quite difficult to understand, the Korean students listened attentively and enthusiastically.

Then, student members of the HKAGE and the Korean students met and exchanged learning experience. The HKAGE student members joining the session were Form Seven student Joseph Ng Kwok-Chung from International Christian Quality Music Secondary and Primary School, Secondary Six student Fung Tsz Chai from Po Leung Kuk Centenary Li Shiu Chung Memorial College and Secondary Four student Wong Sze Nga from Diocesan Girls’ School.

Joseph has just admitted by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) to study at the Faculty of Science. He is the youngest student ever studying at HKU in its century old history. He thought exchanging ideas with foreign students did help to widen horizons. At the sharing session, he told the Korean students how he was keen on Science and why he opted for acceleration in his study. He also recounted what he learnt from the mentoring programme organised by the HKAGE, following a professor from HKU to conduct academic research. Many Korean students were interested in Joseph’s experience of grade-skipping and his achievements. They appreciated Joseph’s ability and invited him to share some learning tips. Joseph said enthusiastic in learning was the key to open the door of achievements.

Fung Tsz Chai, the gold medalist of International Physics Olympiad, and Wong Sze Nga, the bronze medalist of International Mathematical Olympiad, talked about how they developed perseverance and enhanced their learning interest and knowledge via international competitions. They used the motto “never give up” to encourage the Korean students.

Fung Tsz Chai said that he realised the difference between gifted education in Korea and Hong Kong via the sharing session. For example, “Invention” is part of gifted education in Korea but not in Hong Kong. “It is my pleasure to share my competition experience with Korean students. Although they didn't understand Cantonese, they still listened to my sharing patiently with the help of an interpreter. I hope that I will have more opportunities to meet with overseas students and share experience with each other”, said Fung Tsz Chai.

At the exchange event, Dr Tommis and Mr Kim presented the token of appreciation to each other so as to express their gratitude. They look forward to more exchange tours in the future. The event came to an end amidst a burst of applause after fruitful exchange of ideas.

Joseph (second from left), Fung Tsz Chai (third from left) and Wong Sze Nga (fourth from left) shared their learning experience with the Korean students.	Dr Tommis (right) presented the token of appreciation to Mr Kim.
Around 60 teachers and students from Geoje Education Institute for Gifted Children visited the HKAGE.