Events & News
UK NAGTY Opens Gateway for HK Gifted Children Shine in World Class Tests
Date : 2005-09-28
Summer schools for gifted children in The UK run by UK National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth (UK NAGTY) since 2002 will be for the first time open for Hong Kong students who are awarded double distinctions in the World Class Tests (WCT) in April or November 2005.
The places at the UK NAGTY Summer Schools, which cater for the top five per cent of the ability range, were used to offer to the talented children in the UK who are the full members of UK NAGTY only. In 2005/ 06, Hong Kong students scoring double distinctions in mathematics and problem solving tests in WCT last April and coming November will be for the first time having an opportunity to get access to the two-week Summer Schools offered by the UK NAGTY. Three places at the UK NAGTY Summer Schools will be brought to Hong Kong students through the Scholarships sponsored by The HKU Cyberport Institute and Trumptech (HK) Limited, the organizers of World Class Arena (WCA) Elite Competition.
WCT, a worldwide initiative devised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority of the British Government’s Department for Education and Skills (DfES) covering mathematics and problem-solving tests has been launched in Hong Kong since April 2004. Targeted at students aged from 8 to 14, WCT has attracted more than 4,500 seats from approximately 250 primary and secondary schools to enrol since the launch. In addition to HKSAR and Mainland China, these reputable assessments have been offered around the world, including the UK, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. The test, which is synchronized throughout the world, runs twice a year in April and November respectively. More than 80 Hong Kong students were awarded double distinctions in last April test. Together with the eligible participants in the November test, which is now calling for application, they will be invited to participate in WCA Elite Competition in early 2006 and three cream-of-the-crop students in the Competition will become the first batch of students attending the two-week Summer Schools offered by the UK NAGTY.
In 2005/06, the UK NAGTY Summer Schools will offer 1,150 places at 8 different prestigious universities throughout the UK. Over 50 diverse choice of courses which last for two weeks covering arts, science and humanities, will be taught by the university academics and teachers at the UK NAGTY Summer Schools. Upon the completion of the UK NAGTY Summer Schools, students will be granted a certificate. More than 2,000 student members of the UK NAGTY have attended the Summer Schools since the launch.
Dr. Shen Shir-ming, Head, The HKU Cyberport Institute, said, “Hong Kong Education system emphasizes too much on recitation and examination, it’s hard to encourage students to learn. I believe that the Summer Schools can definitely broaden students’ horizons.”
Mr Kwok Tin Ming, CEO of Trumptech, WCT Greater China & Asia Organizer said, “We highly appreciate the UK NAGTY’s support by offering this unprecedented learning experience for Greater China students. I am confident that students attending the UK NAGTY Summer Schools will make substantial gains in knowledge as well as gaining confidence and self-esteem.”
UK NAGTY based at the University of Warwick was established by the British Government in 2002 with a remit to improve education for gifted and talented pupils aged 11 to 19 and to create a nationally and internationally recognized center of expertise upon which others might draw. Membership of UK NAGTY is restricted to the top 5% most able pupils.
The places at the UK NAGTY Summer Schools, which cater for the top five per cent of the ability range, were used to offer to the talented children in the UK who are the full members of UK NAGTY only. In 2005/ 06, Hong Kong students scoring double distinctions in mathematics and problem solving tests in WCT last April and coming November will be for the first time having an opportunity to get access to the two-week Summer Schools offered by the UK NAGTY. Three places at the UK NAGTY Summer Schools will be brought to Hong Kong students through the Scholarships sponsored by The HKU Cyberport Institute and Trumptech (HK) Limited, the organizers of World Class Arena (WCA) Elite Competition.
WCT, a worldwide initiative devised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority of the British Government’s Department for Education and Skills (DfES) covering mathematics and problem-solving tests has been launched in Hong Kong since April 2004. Targeted at students aged from 8 to 14, WCT has attracted more than 4,500 seats from approximately 250 primary and secondary schools to enrol since the launch. In addition to HKSAR and Mainland China, these reputable assessments have been offered around the world, including the UK, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. The test, which is synchronized throughout the world, runs twice a year in April and November respectively. More than 80 Hong Kong students were awarded double distinctions in last April test. Together with the eligible participants in the November test, which is now calling for application, they will be invited to participate in WCA Elite Competition in early 2006 and three cream-of-the-crop students in the Competition will become the first batch of students attending the two-week Summer Schools offered by the UK NAGTY.
In 2005/06, the UK NAGTY Summer Schools will offer 1,150 places at 8 different prestigious universities throughout the UK. Over 50 diverse choice of courses which last for two weeks covering arts, science and humanities, will be taught by the university academics and teachers at the UK NAGTY Summer Schools. Upon the completion of the UK NAGTY Summer Schools, students will be granted a certificate. More than 2,000 student members of the UK NAGTY have attended the Summer Schools since the launch.
Dr. Shen Shir-ming, Head, The HKU Cyberport Institute, said, “Hong Kong Education system emphasizes too much on recitation and examination, it’s hard to encourage students to learn. I believe that the Summer Schools can definitely broaden students’ horizons.”
Mr Kwok Tin Ming, CEO of Trumptech, WCT Greater China & Asia Organizer said, “We highly appreciate the UK NAGTY’s support by offering this unprecedented learning experience for Greater China students. I am confident that students attending the UK NAGTY Summer Schools will make substantial gains in knowledge as well as gaining confidence and self-esteem.”
UK NAGTY based at the University of Warwick was established by the British Government in 2002 with a remit to improve education for gifted and talented pupils aged 11 to 19 and to create a nationally and internationally recognized center of expertise upon which others might draw. Membership of UK NAGTY is restricted to the top 5% most able pupils.
Speaker: Dr. Shen Shir-ming, Head, The HKU Cyberport Institute
Mr. Kwok Tin Ming, CEO, Trumptech (Hong Kong) Limited