HK tops demand at UK school for gifted
Hong Kong has dominated demand for a new summer school for gifted young people in Britain, with the University of Warwick responding by deciding to hold the programme a year earlier than planned.
The university, which last year announced it would launch an international organisation for gifted students and hold its first 'summer university' in 2009, received two dozen inquiries from Hong Kong before the summer school was even advertised.
It has received more than 2,000 inquiries from more than 30 countries, with Hong Kong topping the list of inquiries coming from outside Britain.
About 100 students aged 11 to 16 will attend the first International Gateway for Gifted Youth (Iggy) Summer University at Warwick in July and August. The programme aims to attract youngsters from the top 5 per cent of students from around the world.
During the two-week residential programme, 12 students will be selected to be 'Iggy commissioners', which will see them research a global issue and report back next year.
Warwick plans to hold a 'winter university' and expand the summer programme next year. It will also launch online services to help talented young people worldwide communicate and work together on projects.
Warwick's deputy registrar, Ken Sloan, said the programme would encourage a generation of the world's brightest young people to develop an international perspective.
'This will enhance their learning and social development, increase their aspirations and contribute to and support their educational progress in their own schools and colleges,' he said.
