Master of multiple intelligence to speak his mind in Hong Kong

The man who first expounded the influential theory of multiple intelligence in the 1980s will be in Hong Kong next week to give a series of lectures and meet leaders in education, arts and politics.

Harvard professor Howard Gardner, best known for his 1983 classic Frames of Mind in which he argued that there are at least seven forms of intelligence rather than the narrow linguistic and mathematical domains assessed through traditional IQ tests, has been invited to Hong Kong by the Asian Cultural Council (ACC).

He will be giving four public lectures, on 'good work', multiple intelligences, creativity and the arts, and creativity and leadership.

Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun, Secretary for Education and Manpower, is among those in Hong Kong who acknowledge the importance of recognising children's 'multiple intelligences' in the education reforms, a lesson learned from Dr Gardner's teaching. Next week she will be meeting him for the first time. Dr Gardner will also exchange views with Professor Cheng Kai-ming, Education Commission member and chair professor of education and the University of Hong Kong.

The concept of multiple intelligences, and the recognition within the curriculum that children learn differently, is new to Hong Kong schools. 'The tradition of both British and Chinese schooling has been peculiarly blind to individual differences,' said Dr Gardner. 'People have had pretty straight marching orders.' Both had used limited scholastic tests to select the top students for elitist education, with the rest left to find their 'proper place in society'.

Singapore, he said, appeared to be more willing to be adventurous.