Twenty-four gifted secondary school students with outstanding potential in electronics technology signed certificates of commitment at the opening ceremony of the University-based Electronics Technology Project Study 2006 which kicked off at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) today (14 August).

The study, which will take place from now until February 2007, has been co-organized by the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) - Hong Kong Section.

CityU is acting as coordinator, responsible for contacting related departments in other local universities and inviting academics to join. In this role, the University hopes to enhance the students’ knowledge about electronics technology and help nurture their potential.

During the opening ceremony, speeches were given by Mrs Chow Dik Suk-wan, Senior Curriculum Development Officer (Gifted Education Section), EMB; Dr Edward Lo Wai-chau, Chairman of the IEEE - Hong Kong Section; and Professor Tommy Chow Wai-shing of the Department of Electronic Engineering.

“Theory and practice are both important in studying electronics technology,” Professor Chow said at the ceremony. “We hope to inspire the potential and creativity of the students, encouraging them to apply what they have learnt to their daily lives, and we are confident that they will be able to make positive contributions to the community.”

In the study, the gifted students chose from a list of topics suggested by academics from four local universities. Half the students selected topics from suggestions put forward by Professor Henry Chung Shu-hung, Dr Cheng Lee-ming and Dr Peter Tsang Wai-ming, all of whom work at CityU. They will guide the students’ research into AC-socket with status indicator and over-current protection; smart card applications; and the development of a 3D cyber world on the Internet.

Students who have chosen the same topic will study together, have regular meetings with their supervisor and will present their research results at the closing ceremony scheduled for March 2007.

This study falls under the Support Measures for the Exceptionally Gifted Students Scheme, which was launched by the EMB in 2001 to nurture the potential of exceptionally gifted students. Students are nominated by secondary schools to join this scheme.