Latest news with #academicExcellence
South China Morning Post
23-06-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Nurturing gifted students: Hong Kong schools' special programmes for brilliant young minds
Some children have a natural aptitude for art or music or perhaps tennis, and in the classroom environment it soon becomes clear which of them are academically gifted. Those talents may be evident in any number of ways: a facility for languages, speed in solving maths problems, or even a special fascination with a non-curricular subject like astronomy. Within Hong Kong's already competitive education system, class teachers do all they can to encourage and nurture this potential. But sometimes children just have an inbuilt urgency to learn more and move faster, exhibiting a near-insatiable appetite for new challenges, information and ideas. Fortunately, a number of options are available offering just the kind of supplementary programmes these motivated learners need. Class teachers do all they can to encourage gifted children, but sometimes they just have an inbuilt urgency to learn more and move faster. Photo: Handout 'Our courses are designed by a team of experienced instructors and administrators, ensuring that they cater to diverse learning needs, while promoting academic and personal development,' says professor King Chow, director of the Centre for the Development of the Gifted and Talented (CDGT) at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). 'Seminars are held regularly to help teachers, parents and students clarify programme objectives and curriculum design. This leads to a supportive environment for gifted learners and allows them to have a more balanced school life, while taking classes at HKUST during weekends or holidays.' CDGT was established in 2010 with the stated aim of bringing together select secondary school students in an environment conducive to fast-paced learning. Those admitted take intense, accelerated courses, which are complemented by out-of-classroom activities where individuals can talk about different personal interests and meet like-minded friends. The curriculum looks to challenge and inspire, while also helping gifted students – and their families – understand their intellectual potential and how to make the most of their natural talents. Institutions constantly review and refine programmes to meet student needs. Photo: Handout Drawing on HKUST's particular strengths, most courses are built around science, mathematics or engineering, and are taught by university faculty members or other experienced teachers.
BBC News
11-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Warwick ranked top university in West Midlands
The University of Warwick has been named the best in the West Midlands in an annual league table of UK university, founded in 1965, also climbed one place in the nationwide rankings of the 2026 edition of the Complete University Guide., to next two highest-ranked West Midlands universities were the University of Birmingham, at 14th, and Aston, at 44th."This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff, students and wider community," said Prof Stuart Croft, Warwick's vice-chancellor and president. The guide ranks 130 UK universities on areas including student satisfaction, research quality and graduate received an overall score of 83%, placing it above establishments such as University College London, Bristol and top three spots in this year's guide went to Cambridge, Oxford and the London School of Economics and Political Science."At Warwick, we are committed to academic excellence, innovation, and creating a supportive environment where talent can thrive," added Prof Croft. "It's fantastic to see that commitment recognised at a regional and national level, especially in our 60th anniversary year."Coventry, Keele, Worcester, Staffordshire and Harper Adams in Newport, Shropshire, also made the top 100 in the guide while the University of Wolverhampton came 108th. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Saturday Squawkbox
squawkbox@ If you are upset about Alice Coachman potentially closing, I beg you to stop voting for crooked pastor commissioners who promise more government-funded handouts. These characters are a main reason you can't get a higher-paying job and why so many families have to move their children away. Their behavior scares away new businesses, new jobs, as well as law enforcement recruits. Janis Joplin with Pig Pen singing Bobby Bland's 1961 hit 'Turn on Your Love Light' with the Grateful Dead is my No. 1 cover song. These athletic scholarships are great, but how many academic scholarships have these schools produced? I thought the idea of schools was to produce academic excellence, not collage sports players. Reading in the Squawkbox that APD is too busy with higher priorities to protect rights of old folks: (1) Please list the low-priority laws APD is no longer enforcing so I too might break them with impunity and a clear conscious. (2) If hoodlums, murderers, thieves and child-abusers take priory time, should they not pay the APD salaries rather than the law-keepers who are neglected and taxed for it? 'Goyim [non-Jews] were born only to serve us. Without that, they have no place in the world only to serve the people of Israel,' – Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. This perspective by so many Israelis creates anti-Semitic feelings. Republicans want you to think they're reducing the debt by cutting Medicare and Medicaid. They're not. They're adding to it by giving more tax cuts to billionaires. Turn off Fox and read a newspaper. That Man Without a Family How can northwest Albany, with every food chain in America on every corner, have no Popeye's? Best fried chicken out there. Even the store on South Slappey needs an update. What!? Monkees' 'I'm a Believer?' That's a Neil Diamond song. How in the world do you expect two widely divided groups to talk to each other, Mr. Fletcher, when their ideologies are on opposite sides of the spectrum? One wants entitlements; the other already feels entitled. End results … we've got two groups whose only concern is for their own wants and their own people. Picture AOC and remember no species on earth lets the dumbest lead the pack except Democrats. Outstanding article about the young man who lost his arm — and almost his life — in an auto accident after graduation. Parents here allow their kids to host graduation parties with little or no supervision, and then when something like this happens they want to blame it on law enforcement, the city/county, anyone but themselves. When will these people doing balloon releases be charged with littering? That is exactly what this is. Politician buzzwords: Be mindful of when you hear a politician say the have a 'laser-focus' on an issue. Translation: It's screwed up. Now that you know it, I want you to know it, too. I'm not going to really do anything to fix it, but I want you to know I am looking for someone in the other party to blame.' More tweets of outrage to follow.
Zawya
30-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
AUS Board of Trustees drives strategic growth through key appointments and academic advancements
Sharjah, UAE – The American University of Sharjah (AUS) Board of Trustees, chaired by Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of AUS, met to review and approve a set of strategic actions focused on leadership development, academic excellence and financial sustainability. After the meeting, Sheikha Bodour said: 'Excellence in education is achieved through conscious investment in people, planning, and principled governance. The Board's decisions reflect a commitment to building an institution that is academically distinguished yet operationally resilient. We are strengthening our leadership, supporting faculty development, and refining our governance frameworks to ensure AUS remains responsive to today's demands as a leading force in shaping higher education in our region and beyond.' 'The decisions taken during this board meeting reflect the strength of our vision and the clarity with which AUS is charting its path forward,' said Dr. Tod A. Laursen, Chancellor of AUS. 'With strengthened leadership, defined academic priorities and disciplined financial planning, we are positioning the university to lead with purpose in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape.' Among the key outcomes, the board approved the appointment of Dr. Matthias Ruth as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost. Dr. Ruth is an academic leader with a distinguished track record in interdisciplinary research and institutional strategy, having held senior roles at the University of York, the University of Alberta and Northeastern University. The board also advanced several initiatives to support faculty excellence, including the approval of a new round of rolling contracts and a new round of academic promotions. These measures reflect AUS' continued focus on attracting and retaining outstanding faculty while fostering a culture of academic distinction. An updated Human Resources Policy Manual was also adopted to align institutional practices with international standards in higher education administration. In the area of financial governance, the board approved the university's fiscal year 2025–2026 general operating budget, along with dedicated budgets for research, graduate studies and capital projects. It also endorsed the standalone financial statements of AUS Enterprises—a holding company established to support the university's financial sustainability—for the 15-month period ending August 31, 2024. To further strengthen its governance structure, the board welcomed three new members: Dr. Ebtesam Almazrouei, Dr. Tony F. Chan and Mohamed Khadiri. Dr. Almazrouei serves as Executive Director and Acting Chief AI Researcher at the Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi and chairs the United Nations' AI for Good Impact Initiative. Dr. Chan recently concluded his presidency at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia and previously served as President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Khadiri is the Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Sharjah, with deep expertise in global corporate and investment banking. With these decisions, AUS reaffirms its position as a regional and global leader in higher education—committed to academic distinction, community impact and preparing graduates to shape the future.
Free Malaysia Today
30-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Sarawak's education reforms: from vision to action
While in Sarawak this week to celebrate Hari Gawai, I would like to take a moment to commend the state government for its courageous and forward-looking approach to education reform. At a time when debates in Peninsular Malaysia continue to circle around whether or not to reform, Sarawak has charged ahead. It has asserted its autonomy and demonstrated clear resolve through a series of landmark educational policies that signal a deep and genuine commitment to uplifting its people. Embracing English Perhaps the most striking move has been Sarawak's decision to diverge from national policy by reinstating English as the primary medium of instruction in all its schools. This isn't just a linguistic shift—it's a strategic move toward global readiness. Proficiency in English remains critical for accessing knowledge in science, technology, and international arenas. By prioritising this, Sarawak is preparing its youth for global engagement, ensuring they are not left behind in an increasingly competitive world. Restoring academic benchmarks Sarawak has also reintroduced Standard 6 assessments, bucking the federal trend of abolishing them. This decision underscores the state's focus on academic benchmarking and early interventions. These exams provide a vital checkpoint to gauge students' preparedness for secondary education, allowing for targeted support where needed. It's a clear statement: excellence must be measurable, and progress must be tracked. Free tertiary education Most transformative of all, Sarawak has instituted free education for all Sarawakians—from primary school to technical colleges and universities. This sweeping policy removes financial barriers and opens doors for every child, regardless of background. It's a bold reminder that education is not a privilege for the few, but a fundamental right for all. A strong education system does far more than produce graduates. It nurtures thinkers, problem-solvers and future leaders. It cultivates resilience, vision, and a sense of civic responsibility—elements essential for building a robust and inclusive society. Blueprint for the future Sarawak's approach is more than a state policy—it's a reformed blueprint for how education can be harnessed as a catalyst for comprehensive development. Economically, a well-educated population forms the backbone of a skilled and innovative workforce. As the world revolves toward a knowledge economy, Sarawak's investment in human capital positions it to attract high-value industries, foster entrepreneurship, and move beyond reliance on traditional sectors like timber and oil palm. By shifting toward the digital economy, green technology, advanced manufacturing, aviation and logistics, Sarawak is staking a claim in the industries of the future. An educated workforce brings with it adaptability, innovation and the ability to command higher wages, ultimately lifting communities out of poverty and into prosperity. Social cohesion through education Education is equally powerful as a social force. It breaks cycles of underemployment and marginalisation. It fosters understanding across ethnic and cultural divides—a vital function in a diverse state like Sarawak. Educated citizens are better equipped to engage in meaningful discourse, to advocate for social justice, and to drive inclusive progress. In essence, education builds not just careers but character—and many a community. Healthy democracy Politically, an educated electorate is the bedrock of a functioning democracy. Informed citizens can hold leaders accountable, insist on accountability, transparency, and contribute to better governance. Sarawak's long-term vision is clear: to cultivate a generation of leaders who are capable, grounded and committed to the people they represent. Education, in this light, becomes the great equalizer. It levels the playing field and opens doors that once seemed sealed and shut. For Sarawak to thrive as a model of inclusive and sustainable development, education must remain central—not just as a policy priority, but as a guiding principle. The returns on this investment—economic, social, and political—are immeasurable. However, I do hope that progress in education does not erase or dissipate the cultural aspects, customs and heritage diversity of its populace. To all Sarawakians, I wish you Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai—a long life, wellness, and a bountiful Gawai. The author can be reached at: rosli@ The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
