Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education will explore new spheres of gifted education and provide diversified learning opportunities to expand Hong Kong's talent pool, chairman of its board of directors Irving Koo said on Wednesday.

Presiding at the board's first meeting, Koo said board members are enthusiastic about gifted education and developing the potential of young people. He believed the academy can build on the good work already underway in schools.

The academy will provide gifted students aged 10 to 18 with structured training programs. It will also offer enhanced professional support to teachers, parents and academics.

Incorporated as an independent body with assets of 200 million Hong Kong dollars (25.71 million U.S. dollars) from both the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and personal donation, the academy has a high degree of independence and flexibility in its planning, operations, staffing and fund management.

(Xinhua News Agency, November 29, 2007)