9 year old admited to University
 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070823...estylehongkong

A nine-year-old math prodigy was Thursday admitted to a Hong Kong university, telling reporters he struggled to communicate academically with his own age group.

March Boedihardjo, an Indonesian-Chinese boy resident in Hong Kong, earlier this month gained two grade As and a B in his A-levels -- normally taken by 18-year-olds -- enough for a place at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU).

He will begin his mathematics undergraduate course in September, the university authorities said. Earlier reports said he has been turned down by another university in Hong Kong.

The precocious youngster was presented to the media Thursday and spoke in both Cantonese and in English, toying with the microphone and yawning as photographers lightbulbs flashed around him.

Asked what he does in his spare time, he said: "Most of the time, I like to read books, but on the weekends I like to go out to play with friends," adding they play chess, Monopoly and cards.

"We can play games together but academically, we can't communicate."

Asked why he had not gone to school in the United Kingdom, he replied in English, "because my father does not have sufficient money."

The university has designed a special five-year course for Boedihardjo, leading to a masters degree, the authorities said.

Tony Boedihardjo, March's father, said the university had given him confidence they could cope with the particular demands of the nine-year-old.

"I am reassured that HKBUs distinctive whole-person education and its reputation for academic excellence will help March develop his talents in a complete way," he said.

Franklin Luk, president of HKBU, said the decision to admit the youngster was based on a "commitment to nurturing gifted students."

"Despite his age, March has achieved excellent examination results and also expressed himself admirably in our interviews," he told reporters.

"Therefore, following our initial assessment, we consider that it is suitable for him to pursue his studies at university level."

Raph's Girl note: Doogie Howser is Chinese!! :o

show off...

I read this on the eve of the first day of class. And my first class is Calculus...a class I am retaking. It pwnd me last year. This makes me feel great!

I dont wanna sound like a brag or whatever, my kid's totally capable of this kid's talent...the difference is...chris is like me, LAZY. Chris is brilliant in maths but what they got in school, well last year in 6th was not challenging enough. This year, he's got all honors classes that'll get his brain cranking.
Any kid can do this, it's more like what's important to the kid...BEING a kid or spending all their time studying.

Oooooh, what does this button do?

if reputation was enabled, i would have given this post rep.
The bolded spot i agree 100%. Most kids i know, see or hear about would play around when they shouldn't, but if they are shown what's more important earlier in life and disciplined to the point needed, the kid would turn out like this. But if not, they would turn out much worst.