The whizkid, March Tian Boedihardjo, poses for photo yesterday.China Daily

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) yesterday announced that it would admit the 9-year-old genius, March Tian Boedihardjo, to study mathematics. The decision will make March the youngest university student in Hong Kong.

The Indonesian-Chinese prodigy scored two As and a B in this year's A-level exam in England.

March, who was accompanied by his father Tony Boedihardjo and two university senior staff, said he felt stressed under media spotlight and believed that he could effectively communicate with older students. He said he always discussed with students in Oxford, where he had been studying for two years.

However, during leisure time, the prodigy said, he preferred spending time with those at his same age.

"I have studied in kindergarten for four years with 10 classmates. I love studying. I love playing chess, monopoly and card games with these classmates on weekends," he said.

"I like to play with children at my same age. Items played by those who are 10 years older than me are not my favourite," he added.

HKBU will give five-year time for March to complete the Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Science and a Master of Philosophy in Mathematics.

The university stressed that the academic requirement for March would be in parallel with other students, but would give him more flexibility in studying other humanities subjects, such as history.

Four or more professors will be deployed to explore March's maths potential and appointed as mentor. The university child development centre will also provide assistance.

March, who got an A in both maths and further maths and a B in statistics in GCE A-levels this year, was born in Hong Kong, but later moved to United Kingdom.

Asked why he would prefer university education in Hong Kong instead of England, March replied: "My father does not have sufficient money."He also replied, "Wait and see", when asked on his expectations of campus life.

HKBU associate dean of science faculty Tong Chong-sze said he was impressed by the boy's performance in admission interview.

"He had to face four professors, but he appeared calm and mature. He was very cautious when answering mathematics questions, which even university students could not achieve," he said.

However, the HKBU's decision sparked debate on whether it was healthy for kids to jump grades even though they were academically gifted.

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, where March had also applied, refused him undergraduate education, but offered some credit bearing courses.

The university associate dean of science, Ng Tai-kai said March was too young for undergraduate education.

"Regular students should also study other subjects, such as economics, apart from the major field.We need to make a lot of arrangements for him," he said.

The University of Hong Kong said it would only offer him a visiting studentship.

May Tse, programme director of Potential Engine Educational and Psychological Consultants, said gifted students were usually more mature than children of his age.

"They would like to meet and help friends younger than them, or communicate with older people," she said.

Tse believed HKBU students would also benefit through academic exchange with March.

She said it was appropriate to place students in positions that match with their academic standard.

But Tse said emotional support was necessary for prodigy to reinforce his self-recognition.

"These children may have their own and unique point of view.They need guidance for understanding and affirming himself," she said.

However, gifted education expert Cheng Wei-hung said skipping grades might severely affect children's social skills.

"University students may not accept him. The older people tend to keep a distance from younger counterparts who have made outstanding achievement. He may find it difficult to make friends," he said.

"March's life experience is very different from the university students. He may not understand the feeling of others," he said.

(HK Edition 08/24/2007 page6)