Special Class for the Gifted Young
Encyclopedia
The Special Class for the Gifted Young of University of Science and Technology of China
was established in March 1978. It is the first of its kind in China
and is a major innovation in China's higher education. The idea was suggested by such renowned scientists as Tsung-Dao Lee
, C. N. Yang, and Samuel C. C. Ting
, and supported by the then Vice-premier of the State Council Mr. Fang Yi. The objective of the class is to explore the most efficient ways to nurture promising youth. By October 2006, it has enrolled a total of 1134 exceptionally gifted youth, 942 of whom have already graduated.
With the success of the class, a new class was established and adjoined to the original class in 1985, namely "The Experimental Class of Teaching Reform", more popularly known as the Double Zero Class, which is conducted under the same guiding spirit as the Special Class for the Gifted Young. This class has now become an integral part of the program. In the past 18 years 432 students have graduated from that class. The present number of registered students is 290.
The Special Class for the Gifted Young upholds the guiding principle of "selecting talents despite their age and cater to their individual potentials." The curriculum aims to strengthen the foundation courses and an all-round education in the first two years, and in the later years allow students to enjoy wide latitude in developing their potentials and interest. Students are encouraged to attend seminar courses, sign up for the various "student research projects," and participate in their professors' research projects. This kind of real research environment not only provides valuable opportunities for them to apply what they have learned in the classroom and give their initiative and creativity full play, but also enhances the spirit of teamwork and cultivates personal integrity.
The past two decades has proven the success of the program. Its students have won numerous prizes in such international and national contests. 80 percent of its graduates have been enrolled in postgraduate programs at home or abroad, one third of whom have already obtained doctoral degrees. Its graduates now spread all over the world. Among them are the 24-year-old assistant professor, the 34-year-old professor at Harvard University, the 31-year-old IEEE fellow and the vice president of Microsoft
, the discoverer of the smallest possible carbon nanotube
, the winner of the U.S. Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the founders of Netbig.com, the president of the9
.com and so on.
University of Science and Technology of China
The University of Science and Technology of China is a national research university in Hefei, People's Republic of China. It is a member of the C9 League formed by nine top universities in China...
was established in March 1978. It is the first of its kind in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and is a major innovation in China's higher education. The idea was suggested by such renowned scientists as Tsung-Dao Lee
Tsung-Dao Lee
Tsung-Dao Lee is a Chinese born-American physicist, well known for his work on parity violation, the Lee Model, particle physics, relativistic heavy ion physics, nontopological solitons and soliton stars....
, C. N. Yang, and Samuel C. C. Ting
Samuel C. C. Ting
Samuel Chao Chung Ting is an American physicist who received the Nobel Prize in 1976, with Burton Richter, for discovering the subatomic J/ψ particle...
, and supported by the then Vice-premier of the State Council Mr. Fang Yi. The objective of the class is to explore the most efficient ways to nurture promising youth. By October 2006, it has enrolled a total of 1134 exceptionally gifted youth, 942 of whom have already graduated.
With the success of the class, a new class was established and adjoined to the original class in 1985, namely "The Experimental Class of Teaching Reform", more popularly known as the Double Zero Class, which is conducted under the same guiding spirit as the Special Class for the Gifted Young. This class has now become an integral part of the program. In the past 18 years 432 students have graduated from that class. The present number of registered students is 290.
The Special Class for the Gifted Young upholds the guiding principle of "selecting talents despite their age and cater to their individual potentials." The curriculum aims to strengthen the foundation courses and an all-round education in the first two years, and in the later years allow students to enjoy wide latitude in developing their potentials and interest. Students are encouraged to attend seminar courses, sign up for the various "student research projects," and participate in their professors' research projects. This kind of real research environment not only provides valuable opportunities for them to apply what they have learned in the classroom and give their initiative and creativity full play, but also enhances the spirit of teamwork and cultivates personal integrity.
The past two decades has proven the success of the program. Its students have won numerous prizes in such international and national contests. 80 percent of its graduates have been enrolled in postgraduate programs at home or abroad, one third of whom have already obtained doctoral degrees. Its graduates now spread all over the world. Among them are the 24-year-old assistant professor, the 34-year-old professor at Harvard University, the 31-year-old IEEE fellow and the vice president of Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, the discoverer of the smallest possible carbon nanotube
Carbon nanotube
Carbon nanotubes are allotropes of carbon with a cylindrical nanostructure. Nanotubes have been constructed with length-to-diameter ratio of up to 132,000,000:1, significantly larger than for any other material...
, the winner of the U.S. Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the founders of Netbig.com, the president of the9
The9
The9 Limited corporation is a Shanghai-based online game operator which had the exclusive license to operate and distribute World of Warcraft in China , a license they secured after successfully aiding Webzen Games in distributing Mu Online in China...
.com and so on.