Press Release

(Hong Kong – 23 February 2026) – The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) and the School of Creative Arts at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) today formally signed a collaborative framework agreement, marking their commitment to closer collaboration in providing unique creative arts programmes and experiences for gifted students, nurturing outstanding talents with creativity and artistic abilities.

Creative Arts Education Fostering Holistic Development

The HKAGE believes gifted education should extend beyond traditional academic disciplines to broadly encompass the arts, where creativity and artistic expression are vital components for unlocking potential and promoting whole person development. Consequently, the HKAGE has actively broadened its intake channels in recent years, identifying a more diverse pool of gifted talents through its Principal’s Nomination Scheme and various competitions. At the same time, the Academy offers arts programmes in drama, music, design, and performing arts to cultivate students' creativity and further unlock their potential.

Through the signing of this collaborative framework agreement, the HKAGE and HKBU’s School of Creative Arts will work together to offer more gifted programmes in film, art, and music in the future, continually deepening the cultivation of creative thinking among gifted students.

Dr Martin SZETO, Executive Director of the HKAGE, expressed great enthusiasm for the collaboration: "The HKAGE has consistently prioritised the whole person development of gifted students. With societal progress and technological advancement, traditional disciplines alone may no longer adequately address the diverse potential of all gifted learners. We believe our partnership with HKBU’s School of Creative Arts will provide motivated students with more multidisciplinary learning opportunities offering both depth and breadth, expanding their horizons. This will enable them to continuously explore creative arts like film, art, and music, and strive for excellence." Dr SZETO also anticipated that this collaboration would demonstrate to the academic community an innovative model integrating art, technology and education, thereby further advancing the development of gifted education in Hong Kong towards a richer and more flexible direction.

Professor Johnny M POON, Associate Vice-President (Interdisciplinary Research) and Dean of the School of Creative Arts at HKBU, expressed high hopes for this collaboration. He said: “As society continues to evolve, the arts also require fresh perspectives and innovative thinking. HKBU’s School of Creative Arts is committed to advancing the development of arts, culture, and art technology in Hong Kong, with the goal of nurturing more outstanding talents and opening up greater possibilities for the arts. Through this partnership with the HKAGE, we hope to offer more programmes that integrate arts and technology for talented gifted students, unlocking their potential and guiding them to imagine the future with greater creativity”.

Witnessed by attending guests and gifted students, the two parties formally signed the collaborative framework agreement, marking a significant step in deepening their partnership. Following the signing ceremony, the HKBU team led student members on a tour of HKBU’s Jockey Club Campus of Creativity, showcasing advanced facilities for education, research and industry collaboration such as Studio 5 Scoring Stage, Jockey Club White Box Experimental Space, etc. Students had the opportunity to gain first-hand understanding of professional interactive music systems, audio processing equipment and sensors, as well as various forms of creative arts and art-tech research and experimentation.

Student members visit HKBU’s Jockey Club Campus of Creativity to experience firsthand the technological applications of creative arts	Under expert guidance, student members explore professional interactive music systems, audio processing and sensors, alongside diverse creative arts research and experimentation at HKBU

Dr Martin SZETO, Executive Director of the HKAGE, expresses his delight at signing the agreement with the School of Creative Arts to cultivate creative thinking among gifted students	Professor Johnny M Poon, Associate Vice-President (Interdisciplinary Research) and Dean of the School of Creative Arts at Hong Kong Baptist University, looks forward to this collaboration inspiring and unlocking the potential of gifted students

The HKAGE and HKBU’s School of Creative Arts today signed a collaborative framework agreement to further strengthen their partnership in delivering gifted education programmes on creative arts

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