Nine-year-old mathematics prodigy March Boedihardjo, a local Chinese, who was admitted by the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), will become the youngest college student in the city. The university's decision was made public on Thursday.

"The decision was made after a two-month discussion among various departments of the university and March's parents," Acting President of HKBU Professor Franklin Luk announced Thursday the admission result at a press briefing together with March, who posed a victory sign when entering the briefing room standing in front of the non-stopping flashlight from the media.

From this September, March will join other students who are in general some ten years older than he is, to start university life. The University will specially design a five-year curriculum for March which, when completed, will see him awarded a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Science as well as a Master of Philosophy in Mathematics.

March earlier sat for the U.K.'s A-level examination and also the Advanced Extension Awards in mathematics. The boy showed his talent in the former exam by scoring As in mathematics and further mathematics and a B in statistics, while he passed the latter one with merit.

Professor Luk said that, despite his age, March has achieved excellent examination results and also expressed himself admirably in our interviews; therefore, following an initial assessment, the university considers that it is suitable for him to pursue his studies at university level.

Tony Boedihardjo, March's father, said they have also applied to other local universities including the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Chinese University of Hong Kong which have not given them any concrete reply.

Making funny faces and playing with the microphone during the hour-long briefing, the young genius successfully drew attention from the photographers to catch his always-changing facial expression.

When asked about how to cope with the new study environment and people, March showed that he has never been worried about dealing with classmates who will be much older than he is.

"When I was in Oxford, all my schoolmates were over 18 and we often discussed mathematics problems. I think I won't have problems in communicating with people older than me," said the nine-year-old who has done two years of high school curriculum in England.

"With a view to developing his academic intelligence, personal growth and campus life, we will tailor a learning roadmap that best benefits March. We are confident that this arrangement will encourage March to exercise his intellectual faculties to their fullest and support his whole-person development at a world class university, and also give his parents peace of mind," Professor Luk said.

Associate Professor of Mathematics Department of the university Tong Chong-sze said that while the department will arrange for professors to act as March's Academic Mentors, who will explore and develop his mathematical talents, he will be assigned to learn and study along with his fellow classmates.

Within five years, March will complete the requirements as set out for humanities subjects, such as languages, physical education, computer literacy, religion and philosophy. The university will encourage March to participate in social functions and student and cultural activities held on campus, so that he may experience typical collegiate life.

"The Center for Child Development of HKBU will meet regularly with March to keep abreast of his progress in personal development and other needs, and will advise the University Administration as to the best teaching and learning arrangements for March," said Tong.

(Xinhua News Agency August 24, 2007)