Both programmes aim to develop talents in Mathematics and the Sciences. Both programmes extend beyond the A-level syllabus.

You should only choose GATE/SMTP if you are passionate with learning and is eager to know more.  You must have the tenacity to cope with the rigorous demand of the programmes. 

There are much commonalities between GATE and SMTP as well as some key differences as well.  So actually, the key difference between GATE and SMTP differs in their target students actually.  

• The SMTP Programme mainly targeting students who wish to seek a research or academic career in the Mathematics and Sciences. 

• The GATE mainly targets students who have a very deep passion for Mathematics and Sciences but want to expose themselves to other fields and explore other passion.  The idea is to be able to develop students which will be able serve or lead the Nation in other fields.

Academic Programme

Hence, in terms of academic programme, down to the subject level, GATE and SMTP students could be having the same style of lessons and curriculum (subjected to the decision of the subject coordinators).  The idea is to provide, at the subject level, a core talent programme to our abled  students.  

In terms of pedagogy focus, there will be a greater emphasis of building global literacies hence most of the GATE subject lessons will classroom based  and seminar style to allow them to hone their communication and collaborative skills through the constant sharing and sparring of ideas.  There will also be a greater emphasis on independent learning.  Students will be expected to do readings, learning and more lesson preparation before class so as to be able to allow for meaningful discussions in classes.  Content in A-level syllabus will be covered in an accelerated pace to allow for further enrichment in the GATE subject.  Students are also expected to support their peers in their learning and may often be called to share their work, findings or learnings with each other.

In terms of enrichment and electives, subject specific electives will be jointly offered by GATE and SMTP.  However to challenge GATE students to go strengths and allow them to explore new passions, there will be emphasis in electives and enrichments which goes beyond the Mathematics and Sciences.

Enrichment and Electives

The focus of the enrichment and elective programmes also differs slightly for GATE and SMTP.  The focus of GATE will go beyond Science and Mathematic and cross into other disciplines. 

The enrichment activities will have greater focus on broadening the horizons of our talented youths as well as building the necessarily character, values and habits for these youths to become life-long learners and responsible global citizens.

GATE aims to combine the rigour of the A-level curriculum with a liberal arts education, which will prepare you well not just for success in the university but also in life.

You might have a strong passion in Mathematics or one of the Sciences, but also like to invest your time to develop your interest in other areas, broaden your horizon and to hone your leadership and other life skills .

The GATE programme  therefore allows you to specialize in Mathematics or one of the Science subjects so that you can really focus in the subject that you are most passionate in, while the wide range of enrichment activities will cater to your broad learning interests.

GATE students will have 3 hour of elective lessons scheduled in your time-table, usually on Tuesday afternoons.

As curriculum time has been factored in.  It is compulsory for all students to attend the electives and enrichment during this time slot, unless stipulated otherwise.

But as some of these activities are offered by external parties, so they may be held beyond the Tuesday slots or during school holidays.  These activities will therefore be either optional (as there could be a time table clash) or if compulsory, the organiser of the activity will then make special arrangements for the students.

HCI has actually a variety of special programmes to cater to different subject combination.  For the Arts and Humanities students, we have the Humanities Programme  (HP).  For students who like to pursue their interest in Chinese Culture, we have the Language Elective Programme (LEP) and Bicultural Studies Programme (BSP).  Then we also have the Arts Elective Programee (AEP) programme.  There was originally only one Science and Math Talent Programme (SMTP) to cater for the Science students whilst majority of the students in HCI are Science students.  There is therefore a disproportionate number of special programmes offered to the Science students.

We also noted that the focus of the SMTP programme is to cultivate leaders for the Science and Math sector.  We envisioned that these students would go on to be researchers or academias in Sciences and Mathematics.  However, there were still many high-ability talented Science students who want to to pursue careers and education beyond the Math and Sciences, and become leaders in other fields e.g. in the politics, business industry.  Many previous students that were placed in SMTP programmes have, though having a high ability in all subjects, have also fed back that they often know their interest in a specific field and hence wanted to just focus on extending and deepening their knowledge in just one to two Math and Science subjects while leaving time to explore further interest and develop their strengths in other areas.  

Hence, the setup of this GATE programme, for the Science students, with a stronger focus on building global literacies and exposure to other fields and areas beyond the Sciences.  As we potentially grooming global leaders, this programme also places a greater emphasis on service learning, community and environmental awareness and projects.

The core programme at the A-levels is actually a very challenging programme.

All special programmes at HCI have their own enrichment and electives which the students need to fulfil.  The timings of these activities will often clash with each other.

Above and beyond these enrichments in talent programmes, we also expect all students to partake in Faculty events, CCAs, Service learning project, CIP and Green projects etc.  

Restricting the students to only one special programme will not only allow them to juggle their committments and responsibilities and achieve a better balance in life but also provide opportunities to a greater pool of student.

We would love to offer the programmes to all plausible subject combinations in Science.  However, we are limited in resources, classrooms and number of teachers.  Furthermore, the standard curriculum in college is already very long and demanding.  

To set aside enrichment time in the curriculum for the special programme, we can only cater to students who take standard subject combinations.  Offering odd subject combinations may imply that enrichment time can only start very late in the evenings and perhaps even run late into the nights.  

However, be assured that the team of teachers at college will always find the best plausible solutions.  Hence, we will still encourage students who wish to offer alternative subject combinations to apply to the programmes.  In the case, we are able to somehow fit a reasonable time table for you, you can then be admitted into the programme.  Else, you will need to make a choice between programme or taking the combination that you want.

At the college, CenTaD Programmes and Olympiad programmes are available to not only GATE and SMTP students but also students in the core programme.

In terms of selection into the Olympiads and CenTaD, no special priviledges are given for this group of students.  Even if you do not belong to the GATE or SMTP, you are eligible as long as you meet the qualifications.

No, H3 is an option.  Not all GATE students must offer H3.  Furthermore, if you do not meet the requirements of offering H3 you will not be allowed to offer H3.

You are also not restricted to offering of H3 in your subject specialisation.  For example, A GATE Physics students can also choose offering H3 Economics or H3 Chemistry at the end of C1.