DUBAI // Indian schoolchildren are expected to take part in a talent search that will reward the most gifted pupils with the chance to go on summer programmes provided by some of the world’s top educational institutes.
The Asset (Assessment of Scholastic Skills through Educational Testing) Talent Search will begin in test centres across the UAE and India at the end of November.
The top pupils will be able to participate in three-week residential summer courses from US universities such as UC Berkley, Northwestern and Purdue.
“The Asset Talent Search provides participants a platform for gifted children to stimulate and challenge themselves at the level of their peer group, with the aim to realise their true potential,” said Srini Raghavan, chief executive of Educational Initiatives, which organised the competition.
“Educational Initiatives works with schools to deploy the Asset Talent Search to hand-pick such children.”
He said Indian pupils offered a “treasure trove” of talent, which the search aimed to uncover.
Last year, 30 schools in the UAE took part in the event and a similar number are expected this time.
In all, more than 6,320 pupils across 573 schools in 150 cities in India and the UAE were involved last year.
The initiative was launched to study the learning abilities of students.
This was based on research done by Educational Initiatives across India that proved that children accustomed to rote learning failed to answer unfamiliar or application-based questions because of a lack of conceptual clarity.
The talent search aimed to identify academically talented pupils from Grades 5 to 8 and then provide them recognition, guidance and opportunities to help them to reach their true potential.
Only those who score 90 per cent and above in Asset at their grade level or are in the highest 10 per cent of their grades in mathematics, science and English can participate in the Asset Talent Search.
Last year, more than 12,000 children qualified to be a part of the Asset Talent Search across India.
The residential courses are designed to nurture teamwork, creativity and leadership. The testing will take place in edu-cational centres in the UAE on November 27.
Eligible pupils can register online at www.ei-india.com.
nhanif@thenational.ae
