If the education system does not have the right attitude to cultivate exceptional talents and does not make any effort to identify and solve their problems, its negative impacts might outweigh the positive impacts. Therefore, it is extremely important to pay attention to the problems of exceptionally talented students. The present study aimed to compare the educational problems of exceptional talents regarding the exceptionally talented students’ views at Shahid Beheshti University and University of Science and Technology . Besides, the definitions and methods of identifying and supporting exceptional talents in these two universities were presented. Finally, some appropriate solutions and strategies to solve the problems have been taken into account.
In Iran, the most obvious support for exceptionally talented students is to facilitate their further education. However, the regulations related to exceptional talents show that the admission capacity of talented schools without taking the exceptional talents test has increased compared to previous years. On the other hand, the number of applicants for higher education is decreasing compared to previous years (from 950000 applicants in 2014 to about 471000 in 2022)
Considering the number of universities in Iran, along with the increase in the admission capacity of exceptional talents, more students are known as talented students which might reduce the value burden of exceptional talents and elites.
Another issue which has been raised is: How much sufficient are the criteria to determine the talented and elite students? By examining the criteria to determine the talented students in the studied countries and Iran, it is suggested that multiple and stricter criteria be considered to determine the talented and elite students, and more serious and targeted measures be taken to support these valuable assets. It should be noted that extensive and supportive field research is needed to consider and set the criteria to determine exceptional talents and opportunities to develop them. They are important to make the best decisions and not to be satisfied just with the experiences of other countries in this field.
It is worth mentioning that today the National Elites Foundation provides valuable material and spiritual support to elites and exceptional talents. Therefore, it is suggested that in-depth and extensive studies be done to examine the students' satisfaction with the methods of supporting exceptional talents and their expectations.
