The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has successfully concluded its Pre-University (Pre-U) Program 2026. As one of the University’s flagship summer initiatives, the inaugural program attracted over 800 high-achieving secondary school students from 32 countries and regions across six continents, forming one of the University’s most globally diverse summer cohorts to date. Through in-depth academic exploration, cross-cultural experiences, and direct interaction with industry leaders, students embarked on a rich and rewarding summer learning journey.
HKUST actively supports the HKSAR Government’s “Study in Hong Kong” initiative, leveraging its international education platform to attract young people from around the world to study and engage in exchanges in Hong Kong, thereby contributing to the city’s development as an international hub for post-secondary education. This year’s cohort represented a diverse range of countries and regions, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the United States, Spain, Türkiye, Russia, Cameroon, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, India, the Philippines, Brazil, Uganda, Australia, and many others. The diversity vividly demonstrates Hong Kong’s strong appeal as an international hub for post-secondary education.
At the heart of the 2026 program were 16 specialized and cutting-edge summer programs spanning four key pillars: HKUST Summer Institute Credit-bearing Courses, Thematic-based Programs, Collaborative Corporate Programs, and the “HKUST Summer Bootcamp for Polymath”, designed to cultivate interdisciplinary thinking. The Credit-bearing Courses covered a diverse range of subjects, including decision analytics, chemistry, risk management, microbial control, Android app development, the human body and diseases, and sociology. The Thematic-based Programs focused on entrepreneurship, discrete mathematics, sensing technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) workflows, and STEM projects, enabling students to explore knowledge across disciplines and develop an interdisciplinary mindset.
The program also received strong support from a diverse group of partner organizations, including Acer, Bank of China (Hong Kong), Cathay, Cyberport Hong Kong, Deloitte China, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Microsoft Hong Kong, Ocean Park Corporation, and LightSpeed Studios and Tencent WeTech Academy. Industry leaders not only shared their insights through courses and the Leadership Forum, but several companies also presented students with real-world business challenges as capstone project topics. This encouraged participants to apply AI, technology, and innovative thinking to develop practical solutions and present their findings, thereby putting classroom learning into real-world business practice.
Beyond classroom learning, participants took part in a rich array of social and wellness activities, workshops, thematic talks, city excursions, and campus networking events, including an orientation campus hunt and a barbecue gathering. These activities were designed to broaden horizons and foster cross-cultural connections among peers, academics, and industry experts. Building on this immersive foundation, the program introduced a forward-looking leadership component through the Leadership Forum, themed “AI, Humanity, and the Future of Leadership.” The forum provided opportunities for young people from around the world to engage in inspiring dialogues with industry leaders on topics such as technological ethics, innovation, and global governance. Through close interactions with senior corporate executives, students gained valuable insights into strategic thinking behind decision-making while deepening their understanding of future social and economic trends, laying a strong foundation for their academic and professional journeys.
Prof. Emily NASON, Director of Undergraduate Recruitment and Admissions at HKUST, said,
“As one of HKUST’s flagship initiatives for nurturing future talent, we are delighted by the success of the inaugural HKUST Pre-University Program this year. With the strong support of HKUST faculty, our industry partners, and business leaders, all 16 summer programs received an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response, reflecting strong interest among young people in interdisciplinary learning and exploring future opportunities.”
“This year’s program brought together nearly 800 outstanding secondary school students from 32 countries and regions across six continents, highlighting Hong Kong’s appeal as an international higher education hub and HKUST’s global reputation as a world-class university. I believe this immersive learning journey not only allowed students to experience the vibrancy of Hong Kong as a dynamic international city and HKUST’s innovative learning environment, but also broadened their global perspectives, built cross-cultural friendships, and explored how knowledge and technology can be applied to address global challenges. We hope this experience will inspire them to become a new generation of leaders with an innovative mindset, a global outlook, and a strong sense of social responsibility,” Prof. Nason added.
Echoing the program’s vision, leading corporate partners highlighted the initiative’s role in empowering the next generation of leaders:
Ms. Tania WAN, Deputy General Manager, Personal Banking and Wealth Management Department at Bank of China (Hong Kong), said, “Bank of China (Hong Kong) has always placed great emphasis on nurturing young talent, and we are delighted to partner with HKUST in advancing the Pre-University Program: Polymath Summer Bootcamp. By combining academic exploration with real-world business contexts, the program encourages students to think beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries, develop critical thinking, innovation, and teamwork skills, and approach challenges from diverse perspectives. Through our close collaboration with HKUST, we hope to broaden students’ global outlook, strengthen their problem-solving abilities, and inspire them to harness innovative thinking to address future challenges, ultimately empowering them to become the next generation of leaders with a strong sense of social responsibility.”
Mr. Aldric CHAU, General Manager Digital at Cathay, added, “It was a privilege to engage with participants of the HKUST Pre-University Program and the signature Leadership Forum. HKUST has created a valuable platform that connects aspiring young talent with industry leaders, enabling students to explore important topics such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and sustainability, while gaining insights into how technology is reshaping industries. I was particularly impressed by the students’ curiosity, global outlook, and critical thinking. In the age of AI, future leaders need more than technical knowledge-they need a growth mindset, a willingness to learn continuously, experiment boldly, and adapt to change. By combining academic exploration, industry engagement, and hands-on experiences, this program equips students with the innovation capabilities, resilience, and leadership skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.”
Ir. Eric CHAN, Chief Public Mission Officer at Cyberport Hong Kong, said, “As AI continues to reshape society and industry, the creativity and problem-solving abilities of young people will be critical to driving future progress. Through the real-world challenges presented by Cyberport as part of the capstone project, I was delighted to see students apply AI and data analytics to develop innovative solutions for societal and ESG-related issues, and demonstrate remarkable creativity, insight, and innovation. The HKUST Pre-University Program successfully bridges academic learning with real-world applications, empowering students to transform ideas into meaningful solutions and laying a strong foundation for their future journeys in innovation and technology.”
Mr. Fred SHEU, National Technology Officer at Microsoft Hong Kong said, “AI is fundamentally redefining how we work and live, but technology is only as impactful as the human intent behind it. The future of leadership lies at the intersection of technological capability and human empathy, wisdom, and ethics. For the younger generation, mastering AI is no longer just about technical proficiency-it is about learning how to leverage AI to amplify human potential, solve complex global challenges, and lead with purpose. By grounding technological innovation in human-centric values, young leaders can build a future that is not only smarter, but more equitable and compassionate.”
Student participants also reflected on their transformative experiences during the program:
Mr. Robin HO, Student Participant from the Philippines and Member of the Winning Team from the Smart Innovation Project, shared, “Participating in the HKUST Pre-University Program was a truly transformative, eye-opening experience. The diversity at HKUST opened my eyes to a global scale of perspectives, showing me the value of pushing beyond my comfort zone to find room for continuous personal growth. Our team was thrilled to win the ‘Future HK AI Project’ competition. The project challenged our creative minds to rethink how AI can practically improve the daily lives of Hong Kong citizens. Working through group collaboration and hands-on problem-solving taught us how to innovate under real-world conditions and reinforced the true value of teamwork. Over nine immersive days, gaining exposure to subjects ranging from civil engineering to business and finance was incredible. I strongly recommend this program to any student looking for a fun, rigorous, and inspiring learning journey.”
Mr. Allen HUANG, Student Participant from Hong Kong and Member of the Winning Team from the Smart Innovation Project, said, “Enrolling in the Managing Risk in Business and Daily Life Program through the HKUST Pre-University Program was a fantastic experience that truly opened my eyes to the world of business. Before joining, I had very little background in the field, but the hands-on instruction gave me a strong foundation in decision-making and risk analysis. What impressed me most was the dedication of the HKUST faculty. Whenever I had questions after class, the professors patiently took the time to re-explain complex concepts, ensuring I gained a holistic understanding of how to mitigate real-world risks. This program goes far beyond just travel or fun-it delivers genuine, rigorous knowledge that prepares high school students for future university studies. I strongly recommend the HKUST Pre-University Program to my junior schoolmates and friends.”
For more details about the Pre-University Program, please visit: https://join.hkust.edu.hk/pre-university.
