Programme Code: ACT260320
Academic Criteria:
– Level of Study: S.3 / Grade 9 / Year 10 and above students
– English Requirement: Applicants are expected to meet the English language proficiency requirement, with an IELTS score of 6.5 or an equivalent qualification.

Programme Dates: July 20 – 24, 2026 (Monday to Friday)
Programme Time: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (HKT)
Non-refundable Application Fee: HKD 100
Programme Fee: HKD 14,000
– For HKU Academy Members will receive an exclusive scholarship of HKD 4,000, which will be automatically deducted from the Programme Fee upon application.
– For Non-Members we will encourage you to apply as soon as possible to secure a 5% Early-bird discount before February 15, 2026
The Academy Aspiring Scholarship is now open for applications. Candidates who are successfully accepted will be granted a Membership Scholarship.
*Early Bird Discount is NOT in conjunction with any other scholarship. 
Application Deadline:
– Non-local Students: March 31, 2026 (Tuesday)
– Local Students: May 31, 2026 (Sunday)
Delivery Mode: Face-to-Face

Programme Overview:
Innovation for Social Impact is a five-day immersive experience that engages students in tackling complex real-world challenges at the intersection of human needs, systems, and technology. This year’s programme will focus on transforming food systems for sustainability, access, health, and inclusion. Students will apply human-centered design methods, interact with NGOs, experiment with emerging technologies such as generative AI and rapid prototyping tools, and collaborate in teams to design and test creative solutions to pressing societal challenges.

The programme immerses students in the real work of innovation by exploring how food-related challenges affect individuals, communities, and society — and how technology and creative problem-solving can drive meaningful change.

Programme Outcomes:
Students will investigate real-world issues across food systems, such as food waste and redistribution, access to nutritious meals, sustainability, and inclusive food technologies for people with specialized dietary needs. Through hands-on workshops, human-centered research, rapid prototyping, and technology-enabled experimentation, teams will design and test solutions that improve systems, experiences, and outcomes.

The programme emphasizes innovation as a method for understanding complex problems, experimenting with ideas, and refining solutions through feedback. Students will build practical skills in creativity, teamwork, systems thinking, and technology-enabled design, culminating in a final pitch that communicates both the problem and their proposed solution for social impact.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the programme, students will be able to:

1. Apply the innovation process to identify problems, generate ideas, prototype solutions, and iterate based on feedback
2. Explore how technology and AI can support creative problem-solving and social impact
3. Develop systems thinking and empathy when addressing real-world challenges
4. Collaborate effectively in teams and communicate innovation ideas clearly