18,500 (Includes accommodation at Suen Chi Sun Hall)
In our rapidly evolving world, we need leaders who are adept at cultivating sustainable businesses while also driving positive social change. The Youth Empowerment Academy: Starting an Impactful Business through Social Innovation is a transformative summer programme designed for those who are passionate about leadership and building a better world. This immersive programme offers participants the opportunity to nurture their leadership potential and entrepreneurial spirit by meeting and working with award-winning social entrepreneurs and educators, as well as developing and implementing ideas for potential future social innovation projects.
During the programme, students will engage in a variety of enriching activities, including interactive workshops focused on personal development, thought-provoking discussions on diverse social and environmental issues, and hands-on collaboration with startups and social impact organizations. Through these experiences, participants will develop essential soft skills such as communication, resilience, creativity, teamwork, and leadership, preparing them to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
One unique element of this programme is that it employs current HKU students to act as participant mentors and programme coordinators. These university students will play a crucial role in facilitating meaningful interactions with the programme participants. They will not only provide guidance and support but also share their own experiences and insights about university life. This arrangement fosters a collaborative atmosphere where programme participants can benefit from relatable role models, ultimately helping them to make informed decisions about their educational futures and potential pathways to attending HKU.
By participating in the Summer Impact Institute, participants will not only gain valuable skills and knowledge but also forge meaningful connections, foster a spirit of innovation, and cultivate a mindset of social responsibility. Join us on this inspiring journey of empowerment and discovery!
Personal Development and Resilience: Students will engage in interactive workshops focused on personal growth, learning effective stress management techniques such as mindfulness and relaxation methods, and developing strategies to enhance mental health and resilience. This will equip them with the tools to navigate life's challenges more effectively.
Global Citizenship and Social Impact: Students will engage in thought-provoking discussions on diverse social and environmental issues, exploring concepts of shared and social impact, sustainable development, and systemic changes. They will learn about their role as global citizens and practice design thinking for social innovation, fostering a deeper understanding of how to create positive change in the world.
Multicultural Communication and Collaboration: Students will engage in a group pitching session where they will develop and present a business idea with social impact. This activity will focus on effective communication and collaboration in a multicultural environment, exploring different team roles and strategies for successful cross-cultural interactions. Students will learn to navigate diverse perspectives, foster empathy, and practice active listening to ensure clear understanding and effective teamwork.
Hands-on Collaboration and Social Impact: Students will engage in hands-on collaboration with startups and social impact organizations through site visits and mentorship programmes. This will involve visiting social entrepreneurs and being mentored by them, allowing students to gain practical insights into the operations and challenges faced by these organizations. Through these interactions, students will learn about innovative solutions, collaboration strategies, and the role of technology in scaling social impact. This experience will equip them with the skills to develop effective partnerships and contribute to sustainable social change.
18,500 (Includes accommodation at Suen Chi Sun Hall)
Student’s first language or teaching medium in the home institution is English, please upload a declaration statement and a copy of school report/transcript with clear indication of the latest result for our reference.
Students whose first language or teaching medium in the home institution is NOT English are required to submit one of the following test types to prove your mastery of the English Language:
Applying to HKUSI
Applications for the HKU Summer Institute 2026 Summer Programmes will be available on a rolling basis in Late-November, 2025. All applications must be completed via the HKU Summer Institute Online Application System. Undergraduate/Postgraduate and Secondary School Programmes will be conducted in face-to-face or online mode. Applicants are reminded to carefully review on the requirements of the respective programme webpage before applying.
Application Opens
December 1, 2025
Application Deadline
10% Early Bird Discount: February 7, 2026
For Non-local students: March 21, 2026
For Local students: May 31, 2026
*We offer a variety of discount offers, and you are likelty to be eligible for at least one of our discounts, please check it out now!
Personal Identification
Education and Qualification
Additional Supporting Documents
Additional documents as required by individual programme(s) e.g. recommendation letter from school principal, personal statement, short essay, additional form.
*Fees are non-refundable after your acceptance of the offer.
*Payments must be settled online via credit card or ePayment.
Payment Methods - Online credit card payment (Application fee/Programme fee)
Once your application is successful, the online credit card payment will be made available to process payment for your application fee, accommodation fee, and programme fee (if applicable) by the deadline.
, Visa
, Union Pay 
, WeChat Pay 
, AlipayHK 
, Alipay 
, and FPS 
.
*Offers will be issued on a rolling basis, for details, please refer to the respective programme webpage. The successful application will be notified and asked to confirm acceptance by settling the programme fee within 3-5 calendar days. We will confirm your place only after you have paid in full.
, Visa, UnionPay , WeChat Pay , AlipayHK , Alipay , or FPS .* Application will be processed only when ALL supporting documents and application fee are submitted successfully before the deadline.
* Once submitted, amendments to the application are NOT allowed. Please contact us if you want to change your personal particulars after submission. Applicants are strongly advised to check their details carefully before submitting the application. We recommend that you keep records of your submission.
*Please quote programme code (if applicable), your application number, and your full name in all future correspondence with the HKU Summer Institute. Enquiries without sufficient information will not be entertained.
*Student Handbook will be sent to all Summer Visiting Students in due course. Please check your email regularly for updates and read it to get ready for your study journey!
