Global Classroom
Global Classroom
Looking for other global experiences to nurture your academic and personal pursuits? You are in the right spot!
As a member institution of The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) and Universitas 21 (U21), HKU and its students have the privilege to participate in their worldwide Short-Term Programmes. With the great variety of participation modes including Hybrid, Online, and Onsite, you can now enrich your global perspective, immerse yourself in a different culture, meet new buddies, and acquire new knowledge in your desired way: comfortably at your doorstep or/and fly away excitedly!
Embrace these meaningful events while remaining flexible to accommodate your other commitments now. The world is yours to take!
Upcoming Programmes
U21 Global Citizens (Application opens from Jan 26 to Feb 13, 2026)
| Date | Features | Targeted Participants | Programme Fee | Application Procedure | Application Deadline |
| March 9 to 27, 2026 |
Global Citizenship, Teamwork, Leadership Skills, Online Interactive Workshops, Micro-Credential for LinkedIn Profile
This 3-week online programme engages students across the globe to develop cultural competency and leadership, whilst exploring greater ideas together to tackle the world’s most pressing problems outlined in the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).
The internships involve 1.5 hour live online sessions each week, with the rest of the project work undertaken flexibly, online around participants' other commitments (approximately an addition 2 hours each week).
For more details, please visit the programme webpage and our News page. |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students in any disciplines | Covered by Hosts | Interested students should submit an application to U21 directly here from Jan 26, 2026 |
Feb 13, 2026 |
U21 School for Sustainable Policy Leadership 2026 (Application until Feb 9, 2026)
| Date | Features | Targeted Participants | Programme Fee | Application Procedure | Application Deadline |
| July 13 to 17, 2026 |
McMaster University, Sustainability, Global Impact, Leadership Skills, Collaboration, Onsite, Youth Can Sustain (YCS) Certificate, Postgraduate Students
Hosted by McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, this 5-day programme provides participants with the skills and experience to develop and implement impactful sustainability policies, equipping them with critical skills in policy analysis, development, and implementation.
Participants will gain hands-on experience and practical insights into global sustainability challenges and solutions through keynote lectures, workshops, field visits, case study analysis and project collaboration.
Upon completion of the programme, participants are expected to:
For more details, please visit the programme webpage and our News page. |
Postgraduate Students in any disciplines |
Covered by Hosts* *Participants are required to cover their own travel, accommodation and subsistence costs. |
Nomination from IAO is required.
Interested students should submit an application by email to goabroad@hku.hk with the following supporting documents:
Nominees will be notified by email of the results and further registration procedures with U21 in March. |
Feb 9, 2026 |
| Date | Features | Targeted Participants | Program Fee | Application Procedure | Application Deadline |
|
June 22 to July 3, 2026 |
Leadership, AI, Robotics, Research Workshop, Collaborative Design Sessions, Visit to Top Tech Companies, Cultural Immersion, Certificate of Completion
Hosted by the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), the ULP 2026 is themed “Future Ready: Leadership in the Age of AI and Robotics”.
Set in Shenzhen, the ULP 2026 will immerse participants in one of the most dynamic innovation ecosystems in the world. Through design workshops, seminars, site visits to leading technology companies, and exchanges with scholars and practitioners, participants will confront the design, social, and leadership challenges that arise in an age where robotics is increasingly embedded in our daily lives.
The Program provides an unparalleled platform for students to gain hands-on experience, broaden their perspectives, and build the leadership skills needed to navigate the complex intersection of technology and society.
For more details, please refer to the Program webpage. |
Undergraduate Students in any disciplines |
USD 650* *Please refer to the Program page for details on what the fee includes. |
Nomination from IAO is required.
Interested students should submit an application by email to goabroad@hku.hk with the following supporting documents:
Nominees will be notified by email of the results and further application procedures with APRU. |
Feb 13, 2026 |
| Features | Targeted Participants | Application Procedure | Application Deadline |
|
Agility, International Collaboration, Influence, Presentation Skills, LinkedIn Micro-credential, UN Sustainable Development Goals
Hosted by U21, this free virtual internships allow you to work with fellow students from across the globe, sharing knowledge and expertise whilst immersing yourself in a commercial organisation. Not only will you form quick partnerships with sustainability-minded students around the world, but you’ll also challenge your abilities, whilst developing key skills enabling you to thrive in the modern workplace.
Over the two-week programme you will be presented with an ongoing sustainability challenge from your host employer and work in groups to innovate a solution and navigate how to communicate this with senior stakeholders.
Time commitment:
For more details, please refer to the Internships webpage. |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students in any disciplines |
Apply directly to U21 here* *Please note that there is a limited number of spaces and U21 will operate a waiting list once all spaces are filled.
|
Nov 14, 2025 Application closed |
Past Programmes
| Period | Features | Targeted Participants | Application Procedure | Application Deadline |
| July to December 2025 |
Social Impact Organizations (SIOs), Academic-led Student Teams, Data Science, Real-World Project Experience, Presentation at the SIDSA Summit
Hosted by APRU, the SIDSA is a programme that focuses on Leveraging AI and Data for Inclusive Growth. Academic-led student teams will get to collaborate with selected Southeast Asian social impact organizations (SIOs) for leveraging data science.
APRU is now inviting teams to participate in the main implementation period from July to December 2025. Teams will consist of a lead academic (HKU faculty member), a core group of at least 3 undergraduate or graduate students, and may additionally include research assistants and postdoctoral fellows. Top-performing teams will be invited to present their work at the SIDSA Summit in Q4 2026 (location TBC).
For more details, please refer to the Programme website. |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students |
Interested team should submit an application to APRU directly here. Each team should only submit ONE application. |
June 30, 2025 Application closed |
Before You Apply
- Each programme has their own features, check the programme details carefully and take the following into account when deciding whether to apply:
- Eligibility. Most of the programmes are targeted at Undergraduate students while some are opened to Postgraduate students.
- Mode of participation
- Programme fee and other costs (Travel, Accommodation, Visa Application, Travel Insurance, etc.)
- Follow the application procedures listed in the tables above and on the programme websites. Pay attention to whether nomination from IAO is required and follow the respective procedure.
- Once decided, you should submit your application as early as possible and before the deadline, as some of them have limited spots and are on a first-come, first-served basics.
- Some of the programmes are eligible for Financial Assistance for Short-Term Programmes. Please refer to the tables above for relevant information.
- The details of each programme are subject to change. Please visit the programme website for the latest information.