PolyU launches International Summer School 2025 and Summer Institute 2025, delivering a blend of inspiring courses and engaging cultural activities

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) will host the International Summer School (ISS) 2025 for undergraduate students as well as the Summer Institute (SI) 2025 for high school students in July and August this year, offering students from around the world the opportunity to experience quality education at PolyU, a global top 100 university. Alongside university credit-bearing courses, a range of local tours and enrichment activities will enable students to explore Hong Kong’s unique and diverse culture. Additionally, a “Buddy Programme” will pair PolyU students with participants from other universities, with the aim of promoting intercultural communication within the global student community.

This year, for the very first time, the ISS will be offered in two distinct sessions, offering students greater flexibility in planning their summer studies, with a five-week credit-bearing course that features a selection of intellectually stimulating subjects in three thematic areas: “Chinese Language, Culture and Society”, “Design, Innovation and Technology” and “Business, Entrepreneurship and Global Leadership”. The world-renowned PolyU School of Design will, for the first time, offer a course on Ergonomics as part of the ISS to introduce basic knowledge of anthropometry, human limitation and capabilities, visual information processing and control systems, cognition, and their relationship with design. There will also be courses on engaging topics such as contemporary Chinese society and popular culture, fashion and beauty, renewable energy for a sustainable world, and evolution of world cuisine.

The ISS has garnered positive feedback since its launch in 2016. MA Hanxiao, a Mainland Chinese participant, applauded the innovative and fulfilling programme and said, “Through the various activities in the ISS, I quickly became integrated into the cultural life of Hong Kong and formed valuable friendships with students from around the world.” Bobby BREWE, a participant from the United Kingdom, said, “The ISS exceeded my expectations. Although the learning period is fairly intensive, it is balanced with ample free time for us to explore this vibrant city.”

The PolyU ISS 2025 is now accepting undergraduate student applications from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and overseas until 31 March. For details and experience-sharing from past participants, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/summerschool/.

Welcoming high school students from around the globe, the SI brings together students from diverse cultural backgrounds to experience life at PolyU. The main programme includes a five-day, four-night residential camp in one of the University’s student halls. Students will engage in various activities, including day-long attachment programmes hosted by PolyU faculties and schools as well as visits to local companies and organisations, to learn more about different academic programmes and the related career prospects, better preparing them for study at PolyU.

This year, the residential camp will feature two mini-lectures on the indispensability of an entrepreneurial mindset in the rapidly changing world and the fundamental concepts of Artificial Intelligence technology respectively, highlighting PolyU’s focus on these two emerging topics. Participants can also opt to take an additional five-day university credit-bearing course in “Innovation and Entrepreneurship”, designed to help students develop an entrepreneurial mindset and innovative strategies in this era of digital transformation. Those who successfully complete the course will be eligible to apply for credit transfer upon admission to the University.

The PolyU SI 2025 is now open for high school student applications. The deadline for applications from Mainland China, Macau, Taiwan and overseas is 31 March, and for local applications is 30 May.  For details, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/geo/si.

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