Kicking Off the URA x PolyU Igniting Social Innovation Competition 2026 with Nearly 400 Young Changemakers

On 18 and 25 April 2026, APSS and the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) co‑organised the Opening Ceremony and two‑day workshops of the URA x PolyU Igniting Social Innovation Competition 2026. As the first collaboration between APSS and URA, the initiative aims to inspire secondary school students to explore urban renewal and community development through the lenses of social innovation, technology, and the social sciences.

The competition has attracted nearly 400 students and teachers from over 64 local and international secondary schools across Hong Kong. At the Opening Ceremony, Dr Raymond TAM, Associate Head and Senior Lecturer of APSS, and Ms Helen CHAN, General Manager (Community Engagement and Education) of URA, encouraged participants to harness innovation and technology to address pressing urban and social challenges.

During the two‑day workshops, Mr Francis NGAI, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Social Ventures Hong Kong (SVhk), and Ms Zoe MUI of the Pang Jai Concern Group shared their frontline experiences in promoting community well‑being, inspiring students to reflect on local needs and opportunities for change. Dr Javier PANG, Lecturer of APSS, introduced key concepts in social innovation and design thinking, guiding participants in developing urban‑planning project ideas with positive and sustainable impact. Technical experts from MakerBay and Esri China (Hong Kong) further equipped participants with practical skills in AI training, 360‑degree video production, and geospatial data analysis to support the visualisation and presentation of their proposals.

Under the supervision of Prof. Eric CHUI, Head of APSS, Co-Director of PReCIT, ADoRCESGA and Chair Professor of Social Work and Criminology, together with Mr Vincent YEUNG, Lecturer of APSS, the competition provides a dynamic platform for young people to connect academic knowledge with real‑world issues and to propose innovative solutions that contribute to the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s communities.