PolyU launches International Summer School and Summer Institute, fusing innovative courses with multicultural experiences to nurture future leaders
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to nurturing socially responsible professionals and leaders with a strong sense of national pride and a global perspective. The University actively promotes diverse learning experiences to prepare students for an ever-changing future. In July and August this year, PolyU will host the International Summer School (ISS) 2026 for undergraduate students as well as the Summer Institute (SI) 2026 for high-school students. These programmes welcome students from around the world to experience PolyU’s excellent learning and teaching culture as a global top 100 university, alongside a wide range of local tours and cultural experiences. This year, the ISS is launching a seven-day PolyU Summer Discovery for the first time, while the SI has further expanded its range of subjects to provide students with fresh and enriching learning experience.
Now in its tenth year, the ISS is a five-week programme designed for undergraduate students. It features three thematic learning tracks that align closely with global development trends: “Chinese Language, Culture and Society”, “Science, Technology and Creative Design” and “Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Global Impact”. The PolyU Department of Applied Physics will, for the first time, offer a course on astronomy, covering basic knowledge of celestial motion, light and matter, the solar system, stellar evolution and the large-scale structure of the universe, as well as methods of observing astronomical phenomena. There will also be other courses such as multilingual societies in Hong Kong, smart wearables and smart living, and renewable energy for a sustainable world.
The ISS has been well-received by students worldwide since its launch. Daisy DAI, a participant from the Chinese Mainland, said, “The ISS has broadened my horizons. Interacting with students from around the globe has been immensely rewarding. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and fulfilling summer experience.” Sofia FELLINGER, a participant from Germany, said, “The courses here are well-organised, making it easy to access information and connect with others. This fulfilling and meaningful learning experience has motivated me to consider pursuing further studies at PolyU in the future.”
The newly introduced seven-day PolyU Summer Discovery offers students in-depth experience of local culture and campus life, free from academic pressure. Activities include guided campus tours, local cultural explorations, workshops on intangible cultural heritage handicrafts and international networking events. These will enable students to gain a comprehensive understanding of PolyU, be introduced to Hong Kong’s multiculturalism and expand their intercultural exchange networks.
PolyU ISS 2026 and PolyU Summer Discovery are now accepting undergraduate student applications until 23 March. For details, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/summerschool/.
The SI welcomes high-school students from around the globe, bringing together students from diverse cultural backgrounds to experience campus life at PolyU. During the five-day residential camp, students will live in the University’s student halls and take part in day-long attachment activities organised by PolyU faculties and schools, as well as visits to local companies and organisations. These experiences aim to inspire them to learn more about different academic disciplines and related career prospects, better preparing them for future studies.
The SI will offer an expanded selection of subjects this year. During the five-day programme, students can choose from 16 credit-bearing or non-credit-bearing subjects in areas such as business, applied social sciences, computing and artificial intelligence, engineering, construction, science, humanities, design, fashion and textiles. This allows them to explore their interests in depth and plan their future study pathways. Students who successfully complete the credit-bearing subjects may apply for credit transfer upon later admission to PolyU, subject to prevailing academic regulations.
The PolyU SI 2026 is now open for applications from high-school students. Deadline for non-local applicants is 31 March, and for local applicants is 31 May. For details, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/summerinstitute/.
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