[TouchStart Science Summer Programme] The Mathematical Foundations Behind AI

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[TouchStart Science Summer Programme] The Mathematical Foundations Behind AI

HomeHKU Programme[TouchStart Science Summer Programme] The Mathematical Foundations Behind AI

[TouchStart Science Summer Programme]
The Mathematical Foundations Behind AI

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Programme Code: ACT260305
Academic Criteria:
– Level of Study: S.3-5 / Grade 9-11 / Year 10-12 students
– English Requirement: Applicants are expected to meet the English language proficiency requirement, with an IELTS score of 6.5 or an equivalent qualification.

Programme Dates: July 6 – 10, 2026 (Monday to Friday)
Programme Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm (HKT)
Non-refundable Application Fee: HKD 100
Programme Fee: HKD 14,000
– For HKU Academy Members will receive an exclusive scholarship of HKD 4,000, which will be automatically deducted from the Programme Fee upon application.
– For Non-Members we will encourage you to apply as soon as possible to secure a 5% Early-bird discount before February 15, 2026
Application Deadline: 
– Non-local Students: March 31, 2026 (Tuesday)
– Local Students: May 31, 2026 (Sunday)
Delivery Mode: Face-to-Face

Programme Overview:
This workshop will expose students to some fundamental science behind artificial intelligence (AI), focusing on the essential mathematical concepts in areas like computation, optimisation, and probability. Teachers in the Department of Mathematics with expertise in computational mathematics, scientific computing, optimisation, partial differential equations, machine learning, etc., will share some classical and modern approaches related to AI with the participants.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the programme, students will:

  1. gain exposure to the fundamental mathematical ideas that underpin modern artificial intelligence, including computation, optimization, linear algebra and probability; 
  2. understand the conceptual differences between traditional computational methods and AI‑driven approaches; 
  3. develop an introductory understanding of how machine learning models are constructed and trained; 
  4. explore classical and modern mathematical techniques used in AI through lectures delivered by academic experts in computational mathematics, optimization and related fields; 
  5. collaborate with peers in a structured group project to investigate specific topics related to machine learning, artificial intelligence or coding theory. 
Notes to Participants:
You are recommended to bring a laptop, tablet, mobile device, or any device that can access the internet to the workshop.

Programme Rundown (Tentative):

Programme Instructors

  1. Professor BAO, Zhigang, Associate Professor  
  2. Professor HAN, Guangyue, Head of Department of Mathematics  
  3. Professor KANE, Benjamin, Professor  
  4. Professor NG, Tuen Wai Patrick, Professor  
  5. Professor LAI, Lexiao, Assistant Professor Professor LEI, Yunwen, Assistant Professor 

Submit Application: https://actstudentapp.hku.hk/student/login

*If you have any questions regarding the application process, please refer to the Application Guide / ⽹上申请系统 – 申请指南 or email us at talented@hku.hk

Accommodation & Extracurricular Activities Options – to be released

Visa Application for Non-local Students (required for face-to-face programmes only):
Students without the right of abode in Hong Kong are required by law to obtain a student visa issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD). As the visa application process takes 10–12 weeks, please submit your online application (HKU Student Visa) as soon as you receive your offer from the HKU Academy. For visa-related enquiries, please contact HKU VISA team at Contact Us | HKU Student Visa.

*Students are responsible for arranging their own visa before coming to Hong Kong. The Admissions Office is not responsible for any delay, cancellation, or rejection of student visa applications.

Travel and Medical Insurance:
All students need to have valid travel and medical insurance as a mandatory condition for participation in our programmes. We strongly recommend that students secure their insurance policies well in advance of their departure to ensure continuous coverage.

*Programme Attendance Policies:
Students are highly encouraged to attend ALL classes on time for the duration of the Programme. Please note that according to the University’s attendance and absenteeism policy, at least 80% of the lectures and required classes for each curriculum must be attended.

*Disclaimer:
– Programme fees and application fees are non-refundable.
– Programme contents and formats are subject to change. The programme is subject to cancellation if there are insufficient applications.