Exploring the Arts with Digital Tools
Programme Code: ACT260312
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
Programme Time: 10:00 am – 4:30 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 one-week programme introduces how creativity and the Arts can meaningfully intersect with digital technologies (AI but also virtual reality, 3D-scanning etc.), both to drive humanistic inquiry and discovery and reflect on the current digitalization of human societies. Throughout lectures and various hands-on activities, participants will get acquainted with both key ideas and methods.
Following an introduction to human and AI creativity on Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 will be focused on words and space, respectively. Each day, students will first get to explore and experiment, then learn more about ideas and methods. On day 4, a broader lens will be adopted to investigate how the Humanities (linguistics, music, literature, history, etc.) can be revisited with digital technologies, and how one may cultivate a dual interest in the Arts and tech while at university. On Day 5, students in small groups will engage in a larger hands-on project – the design of a chatbot with a knowledge base – and report on their approach and findings.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the programme, participants will be able to
- Describe a range of ideas and methods pertaining to the digital humanities
- Leverage digital tools to give shape to their creative ideas
- Reflect on the impact of digital technologies on human creativity and inquiry
Programme Rundown (Tentative):
Programme Instructors:
1. Professor Christophe Coupé – PhD degree in cognitive science in 2003 from the University of Lyon 2. He then worked as a researcher at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), until joining HKU in 2018. His research interests lie at the intersection of linguistics, AI/machine learning, and cognitive science.
2. Dr. Wenjing Ni – PhD degree in computational linguistics from the University of Hong Kong, and is currently a lecturer for the Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Digital Technologies. Her expertise includes natural language processing, computational narratology and digital humanities.
3. Dr. Kal Ng – a practitioner in Architectural Design, virtual reality research, film producing and scriptwriting. He is at present a lecturer of Intelligent Architecture and Virtual Reality at HKU and as programmer for the HDT Trajectory Workshops.
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.