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CREATIVITAS: Innovation and Music Engineering

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Programme Name: CREATIVITAS: Innovation and Music Engineering

Programme Code: CET202501

Programme Period: January - August, 2025 

Programme Structure:

  • Winter 2025

    • ​Online Sessions: Hong Kong Time 21:00

      • Session 1: January 16 

      • Session 2: January 20

    • In-person Workshop @HKU: January 25 - 27

  • Spring 2025

    • Online Sessions: April

  • Summer 2025

    • Option 1: MIT Bootcamp - July 12 - 17

    • Option 2: HKU Bootcamp - July 28 - August 2

  • CREATIVITAS Festival @ HKU - August 3

Accomodation Arrangement:

  • Winter 2025  

    In-person Workshop @HKU (Jan 25 - 27): No accomodation provided at HKU

  • Summer 2025

    • Bootcamp @MIT (July 12 - 17): Accomodation included

    • Bootcamp @HKU(July 28 - Aug 2): Students above 15 years old are eligible to apply for accomodation at HKU. Details and Fees will be announced in Spring 2025

Targeted Students: Age 14 - 17 (Grade 8 to Grade 11, Secondary 2 to Secondary 5)

Info Session: December 17, 2024 (Hong Kong Time 21:00)

  • This info session is to give your more details on this unique programme, and what you can expect from this 8-month journey. The session will be held in English. Students, parents, and counsellors are all welcome to join. Please submit this form no later than December 14, 2024.​

  • Info session registration link: https://hku.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5pT9qf0W939MGk6

​Programme Description:

To embark on a journey where your musical aspirations merge with cutting-edge technology, we invite you to join our unique programme for secondary students, where the brilliant minds of MIT CAST and HKU collaborate exclusively for you! This programme is a collaboration between professors from both prestigious universities, with a 8-month journey to create your own innovation!

Musical instrument design has always existed at the crossroads of art and science, making it an integral part of STEM education that includes art. Throughout this 8-month programme, you will be joining a series of online discussion sessions, winter workshops in HK and one-week summer course in either Boston or Hong Kong! Students will have the opportunity to delve into this intersection by creating their own digital musical instruments, mastering programming techniques, and showcasing their learning in a musical performance with the MIT professors at the annual CREATIVITAS festival in the University of Hong Kong.

Along this enriching path, emphasis will be placed on understanding the core principles of modern music technology, exploring the basics of electronic design and manufacturing, and examining the role of music technology in today's music landscape. Moreover, participants will engage in discussions and activities focused on the societal impact of music, exploring how aesthetics and ideals are intertwined with musical instruments and how innovative technologies can harness the power of music for purposes such as health, community building, personal development and social impact.

Programme Instructors:

  • Evan Ziporyn: Chair Professor and Director of the Center for Art, Science, and Technology (CAST) at MIT. His projects include directing Gamelan Galak Tika and his multimedia installation Arachnodrone, which was exhibited at the MIT Museum and Palais de Tokyo in Paris.

  • Ian Hattwick: Music technology professor at MIT, directing FaMLE (MIT Laptop Ensemble) and serving as CTO for Heath Interactive, a startup designing music experiences for hospitals. 

  • Christine Southworth: A composer and video artist, Christine combines sonic and visual elements inspired by the intersections of technology, nature, and global musical traditions.

  • Lark Savoldy: An engineer and musician with experience in blending software and hardware for musical expression. 

Programme Fees:

  • 1st Payment (Due 5 days after receiving offer letter)

    • HKD 45,000 (AcT Member)
    • HKD 50,000 (Non-AcT Member)
  • 2nd Payment (Due 5 days after finishing the spring online sessions)

    • HKU Summer:

      • HKD 25,000 (AcT Member)
      • HKD 32,000 (Non-AcT Member)
      • Accommodation at HKU should be applied for separately in Spring 2025, and applicants must be at least 15 years old. Applicants under 15 years old are required to arrange their own outside accommodation accompanied by a guardian.

    • MIT Summer:

      • HKD 43,000 (AcT Member)
      • HKD 47,000 (Non-AcT Member)
      • Accommodation in Boston included

Application:

  • Before submitting the application, please ensure that you can obtain a valid visa to the United States if you choose MIT Bootcamp.
  • Programme application: https://actstudentapp.hku.hk/student 

  1. Register an account through the link and log into the application system after receiving the email activation link. If you already have an account, you can log in directly. 

  2. Select Apply Now under 2025 Application. 

  3. Fill in your personal information, academic profile. 

  4. At “Programme Selection” add programme “CREATIVITAS: Innovation and Music Engineering”.  

  5. Upload scanned copies of the required supporting documents and other application materials, then select “Confirm & Submit”. 

Application Criteria:

  • One-minute self-Introduction video in English (upload the link)

  • Short Essay (maximum 300 words in English): Why you are an ideal candidate for the CREATIVITAS Programme?

Application Deadline (1st round):​ December 15, 2024

Application Deadline (2nd round):​ January 5, 2025

 

Co-organised with MIT Center for Art, Science & Technology (CAST) and China Education Technology Investment Company Limited.

 

*The programme is subject to cancellation if there are insufficient applications.

*Disclaimer: Programme contents and formats are subject to change. We will continue to work closely with professors to refine our programme and ensure that students will have a safe and enjoyable time. Programme fees and application fees are non-refundable.