The Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) is hosting the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Undergraduate Leaders’ Program (ULP) 2026 from June 22 to July 3, 2026, welcoming around 60 undergraduate students from 26 universities across 18 economies.
Themed “Future Ready: Leadership in the Age of AI and Robotics,” the two‑week program brings together emerging student leaders from across the Pacific Rim to explore how artificial intelligence, social robotics, and embedded technologies are transforming human life, industry, and society.
Hosted in Shenzhen, one of the world’s leading innovation and technology hubs and the host city of the 2026 APEC China Summit, ULP 2026 offers participants direct exposure to cutting‑edge research, industry practice, and real‑world leadership challenges at the intersection of technology and society.
Thomas Kvan, Founding Dean and Chair Professor, SUSTech School of Design, welcomed ULP students, “SUSTech’s educational mission is deeply tied to Shenzhen’s dynamic ecosystem of innovation, where ideas move quickly from research into real-world impact. By welcoming talented undergraduates from across the Pacific Rim, we invite them to engage with leadership challenges at the intersection of artificial intelligence, robotics, and society in this city of action. Through the APRU Undergraduate Leaders’ Program, students broaden their global perspectives, work across disciplines, and build the leadership capacities needed to shape a more responsible and inclusive future.”
The program is developed by SUSTech’s School of Design, with the support of the Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering and SUSTech Global, and is designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, cross‑cultural exchange, and hands‑on learning.
Throughout the program, participants engage in design workshops, seminars, and collaborative projects led by SUSTech faculty and international experts in areas such as social robotics, automation, human–robot interaction, and embedded AI. These sessions challenge students to address not only technical questions, but also the ethical, social, and cultural implications of emerging technologies, including trust, transparency, inclusion, and the future of work.
A key highlight of ULP 2026 is student participation in the “APEC Shenzhen: Advancing with AI” international youth event, where participants join peers from across the Asia‑Pacific region for keynote lectures, thematic seminars, and discussions on frontier AI, embodied intelligence, sustainability, cross-cultural cooperation in the digital age, digital inclusion, women in tech, and AI‑enabled creative practices.
David Quimbayo, APRU Program Manager said, “Artificial intelligence is reshaping our societies, it is our new reality. While we may not yet fully understand how its transforming our future, we do know this: leaders of tomorrow must be equipped with technical expertise, and with a global perspective, empathy, and a strong sense of social responsibility to help safeguard our shared future. Through the ULP, we in APRU, we are working to do exactly that—creating opportunities for meaningful collaboration across economies and disciplines, and enabling students to learn from each other and from leading institutions across the region. We sincerely thank SUSTech for its vision, leadership, and know-how in hosting ULP 2026 and for creating an inspiring environment for learning and innovation.”
In addition to academic and professional programming, students visit leading technology companies and innovation hubs in Shenzhen, gaining first‑hand insight into one of the world’s most dynamic robotics and AI ecosystems. Cultural immersion activities, local excursions, and peer‑to‑peer exchanges further enrich the experience and strengthen cross‑border connections among participants.
By combining academic rigor, experiential learning, and international collaboration, the APRU Undergraduate Leaders’ Program 2026 aims to equip students with the skills, perspectives, and networks needed to become future‑ready leaders in an increasingly AI‑driven world.
The Undergraduate Leaders’ Program (ULP) supports emerging undergraduate leaders in becoming real-world change makers by driving awareness, action, and change, supporting them in their academic and personal goals. By providing cultural exchange experiences and unique learning opportunities, APRU seeks to equip the next generation of leaders with the skills they need to contribute to positive change for the betterment of societies worldwide.
https://www.apru.org/our-work/student-leadership/undergraduate-leaders-program/