Greetings from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou).
We are pleased to share with you the upcoming 2026 Red Bird Challenge Camp International (RBCC International), which will take place at HKUST(GZ) from 14 to 20 December 2026. We would greatly appreciate your support in sharing this opportunity with eligible students and recent graduates at your institution.
About the Red Bird MPhil Program
The Red Bird MPhil (RBM) Program, offered by the College of Future Technology at HKUST(GZ), is an interdisciplinary MPhil program established under the University's innovative Hub–Thrust model. It aims to cultivate top talents and future leaders in academia and industry through an educational model that emphasizes interdisciplinary exploration, project-based learning, and the development of transferable capabilities.
The RBM student development model is centered on Project-Based Learning (PBL), supported by an adaptive curriculum and a comprehensive learning support system. It is designed to help students develop interdisciplinary perspectives, transferable capabilities, creativity, and the ability to address complex real-world challenges.
About the Red Bird Challenge Camp
The Red Bird Challenge Camp (RBCC), organized by the Office of the Vice-President (Teaching & Learning) of HKUST(GZ), serves as a special admission pathway to the RBM Program.
Different from conventional admission processes that rely primarily on academic records, RBCC adopts an innovative and holistic evaluation approach centered on group-based, project-driven activities.
During the camp, participants work in multidisciplinary teams and conduct field research to explore real-world contexts and identify authentic problems. Each team is expected to define a problem, develop and test possible solutions, and progressively refine its project through a series of milestone reviews before presenting its final outcome.
This process enables the Selection & Interview Committee to observe not only what participants have achieved in the past, but also how they think, collaborate, communicate, respond to uncertainty, and turn ideas into practical solutions to real-world challenges.
Participants rated “Recommended” by the Selection & Interview Committee may be considered for admission to the RBM Program, subject to formal University approval.
2026 RBCC International
The RBCC International aims to extend this innovative talent identification approach to a broader international student community. In addition to serving as a pathway to the RBM Program, the camp will provide participants with an opportunity to experience HKUST(GZ)'s interdisciplinary and project-based educational model first-hand.
The seven-day camp is structured around the development of a multidisciplinary team project, moving from field exploration and problem identification to problem definition, solution development, prototyping, and final presentation.
- 13 December – Optional Pre-Camp Day: Check-in & Guangzhou Cultural Tour
- 14 December – Day 1: Opening Ceremony & Design Thinking Workshops
- 15 December – Day 2: Field Research & Teamwork
- 16 December – Day 3: Project Theme Confirmation & Milestone Meeting 1
- 17 December – Day 4: Group Work & Prototyping
- 18 December – Day 5: Group Work & Milestone Meeting 2
- 19 December – Day 6: Group Work & Prototyping
- 20 December – Day 7: Final Presentation, Milestone Meeting 3 & Closing Ceremony
Who Can Apply
Applications are open to non-Chinese nationals, as well as Chinese nationals studying at universities outside Chinese Mainland, including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. Students enrolled in Sino-foreign joint programs within Chinese Mainland are not eligible.
Applicants should be current third- or fourth-year undergraduate students, or bachelor's degree graduates, from any academic discipline, and intend to enroll in the 2027–28 academic year (Fall 2027 intake).
We particularly welcome students with strong interdisciplinary curiosity and distinctive talents or experiences in areas such as research, competitions, entrepreneurship, innovation, community engagement, arts and design, or other self-directed achievements.
Key Dates
Application opens: 21 September 2026
Application closes: 31 October 2026
Camp invitations issued: by 13 November 2026
Optional Cultural Tour: 13 December 2026
RBCC International: 14–20 December 2026
Participation Fee and Travel Support
The participation fee is USD 300 per participant, covering accommodation, insurance, and site visits during the camp. Outstanding applicants will be eligible for a fee waiver. Economically disadvantaged student may also apply to have the fee waived.
We would greatly appreciate your support in circulating this opportunity among eligible students and graduates at your institution. We hope RBCC International will provide participants not only with a unique opportunity to be considered for the Red Bird MPhil Program, but also with an immersive experience of interdisciplinary collaboration, real-world problem solving, and project-based learning at HKUST(GZ).
Further information is available at:
RBCC: https://vptlo.hkust-gz.edu.cn/rbcc
Red Bird MPhil Program: https://cft.hkust-gz.edu.cn/rbm-program/
Should you or your students have any questions regarding RBCC International, please feel free to contact the RBCC Team (rbcc@hkust-gz.edu.cn) .
