Each year, UBC's nominates up to 5 students to participate in this program. The location and topic changes each year.
In 2024, the program took place in Shanghai, China, and focused on “Sustainable Development in a Fast-Changing Metropolis.”
In 2025, the program took place in Santiago, Chile and focused on "Pacific Rim Challenges."
2026 Program for Future Global Citizenship Leaders: “Future Ready: Leadership in the Age of AI and Robotics”
Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) is proud to host the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Undergraduate Leaders’ Program (ULP) from June 22 to July 3, 2026. Themed “Future Ready: Leadership in the Age of AI and Robotics”, the program invites future leaders from across the Pacific Rim to explore how social robotics and embedded AI will transform human life, industry, and society.
Set in Shenzhen, China’s globally recognized hub of technology and entrepreneurship and the host city of the 2026 APEC China Summit, the ULP 2026 will immerse participants in one of the most dynamic innovation ecosystems in the world. Through design workshops, seminars, site visits to leading technology companies, and exchanges with scholars and practitioners, participants will confront the design, social, and leadership challenges that arise in an age where robotics is increasingly embedded in our daily lives.
Applications are open now! Deadline to apply is February 27.
Program Dates: June 22 to July 3, 2026
Host: Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech)
Location: Shenzhen, China
Number of Participants: 50 – 60 undergraduate students from across APRU member universities
UBC will nominate up to 5 students to participate in this program. Selected students will receive a $1000 Go Global Award. The Go Global fee will be waived (i.e. not charged) for this program.
Program Highlights:
- Participants will be introduced to cutting-edge research and practice in social robotics through workshops led by SUSTech faculty and international experts in design, automation, and human–robot interaction.
- Interdisciplinary design workshops will allow students to collaborate with peers, faculty, and industry designers in developing creative responses to real-world challenges.
- The ethical and social dimensions of artificial intelligence will be explored, addressing questions of trust, transparency, cultural understanding, and the impact of robotics on human life and work.
- Visits to Shenzhen’s leading companies and innovation hubs will expose students to the city’s dynamic robotics and AI ecosystem.
- Cultural immersion activities, excursions around Shenzhen, and peer-to-peer exchange will enrich participants’ perspectives and foster cross-cultural understanding.
Cost per student: 4,680.00 RMB (USD 650.00) paid to the host university
Program fee includes:
- Academic program costs
- Transfers within the program
- Field trips and one-day excursion
- Accommodation from during the program
- Breakfast
Expenses covered by participants:
- Airfare to and from the participant’s home country
- Passport and visa fees (if required)
- Lunch, dinner and snacks
- Medical insurance
- Free day expenses
- Meals and expenses outside the program
- Any other expenses not explicitly mentioned above
Eligibility:
- Full-time UBC undergraduate degree students
- Will have completed at least one academic year at UBC before July 2026
- Students in any discipline are welcome
Application Deadline: February 27
Apply online through the Go Global Gateway.
Go to “search experiences” from the top menu, search “APRU,” then press “apply search.” Scroll down to the APRU Undergraduate Leaders Program and select "Term" and “Summer."
Go Global will ask you to provide written statements on:
- Your personal and academic motivations for applying to this program
- Your previous global/intercultural experience (note: We encourage students with no or little previous travel experience to apply!)
- Your suitability and preparedness for the specific program you are applying for (eg, the climate, activities, etc.)
- How you will contribute to a positive group learning environment
UBC will nominate up to 5 students to participate in this program. Selected students will receive a $1000 Go Global Award. The Go Global fee will be waived (i.e. not charged) for this program.
You may also be interested in this program: https://goglobal.ubc.ca/apru-sdg-education-global-citizenship