Supported by CEO of one of the largest news organizations and one of the leading influencers in the region
Supported by CEO of one of the largest performing arts organizations and a senior board member of one of the largest museums in the world
Supported by CEO/chairperson of one of the largest banks in the world and Managing Director of one of the largest HK conglomerates
Supported by a former Olympian and CEO of one of the largest health and well being organizations in the region
Supported by two major influencers in the region (former leading government official and one of the most recognized YouTubers in the region)
What is driving it and how to sustain it - private session with one of the most well known regulator and financial service leaders in Hong Kong
Visits to one of the most sought after global brands in Hong Kong and time with their CEOs
Session with CEOs of leading hotels, airline or tourism platforms
Feb-Apr
3 sessions during February, March and April (Second Wednesday evening) - structured learning on the topics of leadership and influence with 3 to 4 leading thinkers
Who can apply?
Any full-time university undergraduates from these six universities can apply - HKBU, CityU, CUHK, HKU, HKUST, PolyU. We will select 20 Melo Fellows from this pool of applicants. Our selection criteria is simple - we are looking for high calibre students with a passion and track record of leadership and impact on the society. We look for authentic stories and real passion.
The program will kick off at the end of January 2025 and end with a graduation in June 2025. The Fellowship has two main components - Co-Creation and Joint Discovery.
In Co-Creation, 20 Melo Fellows will be divided into 5 teams of 4. Each team will be paired with two leading CEOs / social leaders. Each will work towards a proposal on delivering the most impact on their topic for Hong Kong society. One of the leading region VC firms and its managing partner will seed one or more of their proposed programs for implementation.
In Joint Discovery, these are events for the entire fellowship where Melo Fellows will experience and learn from leaders of our society on a few key themes, in the most intimate and engaging way.
In terms of time commitment, each Fellow will be asked to:
Melo Fellows will go through a one-of-a-kind journey of learning and mindset growth. They will learn hard and soft skills and have direct exposure to leading CEOs, social leaders and thought leaders. The Fellowship includes project based learning as well as group-based interactive learning.
For the first time ever, two Fellows will be selected and be awarded the SHKP x Melo Scholarship, which will cover the full tuition fee of the remaining years of undergraduate studies of the awardee.
1. Background details
Your name, mobile number, email contact and university degree details.
2. Choose a topic
Choose from one of the five themes we listed as your preferred topic of interest or you can write to us what one other topic you are interested in.
3. Tell us your story
Share why you want to join this program and why you are passionate about the topic you choose in one of three formats (A 500-word essay, a 90-second video, or a PowerPoint of fewer than 10 slides). We care a lot about authenticity. We would love to hear stories that come from your personal experience.
💭 One of my most cherished moments with Melo is the night of our graduation. It was a real challenge when I completed my final exam in late May, leaving us with a mere four days to prepare our presentation. What made it even worse was that during the rehearsal, we discovered that our presentation was far from impressive. Louisa even came to give us some special hints and assistance, which made us even more panicked. So, we spent the entire day in the library fixing our mess. Right up until the actual day of graduation, we were still refining our deck and familiarizing ourselves with the scripts.During the graduation day, Kenny noticed our panic and frustration. With a kind smile, he urged us to enjoy the process, even if we failed. Moreover, Don and Randy provided warm support before we stepped on the stage and even suggested that we have some wine. 🍷🤣The reason why this is my best memory in Melo is not only because we fought together as a team 👥, but also because I could see the precious Melo values: genuineness and support. Through this experience, I learned how to embrace failure and take on challenges even when success seemed unlikely.
Project Melo is a meaningful experience that has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone.My project, theme 3 paediatric patient’s recovery necessitated crossing linguistic and cultural barriers, and having authentically vulnerable conversations about difficult topics.Throughout this experience, I never knew what would come next, which really drove home the importance of taking things day by day, and focusing on what is ahead of me.Luckily, I was surrounded by a team of other talented, driven people, and supported by open-minded CEOs who inspired me with their passion for change in Hong Kong
Exciting doesn’t even begin to describe the Melo Summit. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase a project that held a special place in my heart before a global audience of like-minded individuals. From the immersive experience of donning full headsets to the humbling sensation of standing on stage, I can still vividly recall the day as if it were yesterday. However, the journey leading up to the summit was just as transformative and exciting.Over the course of six months, I had the privilege of learning from remarkable guest speakers to engaging in casual chats during team dinners. Through it all, I honed my teamwork skills, refined my communication abilities, and cultivated a newfound sense of confidence when interacting with individuals who possessed greater life experience. As someone who joined Project Melo in Year 1, feeling lost and confused, I am grateful for the support and fun from the Melo community, even amidst the challenges of the ongoing pandemic. One can only imagine the heights that could be reached if the circumstances were different!
“This is truly a community effort....And I’m honored to be part of this new initiative.Yes, there are challenges ahead, for both our students and corporates... but I remain confident that our Melo Fellows and Peers together with the CEOs can learn from each other how best to weather the uncharted journey ahead.”
“This is an amazing program. I had a great time engaging with the Melo Fellows. We need more of this type of community driven leadership in the world and I see Melo an important empowerment platform for our exciting new generation. I am excited. For our new generation, let’s get into the arena!”
Thank you Project Melo for bringing me valuable opportunities to meet and connect with our futuremakers through reverse mentoring. As the perfect wrap-up for everyone’s effort, I’m eagerly anticipating the launch of our Fellows’ “21-Day Challenge Climate Change” Happy Meal book this June! Looking ahead, I cannot wait to connect with more young friends and be inspired by their new ideas and creativity. Together, we can drive positive change for Hong Kong and envision a brighter future for all!