Welcome letter
Welcome Lettter

President of the Harvard Undergraduate Global Education Movement
To the pioneering Gen Z & Alpha creators from China:
Over the past two summers, the creativity and inspiration of HUGEM Innovation Challenge participants have left a lasting impression—and we can't wait to meet again!
HIC Harvard Round will take place at Harvard from February 26 to March 2, 2026! You'll gain an unparalleled academic and social experience, including networking with Harvard alumni, brainstorming innovation proposals with Harvard scholars, and attending Harvard application workshops.
As always, you'll need to earn your "entry pass" through innovation and action. This process may be challenging, but it's also exciting: identify a real-world problem, design a creative solution, and submit it to the HIC Qualifier Round Outstanding proposals will receive an official invitation to HIC Harvard Round!
We believe the possibilities of HIC are limitless. Looking forward to seeing you in 2026!
HUGEM
Introduction
Founded at Harvard University, the Harvard Undergraduate Global Education Movement (HUGEM) has their work spaned over a dozen countries across three continents, uniting numerous strong educational partners in a shared commitment to empowering the next generation. In previous years, HUGEM has hosted summer camps and organized innovation-themed conferences in various Asian countries, while also conducting after-school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workshops across European regions.
● HUGEM Official Webiste: https://hugemovement.org

HUGEM Innovation Challenge
HUGEM Innovation Challenge
HIC (HUGEM Innovation Challenge) aims to shape the next generation of innovators across various fields, inspiring students worldwide to draw inspiration from daily life and social issues, explore relevant domains of knowledge, and develop practical skills essential for their future careers. At HIC, you will have the opportunity to build an academic network with Harvard scholars, connect with outstanding students from across the country, and transform knowledge into personal creativity—becoming a catalyst for impactful change.
In March 2023, ASEEDER entered into a strategic partnership with a Harvard-affiliated global education innovation organization to introduce HIC to China. The 2025 HUGEM Innovation Challenge is open to students in grades 4–9. Participants may choose a research topic within designated tracks and submit their work online by December 7, 2025. Students will tackle real-world challenges using "innovative thinking", to propose solutions for their chosen topics. Through a series of challenges, they will expand their thinking abilities and enhance skills in independent thinking, critical analysis, and problem-solving.
Outstanding participants will have the chance to be invited to Harvard University, where they can engage in a dynamic and inspiring exchange of ideas with other talented young innovators from around the world.

Student Interviews & Moments
Why HIC
Why Participate in HIC?
HIC recruits all curious elementary and middle school students who love asking questions. HIC encourages any student who wonders 'why' or 'how' to participate. Regardless of language or area of interest, all students can start from their passions, identify a research question for the Qualifier Round, find inspiration, and get involved.
Inclusive Participation
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Academic Support
After registering for the Qualifier Round, each student receives a Study Guide. This guide provides comprehensive academic support, including theme introduction, inspiration sourcing, and research methods, enabling even complete beginners to create their own innovative project.
HIC offers a broad, engaging space for innovation, aiming to help students identify problems and use their creativity and imagination to solve them. This cultivates abilities like critical thinking, challenging conventions, adapting to the unknown, and innovating skills highly valued by top universities worldwide and essential for 21st-century talent.
Skill Development
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Straight to Harvard
Students who win awards in the Qualifier Round will be invited to the Harvard Round. They will visit Harvard's campus, learn from Harvard scholars, collaborate, and take on advanced interdisciplinary projects, turning their innovative ideas into reality!
Qualifier Round Timeline
September 2025
• Elementary Division: Grades 4-6
• Junior Division: Grades 7-9
• Each division offers Chinese and English tracks (Only the English track allows advancement to the Harvard Round. Track selection is final)

September - December 2025
Problem identification, background research, idea generation, utilizing academic support, and project creation.
• Choose a real-world problem or challenge
• Complete an Innovation Idea Form detailing the solution (60% of score)
• Submit a creative expression, e.g., video/poster/article/PPT (40% of score)
Registraation & Submission Deadline: December 7, 2025
Awards Announcement: Late December 2025
Late December 2025
● First, Second, and Third Places, along with Honorable Mentions (top 70%), will be selected in each division and track.
● Top 70% (Honorable Mention and above) in the English track of each division will advance.
About HIC
HUGEM Qualifier Round Academic Tracks
【Basic Info】
- Suitable For: Students in Grades 4-9
- Participation Format: Online Submission
- Advancement: Top 70% (Honorable Mention and above) in the English track of each division will
- advance to Harvard Round.
【Participation】
- Scan to register
- Successful registrants will receive the academic support guide via email.
- Submission Deadline: December 7, 2025
- Awards Announcement: Late December 2025

【Submission】
- Complete an Innovation Idea Form detailing the solution (60% of score)
- Submit a creative expression, e.g., video/poster/article/PPT (40% of score)
- Students must independently complete the conception and production of their proposals, and cheating behaviors such as plagiarism, content reproduction, or AI-generated writing are strictly prohibited.
- The submission should include an innovative idea proposal and supplementary work (optional), with specific requirements as follows:
Innovative Proposal
Requirements: Complete the Innovative Proposal Template. Follow the prompts in the first column of the table to answer the questions. Please note that the word count for each section must not exceed the specified limit. After completing the template, submit it in PDF or Word format.
Creative Expression Work
(1) Requirements: Participants must choose one of the four formats below to create a piece of creative expression work that showcases their innovative solution.
(2) Formats:
•Article (Chinese: 600–1000 characters; English: 600–1000 words)
•Poster
•PowerPoint presentation (maximum 20 slides)
•Video (maximum 3 minutes)
(3) Content: The work must reflect the innovative solution proposed in the Innovative Proposal Template.
(4) File Format: Submissions must be in pdf / word / jpg / mov / mp4 / ppt format.
Note
- Participants can select one or more themes to take part in the challenge. Please do not upload duplicate submissions for the same work.
- Please complete and submit the innovative proposal and creative expression work within the specified timeframe. Submissions after the deadline will not be considered for evaluation.
- If a student’s submitted file cannot be opened, ASEEDER will contact the student to resubmit. The resubmission must be made within the required time frame; otherwise, it will be deemed a waiver of participation.
【Awards】
Individual Awards
Participation Certificate
• All Students who turned in the required works will be presented with official participation certificate
【Academic Tracks】
In the Qualifier Round, students identify real-world problems and challenges, think about solutions, and submit their creative ideas, focusing on problem discovery and creative exploration.Annual Theme
Resilient Futures: Innovating for a Sustainable World

Low-carbon Life
Poverty and Inequality


AI and Innovation
Global Health

【Advanced Students's Work】

Business & Entrepreneurship
Business & Entrepreneurship
Sustainable Fashion
—Beijing Huijia Private School, Huang
—XIAMEN BINGLANG MIDDLE SCHOOL, Guo
—Kang Chiao International School, Chen
— BEIJING ROYAL FOREIGN LANGUAGE SCHOOL, Liu
Color-block dresses, polka dot shirts, checkerboard cropped pants... When people talk about environmental pollution, they rarely immediately associate it with the latest fashionable clothing in retail stores. However, the reality is—fueled by the fast fashion trend, the fashion industry has been ranked as the second most polluting industry in the world.
To address this issue, during the summer of 2023, students from the Business and Economics Committee turned their attention to a concept that has gained popularity in both the fashion world and environmental circles in recent years—Sustainable Fashion. The students developed Ecopia, a second-hand clothing recycling and customization platform centered on eco-friendly principles. Through market research and target user analysis, they designed a circular prototype of the product.
























Environmental Sciences & Engineering
Environmental Sciences & Engineering
The Green Building: Ivy Green Exhibition Center
— Fuzhou Lakeside International School, Lin
— Hangzhou Dipont School of Arts and Science, Bao
— Canadian International School of Hong Kong, Wang
— International Department of Chengdu No.7 High School, Xu
With the growing global awareness of environmental protection, the evaluation system for green buildings continues to evolve and improve. Students from the Environmental Engineering Committee have taken green building as their core concept and creatively designed a new structure resembling the "Noah's Ark." The building is divided into three floors (including balconies) and is constructed using eco-friendly materials such as Cross-laminated timber (CLT), a low-carbon innovative material. The team visually presented their conceptual building design through hand-drawn sketches, including feasible solutions that utilize renewable energy systems to support and provide living resources and recreational facilities.



















Engineering
Engineering
Automated Drone Delivery
— Yangzhou High School of Jiangsu Province, Wang
— Shenyang No.2 High School, Zhu
— Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong, Yao
— Hiba Academy Hangzhou, Zhang
Nowadays, people enjoy the convenience of food delivery services but often overlook their potential negative impacts and risks. The issue of delivery transportation is increasingly affecting normal traffic operations and safety.
Students from the Engineering Committee have proposed an idea to use drones instead of electric vehicles for deliveries: the drones would precisely follow mapped routes based on global coordinates, pick up orders at designated locations, and notify customers via mobile phone once the delivery is safely completed. These drones would recharge at reasonably spaced drone bases, with solar panels serving as a backup power source. Through this solution, they aim to effectively curb the rise of traffic accidents and provide truly convenient services for the public.










Psychology
Psychology & Behavioral Economics
Helping Elders Stay Connected
— Huaai School, Xu
— Yaan Beifu Shiyan School, Xiong
— Meisha Bilingual School, Zhou
— Haide Bilingual School Dongguan, Huang
— Zhejiang Hangzhou High School, Wu
With the rapid development of science and technology, many individuals aged 65 and older face various challenges in communication and interaction due to physical and psychological limitations, making it increasingly difficult for them to adapt to the smartphone era.
Students from the Social Sciences Committee have proposed a "Technology for Convenience Program" — an initiative aimed at meeting the daily needs of the elderly by designing an electronic device specifically for senior users. The device includes an easy-to-understand home screen, intuitive calling functions, secure mobile payment settings, and emergency contact features. The students have also incorporated a support plan, collaborating with mobile phone manufacturers to develop more user-friendly and affordable phone models. Additionally, they are recruiting volunteers in communities across the country, particularly in large cities, to help elderly individuals learn how to use this smart device, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.















Urban Economics
Urban Economics
The "Dream-Building Project" in First-Tier Cities
— No.2 High School of East China Normal University, Gao
— Shanghai World Foreign Language Academy, Lou
— Beijing No.80 High School, Sun
— No.5 High School Of Changzhou, Gu
— Beijing No.80 High School, Hou
According to data from the Eighth National Population Census, an analysis of residential land supply in first-tier cities experiencing massive population influx reveals a severe mismatch between population growth and housing land availability. Soaring housing prices have led to a series of issues: widening wealth gaps, increasing homelessness, and more.
Students specializing in urban economics have proposed an innovative solution. Guided by a people-oriented philosophy, they aim to provide "co-living apartments" for middle-income individuals who migrate to first-tier cities but cannot afford the high housing costs. By increasing building height, they seek to maximize spatial utility and offer more affordable housing options. Additionally, they provide job skill training and housing price discounts for unemployed vulnerable groups, striving to make cities more inclusive.












Biology & Medicine
Biology & Medicine
Precise and Thoughtful Medicine Container
— Shanghai World Foreign Language Academy, Zhao
— UWCSEA, Liang
—TASIS Portugal, Wang
— HIBA Academy Shanghai, Hao
With the continuous advancement of medical conditions, people are paying increasing attention to their own and their families' health. Many working professionals are particularly concerned about elderly family members missing correct medication schedules or confusing medications/dosages due to forgetfulness.
In response to this challenge, students from the Biomedical Committee have proposed some innovative solutions: designing dedicated medication containers (such as boxes, bracelets, necklaces, etc.) for the elderly, equipped with reminders for regular and quantified medication intake (such as refrigerator magnets, medication calendars, and a 30-day medication management challenge). These aids are designed to help seniors adhere to medical instructions and avoid potential health risks.






Harvard Round Schedule
Information
Date: February 26th - March 2nd, 2026
Location: Harvard Univeristy
Language: English only
Format: Individual & Team Challenges (selected on site)
The top 70% in the English track of the Qualifier Round will advance to the Harvard Round. They will have the opportunity to visit Harvard University as outstanding innovation representatives, engage with the HUGEM member, industry leaders, and Harvard mentors, connect with exceptional peers, collaborate, and work towards implementing ideas for a diverse and fantastic innovation experience.
This year's Harvard Round, themed "Resilient Futures: Innovating for a Sustainable World," challenges participants to integrate perspectives from economics, technology, and global health to invent models that redefine value for people and the planet. Through workshops and discussions led by Harvard undergraduates, students will refine their insights.
From an economic perspective, you will explore frameworks for sustainable growth and strategies to reduce inequality. In technology, you'll examine how breakthroughs in AI, clean energy, and data science can solve systemic global problems. In global health, you'll consider how climate change, pandemics, and unequal access to healthcare shape humanity's future well-being.
During the HIC Harvard Round, you will become a sustainable innovator, developing resilient solutions for real global issues!
HUGEM Members
* The list is subject to change.
-
ESHA AHMAD
Esha serves as a Resident Tutor at Harvard University's Winthrop House, majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Global Health and Health Policy (with a Spanish Citation). She is an ambassador for the pre-health community on campus and is deeply passionate about health equity and compassion-oriented patient care in the medical field. -
SAAIM KHAN
Saaim Khan majors in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology with a minor in Global Health and Health Policy, accompanied by a citation in American Sign Language. He has worked for over four years in several prominent research laboratories across the United States, investigating approaches to improving hearing loss through various biological and clinical methods. -
MARIA FABAL
Maria Fabal majors in Neuroscience with a minor in Global Health and Health Policy. On campus, she serves as an analyst for the Behavioral Strategy Group and is also involved with Engineers Without Borders, where she contributes to designing manual and solar-powered water pumps for a remote community of 800 members in Kenya that lacks access to clean water and electricity. -
MARWAN UWAYDAH
Marwan Uwaydah is a student at Harvard University's Eliot House, majoring in Economics with a minor in Environmental Science and Public Policy. He participates in projects that promote economic development and quality education in refugee camps, having taught at several schools within the camps. He actively seeks designated donations to provide scholarships for refugee children interested in pursuing higher education after high school. -
DESIREE RICKETT
Desiree is pursuing a major in Economics with minors in Computer Science and Statistics at Harvard University. She maintains close collaboration with the Harvard Kennedy School and has actively participated in various business initiatives, including serving on the leadership team of Smart Woman Securities—a leading financial organization sponsored by Warren Buffett. Additionally, Desiree is a member of Harvard’s Model United Nations team. -
Kevin Wang
Kevin is majoring in Applied Mathematics, Economics, and Computer Science (with a Spanish Citation) at Harvard University. Beyond his academic pursuits, he is passionate about participating in economic policy research at the Harvard Economics Research Unit. As a core member of the Harvard Undergraduate Global Education Innovation Initiative, he has represented the organization as a scholar at numerous innovation technology workshops and design thinking events in regions such as Southeast Asia and Armenia, dedicated to spreading the belief that "innovation can change the world" across the globe.
HIC Harvard Round

Lectures

Workshop

Seminar

HIC Challenge
Schedule
| Morning | Afternoon | |
| DAY1 | Arrival in Boston | |
| DAY2 | Boston City Tour / Museum of Fine Arts visit / Quincy Market Exploration | Opening Ceremony Ice Breaker and Collaborative Challenge Guest Speaker Event Opening Dinner with HUGEM |
| DAY3 | Lecture: The Need for a Sustainable World Workshop #1 - Research Proposals: Defining a Question and Generating Solutions Workshop #2 - Designing and Brainstorming Ideas for the Future |
Lecture: Introduction to Resilient Future Themes Seminar #1 - Poverty and Economics Workshop #3 - The Art of Presentations Seminar #2 - Technology and Climate Change Seminar #3 - Health Security and Disease Workshop #4 - Public Speaking to Lead and Inspire |
| DAY4 | HIC Challenge Work Period Harvard Campus Tour |
Workshop #3 - Mastering Marketing: Elevate Your Brand HIC Challenge Work Period HIC Challenge Presentations Workshop #4 - Harvard and US Colleges Closing Ceremony |
| DAY5 | Departure | |
* The schedule is subject to change.
— Students' Feedback —
-

I really enjoyed the "Solving Problem Project" part of this course. It helped me understand more about environmental issues and the diversity of solutions, which has been very inspiring for my future career choices. I now have a clearer understanding of the academic knowledge related to environmental engineering, and I am more determined to apply for Environmental Engineering in the future, while also considering fields like biology, chemistry, environmental science, and materials science.
——International Department of Chengdu No.7 High School @Zitian

I really enjoyed the content of the Case Study. It covered many real and detailed examples. Before introducing the actual measures taken in reality, the instructor had us think independently about how we would solve the problems mentioned in the cases, followed by group discussions to brainstorm corresponding solutions. This was a very interesting process, as it stimulated intellectual collision among everyone, leading to better ideas. Thank you to all the teachers for bringing such an excellent course and activities—this has been the most interesting summer camp I have ever participated in.
——Beijing No.35 High School @Sijing

I made friends with many outstanding peers from different cities, got to know a mentor from Harvard, and learned about the essential study habits that helped them become top academic achievers. This experience has broadened my horizons and ignited a strong interest in architectural design within me.
—— Canadian International School of Hong Kong @Wendy
-

I really enjoyed our brainstorming session on solving hospital noise—it was incredibly interesting!
——HIBA Academy Shanghai @charlotte

The Case Study was fascinating! I gained a lot of knowledge about economics and urban planning!
——Beijing No.80 High School @Joyce

Acquired a new skill: starting from the problem itself, combining divergent and convergent thinking to design solutions! What a fascinating summer camp.
—— Shenzhen Meisha Bilingual School @Emily
-

Before I attended HIC, I thought this program would be rigorous and tough, and the teachers would be itimimdating, but soon as the program stared, it was such a refreshing experience. Our teachers and track leaders were super nice and patient, our fellow campers were studious and genial,and the overall atmosphere is tremendous. For our group project, our topic was to solve China's Eldercare Problem. I am sure that for any problem I encounter in the future, I am able a apply some skills I have learned from HIC, and become a better decision maker.
——成都市郫都区华爱学校融合部 HIA @Rachel

I liked the group activities the most. Most of my really good friends I made were from working together in those activities. When we worked together, not only did we listen and suggest ideas, we also got to know each other from having random conversations and getting to know each other better. I feel like I learned to better communicate and leadership. From the shor time of working together for the fnal project, I learned that coming up with good solutions is from listening to everone’s ideas, and then combining them into a better one. I learned it’s imporant for everone to contribute, and if you have a really good idea, don’t be afraid to tell your teammates. I think I improved in confdence and teamwork, our group all listened to each other equally and enjoyed working together.
Thank you, everone was really nice.——武汉爱莎外籍人员子女学校 @Iris

Design Thinking was something I had never encountered before, and I really enjoyed learning about it!
—— Hangzhou Bay Bilingual School (Shanghai Jinshan) @Jessie
Contact Us

North China:
Ms.Liang 18511010181
Beijing, Tianjin, Shanxi, Hebei, Henan, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning

North China:
Ms.Yang 13269709296
Shandong

East China:
Ms.Zhao 17621596857
Zhejiang

East China:
Ms.Li 13052020114
Shanghai, Jiangsu

South China:
Ms.Rong 13128840868
Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Fujian, Hong Kong, China, Macao, China

West China:
Ms.Ma 15608176070
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