17th Hwa Chong Asia-Pacific Young Leaders Summit (HC-APYLS)
3 August 2026
From 19 to 25 July 2026, Hwa Chong Institution hosted the 17th Hwa Chong Asia-Pacific Young Leaders Summit (HC-APYLS), gathering promising young student leaders from 22 international and local schools across 13 countries to engage in global challenges, experiential learning, and cultural exchanges.
From 19 to 25 July 2026, Hwa Chong Institution hosted the 17th Hwa Chong Asia-Pacific Young Leaders Summit (HC-APYLS). At this year’s summit, we welcomed promising international young leaders from 22 schools across 13 countries – China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Ukraine, the Philippines, South Africa, the United States, and Singapore.
Over the course of the summit, learning unfolded not just in discussion rooms, but through a carefully curated journey of experiences that reflected the spirit of “Intelligence by Design, Humanity by Intent.” Delegates stepped beyond theory into practice, engaging in discussions that unpacked global challenges, before exploring Singapore’s innovation and social landscape through visits to AI Singapore, the Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at the Singapore Management University, Enabling Village, and HDB Hub. Moments of cultural exchange came alive in arts masterclasses, from Wing Chun to rangoli, alongside shared activities in mass interaction games and a city heritage tour that grounded conversations in place and history. Complemented by thought-provoking summit dialogues on multiculturalism and cybersecurity, the programme ultimately wove together ideas, people, and perspectives into a lived experience of what it means to thrive in a world in transition.
We were honoured to have Mr. Chee Hong Tat, Minister for National Development, as our Guest of Honour for the Opening Ceremony, and VADM Aaron Beng, Chief of Defence Force for the Singapore Armed Forces, as our Guest of Honour for the Closing Ceremony. Summit Dialogues featured distinguished speakers, including Mr. Malminderjit Singh, Founder and Managing Director of Terra Corporate Affairs; and Mr. Gaurav Keerthi, Chief Executive Officer of StrongKeep Cybersecurity.
Above all, HC-APYLS reminded delegates that the world they step into is not static, but continually shaped by those willing to question and reimagine it. This week, they held the pen. The story so far may have been written by others, but what comes next is theirs to write. As they return home, they carry with them memories, ideas, and a quiet conviction to shape the future with both intelligence and humanity.
Here’s to the next chapter.
Photo credit: Studio Ardent