Melo Fellowship 2025

Co-Creation
Joint Discovery
How to Join

17

Co-creation projects created

60

Fellows

40

CEOs of leading organizations

32

Unique exchanges of new generation & CEOs

What is Melo Fellowship?

Melo Fellowship is our flagship program - an intense, rewarding 6-month fellowship where Melo Fellows will work closely with leading CEOs and social leaders for the betterment of our society.  

10 CEOs and social leaders, working with 20 Melo Fellows, on 5 themes, for Hong Kong.

Being selected as a Melo Fellow is one of the highest recognitions for a university student. It is widely seen as one of the most prestigious and rigorous programs of its kind available for university students based in Hong Kong.

We have had three classes of our Fellowship - Class of 2021, Class of 2022 and Class of 2023. Starting from 2025, we will have one fellowship class every two years. 

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 respective theme for Hong Kong society from Feb to June 2025.  
One of the leading region VC firms and its managing partner will seed one or more of their proposed programs for implementation.
View Past Projects

5

Major Themes for
Fellows and CEOs to Co-Create in 2025

Theme 1 - Journalism and storytelling

Supported by CEO of one of the largest news organizations and one of the leading influencers in the region

Theme 2 - Arts, culture and our society

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

Theme 3 - Large conglomerates and their impact on our community

Supported by CEO/chairperson of one of the largest banks in the world and Managing Director of one of the largest HK conglomerates

Theme 4 - Mental well-being and performance mindset

Supported by a former Olympian and CEO of one of the largest health and well being organizations in the region

Theme 5 - KOLs, influencers and their evolving roles on the society

Supported by two major influencers in the region (former leading government official and one of the most recognized YouTubers in the region)

Joint Discovery

From February to June, events for the entire fellowship will be organized where Melo Fellows will experience and learn from leaders of our society on a few key themes, in the most intimate and engaging way.
View Past JDs

2025 Joint Discovery Events Include...

Feb

Hong Kong as a financial hub

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

Mar

Global brands in Hong Kong and their secret recipes

Visits to one of the most sought after global brands in Hong Kong and time with their CEOs

Apr

Hospitality, travel and tourism industries

Session with CEOs of leading hotels, airline or tourism platforms

Feb-Apr

Leadership and influence MeloClass series

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

and more to come...

Your Journey as a 2025 Melo Fellow

Jan

Kick-off your Melo journey

Meet your fellows, CEOs and social leaders, and get to know their expectations for the projects!

Feb-May

Engage in Co-Creation projects & Joint Discovery events

Fellows are expected to work on the Co-Creation project for about 4-5 hours per week with their assigned CEO / social leader.  Timing is flexible based on the scheduling of their team.  Join one Joint Discovery event per month from February to June (a total of 4-5) that usually happen on the first Saturday of the month.

June

Celebrate your journey at Graduation

Co-Creation project sharing, insightful discussions and fireside chats with industry leaders to mark the end of your 6-month co-creation journey at Graduation.

After June

Continue with your projects

If your proposed program is selected and seeded, you will have the opportunity to further enhance its impact through implementing your project.
One-of-a-kind journey of learning and mindset growth
Fellows 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.  
Melo Scholarship
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.

Our Selection Process for Melo Fellows

Who can join?

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.

What is the expectation on the select Melo fellows?

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:

  • Join one Joint Discovery event per month from February to June (a total four to five joint discovery events) that usually happens on the first Saturday of the month
  • Work on the Co-Creation project for about 4-5 hours per week with their assigned CEO / social leader.  Timing is flexible based on the scheduling of their team
  • Join the final graduation event and competition that will happen in June

What will Melo Fellows get from the Melo Fellowship program?

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.

How can I apply?

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.

Past Projects and Events

Co-Creation

Throughout the past years, our Fellows and CEOs have created different initiatives to impact various stakeholders in the society. More to come!

Joint Discovery

Throughout the past years, we have created more than 40 dialogues exchange and experiences for our Fellows.

Our Fellows & CEOs

Michael Tumiwa
Class of 2025 Fellow
Fred Ngan
Co-Founder of Bowtie
Catherine So
CEO of South China Morning Post
Evan Auyang
Group President of Animoca Brands
Maggie Lo
Class of 2021 Fellow
Darren Mok
Class of 2022 Fellow
Betty Liu
Executive Vice Chairman of New York Stock Exchange
Stephen Iam
Class of 2021 Fellow
Natalie Chung
CEO and Co-Founder of V’air
Simon Loong
CEO of WeLab
Julius Choy
Class of 2023 Fellow
Kevin Sneader
President of Goldman Sachs Asia Pacific Ex-Japan
Raymond Kwok
Chairman & Managing Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties
Shiny Ho
Class of 2021 Fellow
Rex Yeung
Class of 2022 Fellow
Jason Yip
Former CEO of MWYO
Peggy Choi
Founder & CEO of LYNK
Michael Blanchette
Class of 2022 Fellow
Alan Lau
Vice Chairman of M+ Museum and Chief Business Officer of Animoca Brands
Jessica Tse
Class of 2021 Fellow
Alice Dong
Class of 2021 Fellow
Don So
CEO of Humansa
Franz Wu
Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO of YOHO
Jacey Cheng
Class of 2021 Fellow
Samson Ng
Class of 2023 Fellow
Agnes Lam
Class of 2021 Fellow
Kevin Kam
CPO of McDonald’s Hong Kong
Kimmy Suen
Class of 2025 Fellow
Benedikt Fohr
CEO of Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Ming Jai
Renowned YouTuber
Vincent Lam
Class of 2023 Fellow
Tiffany Yang
Class of 2023 Fellow
Telia Mak
Class of 2023 Fellow
Hugo Leung
Class of 2023 Fellow
Stephanie Lo
Class of 2023 Fellow
Ryan Ng
Class of 2023 Fellow
Manya Khanduri
Class of 2023 Fellow
Leon Cheng
Class of 2023 Fellow
Khalil Mahmood
Class of 2023 Fellow
Keila Juganda
Class of 2023 Fellow
Justin Cai
Class of 2023 Fellow
Julius Choy
Class of 2023 Fellow
Joy Hsiang
Class of 2023 Fellow
Jovy Yu
Class of 2023 Fellow
Jamie Parng
Fellowship OC Class of 2023 Fellow
Chan Choi
Class of 2023 Fellow
Beatrice Chan
Class of 2023 Fellow
Angus Loh
Class of 2023 Fellow
Aditya Mangla
Class of 2023 Fellow
Samson Ng
Class of 2023 Fellow
View all Melo People

Thoughts of Fellows & CEOs

Being part of the inaugural cohort of Melo fellows has been nothing short of exhilarating. When I first embarked on this journey, I had no idea what lay ahead or what I was stepping into. But now, as I reflect on the continuous stream of events, encounters with diverse individuals, and engaging conversations, I realize how this experience has broadened my horizons.In this program, I've had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with esteemed leaders from various sectors, including reputable figures in our society and prominent players in big corporations. Listening to their fireside chats and hearing about their genuine aspirations and visions has ignited a spark within me. It has reminded me to dream big, and not allow limiting beliefs to hold me back. The Melo program has instilled in me the importance of bringing lofty visions into reality, pushing boundaries, and embracing a beta mindset. It has taught me to constantly iterate my thoughts, challenge myself, and collaborate with others to bring ideas to fruition.Moreover, the program has shed light on the extraordinary fluidity and versatility of the human brain. It has encouraged us to tap into various resources to enhance the impact of our endeavors. During the ideation process, we were urged to unleash our creativity, engaging in spirited back-and-forth conversations with founders and seeking support from diverse sources. The growth that the Melo program offers is not easily quantifiable, as it is not a transformation that happens overnight. Rather, it is akin to planting a seed in our minds, which allows for infinite possibilities to blossom.One aspect of this program that shouldn't be overlooked is the expansion and strengthening of our thought processes. The impact of this growth is long-lasting, shaping our perspectives and opening doors to new ideas and ways of thinking.I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of Melo that shares my drive and passion. Together, we are creating a supportive community where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive.

Jacey Cheng

Class of 2021 Fellow

Project Melo has been an extraordinary catalyst for my personal and professional growth, evolving from a quest for exposure into a profound learning experience. Initially driven by a desire to explore opportunities beyond academia, my involvement introduced me to diverse organisations like the Big Bang Academy and Preface, equipping me with valuable networking skills and strategies for empowering youth. However, it was the concept of "social sustainability" that emerged as a defining aspect of my journey. I came to realise that providing opportunities to young people was just the tip of the iceberg; the key to lasting impact lay in comprehensive preparation through workshops and readiness programs. Professionally, Project Melo refined my networking abilities and deepened my understanding of social sustainability, laying the foundation for future collaborations. On a personal level, this experience reinforced my passion for effecting positive change in the lives of young individuals, inspiring me to continue working diligently towards empowering youth and fostering social sustainability. In essence, Project Melo has not only enriched my professional toolkit but also kindled a profound sense of purpose, shaping me into a more committed advocate for sustainable youth development, encapsulating this transformative journey in every sense.

Hugo Leung

Class of 2023 Fellow

The most exciting part of my Melo journey was speaking on stage to an audience of CEOs, startup founders, and my fellow peers at the Melo summit, whilst knowing the event was being broadcasted by the SCMP. It was a nerve-wracking and challenging experience that was definitely out of my comfort zone at the time. Luckily I was surrounded by all my other Melo fellows who I am sure also felt similarly nervous, but as a collective, we were able to support each other towards our shared goal of delivering an outstanding event. More than anything I think Project Melo's core strength is its ability to build a community of drastically different people, who come from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life, but who share the common denominator of having a deeper underlying drive of purpose. Doing things meaningfully, with passion and heart has been and always will be the Melo way.

Darren Mok

Class of 2022 Fellow

“I really enjoyed the anticipation before each meeting with the students -- you never knew what they would present or what topics would be discussed! Every meeting was refreshing because I felt like I was getting a glimpse of the same world, but through different eyes. Besides the project on hand, we had the chance to discuss a wide range of issues that I normally wouldn't get to discuss with young people, and that was very rewarding for me.”

Adriel Chan

Chairman of Hang Lung Group

“It is a meaningful program that offers young people here in Hong Kong the chance to take part in an experimental growth journey through a number of leading businesses and people across the city.”

Michael Moriarty

Managing Director of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

"Really well organised conference. Superb contents, articulate speakers, fantastic venue, noble aim. Well done. Congratulations."

John Tsang

Former Financial Secretary of HKSAR and Founder of Esperanza
VIEW ALL SHARING