About Me
Alex is a passionate and driven Grade 10 student at the Canadian International School of Hong Kong with a vision to transform how individuals engage with urban environments, beginning with developing an innovative extracurricular education platform that addresses inequality by enabling underprivileged students to gain access to credible, tier-based certification programs. Alex is motivated by creating meaningful institutional change and believes education can be a good place to start in empowering and transforming communities.
Alex actively contributes to the Hong Kong Global Goals Council, where he assists in planning impactful events that increase student engagement and effectiveness of Global Goals Clubs at his school. He also serves on the student council as a representative, advocating for enhanced professional development resources and better impact evaluation tools to strengthen the school’s already vibrant extracurricular activities scene, aiming to build a community of passionate change makers dedicated to sustainable development and social equity.
Recently, Alex founded the Hong Kong Student's Aerospace and Astronomy Society, a cross-school student organization that brings together local and international schools to create a collaborative space science learning environment. Through workshops and events, this platform is designed to inspires students with knowledge and spark interest in STEM fields, driving more students to study advanced technology and contribute to society through technological advances.
Beyond academics and other ventures, Alex enjoys exploring the universe through books and documentaries, learning about urban and sustainable city planning, watching the news and participating in MUN conferences, learning about AI and emerging tech, and playing violin and trumpet in school bands. These diverse interests contribute to his unique perspective on the future of societal change, one that is more inclusive, sustainable, and equal.
Project Description
NexTier Academy, is the first representation of Alex’s vision for holistic urban community planning. This community-based extracurricular platform partners with government funded public organizations like the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education to deliver specialized, tiered courses accessible to underprivileged students. Starting with foundational Tier 1 courses for pathways in Art, Math, Engineering, and more, students earn certifications as they progress through increasingly specialized tiers, with the completion of specific tier 1 courses opening doors to specific tier 2 courses, etc. When a student completes a program, they will be awarded an accredited certification provided by the HKSAGE, translating their interests into tangible skills and enhancing future career prospects.
Currently in the conceptual phase, NexTier Academy aims to positively impact 200 to 500 students from all around Hong Kong with its initial programs. With foundational programs opening pathways to Mechanical (Robotics), Software (App Development and AI Chatbot Creation) and Electrical Engineering (Circuit Board Creation), Visual Arts and Graphic Design, and Business Management and Economics. Through partnerships developed with organizations such as Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education, the quality of programs can be ensured, and the service provider is reputable. The platform envisions expanding partnerships to international schools, universities, and industry leaders, amplifying opportunities and access for a broader student community.
In the future, NexTier Academy will expand on the courses offered with more niche subjects such as sports management, medical sciences, game design, history and politics, and more. NexTier Academy will also aim to establish relationships with industry companies in order to provide students with opportunities to apply their skills to a professional environment and learn from industry professionals, further enhancing the learning experience provided. By redefining extracurricular education as a structured and accredited pathway, NexTier Academy serves to increase equality in education and providing equal opportunities for all.
