Enrollment Open: Feb – Apr 2026

Lead with Purpose.
Impact without Borders.

A 10-week elite leadership initiative connecting students (Ages 12-16) from Hong Kong, Nepal, China, Japan, and the UK to build real-world SDG solutions.

Oxford Mentorship
HKD $980 Impact Fee
View Curriculum Our Impact

Program Overview

10-WEEK VIRTUAL RESIDENCY
Participant Age Years 7-10 (Ages 12-15)
Format Zoom (2-3 hrs Weekly)
Languages English + ElevenLabs AI Support
Mentorship Oxford, Caltech, Ivy League
Application Deadline
Dec 20, 2025

Transforming Global Awareness into Meaningful Action

The Meridian Scholars Programconnects students across five countries to co-create solutions for global inequality through the lens of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Youth-to-Youth

Students don't just learn about issues—they work alongside international peers to solve them.

Oxford Frameworks

Guided by Oxford Diplomatic Society, participants gain access to world-class educational structures.

Tangible Impact

100% of fees fund a multi-sport court in rural Nepal, turning theoretical learning into physical reality.

Ground-Level NGO

Sustainable community partnerships with IRD ensures ethical and culturally responsive initiatives.

Our Story

The Journey That Started It All

In November 2024, four high school students from Hong Kong embarked on a trekking trip to Nepal. Surrounded by the Himalayan peaks, we found ourselves playing volleyball with local children. The balls they had were old and worn, barely holding together.

That moment became the spark. Peak Potential was born.

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Our Nepal Journey

We weren't experts in international development. We were just students who witnessed inequality and refused to accept it as inevitable.

Within twelve months, we built a multi-sport court in Simara, Nepal, which continues to serve the community today.

Meridian Scholars Program

LEARNING OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES

A structured, outcomes-driven program designed to build global understanding, practical leadership, and real-world impact—across Hong Kong, Nepal, China (Hangzhou), Japan, and the United Kingdom.

Knowledge & Understanding

  • Analyze global inequality using the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a core focus on SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
  • Understand how cross-border collaboration enables sustainable development
  • Compare cultural, educational, and community structures across Hong Kong, Nepal, China, Japan, and the United Kingdom
  • Examine real-world development challenges faced by rural Nepalese communities

Skills Development

  • Cross-Cultural Communication: Collaborate effectively across languages, cultures, and national contexts
  • Diplomatic Leadership: Facilitate discussions, build consensus, and lead international teams
  • Problem-Solving & Innovation: Design practical, culturally appropriate, and feasible solutions to social challenges
  • Project Development: Apply stakeholder analysis, budgeting, feasibility assessment, and impact evaluation

Project Design & Real-World Implementation

  • Develop a complete, mentor-guided social impact proposal grounded in real community needs
  • Pitch solutions to a professional panel of mentors and judges
  • Selected teams receive programme-backed funding to implement their initiatives
  • Continue working post-programme with ongoing mentorship and institutional support from Peak Potential and IRD

Values & Leadership Growth

  • Build a strong sense of global citizenship and responsibility
  • Practice cultural humility through co-creation with local communities
  • Strengthen youth agency, confidence, and ethical leadership skills

Tangible Outcomes & Recognition

  • Digital certificate issued by Peak Potential, Institute for Rural Development, and Oxford Diplomatic Society
  • Mentor recommendation letters from leading academic institutions, subject to performance
  • Direct contribution to education and recreational infrastructure development in rural Nepal
  • Eligibility for student initiative grants awarded through the final pitching round
  • Membership in an international Meridian Scholars Alumni Network
Our Partners

Program Partners

The Meridian Scholars Program is built on powerful partnerships with organizations committed to addressing global inequality and empowering youth leadership across five countries.

Institute for Rural Development

Nepal

A grassroots organisation working directly with communities in Nepal's mountain and rural regions. IRD provides first-hand insight into social, educational, and health inequalities, ensuring student-designed solutions are realistic and responsive to genuine local needs.

Oxford Diplomatic Society

United Kingdom

One of Oxford's oldest student-led organisations dedicated to diplomacy and international relations. ODS members guide students in analysing inequality through UN SDGs, problem analysis, and decision-making, supporting the program's pitching and evaluation process.

Peak Potential

Hong Kong

Founded by high school students, Peak Potential bridges global inequalities through youth-driven collaboration. They operationalize the vision by mobilizing participants, coordinating logistics, and ensuring that project ideas are grounded in practical, on-the-ground implementation.

The 10-Week Journey

A structured roadmap from global theory to tangible community action.

Week 1

Opening & Global Citizenship

FOUNDATIONS

Core Learning: Program launch; introductions from Peak Potential, IRD, and ODS; cultural showcases; introduction to SDGs and global inequality.

Project Work: Team formation; mentor introductions; initial brainstorming of shared interests.

Week 2

Understanding Inequality

FOUNDATIONS

Core Learning: ODS-led session on SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities; case study on rural vs urban Nepal.

Project Work: Define broad problem areas each team wants to explore.

Week 3

Education & Health as Rights

FOUNDATIONS

Core Learning: Focus on SDG 3 & SDG 4; virtual tour of Simara village; panel with Nepalese students.

Project Work: Narrow problem focus; early needs identification.

Weeks 4-5: Cultural Exchange & Identity

Pen-pal programme launch, cultural sensitivity training, and design thinking workshops.

Week 6

Problem Definition & Stakeholders

INNOVATION

Core Learning: ODS-led workshop on stakeholder analysis and ethical development.

Project Work: Finalize problem statement; identify stakeholders and constraints.

Week 8

Feasibility, Budgeting & Impact

INNOVATION

Core Learning: Budgeting basics; resource mapping; impact metrics; risk assessment.

Project Work: Build budget, timeline, and impact indicators.

Week 10

The Meridian Showcase

PITCH & FUNDING

Final pitches to a judging panel featuring ODS and IRD mentors. Selected projects receive direct program funding and continued mentorship beyond the program timeline.

  • International Alumni Network Entry
  • Official Certificate Issued
  • Recommendation Letters Subject to Performance

Financial Transparency

Your HKD $980 participation fee directly funds the future of rural towns in Nepal. We ensure every cent drives impact.

50%
Construction

Materials and labor for the multi-sport court in Nepal.

40%
Donation Drive

Organizing drives and covering shipping from HK to Kathmandu.

10%
Operations

Technology platforms, certificates, and learning materials.

Operational Sponsorship

Unlike traditional programs, 100% of internal administrative overhead is covered by separate Peak Potential fundraising. Your fee is strictly for on-the-ground impact.

Student Safety &
Safeguarding First

We operate with professional international safety standards to ensure a respectful and secure environment.

Recorded Sessions

All live sessions are recorded for safeguarding and review purposes.

Adult Moderation

Multiple adults (Staff, Mentors, IRD) are present in every breakout room.

Moderated Channels

Private student-to-student messaging is discouraged; communication is centralized.

Technical Requirements

  • Laptop or tablet with camera/microphone
  • Stable Internet connection (Min 5 Mbps)
  • Quiet, focused space for participation
  • Google Account for Shared Drive access
Core Technology Stack
Zoom Drive
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the program

Become a Meridian Scholar

Enrollment Timeline: Applications Close Dec 20, 2025

Apply for 2026 School Partnerships

Co-Hosted by: Peak Potential | IRD | ODS