(From left to right: Kenny Lam, Co-Founder & Co-Chairman, Melo Foundation; Professor Nancy Ip, President, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Ng Boon Heong, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, Temasek Foundation)

Temasek Foundation and Melo Foundation today announced the launch of the Temasek Foundation–Melo Fellowship, a new cross-border leadership programme that will equip young leaders from Singapore and Hong Kong with the skills, networks and experiences to thrive in a world increasingly driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The Fellowship will bring together 70 young leaders aged 21 to 30 across two cohorts over three years. Through direct interaction with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), applied AI training and cross-border collaboration, Fellows will co-create AI-enabled solutions that address real-world social challenges while building leadership capabilities and regional connections.

The programme is jointly supported by Temasek Foundation and Melo Foundation, with AI Singapore and Preface as programme partners. The Fellowship will provide dedicated opportunities for young people from underserved backgrounds, helping to broaden access to leadership development.

At the launch, Ng Boon Heong (Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Temasek Foundation) and Kenny Lam (Co‑founder and Co‑Chairman, Melo Foundation) emphasised why investing in the next generation matters, while Professor Nancy Ip (President, HKUST) offered insights on the qualities of future leaders. Centred on the theme “Resilience in Youth”, Randy Lai (Chief Executive Officer, McDonald's Hong Kong) and Fred Ngan (Co‑founder, Bowtie) joined a panel discussion with Melo Fellows, highlighting that what matters most in the AI era are a curiosity for knowledge and the grit to achieve greatness.

(From left to right: Ellen Lau, Co-Chair, Melo Foundation; Director, Preface; Randy Lai, Chief Executive Officer, McDonald’s HK; Anita Chen, 2022 Melo Fellow; Fred Ngan, Co-Founder, Bowtie; Fiona Ho, 2021 Melo Fellow)

“We are so honoured to be partnering with Temasek Foundation to launch this first ever and one-of-a-kind fellowship for the next generation. Melo has long believed in creative empowerment of the next generation. This fellowship will be the most distinctive yet in creating an at-scale cohort of resilient leaders,” said Kenny Lam, Co-Chairman of Melo Foundation.

“The next generation of leaders will need to know not just how to use AI, but how to use it responsibly to make a difference. By bringing young leaders from Singapore and Hong Kong together and connecting them with mentors and resources, the Temasek Foundation-Melo Fellowship will give them the opportunity to learn from experience, test ideas and turn AI into practical solutions that create positive social impact. The programme is also an excellent platform for young leaders from both countries to dialogue, network, build trust and collaborate with each other,” said James Chan, Head, Programmes Office and Resilient Societies, Temasek Foundation.

Applications Open on 14 September 2026

The Fellowship will combine impact project co-creation, leadership development, CEO dialogues and AI training in Hong Kong and Singapore. Fellows will work in cross-border teams to develop AI-enabled solutions while building meaningful relationships with peers and business leaders.

The Fellowship welcomes final-year university students, recent graduates and young professionals aged 21 to 30 from Singapore and Hong Kong who demonstrate leadership potential, intellectual curiosity and a commitment to creating positive social impact. Applications for the inaugural Temasek Foundation–Melo Fellowship open on 14 September 2026 at www.melo.org.