Programs
The Qi Center programs help students deeply explore challenges in the wider community, while developing the skills and courage to take meaningful action.
Photo credit: Joel Zhang, Grade 6 student
The Qi Social Innovation Center in partnership with the Columbia Global Centers | Beijing, are delighted to announce the launch of the Fellowship for Change (FFC). This is a new initiative designed to cultivate high school youth concerned with the needs of the age we live in to be systems change leaders.
One Year Fellowship
The FFC program is a 1-year Fellowship for students in China who will be entering Grade 10 or 11 in 2024 and have the potential to lead change. Fellows immerse themselves in complex social and environmental issues, formulate and implement solutions addressing root causes, and create sustained impacts and a life-long commitment that inspires others.
Interaction with Industry Professionals and Columbia Alumni
The Fellowship for Change is completed in parallel with your Grade 10 or Grade 11 academic schooling through learning summits where fellows come together in July and January during school holidays. These Learning Summits offer fellows an opportunity to gather with leading industry professionals and Columbia Alumni in interactive sessions
Full Scholarship
FFC is a unique learning experience and full scholarship opportunity for a cohort of 20 diverse high school youth to take this one-year journey together, learning from each other, from social impact leaders and professors, and working together – to design, implement and sustain social impact initiatives.
Apply!
For more information, please view the FFC website at Columbia Global Centers or download the 2025 FFC brochure.
Applications close on January 5th, 2025 at 23:59 China time. Please apply if you are a service oriented, persevering youth changemaker who seeks a chance to participate in this full scholarship program!
Venture For Change is a learning program and summit for global student teams from Grades 7-12 who are interested in enterpreneurial solutions to social and environmental challenges. Students will form 3-8 member teams, to work together, develop and pitch their social venture idea, and have a chance to receive startup funding. Participants will learn about social venture models, business planning, marketing and pitching skills, and how to effectively work as a team.
Learn more about Venture For Change 2025 by downloading the brochure.
Apply now to VFC 2025! Applications close on December 31st, 2024.
By attending Venture for Change students will…
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Engage with social innovators and business leaders to learn how they are addressing social and environmental issues through their organizations
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Learn by doing to develop social venture plans with the support of key skills-based workshops
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Pitch social venture plans to seasoned judges to gather feedback and a chance to receive funding!
Take a look at some of the 2023 VFC winning teams and the VFC 2023 program booklet.
FROOT
VFC Gold Award 2023
Bayan Changizi, Andrew Chen, Luca Morano and Maxwell Sobhani (Daystar Grade 8 students) created “FROOT” which stemmed from the 2 words “Fruit” and “Roots”. Learning from the VFC summit about target market and customer engagement, they created a community of families that care about sustainability. They offer monthly experiential educational programs at a unique organic farm teaching children about sustainability, combined with math and science. They have piloted with 50+ families engaged in activities such as building composting bins, planting various trees and crops, and using robotics to make a farm run more efficiently. Their goal is to launch their own app to help sell the organic farm produce and to register for their educational workshops.
FROOT
Future Light
VFC Bronze Award 2023
In the age of rapid technological advancements, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force, revolutionizing various aspects of our lives. Embracing AI, Albert Liu from BWYA (G7) and Nanina Li from Keystone (G6), created their social venture "Future Light" to develop children's AI art exhibitions. They received a bronze funding award for inspiring students to engage in art with AI and learn the positive power of AI technology. During VFC they learned how to use Internet technology and social media to promote their products or services. In August 2023, Albert and Nanina took “Future Light“ to the China Science and Technology Museum through an exhibition of AI and Art student work from online and offline channels and curated an exhibition called “The Art of Artificial Intelligence”. Through the exhibition they introduced the application and potential of AI technology in art creation inspiring many children and youth around China!
Projects for Change (PFC) is a curriculum guiding middle school students from design to implementation of projects that benefit society. By understanding what it is to be a social innovator, reflecting on their personal interests and skills, and being exposed to local community issues, students identify an issue they want to research and connect with.
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Through a root cause analysis they analyze the problem and develop an implementable solution for a specific target audience. Students work together with their team and PFC facilitator through a project design cycle, planning, executing and reflecting along the way to create social impact. As a finale they are challenged to share their PFC learning journey with a broader student audience or local community, inspiring others to get involved and creating sustained impact.
How does PFC engage students?
How is PFC implemented?
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The Projects for Change curriculum and facilitation guide can be used by schools as a regular weekly/biweekly program within curriculum time, or as an after-school activity. It is an initial experience to develop the social innovation competencies, team work skills, and project management skills.
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Can any school Implement PFC?
Projects for Change has been implemented for 3 years at Daystar Academy in Beijing in various iterations for Grade 7-9 students. In 2024 the Qi Center will be sharing the program with interested pilot schools around the world. Please reach out to us if your school is interested in using our Projects for Change program.