Theme: Pop!

To "Pop!" is to burst! To emerge! To rethink!

The theme "Pop!" represents the moment your bubble bursts, and you emerge anew. It represents the moment that a belief long held is stimulated and stretched. It represents the moment when the loud bang of a "Pop!" grabs your attention. Ultimately, to "Pop!" is to share ideas.

TEDxIsland School gathers inquisitive and curious members of the Island School community and beyond, to explore a range of topics with the potential to "Pop!" your thinking.

Island School
20 Borrett Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 00000
Hong Kong

Amruth Alfred

Astrophysicist

Amruth Alfred, originally from the island of Sri Lanka, is an astrophysicist at the University of Hong Kong. Amruth is also the recipient of the 2023 Hong Kong Young Scientist Award, which is given annually to the best PhD research in Hong Kong within Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. His research primarily focuses on uncovering the nature of Dark Matter (DM), a mysterious substance that comprises a staggering 85% of mass in our Universe, through the technique of Gravitational Lensing. By providing the first credible explanation for resolving the two-decade long lensing anomaly problem that has plagued the community, Amruth's research has provided a new avenue to test the potential for ultralight particles, as opposed to ultramassive particles, to be a promising candidate for DM.

Ava Au Yeung

Student

She is the founder of the first youth-led, politics-based organisation in Hong Kong, and has interests spanning international relations, social affairs, and sustainability.

Brian Wong

Professor of Philosophy

Dr. Brian Wong is an Assistant Professor in Philosophy at the University of Hong Kong. He co-founded the Oxford Political Review and serves as a Fellow and Chief Strategist to a number of think-tanks. A geopolitical advisor and author, his research particularly examines authoritarian regimes, historical injustices, and the intersection of geopolitics, philosophy and technology.

Edwin Ty

Co-founder and CEO

Edwin Ty is the Co-founder and CEO of Fleming MedLab, a medical robotics company focusing on stroke rehabilitation. Driven by his passion for advanced science and technologies, Edwin transitioned his focus to the biomedical field in 2020. Edwin Ty's commitment to healthcare have positioned Fleming MedLab, a medical robotics company, as a pioneer in rehabilitation technology. Through his entrepreneurial journey, interdisciplinary expertise, and educational background, Edwin inspires others to drive innovation and make a lasting impact in the medical technology and healthcare sectors.

Katrina Hon

Student

Katrina is a Year 12 student at Island School who has been involved in public speaking and Model UN for 3 years. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, watching movies, and reading thriller novels.

Mei Goto

Student

Hello everyone, I’m Mei, a student currently studying in Hong Kong. In the face of adversity, I happened to stumble upon the quote “You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do say and think”- Marcus Aurelius. I deeply resonated with this quote as it reminded me to prioritize things in life and recognize the importance of the dichotomy of control. Thus, this quote acted as the catalyst to my deep dive into stoicism. However, alongside stoic philosophy, I enjoy exploring different schools of philosophy as well!

Nick Lau

Entrepreneur

Nick Lau is an entrepreneur and the founder of WEAR, a pioneering web3 venture, and FoamPod, a 3D printed sneaker brand. With a successful track record, Nick sold his first retail business in New York at the remarkable age of 21. He has cultivated diverse international experience, having lived and worked in London, New York, and Hong Kong. Nick holds a BFA degree from Parsons School of Design and brings his expertise to the role of professor in the Masters program in Fashion Management and Entrepreneurship. His ventures have garnered support from esteemed venture capital firms, including Farfetch and Outlier Ventures. Driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to pushing boundaries, Nick continues to revolutionize the industry, making waves at the intersection of luxury marketing, technology, and sustainability.

Timothy Chan

Student

Hello! I'm Timothy, a student in Hong Kong (as of publishing) and, in my experience, something unexpected is always bound to happen. Sometimes, however, when things fall apart, they fall into the right place. This is a bit unusual for me – my preference is in medicine and engineering – but I believe to do what can help people you must learn to understand people: all parts seem unrelated until the puzzle pieces are put together.