RIYADH: At just 13 years old, Chinese student Alia Kong is leading a tech-driven initiative to introduce Saudi culture to her peers in Hong Kong through the metaverse.
Her project, the Superbund Alpha Project, allows students to create virtual avatars and personalized spaces to showcase their cultural heritage. The platform aims to foster stronger connections between students in both countries through interactive workshops.
As part of her initiative, Kong has also set up an immersive experience to present Saudi culture to her classmates.
Kong’s journey began at age eight when she co-founded Kids Power Society, a non-profit focused on cultural education, mental wellness, and positivity. She now plans to host Superbund Event Day, a simultaneous virtual and in-person event in both Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.
Her admiration for Saudi culture was inspired by her godfather, Alaudeen Alaskary, former Saudi consul-general in Hong Kong, who now serves as honorary advisor to the Superbund Virtual Exchange Program. Kong, who has previously visited the Kingdom, hopes to organize a student trip to further explore Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage.
In July 2024, Kong’s team will host Super Bund Virtual Society, an event expected to attract over 100 participants from Hong Kong, mainland China, Canada, and Saudi Arabia.
“This new ecosystem, powered by blockchain technology, will allow us to register digital assets with avatar identities, creating virtual experiences that impact reality,” she said.
Kong envisions a collaboration between generations, where older innovators develop technology’s hardware, while younger creators drive content and software, bridging the generational gap.
Since its founding, Kids Power Society has published four science fiction books featuring contributions from 125 children worldwide, with proceeds benefiting children's charities in Vancouver and Hong Kong.
[Reported by Arab News]
