Teaching & Learning

Supporting Hong Kong’s Rise as an International Education Hub

HKUST is transforming the city into a vibrant hub for the world’s most elite doctoral researchers, aligning with the “Study in Hong Kong” brand.

2026-09-29

Powering Hong Kong’s Rise as an International Education Hub

As a global magnet for top-tier talent, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has established a stellar track record under the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS). Since the Research Grants Council (RGC) initiated the scheme 17 years ago in 2009, HKUST has welcomed over 1,000 fellowship recipients.

Prof. Bert SHI (center), Dean of HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School poses a photo with two HKUST HKPFS’s awardees. They are Antonino COSTA (right), a Year 5 PhD Candidate in Accounting and Jeff KWAN (left), a Year 3 PhD Candidate in Computer Science and Engineering.

Prof. Bert Shi says, “Upon graduation, HKUST doctoral graduates enjoy exceptional career prospects. Many join world-renowned universities and research institutes, dedicated to nurturing the next generation and chasing scientific breakthroughs. Others embark on entrepreneurial paths, transforming their research achievements into innovative solutions that benefit society."

As a global magnet for top-tier talent, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has established a stellar track record under the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS). Since the Research Grants Council (RGC) initiated the scheme 17 years ago in 2009, HKUST has welcomed over 1,000 fellowship recipients. Prof. Bert SHI (center), Dean of HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School poses a photo with two HKUST HKPFS’s awardees. They are Antonino COSTA (right), a Year 5 PhD Candidate in Accounting

Jeff Kwan was born and raised in Hong Kong. After completing his secondary education, he pursued Engineering at the University of Cambridge, specializing in Information Engineering and Bioengineering. In 2024, he joined HKUST's PhD program in Computer Science and Engineering under the supervision of Prof. Albert CHUNG, Associate Dean (Strategic Planning and Development) of Engineering and Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

Under the supervision of Prof. Chung, Jeff developed a model that won a challenge organized by MICCAI, one of the world's premier conferences in medical image computing and computer-assisted intervention.

Antonino Costa is from Italy and graduated from Bocconi University, one of the world's leading institutions for business education, consistently ranked among the top universities globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject. After completing a master's degree at HKUST in 2022, Antonino continued his academic journey at the HKUST Business School, where he is currently pursuing a PhD in Accounting under the supervision of Prof. CHEN Zhihong, Associate Professor in the Department of Accounting. He is now in the final year of his doctoral studies.

A paper co-authored with Prof. Chen and Prof. DONG Qingkai, Assistant Professor in the Department of Accounting, was recently accepted for publication in a leading international academic journal. He believes Hong Kong's unique position as an international academic hub and a gateway to the Chinese Mainland offers exceptional opportunities for scholarly collaboration and career advancement. He hopes to pursue a long-term academic career in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, or Shanghai.

Hannah KIM, a Korean student who grew up in New Zealand, joined HKUST in 2016 through the Dual Degree Program in Technology and Management offered by the Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies, majoring in Chemical and Biological Engineering and Business Administration. She subsequently pursued a PhD in Bioengineering at HKUST in 2022 under the supervision of Prof. Terrence WONG, Associate Head and Associate Professor of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. She completed her doctoral thesis defense in August this year and will remain at HKUST as a Postdoctoral Fellow upon graduation.

Having lived in Hong Kong for a decade, Hannah now considers the city her second home. She appreciates Hong Kong's unique combination of international connectivity, vibrant urban life, rich natural surroundings, and a high-quality living environment, all of which make it an attractive destination for research and innovation.

Hong Kong is rapidly cementing its status as one of the world’s premier incubators for global talent. Inspired by the HKSAR Government’s bold push to establish the city as an international education hub, HKUST is firmly aligned with the “Study in Hong Kong” brand, reaching out to the brightest research-oriented students across the globe.

Attracting the World’s Brightest

HKUST has welcomed over 1,000 fellowship recipients of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) since its establishment in 2009 by the Research Grants Council (RGC), which operates under the aegis of the University Grants Committee.

Hailing from more than 50 countries and regions, these elite scholars account for over a quarter of all HKPFS recipients to date, making HKUST the leading destination for the scheme among all UGC-funded universities.

In fact, the University has secured the highest number of HKPFS awardees in 14 of the past 17 academic years.

This September, as the 2026/27 academic year kicked off, HKUST welcomed another cohort of over 100 new HKPFS recipients. Over the next three years, these doctoral students will be backed by a combined HK$112 million in fellowships and research allowances.

An Ecosystem for Success

However, attracting the world's best requires more than funding. It requires an ecosystem that allows scholars to thrive without distraction. Beyond the HKPFS funding—which provides an annual stipend and research allowance of around HK$358,800—HKUST wraps its fellows in a comprehensive support package.

Recipients receive a full tuition waiver for four years, dedicated research and academic development funding, and guaranteed first-year accommodation. Through initiatives like the HKUST RedBird PhD Award, awardees receive a HK$40,000 recruitment award in their first year, followed by an annual HK$20,000 Academic Excellence Award. Combined with the Global Research Award, which funds overseas academic exchanges, HKUST ensures that its scholars have the financial freedom and global mobility to pursue their ambitions to the full.

From Curiosity to Societal Impact

This robust financial and institutional backing is designed to fuel groundbreaking research. The current cohort of HKPFS recipients at HKUST is tackling the most pressing challenges of our time, with research domains spanning AI, biomedical sciences, future energy, fintech, and green technology.

"For 35 years, HKUST has been driven by a commitment not only to advance knowledge, but to generate knowledge that creates meaningful impact," says Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST.

"We believe transformative discoveries begin with curiosity, courage, and a willingness to explore the unknown. By fostering a vibrant environment for research, learning, and innovation, we empower our faculty and students to push boundaries and turn ideas into solutions that benefit society."

For Prof. IP, the success of the HKPFS is a direct reflection of the University's core ethos. "Over the past 17 years, more than a thousand outstanding students from around the world have chosen HKUST for their postgraduate research journey, enriching our community with diverse perspectives and reflecting the global recognition of our research excellence," she notes.

"Looking ahead, we will continue to attract talent from across the globe, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and support young scholars to tackle the world's most pressing challenges through research and innovation for the benefit of Hong Kong, our nation, and the world," she adds.

Where Global Perspectives Meet Local Talent

The influx of global talent has fundamentally shaped the culture of the HKUST campus, creating a unique alchemy where international perspectives meet local ingenuity.

HKUST’s diverse pool of HKPFS recipients brings together talent from around the world and home-grown undergraduate and master's graduates, explains Prof. Bert SHI, Dean of the Fok Ying Tung Graduate School.

He notes that many local students discover their passion for research early on through HKUST's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), while others are drawn to advanced studies by the cutting-edge projects led by faculty.

"Upon graduation, HKUST doctoral graduates enjoy exceptional career prospects. Many join world-renowned universities and research institutes, dedicated to nurturing the next generation and chasing scientific breakthroughs. Others embark on entrepreneurial paths, transforming their research achievements into innovative solutions that benefit society," Prof. Shi adds.

A Lasting Legacy

The ultimate measure of the success of the "Study in Hong Kong" initiative is what HKUST’s doctoral graduates achieve upon leaving. Many enjoy exceptional career trajectories, acting as ambassadors for the city's educational excellence on the global stage, or join world-renowned universities and research institutes to nurture the next generation of scientists.

Others take the entrepreneurial leap, transforming their HKUST research into innovative startups. Backed by government initiatives, private investors, and industry partners, these ventures are flourishing across various sectors, unlocking long-term value for society.

As Hong Kong continues its push to become a premier hub for international education, HKUST stands as the proof of concept. By championing the "Study in Hong Kong" brand and providing a truly boundless environment for research and innovation, the University is not just educating the world's top talent—it is empowering them to change the world.

Please click here for further information on the UGC Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme