HKUST Boundless Article

Issue 22
Feature
Celebrating 35 Years of Innovation: HKUST Launches Anniversary with Reflection and Ambition
The launch ceremony for HKUST's 35th anniversary celebrations on March 16 provided a stirring opportunity for reflection and anticipation among the campus community, alumni, friends, and stakeholders.
The NeuroCare Community Project at HKUST
Scholar Insights & Emerging Discoveries
Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Through HKUST’s Community-based Scheme

With the rapid aging of Hong Kong's population, it is projected that by 2039, individuals aged 65 or above will account for over 30% of the total population, making early intervention for cognitive health an urgent necessity.

This demographic shift highlights the critical need for effective strategies to address cognitive decline in the elderly.

One of these strategies is to promote the detection of Alzheimer's disease at the community level.

Group photo of the 2026 International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva
Awards & Recognitions
Exceptional Team Effort Secures Record-breaking Wins at Geneva Invention Expo

United by a drive to innovate, all 62 teams from HKUST and HKUST (Guangzhou) won awards at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva between March 11 and 15.

Between them, the 36 teams from HKUST and 26 teams from HKUST (GZ) brought home 13 Gold Medals with Congratulations of the Jury, 20 Gold Medals, 20 Silver Medals, and nine Bronze Medals.

This outstanding achievement by the HKUST entrants represented the highest number of awards among all higher education institutions in Hong Kong.

Nobel laureates at HKUST
Spotlight
Nobel Heroes Meet Future Innovators at HKUST

What do the eggs of sea urchins, car exhaust, sticky tape, and risk and reward have in common? Each sparked a discovery that secured a Nobel Prize.

Four Nobel laureates shared fascinating stories from their decades of research experience at a fireside chat with over 400 students, faculty, and members of the public. The event, Nobel Heroes@HKUST, was part of HKUST’s 35th anniversary celebrations.

The laureates were:

HKUST spring media reception 2026
Spotlight
Saddle Up for Unbridled Development in the Year of the Horse

Channeling the dynamic spirit of the Year of the Horse, HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP unveiled a forward-looking development roadmap to members of the media at the University’s spring reception on March 2. She highlighted HKUST’s enduring “can-do” spirit, its strategies for sustaining future growth, and its commitment to contributing to the nation’s economic and social development.

IC-PSC participants
Scholar Insights & Emerging Discoveries
HKUST Hosts Interdisciplinary Global Conference on Advanced Solar Tech

As the world pivots toward a sustainable energy future, the need for greater interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange is becoming more urgent.

In response, elite scientists, engineers, and industry partners from Asia, Europe, and the Americas convened at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) from February 24 to 27 to explore the latest innovations in sustainable energy research.

HKUST Community Musical
Campus Views
HKUST's Community Musical 2026—Rodgers & Hammerstein's 'Carousel' Celebrates 35 Years of Artistic Expression

This March, the immensely talented cast and production team behind this year’s community musical, Carousel, shone a spotlight on HKUST’s dedication to fostering a vibrant arts culture on campus.

Presented by the Shaw Auditorium Unit and co-directed by Dr. Isaac DROSCHA, Senior Lecturer in the Division of Humanities, and Ms. Mandy PETTY, a renowned choreographer, the show represents a cultural blend of classic Broadway musical staged at HKUST.

Prof. Tuan Anh Nguyen and his team members
Scholar Insights & Emerging Discoveries
Unveiling the Secrets of RNA Silencing

Boundless: What recent discovery has the HKUST research team made regarding the human enzyme DICER?

Prof. Nguyen: Our discovery is genuinely groundbreaking. We found that the enzyme DICER, which is crucial for gene silencing, possesses a "dual-pocket" mechanism for measuring RNA. This is significant because it changes our understanding of how DICER interacts with RNA strands.

Boundless: What exactly is “gene silencing”?