News & Stories

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) held its 24th Congregation today (18 November) and conferred honorary doctorates on six eminent academics and community leaders.  The Honorable Andrew Liao Cheung-sing, Chairman of the University Council, presided over today’s ceremony.  HKUST honorary doctorates were awarded to six outstanding individuals in recognition of their distinguished achievements and contributions.  This year’s recipients were (in alphabetical order): Dr Gerald L Chan, Chairman and Co-founder of the Morningside Group – Doctor of Business Administration honoris causa Prof Ingrid Daubechies, James B Duke Professor of Mathematics and Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University – Doctor of Science honoris causa Prof Robert S Langer, David H Koch Institute Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Doctor of Engineering honoris causa

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has risen one place to rank 13th worldwide and No. 1 in Greater China in the high-profile annual Global Employability University Ranking this year.  HKUST graduates have been constantly ranked the world’s top 20 most employable and the most employable in Greater China over the past four years. HKUST President Prof Tony F Chan is pleased about the ascent. “I am very proud of our graduates who continue to be ranked amongst the most competitive and desirable employees in the global job market. Our whole person education model has been successful in inculcating in our graduates the qualities accentuated by the survey, such as international exposure as well as research and education excellence.  These are exactly the missions that we have devoted our efforts to,” he said.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) celebrated on 5 November, 2016 the opening of the Academy for Bright Future Young Engineers, where engineering students at HKUST will be given the opportunities to mentor and engage secondary school students in various engineering workshops, to spark their interests in technology and instill in them an engineering frame of mind.

Silicon Valley is the dream destination for every emerging computer engineer, and Year 2 engineering student Jeff Hu made it there through an internship at Augmedix (US). Jeff had his eyes opened and the experience made him feel “reborn”. Engineering student reinvents himself during internship in the Silicon Valley Silicon Valley (SV) has been the mecca of startups for quite some time, and an internship in SV is one of the most sought after positions among university students around the world. HKUST sophomore Jeff Hu, who secured an internship at Augmedix, the largest company collaborating with Google Glass, was among the lucky ones last year, and he soon discovered that the experience was life changing.

Although air-conditioning is a blessing for office workers, it does have troublesome side effects. Carbon dioxide accumulates and oxygen levels drop in air-conditioned offices throughout the day, making it difficult to focus, promoting tiredness and generating anxiety. Aware of this noxious situation, Dr Zhang Di (Ph.D., Bioengineering, 2014), and the founding members of NeoForest developed a 40 square meter photosynthetic air purifier. It uses microalgae instead of filters to purify air. The microalgae perform photosynthesis that generates oxygen and cleans up carbon dioxide and various air pollutants, which effectively combat the often-seen air conditioning syndrome in many offices that hinders the mind to think and respond.

From November 2nd to December 7th, 2015, the Library conducted a Services Quality Survey.   3,518 current students, faculty, and staff responded (~20% response rate).The Library achieved 7.01 for Perceived level of service, its highest ever (compared to 2011 and 2007).The Survey was a joint project of 6 libraries at UGC-funded institutions (JULAC libraries), using LibQUAL+?, a survey instrument developed by the Association of Research Libraries, widely adopted by libraries worldwide.Respondents? comments also provide useful feedback to us for making sustainable changes and developing services to meet users? needs. Of the 1,483 comments received, over 25% were solely positive, and many more combined suggestions with appreciation.  

If you’re willing to try you can always get there”, believes 2015 graduate Michelle Lee. Michelle is participating in the history-making project “Inspiration” featuring Hong Kong’s FIRST homebuilt and locally registered aircraft now flying around the world. Learn more about Michelle’s high flying story here. HKUST graduate helps make Hong Kong aviation history Inspiration, Hong Kong’s first homebuilt and locally registered aircraft, made headlines in August when it took off for a three-month around the world tour. Among the crew that made Hong Kong aviation history was HKUST alumna Michelle Lee, who is now part of the aircraft’s ground support team.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) hosted the 25th Anniversary Distinguished Speakers Series today, featuring Prof George Smoot, Nobel Laureate in Physics 2006 and IAS Helmut & Anna Pao Sohmen Professor-at-Large of HKUST.  The event was well received by students, faculty members and guests from HKUST.