News & Stories

Prof. Tim CHENG Received Pan Wen Yuan Foundation Award for Outstanding Research

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today awarded honorary doctoral degrees to 5 distinguished academics and community leaders; as well as honorary fellowships on 5 other outstanding individuals in recognition of their distinguished achievements and contributions. Officiating at the ceremony were Mr. Andrew LIAO Cheung-Sing, Chairman of HKUST Council and Prof. Wei SHYY, President of HKUST. This year’s recipients were (arranged in alphabetical order of surnames):

A team of researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) estimated that about 24,000 to 36,000 early mortality cases caused by air pollution may have been delayed due to Mainland China’s earlier mobility-restriction management (city lockdown*) to curb the spread of COVID-19, as such measures have brought down the amount of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) at lockdown cities by a notably 25 per cent year-on-year during the first two months of this year -  significantly elevated the region’s air quality.

Engineering Faculty Received Three Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards

Researchers from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) discovered a novel molecular mechanism that controls the delivery of a key protein in planar cell polarity (PCP) – an important process in our body that regulates cell growth and cell movement, providing useful guidance on the development of new drugs for cancer treatment.    PCP is a biological process critical for tissue development and organ function. Defects in PCP could lead to illnesses such as neurological disorder, skeletal abnormalities or congenital heart disease. Even worse, cancer cells can hijack PCP to promote their own growth and expansion.  

Prof. Pascale FUNG Helps to Debunk COVID-19 Myths with Science

HKUST Sets Up a Platform for Real-time Reporting of Vaccine Target Recommendations for COVID-19

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has launched the HKUST “Blockcerts” platform – a trust-free, user-friendly verification system for documents such as graduation diplomas and academic transcripts, in its latest move to promote a paperless and sustainable campus as well as tackling the problem of fake diplomas.As the first University in Hong Kong to launch this blockchain-based degree authentication system, HKUST hopes to set a trend for the gradual replacement of the conventional paper verification process - where graduates must make requests and pay the institution every time they need a print copy of their diploma, which is not environmentally friendly and also time-consuming for graduates and employers. HKUST also hopes the Blockcerts system can help hinder illegal activities on academic forgery.