News & Stories

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has established the Biodiversity and Nature-Based Solutions Hub under the Division of Environment and Sustainability (ENVR) of the Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS) to advance biodiversity education, research, innovation and public engagement, alongside the efforts of its My Climate Risk Hub.

A research team led by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has developed a pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) pathology analysis system that can accurately recognize multiple types of cancer using only a minimal number of samples—without requiring any additional training. This breakthrough significantly enhances the flexibility and efficiency of AI-assisted medical care, marking a major step forward toward the widespread adoption of intelligent pathology.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has once again achieved strong results under the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One‑Plus (RAISe+) Scheme launched by the Innovation and Technology Commission. In the third round of funding, seven HKUST research projects have been recommended for funding, accounting for nearly one-third of all approved projects in this round. Together with the first two rounds, HKUST has now secured a total of 19 funded projects, the highest number among local universities, underscoring its leading role in translating research outcomes into real-world applications and in advancing industry-academia-research collaboration.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today showcased its award-winning inventions, which were recognized at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva (Geneva Inventions Expo). The University's 62 participating teams won a total of 62 accolades, including 13 Gold Medals with Congratulations of the Jury, 20 Gold Medals, 20 Silver Medals, and 9 Bronze Medals. This year's achievements set a new record for the University and make it the highest-awarded higher education institution in Hong Kong.

In a powerful demonstration of community spirit, HKUST is encouraging the campus community to mark our 35th Anniversary by donating blood throughout the celebratory year.The 35th Anniversary blood donation drive reflects HKUST’s longstanding spirit of mutual care and commitment to giving back to society.The blood donation drive kicked off at a ceremony titled “35 for Life: Every Drop Counts, Every Life Matters” on March 5 at the University’s Clear Water Bay campus. The drive responds to the urgent need to maintain adequate blood supplies against falling numbers of donors. Over the past decade, the number of active donors has fallen by 24%, with participation among people aged 16 to 30 dropping sharply, from 45% to 17%.

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. But this approach faces numerous obstacles. High testing costs, invasive procedures, and a lack of public awareness about the importance of early detection have hindered accessibility. Caring for our communityRecognizing these challenges, the NeuroCare Community Project was launched to bridge this gap. This project supports early and proactive intervention at the community level to delay the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, thus alleviating pressure on caregivers and society at large.

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”?Prof. Nguyen: Good question. Gene silencing means reducing or eliminating the expression of a specific gene. This process may occur naturally in cells or be induced artificially. Gene silencing is used to prevent the production of proteins from a targeted gene. This technique helps researchers study the function of a gene, investigate disease mechanisms, and develop gene-based therapies.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today launched the NeuroCare Community Project (the Project), a five-year initiative to enhance early detection of Alzheimer’s risk for Hong Kong’s elderly who need support. Working with over 40 community centers under more than a dozen non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and in collaboration with Tung Wah College (TWC), the Project aims to screen 6,000 community-dwelling elderly aged 60-75, shifting the focus from late-stage diagnosis to proactive, community-based care.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.