News & Stories

A research team led by Prof. Haruki WATANABE, Professor in the Department of Physics and the HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in collaboration with Prof. Yukitoshi MOTOME and graduate student Sena WATANABE from the University of Tokyo, has developed a unified theory that predicts when two states of matter are genuinely distinct and when they are secretly the same. The breakthrough provides a general framework for classifying phases across magnetic systems with different spin values and resolves a long-standing debate surrounding the behavior of water ice under extreme pressure.

Co-organized by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Sino Group, the HKUST-SINO One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition 2026 Final and Award Ceremony was held today at Shaw Auditorium, HKUST. During the ceremony, HKUST and Sino Group also announced the launch of the HKUST InnoBay 1M PLUS program, extending the competition beyond a one-off contest into an ongoing platform for start-up incubation and technology commercialization. The initiative will provide promising teams with access to real-world application scenarios, industry networking, partnership matching and proof-of-concept opportunities, helping innovative solutions progress from technology validation to market adoption, while creating greater opportunities for commercialization and scalable growth.

Turning climate science and early warnings into practical action to protect people, strengthen infrastructure and finance resilience is the focus of the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Conference 2026 (CARE2026) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Running from 8 to 10 October, the conference opened with calls to connect scientific knowledge with better preparedness and decisions that make cities more resilient.The conference brought together over 500 policymakers, scientists, infrastructure experts, finance and insurance leaders, industry stakeholders and community representatives from around the world. Discussions examined how forecasting and early warning systems can inform decisions about housing, infrastructure, biodiversity, nature-based solutions and finance, drawing on Hong Kong’s experience alongside regional and international perspectives.

As climate change continues to intensify the frequency and severity of extreme weather events worldwide, a recent United Nations Environment Programme report warns that global temperatures are likely to exceed the 1.5°C threshold within the coming years, posing increasing risks to cities and communities around the world. To help address these challenges, HKUST is leading global collaboration in urban weather forecasting and climate resilience through the Urban-PREDICT International Coordination Office (the Office), established on campus in November 2025 under the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) World Weather Research Programme (WWRP).

In the 35 years since HKUST’s establishment, the Cheng family and their Chow Tai Fook Charity Foundation have been steadfast supporters of the University’s development, working closely together on research and innovation. The naming and unveiling of the Cheng Kar-Shun Robotics Institute (Guangzhou) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST(GZ)) on August 26 symbolizes how this longstanding partnership has now extended beyond Clear Water Bay to Nansha in Guangzhou. The Institute deepens collaboration among HKUST, the Cheng family, and the Foundation, and cultivates the growing research synergy between HKUST’s two campuses, reflecting their shared determination to advance innovation and development in robotics.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) held a flag-raising ceremony on campus this morning to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today released the first batch of Hong Kong remote sensing images captured by the Multi‑Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO), showcasing a major achievement by Hong Kong researchers participating in the nation’s space program while celebrating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Jointly organized by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Sino Group, the HKUST-SINO One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition 2026 (OMC) will hold its Grand Final on 12 October. This year’s competition attracted a record 390 teams from 24 countries and regions, including students from leading institutions such as the University of Oxford, the University of Pennsylvania, and the National University of Singapore. 15 finalist teams will compete for prizes worth more than HK$1 million.