News & Stories

On a chilly Saturday morning, a group of Chinese students walk up to the beach and see a bunch of ‘ghosts and witches’ (at least the way they put it!). With a puzzled look one of them, musters up the courage to ask us as to what is happening…we in reply, just pull him in, put colour on his face, smash an egg on his head and spray water on him as well! Holi in UST…a day none of us can forget, at least not the ones present there! The day when Park n Shop ran out of its eggs and tomatoes supply, the barbeque area turned red and the sea sported a shade of rainbow. There was a moment when 10 eggs were smashed together and that too when the person was least expecting it, for instance I went and smashed an egg on friend’s head and the next thing I know is I have that slimy albumen dripping down my hair and a nice omlette on top! The water balloon fight between the two universities soared our adrenaline levels so much, that two people got thrown into the sea.

This is a foreword written for our BSc Global China Studies students for the inauguration of their society on April 10, 2012, and I'm sharing it with you all here, with joy and pride: What is the role of humanities and social science in a university and, furthermore, what is the role of a university in society? I used to think, a university was the beacon of intellectual knowledge and inquiry that inspires us to try to answer the query of human existence from all aspects. I used to believe, and I still believe, we are first and foremost human and social beings, and a university has the primary responsibility to teach students how to relate to themselves and others as human and social beings. It should take on a leadership role in society in “bettering society for a better humanity.”

[Seafront, late at night] A couple in the corner at Seafront. They could be anyone. Friends? Certainly possible. Siblings? Not as likely. Two lovers? Probable. It's tough to determine who they are, though, given the language they speak. A language not your own; the cadences are irregular, the grammar unrecognizable, the vocabulary foreign. it could be the language of love, of daily life, of visions on the horizon. "What does it mean?" you wonder. Head in hand, leaning on the same elbow and glancing, now looking past, now bringing them into focus, you observe - too obviously, as the young man casts a quick glance in your direction as he speaks to his companion. You brush your hair and turn somewhere else, looking into focus, now looking past, now glancing back at your table. The conversation continues.

I am a high school sophomore student in the Mainland, a better understanding of the UST began in the Spring Festival in my first year.Rocky is a friend of my brother at elementary school, he joined the Hong Kong residence, and that year he returned to the mainland to visit relatives. I was attracted by his temperament, it is no wonder we have not seen for a long time. My brother told me, Rocky went into the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Business School. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is one of the top universities in Hong Kong, in which all students are as bright as Rocky. Well, I remembered this rather new name - the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

During my undergraduate study in HKUST, I joined the Science Student Association (SSA) as academic secretary (2003-2004). It was one of the most unforgettable experiences in my 5 years time in HKUST. Unfortunately, SSA is no longer present and I am very sad to hear that. Here, I want to highlight some activities organized by SSA in my term. I truly believe that science school needs a school society to unite science students and also serve as a bridge to the other parts of the university. In August 2003, we organized an orientation camp (OCamp) (Photo 1). We aimed as providing information and tips to help new science students adapt university life. One of the big advantages of joining SSA OCamp was that, new students from different science departments could meet each other. After the semester had started, they continued to have gatherings regularly as we organized various social activities, such as BBQ and Poon Choi gathering. All participants enjoyed them very much.

Being the Executive Committee, it is not only an item that can be written on your resume. More importantly, it is about relationship. I am not sure if you have been the executive committee of particular society or not. I am not sure if you will and currently are part of certain society. If so, try to dig out different pieces from your mind. What are those? You can always find some relationship formed because of the society. I am not talking about the relationship with your boyfriend/girlfriend, (or that can be too if you have :p) but the relationship with other committee members, schoolmates and even with your society. Honestly, I have a lot of good friends in school because of my society, perhaps because of preferential selection in Chinese culture. To be more generalized, remember and love your origin. The origin here is not only the society, but HKUST. Last but not least, I want to show my love to the one I met here.

This seat on LG3 in the library is ideally located both in relation to the stairs for emergency and the power supply for routine. It also faces the sea at a direct angle allowing one to immerse oneself in study or thinking without being disturbed by human interaction. Besides, the tiny desk is not popular so that you don't need to reserve it. We all try to find our own positions here and there. No matter where you belong or where you are going, there is always a place in HKUST that we cherish. Options for reference: pavilion, bleachers, BBQ site...

One of many concerns I had before coming to HKUST was about having a roommate. I had shared my room with my sisters before, so sharing wasn't a problem. It was only that I would share it with someone you don't know at all, yet. The school didn't tell us who our roommates would be, so I wondered what my roommate would be like, and hoped that we would get along. On my first and second day at school, during the orientation period, I didn't get to see my roommate. I think it was on the third day that I found a note on my desk, with these words written on it: 'Hi, I am Teresa, your roommate for the coming semester. But I wouldn't be here until tomorrow. Call me if you need anything at ********. See you~ Love, Teresa.'