News & Stories

Five Hong Kong secondary students trained by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) achieved brilliant results at the 41st International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) in Croatia, amassing one gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Among the students is a secondary four student, the youngest contestant ever representing Hong Kong in the IPhO. The Hong Kong Team, led by HKUST Physics faculty Prof Chen Tian-wen and Prof Du Sheng-wang, returned to Hong Kong today with great honor. The five team members were selected from among the best achievers in the Hong Kong Physics Olympiad 2009, to receive a series of enhancement training courses offered by the HKUST. Members of the Hong Kong Team and their medals are as follows:

Prof Nancy Ip, Chair Professor of the Division of Life Science and Director of the State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), has been concurrently elected Councilor for two of the world’s leading international organizations for neuroscience and psychopharmacology. She was elected Councilor of the Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum (CINP), the world’s leading professional organization for psychopharmacology, and of the Society of Neuroscience (SfN), the world’s largest organization of scientists and physicians devoted to advancing understanding of the brain and nervous system. Prof Ip is the first international member being elected SfN Councilor in the history of this US-based Society.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) School of Engineering and International Business Machines (IBM) is launching the Technology Exploration Camp 2010 this week for 800 students from 40 secondary schools in Hong Kong. Hosted at the HKUST campus from 5 to 16 July, the HKUST-IBM Technology Exploration Camp is a series of one-day camps aiming to kindle students’ interest and enthusiasm towards technology and engineering, and pursue their studies and career in these fields. Through hands-on sessions in laboratories and exposure to latest technology, the participating students gain valuable insights into technology and engineering, and the study and career opportunities that are available to them.

Prof Charles WW Ng, Associate Dean of Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) recently became the first Hong Kong academic to be appointed one of the 12 Board Members of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE). He is also the third Chinese to be appointed to the Board since the Society’s establishment in 1936. The first and second Chinese Board Members were Professor Moh Zachieh from Taipei and Professor Chen Zuyu, a Chinese Academician of Sciences from Beijing, respectively. Prof Ng, HKUST’s Associate Dean of Engineering, Director of Geotechnical Centrifuge Facility, and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, was appointed by the ISSMGE President as a Board Member during a board meeting held in Moscow in June 2010. Board Members of ISSMGE are elected and appointed once every four years.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) announces the appointment of Mr WANG Shi, Chairman of the Board of Directors, China Vanke Co Ltd, as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business and Management with effect from 21 June 2010, to teach in the HKUST EMBA for Chinese Executives program.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today received a $90 million donation from the Chow Tai Fook Cheng Yu Tung Fund for the construction of a Research and Academic Building. It will be named in honor of Dr Cheng Yu Tung in appreciation of his generosity. As a world-class research university, HKUST seeks innovation and excellence by providing first-class research and teaching facilities so that teachers and students may enjoy a more stimulating environment. To prepare for the introduction of the new 334 education system, HKUST is actively seeking to strengthen its teaching and research facilities. To this end, the University has taken special care to visit the world’s leading research universities to study the design of their facilities, so as to provide a research environment second to none.

CN Innovations Ltd (CN Innovations), a member of Chung Nam Corporation Ltd, today donated HK$5 million to the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) in support of the University’s research and development efforts, particularly in the field of nanoscience. HKUST President Tony F Chan said, “We are immensely grateful to CN Innovations for their generous donation to HKUST. Indeed, CN Innovations is taking the lead among local industries to support research and development at local universities and I believe this exemplary initiative will inspire other local industries to contribute to academia for the benefit of Hong Kong and beyond.”

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Higher Education in Kuwait, to strengthen the relationship between both parties in education and scientific research. The MOU was signed between HKUST President Tony F Chan and Director of Kuwait Cultural Office Dr Ahmad Alathari. Also present at the signing ceremony was His Excellency Bader Al-Tunaib, Consul General, Consulate General of the State of Kuwait. Under the MOU, both parties will encourage the exchange of scholarships in both technical and professional education. Both parties will also encourage mutual visits of higher education officials, academics and researchers, as well as the interflow of delegations of university students to take part in educational, cultural and sports activities in both countries.