The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has risen one place to rank 12th worldwide and No. 1 in Greater China in the high-profile annual Global Employability University Ranking this year. HKUST graduates have been ranked the world’s top 20 most employable and the most employable in Greater China five years in a roll.
HKUST President Prof Tony F Chan is glad to see the ascent. “I am very proud of our graduates who continue to be ranked amongst the most competitive and desirable employees in the global job market. It attests to their personal quality and the high regard that their employers have placed on them. Being one of the top universities in Asia, HKUST provides an innovative, holistic and multi-cultural learning environment, which helps groom our students into not only experts of their fields, but also versatile leaders with a global mindset and problem solving skills,” Prof Chan said.
In its polling of 6,000 recruiters and executives from 22 countries, the seventh annual survey outlined a number of criteria of what makes top universities attractive to global recruiters, that include the quality of teaching staff and research facilities, expertise in one’s field of competence, international exposure, reputation of the university and past experience with graduates. On employers’ criteria for selecting graduates: flexibility, motivation, communication skills, adaptability, multi-cultural sensitivity and the ability to deal with pressure are important factors to consider. Conducted by Emerging, a French human resources consultancy, and Trendence, a leading research institute, the survey has polled employers from the United States, China, Japan, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Brazil, India and others – among which over half are international recruiters.
In grooming desirable employees, HKUST has leveraged on its strong global partnership network of over 300 institutions – including over 230 exchange partners across 37 countries around the world – to enhance its students’ global experiences through exchanges, internships and community services. Over 50% of HKUST students now spent at least a semester overseas through the University’s regular exchange program.
HKUST’s Career Center facilitates students' career planning by identifying their interests, keeping abreast of requirements in the ever-changing job market, and understanding employers’ expectations. The University also leverages on its extensive network of employers, professional bodies and alumni in its programs and initiatives to enhance graduates’ employability. HKUST has seen a rising trend in the number of students taking overseas summer internships over the past five years. Last summer for instance, our students interned in 31 cities across 22 countries – including Year 1 and Year 2 students who participated in the “HeadStart@HKUST Program” – a new initiative aims to offer junior undergraduate students a “head-start” in an increasingly competitive market through early workplace immersion and career development scheme.
For the full results of the Global Employability University Ranking 2017, please visit
About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (www.ust.hk) is a world-class research university that focuses on science, technology and business as well as humanities and social science. HKUST offers an international campus, and a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy to nurture well-rounded graduates with global vision, a strong entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking. HKUST attained the highest proportion of internationally excellent research work in the Research Assessment Exercise 2014 of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee, and is the world’s second in the latest QS’ Top 50 under 50 ranking. Its graduates were ranked 12th worldwide and top in Greater China in Global Employability University Survey 2017.
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