News & Stories

Under the glow of HKUST’s 35th anniversary lights, audiences watched robot dogs deliver ceremonial 'miracle’ balls, humanoid robots greet guests, and drones soar above the Jockey Club Atrium.Amid this display of technological wizardry, the launch ceremony for the 35th anniversary was transformed into a living stage that vividly embodied HKUST’s enduring spirit of innovation.Each state-of-the-art machine told a story of discovery, mentorship, and entrepreneurship brought to life—a fitting symbol for HKUST’s year-long anniversary celebrations and its belief that the seemingly impossible can be made possible. 

As the world pivots toward a sustainable energy future, the need for greater interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange is becoming more urgent.In response, elite scientists, engineers, and industry partners from Asia, Europe, and the Americas convened at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) from February 24 to 27 to explore the latest innovations in sustainable energy research.The International Conference on Perovskite Solar Cells (IC-PSC)—held at the Kaisa Group Lecture Theater within HKUST’s Jockey Club Institute of Advanced Studies—underscored HKUST's pivotal role in driving innovation and, specifically, in exchanging knowledge on perovskite photovoltaics.

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.

Amid the fun-filled entertainment— from robot dogs and musical performances to drumming, dance, and jaw-dropping rope skipping routines— the ceremony was characterized by a moving tribute to the legacy of HKUST founders, reiterating how HKUST’s “can-do” energy can fuel the future development of Hong Kong and the region.HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP established the reflective tone in her welcoming address, in which she accentuated how HKUST’s founding spirit had guided the University’s dynamic evolution over the past thirty-five years.This foundational ethos was set in motion by the late Founding President, Prof. Chia-Wei WOO, who had envisioned HKUST as Hong Kong’s first research-intensive university, an institution designed to create knowledge rather than merely transmit it.

As AI expands its role in the devices and infrastructure that underpin and enhance our lives, Prof. SHI Ling’s leading contributions to developing and securing the digital systems of this rapidly emerging world are opening innovative ways forward for industry, society, and next-generation talents.

Our alumni community joined “The opening ceremony of the Alumni Commons and A Feast of Togetherness – Poon Choi Party.” on January 17, 2026 (Saturday) on the Clear Water Bay campus at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). The event was co-organized with the HKUST Alumni Association and the HKUST Convocation.The HKUST Alumni Commons is the first dedicated on-campus space where alumni can renew friendships, spark new ideas, and foster lasting bonds across generations. With more than 100,000 alumni worldwide, this dedicated location is set to become an iconic presence on campus.

Prof. LU Mengqian, now Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, told the unique story of a little girl in Qingdao with tremendous physical and intellectual potentials.

On February 5, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Yiyu Network formalized a donation agreement, marking the beginning of an enduring partnership dedicated to frontier research and talent nurturing.HKUST senior leadership and faculty members in attendance included Prof. Charles NG Wang-Wai, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement; Prof. XU Kun, Head and Chair Professor of the Department of Mathematics; and Prof. CHEN Kani, Professor in both the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Industrial Engineering and Decision Analytics. Student representatives and senior leaders from Yiyu Network were also present.