News & Stories

Programmable photonics promise faster and more energy-efficient computing than traditional electronics by using light to transmit signals. However, current systems are limited by the need for precise on-chip power monitors. Researchers from the School of Engineering at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed a germanium-ion-implanted silicon waveguide photodiode. This novel photodetector achieves high responsivity, ultra-low optical loss, and minimal dark current, significantly enhancing the performance of on-chip light monitoring. It provides core hardware for energy-saving and ultra-sensitive biosensing systems, facilitating practical applications in programmable photonics.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has been appointed by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) to lead the international "Hong Kong Operation Robot" project for the Chang'E-8 mission. The project will unite global aerospace scholars and experts to develop a multi-functional lunar surface operation robot. Equipped with a mobile charging station and capable of dexterous operations, the robot is designed to make significant contributions to the nation's lunar exploration missions.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and GPTX Investment Management Limited (GPTX簡坤投資), a leading Hong Kong-based digital investment firm, have established a strategic partnership to drive innovation and entrepreneurship across artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, healthcare, and other related multi-disciplinary fields through the HKUST UniVenture Program. This collaboration aims to incubate student-led, technology-based startups by providing investment support, business mentorship, industry networking, and partnership development—further enhancing HKUST's thriving innovation ecosystem.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has received generous donations from alumni Mr. Terry TSANG and Mr. Terence TSANG, to support the University's initiatives in education, research, and student development. In recognition of their longstanding commitment and their parents' selfless contributions to society, the University has proudly named University Residence Tower A as “Tsang Chiu Sang Tower” and Tower B as “Lam Po Yu Tower”. This tribute celebrates the Tsang family’s enduring devotion, perseverance, and lasting bond with the HKUST community.

A groundbreaking climate study led by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in collaboration with an international research team, reveals that a under high-emission scenario, Northern Hemisphere summer monsoons region will undergo extreme weather events starting in 2064.  Asia and broader tropical regions will face frequent "subseasonal whiplash" events, characterized by extreme downpours and dry spells alternating every 30 to 90 day which triggers climate disruptions with catastrophic impacts on food production, water management, and clean energy systems.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) hosted the international conference “When Ultrafast Spectroscopy Meets AI: Challenges and Opportunities” from December 5 to 8, 2025. The event brought more than 70 leading scholars from Chinese Mainland and the United States to the Clear Water Bay campus to explore the innovative applications of ultrafast spectroscopy and artificial intelligence (AI) in frontier scientific research. Centered on the theme of “AI for Science,” the conference aimed to build an open and intellectually rigorous platform, spark new scientific ideas, and promote regional collaboration and interdisciplinary innovation.

The Chinese University Alliance of Earth System Science (CUAESS) has been jointly established and officially launched by its four founding members: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Tsinghua University, Nanjing University, and Tianjin University. The Alliance will focus on cultivating talent in earth system science and fostering the integration of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and remote sensing, within the field. It aims to build a national research platform to drive technological breakthroughs in critical areas, including climate change response, earth system modelling, ecological protection, and environmental governance, while also deepening international collaboration to enhance the Alliance's global influence.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Cooperation to establish Hong Kong’s first hydrogen energy innovation platform. Leveraging global academic and industry expertise, the two parties will collaborate on areas such as technology commercialisation and related fields. This partnership aims to accelerate the development and broader application of hydrogen energy technologies, injecting fresh momentum into the nation’s dual-carbon strategy and the global transition to a low-carbon future.