HKUST Expresses Profound Sorrow for Tai Po Fire Tragedy and Pledges Support to Community
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is profoundly saddened by the devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of life and extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, the injured, and all those affected in our community during this difficult time.
In the wake of this tragedy, our immediate focus is on the well-being of our students and staff. We have been proactively contacting those in our community who may have been impacted. We are providing direct, personalized support to the affected individuals, including those who were injured, displaced, or have family members involved.
To assist those affected in our university family, HKUST stands ready to provide a range of support, which may include counselling services, emergency financial aid, temporary accommodation, and flexible academic arrangements for students. We will work closely with each individual to understand and meet their specific needs.
Our hearts are with the Tai Po community and all of Hong Kong as we grieve this terrible event. The University remains unwavering in its commitment to support our students, staff, and the wider community. In this time of profound sadness, we urge our community to stand together with compassion and support for one another.
About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class university known for its innovative education, research excellence, and impactful knowledge transfer. With a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy approach, HKUST was ranked 6th in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026, 3rd in the Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2024, and 19th globally and 1st in Hong Kong in the Times Higher Education’s Impact Rankings 2025. Thirteen HKUST subjects were ranked among the world’s top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, with “Data Science and Artificial Intelligence” coming in 17th worldwide and first in Hong Kong. Our graduates are highly competitive, consistently ranking among the world’s top 30 most sought-after employees. In terms of research and entrepreneurship, over 80% of our work was rated “internationally excellent” or “world leading” in the Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of the Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee. As of July 2025, HKUST members have founded over 1,900 active start-ups, including 10 Unicorns and 17 exits (IPO or M&A).
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Email: media@ust.hk
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