News & Stories

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) research team has developed a groundbreaking wastewater treatment technology that integrates a mesh bioreactor with an ultrasound-induced transient cavitation cleaning mechanism. The system can complete mesh cleaning within 3.8 seconds under anaerobic conditions and achieves 10-20 times higher flux than conventional membrane bioreactors (MBRs). The technology operates efficiently with substantially lower energy consumption, produces treated effluent surpassing international and local discharge standards, and reduces the cost of treating each cubic metre of wastewater to 50% of conventional MBRs, offering a sustainable solution for both municipal and industrial wastewater treatment.

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Department of Computer Science and Technology at Tsinghua University (Tsinghua) announced the launch of a pioneering "3+1+X" Joint Undergraduate – Postgraduate Training Program, set to begin in the 2026/27 academic year.This program establishes a seamless academic pathway, allowing undergraduate students from both institutions to spend their fourth-year courses at either Tsinghua or HKUST. Following graduation, participants will have the opportunity to pursue master's or doctoral degree programs at the host university, further enhancing their academic and professional trajectories.

In a critical advance for climate resilience, researchers from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed an AI model that can predict dangerous convective storms—including Black Rainstorms, thunderstorms and extreme heavy rainfall like those that have hit Hong Kong—up to four hours before they strike. This world-first technology, developed in collaboration with national meteorological institutions and powered by satellite data and advanced deep diffusion technology, improves forecast accuracy by over 15% at the 48‑kilometer spatial scale compared with existing systems. This breakthrough strengthens the overall accuracy of the national weather forecasting system and promises to transform early warning systems for vulnerable communities across Asia.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) announced the signing of strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with three leading affiliated hospitals of Zhejiang University School of Medicine: The First Affiliated Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital, and Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital. This landmark collaboration will focus on research, talent development, medical education, and international exchange, aiming to jointly nurturing clinical scientists and medical professionals with international perspectives and cutting-edge innovative capabilities. This partnership seeks to accelerate the translation and application of high-level clinical research outcomes and promote high-quality development of healthcare across both cities.

A team led by Prof. Larry LI, Associate Head and Associate Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), along with PhD student Jungjin PARK, has developed an AI-enabled augmented reality (AR) platform for immersive learning. This platform offers students virtual laboratory experiences, enabling them to practice experiments and grasp key concepts and theories in mechanical and aerospace engineering. Their innovative solution recently earned the Silver Award in the Immersive Experiential Learning category at the QS Reimagine Education Awards 2025, often regarded as the “Oscars” of education.

Prof. Nancy IP, President of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), joined global leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. As the sole university president representing Hong Kong, she participated in high-level dialogues on neuroscience, the evolving role of universities, the future of global research, and health innovation.Held under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue", this year's Annual Meeting convened over 3,000 esteemed leaders from government, business, civil society, and academia from more than 130 countries—including nearly 65 heads of state and about 850 top CEOs—to address complex geopolitical and technological challenges.

“STEAM Day@HKUST”, organized by the Center for Global and Community Engagement under the School of Engineering of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), is taking place from January 22 to 24, 2026, on campus. The opening ceremony held today marked the launch of 130 activities and programs designed to spark interest in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) among more than 5,000 participants throughout the three-day event.Now in its third edition, this event has grown to be the University’s largest popular science initiative. It provides an experiential learning platform for primary and secondary school students to explore STEAM through interactive and hands-on experiences, in alignment with the primary school curriculum reform in the 2025-26 academic year.

The International Research Enrichment (IRE) Program at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) School of Science is designed for students who feel a deep calling toward scientific discovery.Established in 2014, the IRE program offers a structured pathway for science students to engage deeply with research from an early stage, with many securing a research supervisor by their second year. The hallmark of IRE is its strong emphasis on global exposure. IRE students benefit from a scholarship that supports their required overseas internship (SCIE 3900 International Research Experience), often combined with an exchange semester. This financial assistance, coupled with flexibility in curriculum planning, enables IRE students to immerse themselves in extended international research opportunities.