News & Stories

What does it take to be first? Being first isn't just a title—it’s in our DNA. From developing Hong Kong's first AI foundation model to building a net-zero carbon campus, HKUST turns "firsts" into a legacy of impact.

Scientists from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) are among the researchers worldwide honored with the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, often referred to as the "Oscars of Science." This prestigious recognition was presented to the A Toroidal LHC ApparatuS (ATLAS) Collaboration at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) for its groundbreaking studies on high-energy collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). This recognition highlights a decade of dedicated research and innovation by the HKUST researchers, who have contributed significantly to the ATLAS Collaboration's achievements, including the discovery of the Higgs boson, commonly known as the "God Particle", and searches for new physics beyond the Standard Model of Particle Physics.

What made 2024 unforgettable at HKUST? From groundbreaking research to memorable campus moments, we've wrapped it all into one highlight reel!

Professor LUK Kam-Biu, IAS Paul C W Chu Professor, has been elected 2024 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his 'distinguished contributions to particle physics, particularly the leadership of experiments that have shed new light on CP violation and neutrino oscillations'.  The AAAS is one of the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of scientific journals. It recognizes the extraordinary achievements of scientists, engineers and innovators across disciplines through its AAAS Fellows Program. All new Fellows will be inducted in AAAS’ Fellows Forum where they will be presented with a certificate and a blue and gold rosette pin representing science and engineering.

Croucher Foundation held its Foundation Day Dinner and Awards Presentation Ceremony on 6 December to present the Croucher Senior Research Fellowships 2025 to three distinguished scholars from City University of Hong Kong (CityU), the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the University of Hong Kong (HKU), for their outstanding scientific research achievements. Professor Rosie Young, GBS, JP, Honorary Fellow, world-renowned physician was the Guest of Honour at the ceremony.  The list of awardees is as follows: Professor Jianwei Sun Professor, Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Professor Xiaoming Yuan Professor, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science,  The University of Hong Kong

The “Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)-MTR Joint Research Laboratory” (“Joint Laboratory”) is dedicated to leveraging innovative technology for effective smart traffic management. In one of its research projects, the team utilized artificial intelligence and big data to simulate and predict changes in Hong Kong citizens’ travel patterns under various scenarios, thereby assisting the operations team in implementing appropriate operational plans. This project has won multiple awards at the “Hong Kong ICT Awards 2024”, including the “Smart Mobility (Smart Transport) Gold Award”, “Best Use of AI Award”, “Smart Mobility Grand Award”, and the highest honor, the “Award of the Year”.

HKUST Vice-President for Research and Development Prof. Tim CHENG Kwang-Ting was honored with a 2024 CCF Overseas Outstanding Contribution Award by China Computer Federation (CCF). Prof. Cheng is concurrently a Chair Professor jointly in the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering and Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and Director of AI Chip Center for Emerging Smart Systems (ACCESS), a research center under the Hong Kong government’s InnoHK initiative.

Prof. YAN Lianke, IAS Sin Wai Kin Professor of Chinese Culture, has been awarded the 2024 Hsing Yun Global Chinese Literary Prize (Contribution Award). He is recognized for his dedication to the creation and research of Chinese literature.