News & Stories

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is proud to be the exclusive university partner of the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong & Macau for the Anita Conti Sustainable Innovation Fellowship, under the partnership framework of France-HKUST Innovation Hub. The Fellowship pays tribute to Anita Conti (1899-1997), also known as « la Dame de la Mer » (the Lady of the Sea ) and the first French woman oceanographer and a pioneer in marine ecology, as well as her scientific contribution and commitment to the protection of the oceans. It aims to inspire the next generations of researchers, innovators, and environmentalists to address the challenges of climate change and its impacts on our planet.

Landslides, flash floods, and fallen trees—these are just some of the alarming sights accompanying the summer typhoon seasons in Hong Kong. Over the past decade, the city has witnessed a distressing surge in extreme rainfall, characterized by intensity levels that surpass the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal. This trend serves as a stark reminder of the growing impact of global warming on our daily lives and safety. The question resonates: how can we better prepare for nature’s fury in the future?

In a significant advancement for boosting renewable energy generation development, the School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has taken the lead in breaking through studies of the nanoscale properties of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This initiative has resulted in the development of more efficient and durable cells, poised to substantially diminish costs and broaden applications, thereby connecting scientific research with the needs of the business community.

For many, remaining within the familiar confines of our expertise, or let’s say comfort zone, is the norm, even momentous goals have been achieved. But it is not the case for Professor ZHOU Yuanyuan. He refuses to rest on his laurels and is working hard to expand his research scope. In the face of the challenges of commercializing the promising solar technology, he is never a quitter.In his newly rebuilt laboratory on the HKUST campus, Prof. Zhou, Associate Professor of HKUST’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, who joined the University under the prestigious “30 for 30” talent acquisition campaign, has been leading his team to research new materials, making steady strides towards his goal of popularizing the use of sustainable energy in our daily life.

(Originally written and published by Times Higher Education) During the 2024 THE Global Sustainable Development Congress, experts discussed a holistic approach to climate change early-warning systems The record heatwave taking place in Thailand has already killed more than 60 people since the start of 2024. The climate emergency in the country, and elsewhere, is increasingly severe and pressing. During a recent discussion at the 2024 THE Global Sustainable Development Congress in Bangkok, representatives from international organisations, academia and community-based social support groups came together to examine the creation of early-warning systems to alleviate climate and health crises.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) gained recognition for its efforts to become a global sustainability leader as the University was ranked the world’s 36th, as well as the first in Hong Kong and Mainland China in its debut appearance in Times Higher Education (THE)’s Impact Rankings, announced in its annual Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) yesterday in Bangkok. Assessing over 2,100 universities worldwide for their impacts in helping achieve the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), THE commended HKUST in particular for its contributions to SDGs 9, 11 and 12, which focus on building resilient infrastructure and industries with innovation, promoting sustainable cities and ensuring responsible consumption and production. 

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is investing up to HK$40 million to upgrade 30% of its total parking space with charging capability and related software support for electric vehicles (EV).  The initiative aims to cultivate a sustainable commuting habit and supports emission reduction goals in the HKUST 2028 Sustainability Challenge. HKUST is set to become the most EV-friendly university in Hong Kong with the completion of the EV charging infrastructure enhancement project, which will see approximately 360 parking spaces on campus fitted with medium EV chargers, providing an output power of no less than 7kW. The initiative not only supports the HKSAR Government's Roadmap on Popularization of EVs, but also accelerates opportunities to reduce emissions from University-owned vehicles and indirect emissions from commuting. 

An international research team led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has achieved a significant breakthrough by developing an artificial intelligence (AI) model that can help mitigate global ammonia (NH3) emission from agriculture.   Harnessing the power of machine learning, this groundbreaking study not only revealed that global NH3 emissions from cropland are lower than previously estimated, but also demonstrated how optimizing fertilizer management can effectively reduce emissions by approximately 38%, without compromising the overall use of nitrogen fertilizers. It provides valuable insights for policymakers worldwide to address the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty eradication, food security, and sustainable agriculture.