News & Stories

As the world grapples with challenges such as climate change, pandemics, geopolitical tensions, and dilemmas of the AI revolution, universities stand as fortified citadels of knowledge and innovation. Recognizing that no single institution or discipline can tackle these complex challenges alone, university leaders are increasingly leveraging collective expertise and resources to forge a sustainable, equitable, and brighter future for all. The Global University Presidents & Leaders Summit 2024, held on December 2-3, 2024, in Hong Kong, epitomized this collaborative spirit. Organized by the Hong Kong Association for External Friendship and supported by the University Grants Committee along with nine Hong Kong universities, this landmark event brought together over 50 globally renowned university presidents and leaders, providing a platform to share insights, forge partnerships, and strategize on addressing global challenges effectively.

Ever wondered what molecules are and why they matter? Picture this: while you reflect on this question, molecules are dancing in your brain, subtly shaping your thoughts and emotions. These tiny building blocks of life hold the key to solving some of humanity’s greatest challenges.The recent Molecular Frontiers Symposium at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) was a remarkable occasion to ignite curiosity about molecular science. Taking place in the Greater China for the first time from November 15-17, 2024, with the theme “Frontiers of New Knowledge in Science,” the symposium featured an impressive lineup of nearly 40 speakers, including four Nobel laureates Professor Stefan HELL, Sir Tim HUNT, Professor K. Barry SHARPLESS and Sir Gregory WINTER. 

It was during the first wave of COVID in early 2020 when Prof. Tim WOO Kam-Tim and his HKUST Robotics Team students made the bold decision to continue with their explorations. Observing COVID restrictions and regulations, they broke into smaller sub-groups and took turns to work in the lab around the clock. When the Robocon 2020 Hong Kong Contest was finally postponed from June to September 2020, the Robotics Team members had already enjoyed a five-month head start since other teams had been dormant during the peak of the pandemic. Becoming the champion in Hong Kong and the first-runner up in Asia-Pacific at ABU Robocon Festival 2020, the HKUST Robotics Team showed their can-do team spirit once again.

President Prof. Wei SHYY discusses the role of universities in creating a sustainable future.

President Prof. Wei SHYY contributed an article to the World Economic Forum talking about the collaborative efforts made by HKUST and its fellow allies to fight Covid-19. Below is the full article. With the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) sweeping across continents and affecting many millions, health authorities, policy-makers and scientists, innovators around the world are racing to invent ways to contain the further spread of the virus. It is our unwavering belief that universities are – and should always be – contributing to this collective fight against this and future severe and potentially long-lasting public health crises.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) received a HK$40 million donation from Seal of Love Charitable Foundation (Foundation).  The gift is set to empower HKUST students in solving real-world problems with innovative thinking and technology know-how, and to deliver social impact with tangible solutions in resource-limited communities. The generous gift from the Foundation – a charitable organization dedicated to helping others with projects mostly focused on supporting education and the underprivileged in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia – will be used to set up an endowment fund called the “Seal of Love Foundation Student Innovative Service Fund” (Fund).  In appreciation of the Foundation’s benevolent support, the University has named a wing of its semi-circular Academic Building “Seal of Love Charitable Foundation Wing”.