News & Stories

Prof David Karl Banfield, cell biologist in the Division of Life Science at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) was today awarded the prestigious Senior Research Fellowship by the Croucher Foundation in recognition of his achievements in the field of cell biology. Prof Banfield is primarily concerned with discovering novel and fundamental cellular mechanisms, and is a recognized authority on the structure and function of the Golgi apparatus. Recent discoveries from Prof Banfield's laboratory, published in the prestigious journal Science, provides insight into the mechanism by which enzymes are organized within the Golgi. These findings will make it easier to produce recombinant protein therapeutics for the treatment of diseases such as diabetes, blood-clotting disorders and cancer. His research team is now working on the role of the Golgi in nutrient sensing and the development of cancers.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology School of Business and Management (HKUST Business School) today hosted the China Economic Development Forum as part of HKUST's 20th anniversary celebrations. The Forum featured four distinguished speakers: Prof Justin Lin, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist of the World Bank; Prof David Li, Director of the Center for China in the World Economy of the Tsinghua University; Prof Yi Gang, Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China and Administrator of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange; and Prof K.C. Chan, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, HKSAR Government.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) School of Engineering and Princeton University School of Engineering and Applied Science have formed a partnership to launch a research-based undergraduate summer exchange program, which aims to provide engineering students with an international research experience of the highest standard, a global outlook, and an all-round education.

The 2010 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, Prof Christopher Pissarides, shared his wisdom on labor market equilibrium at the UC RUSAL President's Forum organized by the Institute for Advanced Study of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today. Prof Pissarides spoke on "Equilibrium in the Labour Market with Search Frictions" - discussing the research that won him the 2010 Nobel Prize with two other scholars - Prof Peter Diamond of MIT and Prof Dale Mortensen of Northwestern University. He then had a dialogue with HKUST President Tony F Chan on his personal approach to academic research and world affairs, sharing insights with a general audience comprising mainly faculty and students.

Over 50 senior high school elite students from 8 local and international schools have just participated in "The Making of the World's Largest Digital Photo Workshop" organized by the School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). The Workshop was conducted by Prof Pedro Sander, Assistant Professor of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, who made a global record-breaking achievement in December 2010 when he created the world's largest digital photo depicting his hometown city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. <http://www.gigapan.org/gigapans/58857/>

Hundreds of professors, staff and students at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) observed one minute of silence for the disaster-stricken people of Japan at 1:46 pm today, exactly one week after a massive earthquake hit Japan, followed by tsunami and nuclear power plant leakage. This initiative was made by HKUST staff and students, and included a donation exercise to give relief to the Japanese people. President Tony F Chan and the Vice-Presidents also observed a minute of silence in a lecture theater where a seminar was taking place. For media enquiries, please feel free to contact : Ross Lai Tel: 2358 6306 / 9103 2928 Email: rosslai@ust.hk   Kit Yip Tel: 2358 6313 Email: kityip@ust.hk  

Prof Fugee Tsung, Head of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), has been elected Academician to the International Academy for Quality (IAQ), the world's most prestigious global organization in the field of quality. The IAQ comprises peer nominated members and admit academics and professionals identified as global thought leaders in quality-related issues. IAQ has elected Academicians in 25 countries. Prof Tsung is the second IAQ Academician in Hong Kong, after President Way Kuo of City University of Hong Kong, and one of only six Academicians in Greater China.

World Class Tests in Mathematics and Problem Solving administered by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have found that the highest achievers are those who do well in reasoning and problem solving. This observation was made based on the results of 3,028 students who took part in the November 2010 World Class Tests for the 8-11 age group and the 12-14 age group. These include students from 176 primary schools and 91 secondary schools. Prof Wong Man-Yu of the HKUST Mathematics Department said, "Judging from the performance of Hong Kong students over the years, we have observed that they are in general well trained in finding the right answers, but on the other hand they are relatively weak in explaining their reasoning process. We found that the candidates who do well in explaining the reasoning process also do well in both the Mathematics and Problem Solving."