News & Stories

The demand for active, technology-enhanced teaching is reshaping expectations for learning spaces, according to Dr. Sean McMINN, Director of the Center for Education Innovation (CEI). As teaching practices evolve, faculty and students increasingly require more flexible environments for collaboration, experimentation, and experiential learning, Dr. McMinn added.To meet these needs and reinforce HKUST’s role in educational innovation, a new facility has been launched as a shared space within CEI for examining how students learn amid the growth of AI and emerging technologies.The Advanced Learning Hub (ALH) brings together teaching innovation, evidence-building, and partnership pathways in one integrated cycle. This allows promising ideas to move from prototype to proof to wider adoption with clearer ownership and momentum.

Channeling the dynamic spirit of the Year of the Horse, HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP unveiled a forward-looking development roadmap to members of the media at the University’s spring reception on March 2. She highlighted HKUST’s enduring “can-do” spirit, its strategies for sustaining future growth, and its commitment to contributing to the nation’s economic and social development.Renewal and growthThe timing of the reception was particularly auspicious, taking place against the backdrop of the 14th National People's Congress and the rollout of the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan, alongside celebrations marking HKUST’s 35th anniversary and the symbolic significance of the Year of the Horse.

What do the eggs of sea urchins, car exhaust, sticky tape, and risk and reward have in common? Each sparked a discovery that secured a Nobel Prize.Four Nobel laureates shared fascinating stories from their decades of research experience at a fireside chat with over 400 students, faculty, and members of the public. The event, Nobel Heroes@HKUST, was part of HKUST’s 35th anniversary celebrations. The laureates were:Prof. Tim HUNT (2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine)Prof. Louis J. IGNARRO (1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine)Prof. Robert C. MERTON (1997 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences)Prof. Konstantin NOVOSELOV (2010 Nobel Prize in Physics)

With the rapid aging of Hong Kong's population, it is projected that by 2039, individuals aged 65 or above will account for over 30% of the total population, making early intervention for cognitive health an urgent necessity. This demographic shift highlights the critical need for effective strategies to address cognitive decline in the elderly.One of these strategies is to promote the detection of Alzheimer's disease at the community level. But this approach faces numerous obstacles. High testing costs, invasive procedures, and a lack of public awareness about the importance of early detection have hindered accessibility. Caring for our communityRecognizing these challenges, the NeuroCare Community Project was launched to bridge this gap. This project supports early and proactive intervention at the community level to delay the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, thus alleviating pressure on caregivers and society at large.

Under the glow of HKUST’s 35th anniversary lights, audiences watched robot dogs deliver ceremonial 'miracle’ balls, humanoid robots greet guests, and drones soar above the Jockey Club Atrium.Amid this display of technological wizardry, the launch ceremony for the 35th anniversary was transformed into a living stage that vividly embodied HKUST’s enduring spirit of innovation.Each state-of-the-art machine told a story of discovery, mentorship, and entrepreneurship brought to life—a fitting symbol for HKUST’s year-long anniversary celebrations and its belief that the seemingly impossible can be made possible. 

As the world pivots toward a sustainable energy future, the need for greater interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange is becoming more urgent.In response, elite scientists, engineers, and industry partners from Asia, Europe, and the Americas convened at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) from February 24 to 27 to explore the latest innovations in sustainable energy research.The International Conference on Perovskite Solar Cells (IC-PSC)—held at the Kaisa Group Lecture Theater within HKUST’s Jockey Club Institute of Advanced Studies—underscored HKUST's pivotal role in driving innovation and, specifically, in exchanging knowledge on perovskite photovoltaics.

Boundless: What recent discovery has the HKUST research team made regarding the human enzyme DICER?Prof. Nguyen: Our discovery is genuinely groundbreaking. We found that the enzyme DICER, which is crucial for gene silencing, possesses a "dual-pocket" mechanism for measuring RNA. This is significant because it changes our understanding of how DICER interacts with RNA strands.Boundless: What exactly is “gene silencing”?Prof. Nguyen: Good question. Gene silencing means reducing or eliminating the expression of a specific gene. This process may occur naturally in cells or be induced artificially. Gene silencing is used to prevent the production of proteins from a targeted gene. This technique helps researchers study the function of a gene, investigate disease mechanisms, and develop gene-based therapies.

Amid the fun-filled entertainment— from robot dogs and musical performances to drumming, dance, and jaw-dropping rope skipping routines— the ceremony was characterized by a moving tribute to the legacy of HKUST founders, reiterating how HKUST’s “can-do” energy can fuel the future development of Hong Kong and the region.HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP established the reflective tone in her welcoming address, in which she accentuated how HKUST’s founding spirit had guided the University’s dynamic evolution over the past thirty-five years.This foundational ethos was set in motion by the late Founding President, Prof. Chia-Wei WOO, who had envisioned HKUST as Hong Kong’s first research-intensive university, an institution designed to create knowledge rather than merely transmit it.