News & Stories

A research team led by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) scholars has discovered a significant slowdown in Arctic sea ice melting since 2012, with the decrease rate of 11.3% per decade to an insignificant downward trend of only −0.4% per decade. This phenomenon is closely related to a shift in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) pattern, from a negative phase to its positive phase, which traps cold air within the Arctic region. It is projected to peak between 2030 and 2040, after which the Arctic could enter a new phase of accelerated ice melt. Without reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, this may trigger severe climate and environmental crises within decades.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in collaboration with the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), has launched the world's first Deep Ocean Omics (DOO) database (https://DeepOceanOmics.org/). As the largest platform of its kind, DOO integrates and analyzes multi-omics data from organisms thriving in the ocean's most extreme environments, alongside customized analytical tools to support cross-species comparative and evolutionary studies. By facilitating the utilization of deep-sea biological resources, the platform aims to advance scientific understanding of deep-sea biodiversity and ecosystems, and to foster global research and applications related to biological adaptation in extreme environments.

Programmable photonics promise faster and more energy-efficient computing than traditional electronics by using light to transmit signals. However, current systems are limited by the need for precise on-chip power monitors. Researchers from the School of Engineering at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed a germanium-ion-implanted silicon waveguide photodiode. This novel photodetector achieves high responsivity, ultra-low optical loss, and minimal dark current, significantly enhancing the performance of on-chip light monitoring. It provides core hardware for energy-saving and ultra-sensitive biosensing systems, facilitating practical applications in programmable photonics.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has been appointed by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) to lead the international "Hong Kong Operation Robot" project for the Chang'E-8 mission. The project will unite global aerospace scholars and experts to develop a multi-functional lunar surface operation robot. Equipped with a mobile charging station and capable of dexterous operations, the robot is designed to make significant contributions to the nation's lunar exploration missions.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and GPTX Investment Management Limited (GPTX簡坤投資), a leading Hong Kong-based digital investment firm, have established a strategic partnership to drive innovation and entrepreneurship across artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, healthcare, and other related multi-disciplinary fields through the HKUST UniVenture Program. This collaboration aims to incubate student-led, technology-based startups by providing investment support, business mentorship, industry networking, and partnership development—further enhancing HKUST's thriving innovation ecosystem.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has received generous donations from alumni Mr. Terry TSANG and Mr. Terence TSANG, to support the University's initiatives in education, research, and student development. In recognition of their longstanding commitment and their parents' selfless contributions to society, the University has proudly named University Residence Tower A as “Tsang Chiu Sang Tower” and Tower B as “Lam Po Yu Tower”. This tribute celebrates the Tsang family’s enduring devotion, perseverance, and lasting bond with the HKUST community.

A groundbreaking climate study led by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in collaboration with an international research team, reveals that a under high-emission scenario, Northern Hemisphere summer monsoons region will undergo extreme weather events starting in 2064.  Asia and broader tropical regions will face frequent "subseasonal whiplash" events, characterized by extreme downpours and dry spells alternating every 30 to 90 day which triggers climate disruptions with catastrophic impacts on food production, water management, and clean energy systems.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) hosted the international conference “When Ultrafast Spectroscopy Meets AI: Challenges and Opportunities” from December 5 to 8, 2025. The event brought more than 70 leading scholars from Chinese Mainland and the United States to the Clear Water Bay campus to explore the innovative applications of ultrafast spectroscopy and artificial intelligence (AI) in frontier scientific research. Centered on the theme of “AI for Science,” the conference aimed to build an open and intellectually rigorous platform, spark new scientific ideas, and promote regional collaboration and interdisciplinary innovation.