News & Stories

Mastering one discipline is admirable; excelling in two is extraordinary. At The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), student-athletes are proving that elite sports and rigorous academics can thrive side by side.Through the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme (SALSA) under the University Grants Committee, HKUST welcomed a group of outstanding athletes this year. The scheme offers flexible study arrangements and financial support, empowering athletes to pursue higher education without sidelining their sporting dreams.Among this inspiring cohort are four exceptional athletes whose journeys reflect the spirit of perseverance, innovation, and ambition—values that HKUST proudly champions.

Prof. WANG Yiwen, Associate Professor in the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering (ECE) and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) at HKUST, develops brain-machine interfaces that restore motor function to paralyzed patients. Her journey from dismantling bicycles to pioneering neural engineering reveals how curiosity, resilience, and mentorship can literally transform lives.

With a warm smile and larger than life personality, it is easy to see how Michael Leung leads the charge at his firm – a world leader in design and manufacturing of cutting-edge technologies, software and services for the professional construction industry. A personality that can put anyone at ease, his own journey from a young student growing up in Hong Kong’s own Kennedy Town to being the first Asian to lead a global company in Australia, he attributes much of his career success to his alma mater, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).

How will our collective future take shape? Our students may have the answer. To empower global citizens to build a safer, more resilient world, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) joins hands with Stanford University as a founding partner to launch the Global Sustainability Challenge.This competition represents a powerful collaboration between sustainability and education experts.  By pooling experience and expertise, the competition was shaped by founding partners from prestigious institutions as founding universities, such as Imperial College London, Zhejiang University, Technical University of Munich, and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay.

In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, its potential to ignite human creativity is quietly revolutionizing storytelling—even in filmmaking. Leading this charge is Professor RAO Anyi, an assistant professor in the newly established Division of Arts and Machine Creativity at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).  Prof. Rao, named to the 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list, is pioneering AI’s role in democratizing storytelling. He develops AI tools that empower filmmakers to generate content and control complex elements or special effects like scene lighting. With a mission to merge the realms of filmmaking, art, and AI, he aims to nurture a tech-savvy generation of storytellers. 

The buzz surrounding drones and eVTOL vehicles signals an exciting future—faster deliveries, rapid medical aid, and efficient public services just over our heads. But as these technologies take flight, they face two critical challenges: noise pollution and public safety. Drone and eVTOL operation in low altitude airspace produce noise and face flight safety challenges in micro-weather and building wind environment. Professor ZHANG Xin, Swire Professor of Aerospace Engineering, and Professor ZHOU Peng at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) are leading efforts to overcome these issues. Combining cutting-edge research in aerospace engineering with practical solutions, their team is striving to ensure drones and eVOTL  vehicles can integrate harmoniously into urban life.

The robust support of the University community has been a vital catalyst for The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s (HKUST) research breakthroughs and educational excellence. In recognition of Dr. Allen SHI’s generous donation, the University recently held a naming ceremony for the Dr. Allen L. T. Shi Information Technology Laboratory. Located in the Lee Shau Kee Business Building on the Clearwater Bay campus, this state-of-the-art facility plays a fundamental role in supporting diverse education needs of HKUST students. The donation, channeled through Lop Tak Charity Foundation established by Dr. Shi, will fuel the University’s research innovation and expand student learning opportunities.

Prof. ZHANG Jiheng, born in Nanjing in the late 1970s, immersed himself in the captivating world of mathematics before transitioning to engineering at age 23 as a PhD candidate at Georgia Tech. After working for 12 years at HKUST, he embraced the challenge of leading the Department of Industrial Engineering and Decision Analytics (IEDA) as its Head, a role he had not foreseen but has grown to cherish. More recently, he has taken on the ambitious endeavor of contributing to Hong Kong’s vision as a smart hub through innovative Theme-Based Research.