News & Stories

Loyalty is a virtue quietly forged through dedication. This year, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)’s Long Service Awards celebrates this very spirit by honoring 158 colleagues who have served for 20 years or more. Notably, HKUST is presenting its inaugural 35-Year Awards, recognizing colleagues whose 35 years of service—a milestone predating the University’s founding—underscores the deep-rooted commitment within our community. Join us to meet three of the remarkable honorees who have helped shape HKUST into the institution it is today.

  In a world still grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, health disparities are widening and healthcare worker shortages persist, revealing vulnerabilities in our health systems. “Yet within all these challenges lie immense opportunities for collaboration and innovation,” noted Professor Nancy IP, President of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), at the 2025 Asia Summit on Global Health. As a keynote panelist, she asserted that universities can play a pivotal role in shaping a more equitable and sustainable health system. 

For over 30 years, Mei has been the gentle heartbeat of the HKUST campus. Her warm presence at the China Garden, the University’s Chinese restaurant, has touched and rippled through generations of HKUSTers. While daily tasks like greeting diners, preparing ingredients, and brewing tea may appear routine, for Mei, they have evolved into meaningful connections with the students, staff, and alumni who define this university community. As one of the earliest staff members at this restaurant on campus, Mei has witnessed HKUST transform into the remarkable institution it is today. Through her dedication, she is so much more than just a hard-working staff, she is a true “community builder” in every sense—someone who has contributed to cultivating the vibrant and welcoming spirit that unites the HKUST family.

Imagine a hiker collapsing from heatstroke on a remote trail in Sai Kung. In the past, help could take an agonizing hour, but now, thanks to a groundbreaking drone delivery system being pioneered in Hong Kong, life-saving medical supplies can arrive in just minutes. This isn’t just a vision of the future; it’s a reality unfolding before our eyes. Cities worldwide are embracing drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and advanced air mobility (AAM) systems to enhance urban mobility, logistics, emergency response, and even entertainment, such as stunning drone shows. In Mainland China, the low-altitude economy (LAE) is projected to reach a staggering 2 trillion yuan by 2030, signalling a transformative shift in everyday life.

As the founding President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Prof. Chia-Wei WOO, once remarked: “Hands on the present, and eyes for the future.” This philosophy has guided us in leveraging our past achievements to pave the way towards a brighter and more innovative future for humanity. To celebrate and highlight our journey of innovation, we invite you to explore Innovators in Action (創新先行者), our new TV program series. Broadcasted on TVB at prime time, all five episodes are now available online and will be shared on the University’s social media channels, showcasing unique aspects of HKUST’s commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering innovation:

Standing at the intersection of technology and healthcare, the three visionary HKUST alumni—Dr. Kyle WONG, Dr. Nick CHIN, and Teric CHAN—never underestimate the power of their school-day dreams to safeguard the health of their fellow citizens. With unwavering dedication and innovative spirit, they have poured their hearts and souls into their inventions over the past five years, ultimately giving rise to the world’s first mobile app for contactless pulse rate measurement cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2024. That same year, Kyle and Teric were named on Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list in the healthcare and science category, gaining global recognition as rising entrepreneurs.

Landslides, flash floods, and fallen trees—these are just some of the alarming sights accompanying the summer typhoon seasons in Hong Kong. Over the past decade, the city has witnessed a distressing surge in extreme rainfall, characterized by intensity levels that surpass the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal. This trend serves as a stark reminder of the growing impact of global warming on our daily lives and safety. The question resonates: how can we better prepare for nature’s fury in the future?

 For centuries, the spirit of innovation has been at the very heart of human civilization and modernization. In the modern age of artificial intelligence (AI), this spirit fundamentally reshapes our lives with groundbreaking products and services, such as digital banks that bring immense convenience and personalization in our financial routines.