Hong Kong University Of Science And Technology - Hong Kong University Of Science And Technology

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is a public research university in Clear Water Bay Peninsula, Hong Kong. Established in 1991, it is the territory's youngest higher learning institution with no precursory existence.

The university consists of four disciplinary schools, which offer degrees in business and management, engineering, science, and humanities and social science, alongside the Interdisciplinary Programs Office, which provides cross-disciplinary programs, and Fok Ying Tung Graduate School/Fok Ying Tung Research Institute, which promotes technology transfer and commercialisation. HKUST has been continuously viewed as one of the top three higher education institutions in Hong Kong.

History

In the late 1980s the Hong Kong Government anticipated a strong demand for university graduates to fuel an economy increasingly based on services. Sir Chung Sze Yuen and the then Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Edward Youde, conceived the idea of another university in addition to the pre-existing two universities (HKU and CUHK).

Planning for the "Third University", named The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology later, began in 1986. Construction began at the Kohima Camp site in Tai Po Tsai on the Clear Water Bay Peninsula. The site was earmarked for the construction of a new British Army garrison, but plans for the construction of the garrison were shelved after the Sino-British Joint Declaration was signed in 1984.

Originally scheduled to finish in 1994, the death of Sir Edward in 1986 led to increased effort and allowed UST to open its doors early â€" in 1991. Several leading scientists and researchers took up positions at the new university in its early years, including physicist Leroy Chang who arrived in 1993 as Dean of Science and went on to become Vice-President for Academic Affairs. Thomas E. Stelson was also a founding member of the administration.

The project was criticised for surpassing the budget set forth by the Hong Kong Government and the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club. However, under the fund-raising efforts of its President, Woo Chia-wei, the first students enrolled in October 1991. By 1992, accommodation and athletic facilities were expanded to support about 7,000 students.

Several more expansion projects such as the construction of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Enterprise Centre have since been completed. The library extension building, Lee Shau Kee Business Building (LSK), Lo Ka Chung Building South Bus Station, Undergraduate Halls VIII and IX, Cheng Yu Tung Building (CYT) and the Conference Lodge, are the latest additions to the campus.

Governance

Established in 1991 under Chapter 1141 of the Laws of Hong Kong (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Ordinance), HKUST is one of the eight statutory universities in Hong Kong. It is an institution funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC).

The supreme governing body of the university is its Council, formed by a total of 27 members. Council members include university administrators, the chairperson of the alumni Convocation, an elected staff member, an elected full-time student representative, as well as 17 "lay members" not being employees or students at the university. Under the HKUST Ordinance, The Chief Executive of HKSAR possesses the power of directly appointing the chairman and vice-chairman of the Council, the Treasurer of the University, and not more than 9 of the lay members.

The Senate acts as the university's supreme academic body, responsible for making and reviewing the academic policies of the university. It comprises mostly of academic staff members but also includes the Students' Union president, an elected representative of the undergraduates as well as an elected representative of the postgraduates.

Being the supreme advisory body of the university, the Court is responsible for promoting the university's interests and to raise funds.

As with all other statutory universities in Hong Kong, the Chief Executive of HKSAR acts as the Chancellor of HKUST. Prior to the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong, this was a ceremonial title bestowed upon the Governor of Hong Kong.

Campus

The university is situated at the northern part of Clear Water Bay Peninsula in Sai Kung District, New Territories, Hong Kong, occupying a 60-hectare site overlooking Port Shelter in Tai Po Tsai. In addition to the academic complexes, the campus also boasts student halls of residence, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, the University Centre, staff quarters and the President's Lodge, making use of the sloped terrain to divide the campus for different uses.

Academic Building

The Academic Building contains 10 lecture theatres (A-H, J-K), a multitude of classrooms, laboratories and administrative offices, as well as ancillary facilities such as canteens, banks, a bookstore and a supermarket. The lecture theatres can accommodate classes of up to 450 students and offer audiovisual equipment. In addition, an information centre and a souvenir shop can be found at the Piazza.

Lee Shau Kee Business Building (LSK), completed in 2013 and named after entrepreneur Lee Shau Kee, houses offices and classrooms of the School of Business and Management (SBM). Before LSK went into operation, offices and classrooms used by all of the 4 schools were grouped under the same roof in the Academic Building.

The latest addition to the campus is the Cheng Yu Tung Building (CYT), which mainly consist of classrooms and laboratories, completed in 2015.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library

The HKUST Library, part of the Hong Kong Academic Library Link (HKALL), occupies a central location of the campus. Connected to the Academic Building, it is accessible directly from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Atrium. It spans five floors with over 12,350 sq m of floor space, providing more than 3,674 seats as well as computing facilities. It offers a wide array of information resources, both local and remote. In addition to over 720,000 print volumes and a large collection of media resources, it provides access to more than 48,000 electronic and print periodical titles, 290,000 e-books, 300 databases, and other digital information resources. The University Archives collects university records of historical value. The Special Collections consist of History of Science rare books, antique maps of China, manuscripts, reproductions of paintings and calligraphy.

It also includes a 24-hour-capable Learning Commons which provides a technology-rich environment for active learning and education.

With two galleries, several exhibitions are held each year. The Library often organizes orientation and instruction sessions, book talks, seminars, reading promotion programs, and other general education activities.

Health services

Located on LG1, next to the Sports Hall entrance, the Health Centre consists of a medical clinic, a student dental clinic as well as a staff dental clinic. The medical clinic provides free outpatient service to all full-time students and staff. Specialist services in Allergy, Dermatology, ENT, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Pulmonology, Surgery and Physiotherapy are available subject to a charge.

Safety and environment

The Health, Safety and Environment Office (HSEO) was established to develop and help implement safety and environmental policies and procedures, and to provide necessary services to facilitate the realisation of this commitment.

Reputation and rankings

HKUST had been previously ranked Asia's No.1 by the independent regional QS University Rankings: Asia for three consecutive years between 2011 and 2013. It's one of the fastest growing institutions as ranked #2 and #3 by QS world's under-50 universities and Times 150 under 50 universities respectively in 2015 and 2016.The THE's World Reputation Rankings of 2016 considered it the third reputable in the territory, while it was first in the HKU Public Opinion Programme survey (2016). According to Global Employability University Ranking 2016, the University's graduates have the most employment rate among Greater China, ranked 13th worldwide. Besides overall rankings, a list of subject rankings of Hong Kong tertiary institutions is available to show the strength of its individual disciplines ranked by the above organisations.

Academic organisation

The overall academic organisation structure is as follows:

School of Science

There are Division of Life Science, Department of Chemistry, Department of Mathematics and Department Physics under the School of Science. The School of Science emphasises the whole-person development and international exposure of students. Its undergraduate exchange program provides science students with as many international learning opportunities as it can throughout their studies. The School has teamed up with over 60 exchange partners from regions including Australia, United Kingdom, United States, Mainland China, and Japan.

School of Engineering

The School of Engineering (SENG) is the largest of the 6 Schools within HKUST. It has 6 departments: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management, and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. It is the only education provider on chemical engineering in Hong Kong. The School provides more than 40 degree programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels.

In 2015-16, Times Higher Education World University Rankings in Engineering and Technology placed HKUST Engineering No.16 globally, the best ever position achieved by any local university since the establishment of this league table in 2010. QS World University Rankings by Faculty 2015 - Engineering and Technology ranked HKUST No.14 globally which made SENG No. 1 in Hong Kong for six consecutive years. SENG has over 100 exchange partner universities in 26 countries/regions in the world.

Centre for Global & Community Engagement

The Centre for Global & Community Engagement (GCE) is established as co-curricular program under the School of Engineering, engaging students to make contributions to the community and to broaden their international exposure. GCE supports individuals and student teams such as the HKUST Robotics Team to participate in international competitions.

School of Business and Management

HKUST's School of Business and Management (SBM) is branded the HKUST Business School. Its Kellogg-HKUST EMBA program has been ranked the world’s No.1 six times (2007, 2009-2013) by the Financial Times, while its full-time MBA program has been ranked the world’s Top 10 four times (2010-2013). The School has been awarded AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation since 1999.

There are over 140 faculties. The School offers degree programsâ€" undergraduate, MBA, EMBA, MSc and PhD â€" and a range of executive education. 12 research centres are assigned to areas from business case studies and investing to Asian Financial Markets and China Business & Management. The School is also placed to leverage its international and regional knowledge base as Asia rises in significance in the global economy. A new purpose-built campus is in place to enable the School to develop further.

School of Humanities and Social Science

The School of Humanities and Social Science supports interdisciplinary academic training and research in fields including anthropology, economics, geography, history, innovation studies, languages, linguistics, literature, music, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, and visual art.

Interdisciplinary Programs Office

The interdisciplinary programs bring together two or more different fields of study, offering a great opportunity for students with more than one interest to integrate their abilities. Programs are referenced to Hong Kong’s needs and global trends to ensure relevance, with strong input from business and industry to keep training and skills in line with market demand. Research projects in partnership with industry and the community are encouraged through the Dual Degree Program in Technology and Management and Risk Management and Business Intelligence Program to allow full engagement of the students with the community.

Research studies

HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School/ HKUST Fok Ying Tung Research Institute

On 25 January 2007, the HKUST officially named its graduate school in Nansha as HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School/ HKUST Fok Ying Tung Research Institute in a ceremony that combined the official opening of the graduate school and the ground-breaking of its Nansha campus.

HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study

HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) at HKUST champions collaborative projects across disciplines and institutions. It forges relationships with academic, business, community, and government leaders. The IAS organised its inaugural lecture by noted scientist Prof. Stephen Hawking in June 2006.

Research institutes and centres

Student life

Students' residence

All full-time registered UG students, in-time full-time HKUST research postgraduate students (RPgs) and full-time HKUST taught postgraduate students (TPgs) of the University are eligible to apply for student housing. Under the current policy, all local UG students are guaranteed one semester of hall residence in their first year of study, whilst their non-local counterparts are guaranteed two years of residency.

The nine on-campus undergraduate halls provide a total of 146 bed places in single rooms, 3,094 in double rooms (twin + bunk) and 792 in triple rooms. 220 places in single rooms are provided for the residence of Taught Postgraduate Students (TPgs) and Visiting Interns, and another 960 places in single or double rooms are for Research Postgraduate Students (RPgs).

There are also off-campus accommodations available. 15 apartments in Tai Po Tsai Village(TPT308 and Wan's Lodge) and 6 apartments in Sam Long Village (SL Apartments) are rented by the University to accommodate 126 TPgs.

On 27 April 2012, research postgraduate students organised a sit-down strike to raise the voice of the voiceless and reiterate the concerns of the research postgraduate students about the serious housing issue.

Students' Union

Formed in 1992, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Students' Union (HKUSTSU) is an organization independent from but recognized by the university administration. The union is governed by four independent statutory bodies, namely the Executive Committee, the Council, the Editorial Board and the Court. All undergraduates and postgraduates are eligible for membership in the union, although this is not compulsory.

The Students' Union oversees over 100 affiliated societies catering to students engaged in different academic disciplines, residential halls, sports and interests.