Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST, or UST) (; Cantonese Yale: hēung góng fō geih daaih hohk, Jyutping: hoeng1 gong2 fo1 gei6 dai6 hok6; Mandarin Pinyin: Xiānggǎng Kējì Dàxué) was established in 1991 under Hong Kong Law Cap. 1141 (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Ordinance), as one of eight universities in Hong Kong. The current president is Professor Paul Ching-wu Chu.

Academically, the university has been ranked as among the top three university in Hong Kong and one of the most prestigious universities in Asia. In 2005, the Times Higher Education Supplement ranked it 43st in the world.^* Many of its programs rank among the top in terms of admission scores for local applicants through JUPAS. The university was also able to attract international students from different continents, though most of them come from Mainland China.

Dominating the university's entrance plaza is a huge red sundial, which has become a distinguishing symbol of the university since its construction. As of January 2005, HKUST was home to 8,513 students and 439 faculty members.

History

The university was established by the British colonial government of Hong Kong in 1991, shortly before the handover of Hong Kong territory to China in 1997.

HKUST was first conceived of by Dr. the Hon. Sir Sze-Yuen Chung, and the then Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Edward Youde.

Science and Engineering

Successful fabrication of the world's smallest single-walled carbon nanotubes (0.4nm) that can revolutionize microcomputers and other ultra-thin electronic devices, and discovery that these nanotubes are superconducting

Development of a new generation of dielectric electrorheological (ER) fluids, which can change within milliseconds into a solid state

Development of a genechip technology for the identification, quality assurance, and standardization of traditional Chinese medicine

Development of a fast motion estimation algorithm recognized as part of MPEG-4, the international standard for multimedia applications

EEE faculty ranked No.1 among top universities worldwide in the number of papers published in IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices during 1998-2002

Business

School research ranked No. 25 in the world by University of Texas at Dallas (2005)

The MBA program ranked No. 44 in the world by Financial Times (2005)

The Kellogg-HKUST EMBA program ranked No.2 in the world by Financial Times (2005)

The School of Business and Management placed first in Asia Pacific by Financial Times (2001-2003 MBA average rank)

Customized executive education ranked first in Asia Pacific by Financial Times (2003 and 2004)

Top in Asia Pacific for research output in the world's three most important finance journals, and for research papers published in 30 most important economic journals (2002)

Accounting faculty ranked first in the world for publications in the top five accounting research journals (2000 and 2001)

In 2005, the School retained its No. 1 position in the category of "international experience" accoding to the Financial Times newspaper. Its research capability remains top 20 in the world. The career progression that its graduates enjoys is ranked No. 8 in the world.

China Studies

The School of Humanities and Social Science, along with Harvard and Stanford, ranked in the top five in the world for the number of research papers published in three most prestigious China studies journals between 1997 and 2001

Campus

The university campus occupies a 60-hectare (150-acre) site which is divided into a few sections. They are: Academic building, S.H.Ho Sports hall, Student halls, outdoor sports facilities, university center and apartments, staff quarters and the Presedent's lodge.

Schools and Departments

School of Science

School of Engineering

School of Business and Management

School of Humanities and Social Science
- Humanities
- Social Science

Faculty Members

All of HKUST's faculty members on regular terms hold doctoral degrees, and are recruited from highly competitive international market. Of these, 87% obtained their highest degree from a U.S. or Canadian university, and 76% graduated from American Association of Universities - an organization of 62 leading research institutions in the U.S. and Canada.

Student Life on Campus

Teams of experienced and multi-culturally trained counselors, hall wardens, and tutors are available to help students in adapting to, and participating in, campus life, as well as to assist them in solving problems affecting their studies.

Overseas full-time students are normally offered on-campus accommodation. Most rooms of the undergraduate halls are designed for double occupancy, and are air-conditioned and furnished. There are provisions for linking personal computers to the university network.

There are a number of cafeterias, restaurants, and food courts on campus, offering northern and southern Chinese, Asian as well as international food.

Various art and cultural activities are available through the Center for the Arts and Artist-in Residence Program.

Confluence Dinners attended by guests from the business sector and other walks of life are organized to broaden students' knowledge and skills for personal development.