HKUST 2006-2007 Annual Report
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POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION
HKUST is specifically charged with the mission of advancing knowledge at the
postgraduate level. All four Schools offer postgraduate degrees with 3,000
postgraduates enrolled in taught programs or research programs leading to
MPhil and PhD degrees.
Faculty members, many with world-class reputations, use cutting-edge
research as a foundation for quality teaching in science, engineering, business,
management, the humanities and social science. The aim is not just to advance
knowledge, but also to advance social and economic development in Hong
Kong and beyond.
Studies offered are diverse and include, among many others, bioengineering,
computer science, chemical engineering, wireless communications, artificial
intelligence, financial mathematics, marine environmental science, linguistics
and modern Chinese history, marketing and accounting.
The numbers of research degree graduates have risen steadily over recent years
and 2006-07 proved no exception. Compared with 2005-06, the total number
has increased from 271 to 281, with 133 graduates of PhD programs.
Our research strengths are backed by partnership with major companies such
as Huawei, with which we have a joint R&D Center in wireless communications,
and Microsoft’s Asian research arm, under which PhD candidates in computer
science can carry out research at Microsoft’s Beijing premises. There are
collaborations with sister institutions as well, notably our innovative joint
program in Molecular Medicine with the University of Hong Kong and the
Chinese University of Hong Kong.
The School of Business and Management was given the go-ahead during
the year to launch the University’s second joint master’s degree with another
university: the Master of Science program in Global Finance to be run in
conjunction with the Stern School of Business of New York University from
November 2007.
This follows the enormous success of the Business School’s Executive
MBA program, offered jointly with the Kellogg School of Management of
Northwestern University which celebrated its 10th anniversary during the year.
Senior PhD students wanting to enrich their research experience have benefited
from a new assistance scheme for those making exceptional progress in their
studies and assistantship duties. They can now apply for a monthly subsidy to
allow them to visit an overseas university or research institute for two to six
months. There they can interact and learn with research personnel in another
academic setting while being exposed to the cultural and social aspects of
the host country. Twenty-one awards were made in the scheme’s first year
of operation.
