HKUST 2006-2007 Annual Report
55
EXTERNAL COLLABORATION
Two industry giants joined hands with the University to give students the chance
to pit their wits in a real-life scenario using the skill sets developed by HKUST’s
ambitious Dual Degree Program in Technology and Management.
Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd (OOCL) and Sun Microsystems were named
corporate partners and project sponsors for this year’s Corporate Project which saw
four teams of four top-performing students tackle a testing “Trucking Logistics in
China” challenge.
They used their ability to view a problem from multiple angles, applying management
skills and technology know-how, to create detailed proposals to help the
Mainland’s fragmented trucking industry handle the pressures brought about by its
rapidly-expanding economy. Funds from the two companies were used to sponsor
students on field trips to rural areas where they gained a deeper understanding of
trucking operations.
HKUST’s commitment to aiding the development of Hong Kong was boosted by
the allocation of Government funding for the Division of Social Science to conduct
studies to help the Government resolve key issues relating to population and
social stratification.
Prof Erik Baark of the Division of Social Science led a team of consultants who
provided assistance to Hong Kong’s Innovation and Technology Commission during
its assessment of the economic impact of research and development and innovation
in Hong Kong.
ALUMNI
HKUST may be a young university, but our alumni community is already 30,000
strong. This year our alumni office worked to forge stronger connections through
the launch of a new alumni website and a revamped weekly newsletter covering the
latest university news, job postings and alumni activities.
We also extended the University’s global reach through a new relocation program
that puts alumni moving overseas to work or study in touch with other alumni
already in their neighborhoods and who are willing to help them settle in.
While HKUST does not as yet command a roster of deep-pocketed alumni, many
of our graduates help where they can and, on a personal level, prove exceedingly
generous. The Annual Pledge Program, launched in November 2006, has so far seen
250 limited edition HKUST figurines taken up by alumni. One 1995 ISMT alumnus
makes gifts on an annual basis. This year he donated a $270,000 scholarship for a
Mainland student.
