these objectives, and assessment methods to
determine if the learning objectives are met.
Supporting this work will be a major initiative for
the University’s Center for Enhanced Learning and
Teaching (CELT) until 2012, and will become part
of CELT’s regular program for the professional
development of faculty and graduate teaching
assistants.
Postgraduate Education
When the University opened its doors to its first
classes back in October 1991, there were 236
postgraduate students. In 2007-08, the enrolment
of postgraduate students stood at 3,263, close to
a 14-fold increase in 17 years. Of the postgraduate
students today, about one-third, or 1,236 students,
are research postgraduates, and the remaining
2,027 are on taught master’s programs.
The significant growth in postgraduate numbers
and programs over the years reflects the rising and
diverse needs of personnel in various professions.
First, in a research-intensive university, faculty
research work requires the aid of supporting
research personnel. Research postgraduates play a
vital role as they provide essential support for the
research work of faculty. In addition, as Hong Kong
develops into a knowledge-based society, many of
its economic activities are dependent on a good
supply of highly trained professional personnel.
To meet the needs of different professions, the
University offers various postgraduate programs
catering for the lifelong learning needs of people in
Hong Kong and beyond.
The University’s evolution into a truly international
institution requires an increase in the multi-
cultural diversity of postgraduate students. The
internationalization of the postgraduate population
will provide local students with opportunities to be
exposed to students from different educational,
ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. During the
year, efforts were made to diversify the ethnic
representation of research postgraduates.
In addition to the recruitment of research students
from overseas, we encourage our research students
to visit overseas institutions for a period of up to six
months to gain research experience in a new setting,
working with researchers from different ethnic
and cultural backgrounds. Under this scheme, over
the past year, 15 PhD students went to different
institutions worldwide, including MIT, Stanford,
Duke, UCLA, Harvard, and McGill.
Over the past year, several new postgraduate
programs were launched. The MS in Global Finance,
jointly offered by the Business School at HKUST and
the Stern School of New York University, started its
first class in late 2007. The MS in Biotechnology
Program was re-designed and re-launched in early
2008. In addition, two new MPhil programs in
engineering fields were launched, one in Electronic
Technology and the other in Computer Science and
Technology.
In a knowledge-based society, demand for
postgraduate education to help meet the lifelong
learning needs of senior professionals in various
fields will grow. The University, building on its areas
of strength, will continue to provide high quality
education to cater for the needs of the Hong
Kong community and beyond. This echoes a main
mission of the University, that of advancing learning
and knowledge through teaching and research,
particularly at the postgraduate level.
HKUST 2007-2008 Annual Report
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