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HKUST 2011-2012 Annual Report
A two-day workshop on “Communication of Research
Results” was organized to provide students with the
necessary training on effective communication of their
research findings in peer-review publications and scientific
meetings.
High-visibility R&D
During the year, the School of Science has made several
substantial moves to enhance research development.
The School is committed to undertaking quality research
with particular emphasis on multidisciplinary and
strategically focused research areas. To further enhance
its unique and strong research strengths, two leading-edge
research centers, namely the Center of Systems Biology
and Human Health and the Center for Metamaterials
Research, were established. The School has also led the
establishment of a new Center of Statistical Science in
collaboration with other Schools and the Institute for
Advanced Study to provide a platform for interdisciplinary
research and education in statistics.
Faculty members continued to receive recognition for their
contributions to scientific advancement, including election
to membership of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,
State Natural Science Awards, and Awards for Research
Excellence in Natural Sciences presented by the Ministry
of Education. Furthermore, faculty members continued to
make significant breakthroughs in their respective fields,
with findings being published in top journals, such as
Cell
,
Science
,
Cell: Stem Cell
,
Applied Physics Letters
,
Physical
Review Letters
,
Proceedings of the National Academy of
Science
,
USA
, and
Publications Mathématiques de l'IHÉS
.
Collaborative ventures with GlaxoSmithKline R&D
China, Beijing Luzhu Biopharmaceutical Co, Guangzhou
Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited, Morningside Life Science
Ltd, and Roche R&D Center (China) Ltd were established.
Building talent and contributing
to society
The Center for the Development of the Gifted and
Talented under the School offers specialized academic
and enrichment programs in mathematics and science
to nurture potential students and broaden horizons of
gifted learners. Programs include the university credit-
bearing “HKUST Dual Program”, an “Enrichment Program
for Gifted Learners”, and training for team members
representing Hong Kong at the International Physics
Olympiad.
The School also embraces students’ personal growth
through a wide range of enrichment programs including
service learning trips to Mainland China and Cambodia.
A new collaboration with BASF was initiated this year.
The BASF Kids’ Lab was run during the summer, with
HKUST students involved in nurturing young kids’ interest
in chemistry through simple and safe experiments.