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HKUST 2011-2012 Annual Report
To preserve local culture, the South China Research
Center has played a significant role in helping the Hong
Kong government to survey and document Hong Kong’s
potential intangible cultural heritage following China’s
signing of UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of
the Intangible Cultural Heritage. During the year, the Center
entered the final stage of drafting its recommendations,
and Hong Kong will have established its list of intangible
cultural heritage by the end of 2012. The Center also has a
research station under the HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate
School in Nansha to support its research.
In addition, the Division of Humanities set up a biweekly
series of public humanities lectures, co-organized with
the Hong Kong Museum of History. The talks covered
Hong Kong poetry, forensic voice comparison, and Taoism,
among others.
Engaging the younger generation
HKUST is keen to use its expertise to nurture younger
members of the community. For example, faculty members
from the School of Science provide training for secondary
students involved in the Hong Kong Physics Olympiad
teams. At the 42nd International Physics Olympiad,
the Hong Kong team received three gold and two silver
medals. At the 13th Asian Physics Olympiad, the team
won one gold medal, two bronze medals and three
honorable mentions.
With the belief that “Train the Trainer” is an effective
way to promote science knowledge among the younger
generation, the School of Science has also collaborated
with the Curriculum Development Institute under the
Education Bureau, to offer training for secondary teachers
through workshops and laboratory demonstrations.
Meanwhile, the University’s Center for the Development
of the Gifted and Talented under the School of Science,
offered university credit-bearing courses and tailor-made
summer program to provide the gifted youngsters with a
fast-track to enrich their knowledge in mathematics and
science.
HKUST also ran its first Summer Institute, giving secondary
school students the chance to earn early credits for HKUST
programs. Schools offered a total of 27 courses, each
carrying one credit.
Fostering community spirit
At HKUST, voluntary activities and the spirit of giving all
form part of the holistic development of contributing
citizens.
In 2011-12, HKUST Connect enabled over 1,800
University participants to take part in 130 service projects
and collaborated with 58 community partners. Thirteen
service learning trips involving over 200 students were
arranged. Five were led and sustained
by experienced student leaders under
the guidance of HKUST Connect
staff. Separately, 11 students
chose to serve non-governmental
organizations or on corporate social
responsibility endeavors as Student
Civic Fellows. HKUST Connect also
offered a structured service learning
project course and supported faculty
in courses with service learning
components with participation from
129 students.
The REDbird Award Program,
sponsored by the Drs Richard Charles
and Esther Yewpick Lee Charitable
Foundation, saw 254 members and 30
