52
HKUST 2011-2012 Annual Report
ORGANIZATION AND RESOURCES
Halls VIII and IX will soon be completed, providing 700
on-campus places and enabling students to gain valuable
experience of independent living and campus life by the sea.
Promoting efficiency and
communication
To provide an overall framework for carrying out long-term
strategic planning under the 1-HKUST concept, University-
wide planning processes including annual operational
planning have been brought in. In addition, major
administrative branches and management units have now
become more target-oriented with the introduction of key
performance indicators.
Communication was strengthened to foster open dialogue
within the University and to encourage engagement. The
President held regular tea gatherings with students while
University Forums brought the campus together to learn
the latest information about readiness for the launch of
the new four-year undergraduate degree and double
cohort arrangements.
There was another boost to the University’s communal
spirit with the presentation of the HKUST President’s
Outstanding Service Awards to three non-teaching staff
members. The awards were given in recognition of
exceptional service and dedication to the betterment of
the University. Another 237 long-serving staff members
were presented with the Long Service Award to honor 20
years of loyal service to the University.
Newcomers and their needs were recognized too, with
the introduction of an online New Staff Orientation Guide.
Orientation activities for newcomers were also organized
to formally welcome recent arrivals, introduce University
policies and resources, and provide opportunities to build
connections with other colleagues.
Integrating information
The University’s information system has played a
significant role in fostering integration. To support the
many changes in academic structure and student-related
functions entailed in Hong Kong’s 334 education initiative,
the University embarked on a major enterprise resources
planning (ERP) project. The year under review saw the
continued implementation and stabilization of the system.
The project, a major University-wide undertaking,
stretches across teaching, student, and business activities.
In addition to new curriculum structures and student-
