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HKUST 2015-2016 Annual Report
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Senior staff appointments and office reorganization, recognition
of long-serving University members, and numerous infrastructural
advances took place over the year
ORGANIZATION
AND RESOURCES
ADMINISTRATIVE MOVES
The University announced the appointment of Dr
Robert Wessling as the new Dean of Students,
effective 1 August 2016. With his invaluable
experiences and expertise in multiple student-
related matters gained from university-setting, and
as a teacher-scholar as well as a seasoned residence
master, Dr Wessling will bring with him new insight
and expertise into the University’s entire spectrum
of student activities.
Several other senior staff appointments were made
during the year. Following the merger of two offices
and the formal establishment of the Academic
Registry, Mr James Prince was appointed the
founding Academic Registrar, effective 8 August
2016. Mr Prince has a solid background in higher
education administration. At HKUST, he will continue
to develop academic administrative services to
enhance the University’s student experience and
education provision.
In addition, Mr John G Maguire joined HKUST
as Director of Facilities, Ms Katherine Wong became
Director of Postgraduate Studies Administration,
Ms Alice Wong was appointed Director of Finance,
and Ms Daisy Chan took up the post of Director
of Public Affairs.
The Student Housing and Residential Life Office was
internally restructured into different teams in August
2015 to further optimize students’ experience of hall
life and provide a supportive and inspiring living and
learning environment.
LOYALTY AND WORK-LIFE BALANCE
In recognition of two decades of service at HKUST, 89
colleagues were presented with Long Service Awards
for their loyalty to the University. As at 30 June 2016,
there were a total of 3,514 members of staff in post.
Short seminars and workshops on legal, ethical and
management issues commonly encountered in public
institutions or the education profession were offered
regularly. In addition, the popular Wellness Program
series of health seminars continued to be provided
on a quarterly basis to enhance work-life balance
among staff members and as part of the University’s
sustainability endeavors.
CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT
Good progress was made in the implementation
of the Campus Master Plan. Construction tenders
were issued for the indoor sports center, with
completion expected in the fourth quarter of 2017.
The boat house and promenade areas of the Water
Sports Center reached the detailed design stage
and are anticipated to be finished in mid-2018.
A generous donation from the Shaw Foundation
enabled the 1,000-seat multi-purpose auditorium
to move forward. Following an international design
competition, Danish company Henning Larsen
Architects was appointed to lead the design team.
Construction is anticipated to start in mid-2017 with
completion targeted for 2019-20. The auditorium
and surrounding public space offer the setting and
opportunity for formal and informal gatherings
and events, and will occupy a well-sited location
at the junction of key access routes to and from
the Academic Building, Lee Shau Kee Campus,
south gate and bus terminus.
The detailed design of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Global Graduate Tower is in progress, with bed
space increased to 500 through an efficient planning
strategy. The 520-bed hostel in Tseung Kwan O was
completed and the occupation permit issued. The
first students are due to move in by mid-August 2016.
Modernization of existing facilities was on-going
throughout the year, including student residences,
staff residences, and extensive areas of the
Academic Building and its facilities. The additional
accommodation provided by the opening of
the Tseung Kwan O hostel will also provide an
opportunity for renovation of two student residence
tower on campus.
The official opening of the Cheng Yu Tung Building
took place in February 2016. The eight-story
research and academic complex covers a net floor
area of 10,000 square meters and houses a range
of teaching and research facilities including the
State Key Laboratory on Advanced Displays and
Optoelectronics Technologies, and the WHAT LAB,
which explores artificial intelligence. The open
plan design and flexibility are especially useful for
encouraging interdisciplinary research.
(from top to bottom)
Artist’s Impressions of
Multi-Purpose Auditorium and
Waterfront Project;
Cheng Yu Tung Building
