44
HKUST 2015-2016
Annual Report
45
RESEARCH ENGAGEMENT
In addition to his Theme-based Research Grant from
the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, the principal
investigator Prof Charles WW Ng, Associate Vice-
President (Research and Graduate Studies) and Chair
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
developed a significant research collaboration with
a matching of RMB13 million from the Institute of
Mountain Hazards and Environment (IMHE) under
the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This collaboration
will enable researchers from his team and the IMHE
to develop a world-leading flume facility jointly for
investigating debris flow-structure interaction in
Kunming. Research outcomes from the Theme-based
Research project and this collaboration will help
engineers to mitigate risks and damage from landslides
in Hong Kong and worldwide. Other donations include
HK$1 million from Mr Ringo Yu and HK$1.9 million
pledged by Geotech Engineering Ltd over five years.
The School saw several key laboratories and centers
established over the year. The Hong Kong Branch
of the Chinese National Engineering Research Center
for Control and Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution
was set up at HKUST. The cross-School Laboratory
on Big Data for Bio Intelligence and WeChat-HKUST
Joint Lab on Artificial Intelligence Technology (WHAT
LAB) were launched, and a framework agreement
on smart city development signed between the
University and Digital China, the largest integrated IT
services provider in China.
The Walt Disney Company (Hong Kong) and the
University set up the Disney-HKUST Grant for
Technology and Well-being. The US$75,000 grant
enables engineering students to develop inventions
to improve the lives of others. In addition, the
Ford Motor Company continued its partnership
with the University with 20 MSc engineering
students receiving environmental sustainability
research grants in 2015-16.
The first Technion-HKUST Workshop on Mechanical
and Aerospace Engineering took place in June
2016 in Israel. Faculty and PhD students engaged
in vigorous discussion on energy and transport with
Technion counterparts. Technion is one of University’s
strategic partners.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
The Academy for Bright Future Young Engineers was
initiated by the Center for Engineering Education
Innovation (E²I), supported by Bright Future Charitable
Foundation. The Academy offers authentic engineering
experiences to high school students and empowers
them to think like engineers. Forty students from Form
Three to Form Five took part in the first program.
Projects developed under the Mobile Application
Development Course saw groups of engineering
students working with NGOs on initiatives ranging
from elderly outpatient escort services to a depression
detection gaming app. The School was highly visible
at the annual InnoCarnival. The Science Toy Design
Competition also showcased students’ science and
technology know-how in designing an educational toy.
A new dean, strong rankings, cutting-edge programs and research endeavors,
and community interaction were features of 2015-16
P
rof Tim Kwang Ting Cheng was appointed
Dean of Engineering, concurrent with joint
appointments as Chair Professor in the
Department of Electronic and Computer
Engineering and Department of Computer Science
and Engineering. Prof Cheng is an experienced
academic leader and leading authority in Very Large
Scale Integration (VLSI) testing and design verification.
In the Times Higher Education World University
Rankings of Top 100 Universities for Engineering and
Technology 2015-16, HKUST was ranked No.16, the
best position yet by any local university since the table
was established in 2010. It has been No.1 in Greater
China for five consecutive years. In the QS World
University Rankings by Faculty 2015 – Engineering
and Technology, HKUST was ranked No.14, its highest
position to date. In the overall rankings, the University
was No.28 globally, up from No.40 in 2014.
ENTERPRISING EDUCATION
The BEng in Aerospace Engineering Program
admitted a high-caliber first intake. The curriculum
is designed to train students to design, analyze
and test aeronautical and aerospace vehicles and
associated technology, with graduates expected to
work in major aircraft or aerospace service companies
or manufacturers in the region. In addition, two
innovative minor programs, in Big Data Technology
and Sustainable Energy Engineering were developed
over the year. They will be launched in Fall 2016.
The School piloted the Undergraduate Student-
initiated Experiential Learning (USEL) Program.
This encourages students to launch and manage
their own projects, with guidance from faculty
members. Participating students also have access to
a well-equipped 24-hour Engineering Experiential
Learning Lab. An open house and poster session took
place in April 2016 for students to share their work
with the HKUST community.
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are now being
provided, enabling blended learning to be adopted.
This new teaching method has been well-received
by students. Examples of MOOCs introduced in 2015-
16 include “An Introduction to Mobile Application
Development Using Android” and the specialization
series “Full Stack Web Development”.
INNOVATIVE COLLABORATIONS
International collaborations flourished over the
year. The School engaged in academic cooperation
with CentraleSupélec in France allowing students
to simultaneously earn a dual degree in engineering
from both institutions. HKUST and the University
of Waterloo in Canada introduced dual doctoral
degrees in engineering for selected students. The
School and Politecnico di Milano in Italy established
an academic collaboration under which students can
receive a dual degree in engineering at Master’s level
from both institutions.
Three MSc programs were designed in readiness
for their start date in Fall 2016. The programs focus
on big data technology, aeronautical engineering,
and
international
air
transport
operations
management, all areas of emerging community
need. Eight MSc students spent six months working
at Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
institutions around Spain as part of the School’s
inaugural research internship program with CSIC.
The School continued its success in the Hong Kong
PhD Fellowship Scheme, receiving the largest number
of awardees among all engineering schools in Hong
Kong for the seventh consecutive year. To further
attract top-caliber undergraduate and master’s
students to research postgraduate programs and
increase diversity, the School organized a Summer
Camp for Elite Students in 2015, mainly targeted at
students from overseas countries and Mainland China.
SCHOOL OF
ENGINEERING
Times Higher Education Rankings
(Engineering and Technology)
No.1
GREATER CHINA
