HKUST Annual Report 2016-17

14 HKUST 2016-2017 Annual Report brought together HKUST undergraduates and postgraduates from Hong Kong, Czech Republic, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the US and the UK, providing a useful platform for cultural exchange between local and overseas students as well as first-hand experience of Mainland China. HKUST halls of residence offer a range of programs to assist students in settling into their lives on campus as well as mix with their fellow residents. These include the Hall Language Buddy Program to enhance exchange among students from different cultures; eco- awareness and skill-building; and personal development. A First-Year Experience@Residence Program was also developed over the year for introduction in 2017-18 to help students adapt to University life and fully engage in the activities available in their residential halls. In 2016-17, the University established a DiversAbility Team to enhance support for students with special educational needs (SEN). The team will broaden services in relation to diversity, diverse-ability, integration and equal opportunities. Building a Spirit of Community Service Service learning is an integral part of students’ education at HKUST. In 2016- 17, community engagement platform HKUST Connect collaborated with 65 community partners to provide service opportunities and engaged 2,314 students in 153 service projects. These activities included one local work camp and 12 service learning trips to Mainland China, Cambodia, Indonesia and the US. HKUST Service Learning Day recruited over 900 students, faculty members, staff and alumni to serve in 52 service projects in April 2017. The REDbird Award Program provides leadership training for students. Over the year, the program recruited 110 members and 10 student leaders to work on projects for the University and local community while one member received financial sponsorship from the REDbird Overseas Service Learning Program. A total of four REDbird gold, 11 silver and 56 bronze awards were presented in recognition of students’ dedication and leadership capabilities. Providing Early Experience of Potential Careers HKUST undergraduates have the chance to gain valuable insights and experience into potential career pathways in academic research and other job sectors through its popular Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) and HeadStart@ HKUST Program. In its eleventh year, UROP engaged over 400 students in formal academic research projects under the supervision of 120 faculty, assisting undergraduates to identify their areas of research interest across disciplines and gain exposure to research lab culture and expectations. HeadStart, a more recent initiative, provides first and second-year students with early workplace immersion and career development through internship and mentorship. POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION The postgraduate student body reached a record high of 4,874 as of 31 December 2016, marking an increase of more than 5% compared with the previous year. Among the 1,935 students enrolled on 51 research postgraduate programs and 2,939 students enrolled in 37 taught postgraduate programs, over 70% were non-locals holding citizenship in 60 different countries and regions. Forward Planning and Innovative Programs In December 2016, the University Senate approved a Strategic Framework for Taught Postgraduate Education, covering medium to long- term positioning and development. In line with the University’s focus on data science as one strategic area of research, an MSc program in Big Data Technology was introduced in 2016-17, with an enrolment of close to 100 students.