HKUST Annual Report 2016-17

42 HKUST 2016-2017 Annual Report FOSTERING HIGH-FLYERS The first cohort from the International Research Enrichment (IRE) Track graduated in 2017. This elite program enables science undergraduates interested in a research career to make an early start by undertaking scientific research. Most IRE students secured postgraduate offers from renowned overseas universities ahead of completing their undergraduate studies. In new moves, the Department of Mathematics established the S S Chern Class in honor of the renowned mathematician Prof Shiing-Shen Chern for high-flying math students. The prestigious class offers a challenging yet flexible curriculum, personalized mentoring, scholarships and awards, research opportunities and international experience. The experiential course, Teaching Science Using Innovative Teaching Tools, was rolled out in Fall 2016. The course, jointly developed by the Departments of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, presents a unique opportunity for students to plan and deliver learning activities, in contrast to being taught, and provides useful experience for those considering a teaching career. In addition, the School actively participated in the University’s innovation drive by co-offering an Entrepreneurship minor. The Research in Industrial Projects for Students – Hong Kong was successfully organized for the sixth consecutive year in Summer 2016. The nine-week research-plus-industrial internship and international education exchange program is co-organized with the Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics at the University of California, Los Angeles. Company sponsors in 2016 included AECOM, Ant Financial, ePropulsion and Huawei, with projects involving analytic and computational work, along with skill-building in report writing and public speaking. The School continued to develop its Career Training and Internship Program in 2016-17. The program gives students the opportunity to engage in individual consultations to explore career goals, company visits, mock interviews with human resources experts, and internships. Another MenTernship Program was also offered, with social leaders invited to become mentors to students and internships arranged in mentors’ fields. ATTRACTING FUTURE LEADERS To further attract high-caliber students, the School stepped up its efforts in student recruitment and image-building. Faculty members joined recruitment trips to Taiwan and Mainland China. The School also met local high school teachers and students through a series of specially arranged events, including experiential science workshops with alumni teachers and the inaugural Science Summer Camp for high school students, which attracted over 140 participants in July 2016. The 2016-17 intake saw five International Physics Olympiad and International Mathematical Olympiad medalists admitted. The School’s annual summer research program, summer camp, and research internship program helped to boost postgraduate recruitment efforts. In further initiatives, the School proactively SCHOOL OF SCIENCE Enterprising education moves, career development, and internationalization endeavors advanced the School’s drive for excellence