HKUST Annual Report 2018-19

7 HKUST On the institutional development front, I am pleased to report that HKUST has taken a major step forward for our future sustainability and vitality, with the December 2018 announcement of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) (HKUST (GZ)) to be built under a tripartite agreement between HKUST, the Guangzhou Municipal Government, and Guangzhou University. The academic programs and structures in the Clear Water Bay (CWB) and Guangzhou campuses will be fully synergistic and complementary without duplication. HKUST (GZ) will focus on transdisciplinary thematic programs that encourage our faculty and students to integrate different disciplines to find solutions for complex and ever-evolving regional and global challenges. Conveniently located in Nansha, HKUST (GZ) will assist the University to maximize knowledge transfer and commercializationactivities intheGreaterBayArea leveraging its close proximity to our well-established mainland research institutes inNanshaandShenzhenandR&DCenter inFoshan. With just a short 30-minute train journey between the two campuses, facultymembers and students can enjoy access to laboratories, classes, and facilities in both sites, enabling frequent academic and scientific exchange and collaboration. Over the year, HKUST has also advanced education and research through the launch of new programs and plans, moved forward on innovation and entrepreneurship, and added brand new campus facilities. To keep attracting the best young minds, we have created exciting opportunities that extend the boundaries of traditional degrees. For undergraduates, these range from our experiential-learning based bachelor program in Integrative Systems and Design, to the interactive, discussion-based HKUST-Minerva Scholar Program that deepens critical thinking and creativity. At the postgraduate level, we concluded an agreement to offer Hong Kong’s first joint academic and industry-run dual-degree MPhil + MSc program in future energy and power system operation and management. In research, our endeavors and their potential impact on academia and the community were recognized by external funding of almost $835 million for 1,125 research projects over 2018-19. They included an Areas of Excellence Scheme awardof over $91million for anadvancedAI extremeweather prediction and landslide early warning system and close to $38 million for a Theme-based Research Scheme proposal to use stem cell and genome editing technologies to identify novel drug targets for Alzheimer’s disease. Meanwhile, a multidisciplinary study to deliver a fintech hub roadmap and policy recommendations for Hong Kong illustrated our growing input into public policy. Our many breakthroughs encompassed the discovery of over 7,000 new ocean microbial species, and findings using genomic data and a novel computational model that provided new insights into the progression of a rare and deadly form of brain cancer. With the aim of helping to advise society’s transition to a future that is greener, more livable and human-centric, and instilling a culture of learning from failure and self-initiated changes, a pioneering Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab (SSC) initiativewas launched to transform the University’s campus into a testing and innovation zone where students and faculty members can try out different ideas and approaches. Transferring our knowledge to improve the living quality of the community is always at the top of our minds. The release of our PRAISE-HKproject’smobileapp in June2019, for example, provided a valuable new way for the Hong Kong public to reduce their exposure to air pollution using cutting-edge air quality and traffic modeling, big data, and real-time sensor technologies, among others. Over the year, the Technology Transfer Center continued to promote promising new technology start-ups and enhance their competitiveness by leveraging the outstanding research development infrastructure and resources at HKUST and its international links. 17 start-ups were recommended by HKUST over 2018- 19 to receive funding support from the Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU) under the Hong Kong government’s Innovation and Technology Commission, bringing the total number of HKUST-affiliated TSSSU start- ups to 53 since its inception in 2014. High-quality campus infrastructure is a key element of students’ learning experience and is conducive to enhancing the quality of teaching and research outputs. During the year, we saw the official ground-breaking ceremony for the Shaw Auditoriumunder our CampusMaster Plan. Themulti-purpose landmark building will mark the arrival of a much-needed venue for teaching and cultural activities, and large-scale University events such as Congregation, concerts, and exhibitions. Proposals for government funding to build two new research facilities to enhance university research innovation and entrepreneurship have also been submitted. During 2018-19, we continued to receive support for all these efforts from our donors, with multiple mega-gifts helping us advance the frontiers of education and research, provide cutting-edge research facilities, and secure much-needed resources to recruit, nurture, and retain top talent – students, faculty members and staff – to take HKUST forward. In addition to thanking our donors for their on-going generosity to HKUST, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all our stakeholders – Council Members, senior management, faculty, students, alumni, staff, funding bodies and partners near and far – for their untiring contribution to the University’s advancement. President PROF. WEI SHYY JP As I look back over the past 12 months, the main word that comes to mind is “extraordinary” for HKUST as we significantly accelerated the development of the University in multiple aspects.