HKUST (Guangzhou)

Function Hub The Function Hub aims to drive cutting edge research related to technological advances in new materials, renewable energy, and earth system diagnostics that are intertwined with different parts of our daily lives. Its four thrust areas comprise Advanced Materials; Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences; Microelectronics; and Sustainable Energy and Environment, each with a particular research focus, for example, innovative and transferrable materials; integrated circuits, system architecture, and design automation; ocean-atmosphere-land interaction in the earth system; and renewable and sustainable energy technologies. Information Hub In today’s era of digital transformation, the Information Hub focuses on addressing global challenges arising from human interactions with information and technology, through AI-powered technology, effective decision made with advanced data technologies, IoT-enabled future smart cities and digital society, as well as the interplay of art and technology with a social impact. The Hub is made up of four thrust areas including Artificial Intelligence, Computational Media and Arts, Data Science and Analytics, and Internet of Things. Pioneering Hubs Drive Pioneering Innovation Mainland research platforms in Nansha and Shenzhen as well as the R&D Center in Foshan, will strengthen knowledge transfer of research findings and applications, and facilitate commercialization to its fullest. Central to the academic framework is the enquiry- based cross-disciplinary active learning model which is designed to enhance students’ creative thinking, empower them to build their own ideas, and cultivate their ability to engage with society so as to foresee, identify, and solve real-world problems. To facilitate a full spectrum of exposure to cross-disciplinary experiences, they will be required to participate in cross-disciplinary research methodology and design- thinking core courses in the form of project-based learning. Through interactive exchanges and in-depth discussions over the whole project development, students will learn how to think creatively, integrate ideas boldly, solve problems innovatively, and work collaboratively to address global challenges. In addition, students are required to take a core course from their Hub and at least another core course from one of the other three Hubs to further broaden their disciplinary exposure. With none of the University’s current degree programs duplicated, this innovative approach to education will set a good example for the global higher education sector over the strategic integration of different fields of expertise to create a positive impact on the world. Systems Hub The Systems Hub hosts a cluster of thrust areas in Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering, Intelligent Transportation, Robotics and Autonomous Systems, and Smart Manufacturing. It aims to explore industrial or societal applications through the planning and implementation of industrial automation, the design of intelligent traffic management and transport networks, the advancement of personal assistive robotics and human-robot interaction, and advances in regenerative medicine and healthy aging research. Society Hub The Society Hub focuses on thrust areas encompassing Financial Technology; Innovation, Policy and Entrepreneurship; MBA+; and Urban Governance and Design. The Hub will equip students with strong analytical skills and an open mindset highly valued by the business community, think tanks, and policy/research institutions, and aims to nurture socially-conscious talents to identify economic and social issues of urban areas; solve problems through innovation in technology, institution, policy, entrepreneurship, and business model; revolutionize the financial industry; and master specific domain knowledge as entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders.