News & Stories

A research team from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), led by Professors Gan Jianping (Department of Ocean Science) and Professor Yang Can (Department of Mathematics), has developed a novel AI-powered tool named STIMP for diagnosing coastal ocean productivity and ecosystem health. STIMP introduces a novel paradigm that imputes missing data and then predicts Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentrations across large spatiotemporal scales. In tests across four representative global coastal regions, STIMP significantly outperformed existing geoscience tools, reducing the mean absolute error (MAE) for imputation by up to 81.39% and for prediction by 58.99%. Accurate Chl-a prediction aids in early detection of harmful algal blooms, ecosystem protection, and provides data-driven insights for evidence-based policy-making.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) selected eight cutting-edge projects for the latest round of Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab program for testing on campus. Covering a wide range of sustainability challenges on campus, the projects address energy efficiency, renewable energy optimization, water management, wellness, ecosystem enhancement, and predictive maintenance strategies, providing students and faculty with hands-on experience with prototypes before real-world implementation.

Prof. CHEN Fei, Associate Head and Professor of the Division of Environment and Sustainability at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has received the prestigious 2025 Luke Howard Award from the International Association for Urban Climate (IAUC). As the second scholar from the Greater China to receive this global accolade, this recognition honors his exceptional leadership and transformative contributions to urban climatology. As the top award from IAUC, the Luke Howard Award is presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions to the urban climatology field in terms of a combination of research, teaching, and service to the international community of urban climatologists.  The IAUC commended Prof. Chen for his international leadership and impact in urban climate modelling, highlighting his role in shaping policies and developing tools that protect vulnerable urban areas. 

A research team from the School of Engineering (SENG) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has introduced comprehensive bio-inspired multiscale design strategies to address key challenges in the commercialization of perovskite solar cells: long-term operational stability. Drawing inspiration from natural systems, these strategies aim to enhance the efficiency, resilience, and adaptability of solar technologies. The approaches focus on leveraging insights from biological structures to create solar cells that can better withstand environmental stressors and prolonged use.

In the vibrant halls of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Dr. Meike SAUERWEIN, Lecturer of the Division of Environment and Sustainability, is igniting a quiet revolution. Her course, ENVR 1080: The Smart Consumer – Uncovering the Hidden Story Behind the Product Label, is far more than a typical sustainability course—it is an eye-opening experience that makes students rethink their everyday purchases and their ripple effects on the environment and society.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today inaugurated the Otto Poon Center for Climate Resilience and Sustainability (CCRS), a transformative initiative designed to accelerate research, innovation and policy solutions in climate resilience and sustainable development. Established through the generous support of Ir Dr. Otto POON, Founder of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation, the Center unites HKUST’s world-class expertise in climate science, advanced modeling systems, artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy and sustainable policy to deliver scalable and actionable strategies for governments, industries, and communities worldwide.

As a pioneering electrochemist and Head of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Prof. SHAO Minhua is accelerating the clean energy transition and seeking to fast forward top faculty and young talents in making their own contribution to a resource-friendly world.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) ranked 19th globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, retaining its position as Hong Kong and Mainland China’s top institution for the second consecutive year.  The rankings, which assessed 2,500 universities, recognize institutions advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). HKUST excelled in SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 15 (Life on Land), reflecting its leadership in innovating resilient infrastructure and industries, promoting urban sustainability and promoting terrestrial ecosystem conservation.