News & Stories

  In a world still grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, health disparities are widening and healthcare worker shortages persist, revealing vulnerabilities in our health systems. “Yet within all these challenges lie immense opportunities for collaboration and innovation,” noted Professor Nancy IP, President of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), at the 2025 Asia Summit on Global Health. As a keynote panelist, she asserted that universities can play a pivotal role in shaping a more equitable and sustainable health system. 

Compassionate and altruistic, one energetic Indonesian HKUST BEng graduate is using the knowledge and skills she obtained at university to help change the world for the better. Sustainability is more than a buzz phrase for Cindy Aiko Filbert TANAKA (BEng in Chemical and Environmental Engineering), who is rapidly building a career with one of the world’s leading business consultancies.

Pursuing undergraduate studies in Hong Kong 15 years ago marked the start of a highly rewarding journey for Malaysian native Dr. Nick CHIN Jing-Wei. He not only realized his dream of establishing a technology start-up, but also set up his own family here.

HKUST’s Engineering Commons, opened in 2013, has been the School of Engineering’s “family room” that enhances interaction of the engineering community and enables the display of top-notch research of its faculty members. Located at a key intersection of the campus, the Engineering Commons was renovated in 2024 after being used for more than a decade. As the Commons officially reopened in October 2024, it features an array of new research applications that are most relevant to campus life, including AIoT sensing research led by Prof. Gary CHAN Shueng-Han of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

For over 30 years, Mei has been the gentle heartbeat of the HKUST campus. Her warm presence at the China Garden, the University’s Chinese restaurant, has touched and rippled through generations of HKUSTers. While daily tasks like greeting diners, preparing ingredients, and brewing tea may appear routine, for Mei, they have evolved into meaningful connections with the students, staff, and alumni who define this university community. As one of the earliest staff members at this restaurant on campus, Mei has witnessed HKUST transform into the remarkable institution it is today. Through her dedication, she is so much more than just a hard-working staff, she is a true “community builder” in every sense—someone who has contributed to cultivating the vibrant and welcoming spirit that unites the HKUST family.

Imagine a hiker collapsing from heatstroke on a remote trail in Sai Kung. In the past, help could take an agonizing hour, but now, thanks to a groundbreaking drone delivery system being pioneered in Hong Kong, life-saving medical supplies can arrive in just minutes. This isn’t just a vision of the future; it’s a reality unfolding before our eyes. Cities worldwide are embracing drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and advanced air mobility (AAM) systems to enhance urban mobility, logistics, emergency response, and even entertainment, such as stunning drone shows. In Mainland China, the low-altitude economy (LAE) is projected to reach a staggering 2 trillion yuan by 2030, signalling a transformative shift in everyday life.

As the founding President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Prof. Chia-Wei WOO, once remarked: “Hands on the present, and eyes for the future.” This philosophy has guided us in leveraging our past achievements to pave the way towards a brighter and more innovative future for humanity. To celebrate and highlight our journey of innovation, we invite you to explore Innovators in Action (創新先行者), our new TV program series. Broadcasted on TVB at prime time, all five episodes are now available online and will be shared on the University’s social media channels, showcasing unique aspects of HKUST’s commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering innovation:

Academic-entrepreneur Professor KO Ping-Keung came to HKUST in 1993 as Visiting Professor in the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering after working at the University of California, Berkeley, as Director of the Microfabrication Laboratory from 1984-1993, and Vice-Chairman of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from 1991-1993. He served as Dean of the HKUST School of Engineering from 1995-2000 and in 2002 received the prestigious IEEE Solid-State Circuits Award. He has since become an innovator and angel investor in China’s chip industry and is a Professor Emeritus at HKUST. In 2024, Prof. Ko was awarded a HKUST Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his long-standing service and commitment to the University’s development.