News & Stories
2025
Stories
Pioneering Pulse: HKUST Entrepreneur Trio Revolutionizes Contactless Health Monitoring
Standing at the intersection of technology and healthcare, the three visionary HKUST alumni—Dr. Kyle WONG, Dr. Nick CHIN, and Teric CHAN—never underestimate the power of their school-day dreams to safeguard the health of their fellow citizens. With unwavering dedication and innovative spirit, they have poured their hearts and souls into their inventions over the past five years, ultimately giving rise to the world’s first mobile app for contactless pulse rate measurement cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2024. That same year, Kyle and Teric were named on Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list in the healthcare and science category, gaining global recognition as rising entrepreneurs.
Stories
Beyond the Storm: A Climate Expert’s Vision for Actionable Climate Adaptation Solutions
Landslides, flash floods, and fallen trees—these are just some of the alarming sights accompanying the summer typhoon seasons in Hong Kong. Over the past decade, the city has witnessed a distressing surge in extreme rainfall, characterized by intensity levels that surpass the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal. This trend serves as a stark reminder of the growing impact of global warming on our daily lives and safety. The question resonates: how can we better prepare for nature’s fury in the future?
Stories
Opportunity of a Lifetime I Couldn’t Miss
Prof. Philip CHAN Ching-Ho joined the School of Engineering in 1991 as a founding member. He served as Head of the School of Engineering’s Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department from 1995-2002 and Dean of the School from 2003-09. He was Director of the Nanosystem Fabrication Facility from 1997-2003. From 2010-20, he held the positions of Deputy President and Provost at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He became Professor Emeritus in HKUST’s Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering in 2010.
2024
Stories
“I am an HKUSTer” Series: The HKUST Innovative Thinker Redefines Banking Industry
For centuries, the spirit of innovation has been at the very heart of human civilization and modernization. In the modern age of artificial intelligence (AI), this spirit fundamentally reshapes our lives with groundbreaking products and services, such as digital banks that bring immense convenience and personalization in our financial routines.
Stories
The Architect of New Materials: Let There Be Better Solar Cells
For many, remaining within the familiar confines of our expertise, or let’s say comfort zone, is the norm, even momentous goals have been achieved. But it is not the case for Professor ZHOU Yuanyuan. He refuses to rest on his laurels and is working hard to expand his research scope. In the face of the challenges of commercializing the promising solar technology, he is never a quitter.In his newly rebuilt laboratory on the HKUST campus, Prof. Zhou, Associate Professor of HKUST’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, who joined the University under the prestigious “30 for 30” talent acquisition campaign, has been leading his team to research new materials, making steady strides towards his goal of popularizing the use of sustainable energy in our daily life.
Stories
From Quips to Chips: Dr. Jensen Huang Spots the World of AI
New technology, like artificial intelligence (AI), has shaken the world. Chances are the insights from today’s great minds will steer us towards a right path.The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) conferred an Honorary Doctor of Engineering honoris causa on Dr. Jensen HUANG, the founder and CEO of NVIDIA. As a newly welcomed member of the HKUST community, he joined Prof. Harry SHUM, Council Chairman of HKUST and a celebrated computer scientist, for a fireside chat on November 23, 2024. Together, the technological experts explored critical issues surrounding “Technology, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship”.The hundreds of participants in the auditorium were mesmerized, not just by the speakers’ stylish leather jackets emblazoned with “HKUST”, but also by Dr. Huang’s dynamic presence and the wise words from the two experts on stage.
Stories
Voices Unheard: The Mindreader who Listens to Thoughts through Cognitive Science
In your daily communications with colleagues, friends, family members, or even strangers, do you ever find it challenging to interpret their unspoken thoughts? For cognitive scientists, there are observable clues that can help decode people’s minds and behaviors—clues that even the individuals themselves may be unaware of. Professor Janet HSIAO, a new Professor at the School of Humanities and Social Science under the prestigious “30 for 30” talent acquisition campaign, is one such scientist uncovering the keys to “reading” minds.“Cognitive science is an interdisciplinary discipline that blends expertise from diverse academic areas, such as artificial intelligence (AI), neuroscience, psychology and linguistics, allowing us to decode people’s minds from various perspectives,” she explained with passion. A computer scientist’s journey into psychology
Stories
A Confluence of Minds and Molecules
Ever wondered what molecules are and why they matter? Picture this: while you reflect on this question, molecules are dancing in your brain, subtly shaping your thoughts and emotions. These tiny building blocks of life hold the key to solving some of humanity’s greatest challenges.The recent Molecular Frontiers Symposium at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) was a remarkable occasion to ignite curiosity about molecular science. Taking place in the Greater China for the first time from November 15-17, 2024, with the theme “Frontiers of New Knowledge in Science,” the symposium featured an impressive lineup of nearly 40 speakers, including four Nobel laureates Professor Stefan HELL, Sir Tim HUNT, Professor K. Barry SHARPLESS and Sir Gregory WINTER.