News & Events - 1003

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) joins hands with a total of 21 secondary schools to launch a Pilot Scheme for the first Secondary Schools-University Dual Program in Hong Kong to nurture gifted secondary students in science and mathematics. The participating students can taste university study mode and campus life, as well as earn university credits at their early age.   HKUST is committed to nurturing gifted students in concerted efforts. Sharing a common vision, HKUST forges partnerships with the seed schools to provide an innovative study pathway for gifted students in science and mathematics. The pilot program aims at creating a win-win-win situation: HKUST can identify and groom the gifted students at their early age to make the most of their abilities. Gifted students can taste the university study mode, share their learning experience and academic knowledge with their secondary schoolmates to promote a learning atmosphere which could raise the school’s overall performance in science and mathematics. Gifted students can get a head start to acquire frontier knowledge, identify areas of interest and personal aspiration.   The three-level program offers courses covering the areas of biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics. HKUST will select students nominated by secondary school principals to enter Level 1 at which gifted students will experience an accelerated study in courses at secondary school level. Students with excellent performance will be promoted to Level 2, the introductory university level courses. Outstanding students will then be admitted to Level 3 at which they will take the regular HKUST courses together with university students and have the opportunities to conduct research guided by HKUST renowned professors. If the student joins HKUST as an undergraduate student in the future, the university credits earned can be counted towards his or her studies as part of the University’s graduation requirement.   Prof Tai-kai Ng, Director of Center for the Development of the Gifted and Talented, said: “It is a common practice in overseas countries that gifted students are not limited to studying at secondary schools, but could also select some suitable courses of interests at university simultaneously. HKUST introduces the first systematic approach to encourage this study mode in Hong Kong, gifted students could receive a more holistic education and campus life in secondary schools, and only devote part of time at HKUST studying subjects of their interest, early taste the university study mode and campus life, deeper learning of frontier knowledge, which could bring their talent into full play.”   Rev. Bro. Steve Hogan, Principal of La Salle College, applauded this initiative. “It is our pleasure to join this pilot scheme and hope our students could perform exceptionally.” Mr Wai-chiu Chan, Vice Principal of Our Lady of the Rosary College, added: “We hope to help students to identify their interest in the fields of science and mathematics. Through the program, students could early taste the advanced level courses which could enhance their analytical skills and widen their thinking perspectives.”   The nomination for this Pilot Scheme for Secondary Schools-University Dual Program will start in early September. A briefing session will be held on 17 September to introduce more details about the program. Level 1 courses will be commenced in October while Level 2 courses will be offered in summer 2012. HKUST targets to invite all secondary schools in Hong Kong to join this program in the future.     Program led by: Prof Tai-kai Ng Director of Center for the Development of the Gifted and Talented Tel：2358 7477 Email: phtai@ust.hk     Center for the Development of the Gifted and Talented: Mr Jim Chan Tel: 3521 0862 Email: ssschan@ust.hk   Miss Shirley Kwok Tel: 2358 5086 Email: shirleyk@ust.hk Read more

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)’s first Summer Institute for Secondary School Students, which offered 25 credit-bearing courses in Science, Engineering, Business and Management, Humanities and Social Science, attracted more than 670 participants from over 200 local and overseas schools. Some of them joined the Institute especially from abroad, coming from schools in the UK, USA, Canada, Japan and the Mainland. The Institute helps students develop their potentials, identify areas of interest and acquire deeper understanding of university education.   HKUST’s Summer Institute was meant to give senior secondary school students (Secondary 4 and 5, or Grades 10 and 11) a head start in their pursuit of university education and the opportunities to learn about their interests and passions at an early age. Held between mid July and mid August this year, the Summer Institute offered courses which aimed to nurture participants’ passion of learning a multitude of disciplines. Interesting courses, conducted in English, covered a variety of areas ranging from physics, chemistry, life science, engineering, marketing and finance, decision making, to history and architecture. Students also conducted experiments in university laboratories.   In addition to engaging in meaningful courses in areas of their choice and being taught by HKUST faculty, participants also took part in enrichment activities which gave them a taste of dynamic university lives. Such included ice-breaking and sports sessions to enhance students’ social skills and physical strength to achieve holistic education. Workshops had been hosted to prepare students for university admission. Meetings with HKUST’s President Tony F Chan, Secretary General of the Hong Kong Examinations Assessment Authority Dr Chong-sze Tong and other leading academics and experts presented excellent opportunities for participants to learn about the academic leaders’ visions and insights on university education.   Participants, in advance of their high-school peers, enjoyed the summer and university life in HKUST’s scenic campus. Each student could take a maximum of four courses in a summer and earn up to four university credits which, if the student joins HKUST as an undergraduate student in the future, could be counted towards his or her studies at HKUST.   Provost Prof Wei Shyy said, “HKUST is most delighted to offer our first Summer Institute for Secondary School Students with credit-bearing elective courses which prepare participants for university education in the future. Given early exposure to a wide array of knowledge during their high-school years, participants will gain inspiration regarding their future studies and development.”   “This innovative Summer Institute, with a broad range of enriching programs, has attracted enthusiastic response from local and overseas students,” said Prof Kar-yan Tam, HKUST Associate Provost and Dean of Students. “With students from different cultural backgrounds and walks of life, the Institute facilitates interactions which help participants broaden their horizons.”   HKUST’s School of Science offered five courses, covering physics, chemistry, calculus, game theory and life science. The School of Engineering provided 10 courses, encompassing robot fundamentals, electronics, the multimedia world, great structures in history, computer-aided drawing, electric vehicles, wind power for lighting, and environmental engineering. The School of Business and Management offered eight courses which covered the language of accounting, marketing, management, finance, price theory, information systems and decision-making skills. The School of Humanities and Social Science offered two courses on appreciation of western architecture, as well as modern Chinese history.     PROJECT LED BY Prof Kar-yan Tam Associate Provost and Dean of Students Tel: 2358 8448 Email: kytam@ust.hk Read more

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) held its 15th Congregation from 7-9 November, conferring 1,862 Bachelor’s, 1,317 Master’s, and 149 Doctoral degrees.   The final day Ceremony (9 November) was presided over by the Chief Executive of HKSAR Government and Chancellor of HKUST, the Hon Donald Tsang.   During this ceremony, the University conferred honorary doctorates on three distinguished awardees in recognition of their outstanding achievements and contributions. They are:   Prof the Hon Louis Cha, GBM, influential author and co-founder of Ming Pao: Doctor of Letters honoris causa Dr William M W Mong, GBS, celebrated philanthropist and Chairman & Senior Managing Director of Shun Hing Group: Doctor of Business Administration honoris causa Prof K Barry Sharpless, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry: Doctor of Science honoris causa   The Congregation also saw other University awards presented for outstanding achievements.   Prof Pak-Wo Leung, Associate Professor of Physics, received HKUST’s highest accolade in teaching, the Michael G Gale Medal for Distinguished Teaching. Prof Leung is honored for his dedication, passion and commitment to professional teaching as well as his care for students’ academic and personal growth.   This year’s Stephen Cheong Kam-chuen Medal for Distinguished Service to the Student Body was awarded to Li Lok Wai Enrico, President of the 14th Session of Students’ Union. He devoted himself to organizing a series of forums on campus life and current affairs. Under his leadership, he and his executive committee members organized visits to their counterparts in other Asian universities to promote culture exchange.   “My Most Influential Teacher Award” was presented separately to the late Mr Francis Kong, former English teacher of Wah Yan College, Kowloon, and Miss Leung Siu Yin, teacher of World History and Chinese History at Carmel Pak U Secondary School. The selection for the award is based on votes by students in the graduating class who are invited to nominate a full-time secondary school teacher with strong positive impact on their lives and studies.   The 15th Congregation has expanded the ranks of HKUST alumni to around 30,000 since the University’s establishment in 1991. Read more

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