Conceptualised by industrialist-politician dr. Stze-Yuen Chun and former governor Sir Edward Youde, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology has quickly built itself a formidable global reputation

Promoted in 1991, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has quickly built itself a formidable international reputation, and has barged into the league table of the world’s Top 50 universities. The QS World University Rankings 2012-13 ranks HKUST #33 and #1 among Top 300 Asian Universities. Times Higher Education ranks it #3 in its World’s Top 100 Universities Under 50 league table. The 22-year-old varsity which admitted its first batch of students in October 1991, currently has 12,584 students instructed by 538 faculty on its muster rolls. Its five schools — science, engineering, humanities and social sciences, and business management, and the HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School — offer a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes.

“At Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, ivory tower stereotypes don’t apply. Within the short span of less than two decades, HKUST has matured into a dynamic, world-class university powered by the dedicated efforts of our outstanding faculty, staff and students. Our achievements, big and small, bear witness to HKUST’s commitment to advancing knowledge and social development,” says Tony F. Chan, president of Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, with evident — and justifiable — satisfaction.

Hong Kong University of Science & Technology was conceptualised and given shape and form by industrialist-politician Dr. Sze-Yuen Chun and then governor of Hong Kong Sir Edward Youde with the objective of developing a higher education institution which would produce the scientists, engineers, business managers and other professionals required to transform the island city into a knowledge-based economy.

Hong Kong. Situated on China’s south coast, Hong Kong (pop. 7 million) is one of the two special administrative regions of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the other being neighbouring Macau. A former British colony, Hong Kong was returned to PRC in 1997 after 156 years of British rule, and has emerged as the gateway to the massive PRC market. Empowered by a low-crime and low-corruption environment, Hong Kong has developed into a leading global business and financial entrepot, serving as an important bridge between multi-national corporations and mainland China.

Ancient Chinese temples are juxtaposed against towering steel and glass skyscrapers in this island city famous for its street as well as high-end shopping. From the lively nightlife of Lan Kwai Fong on Hong Kong Island, to the long distance walking trails in the hills of the New Territories, to Chinese festivals celebrated around the city, Hong Kong offers students an exciting mix of activities. There is also a lively arts scene with a wide range of plays, concerts and creative events staged through the year. For those who prefer some peace and quiet, there are several country parks and scenic walks. HKUST’s location in Clear Water Bay puts the scenic beaches and spectacular rural sights of the Sai Kung Country park as well as the 100-km MacLehose Trail within easy reach.

The climate is sub-tropical with temperatures ranging from 10oC in winter to 33oC in summer.

Campus facilities. Hong Kong University of Science & Technology is spread over 150 acres on the Clear Water Bay peninsula in East Kowloon, less than a 30-minute drive from central Hong Kong. The varsity’s purpose-built campus boasts classrooms, laboratories, and other academic facilities, in addition to student housing and faculty apartments, athletics and recreational facilities. Classrooms, lecture theatres and research laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art teaching and hi-tech ICT facilities. The advanced IT network at Hong Kong University of Science & Technology covers all areas of the university, including residential halls, and offers bilingual Chinese and English capability.

The university’s five-storey library is centrally located on the campus and its book, periodical and microfilm collections total around 670,000 volumes, plus 30,000 media materials. It also offers access to extensive electronic collections, including more than 290 electronic databases and over 12,000 full-text e-journals.

For extra-curricular education, the campus boasts a range of sports facilities including 50 m outdoor and 25 m indoor swimming pools; fitness centre; climbing wall; squash courts; astroturf soccer pitch; eight-lane 400-meter track; tennis courts; facilities for badminton, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and handball; multi-purpose rooms hosting different activities including table-tennis, aerobics, fencing, martial arts and indoor archery.

Other on-campus facilities include food outlets, banks, postal services, a supermarket, hair salon, bookshop, student co-op shop, souvenir centre, self-service photocopiers, and karaoke and music rooms. A health centre is also available.

Admission. The minimum eligibility for admission into HKUST’s undergraduate programmes is completion of Plus Two with an overall average of 75 percent plus. Foreign students must also submit proof of proficiency in English (IELTS or TOEFL scores are acceptable) as the medium of instruction at HKUST is English. Application forms must be submitted online together with academic references, exam transcripts, and a personal statement. For admission into postgraduate programmes, successful completion of a bachelor’s degree is mandatory with several faculties stipulating additional admission requirements.

For further information contact Undergraduate Recruitment and Admissions Office, International Admissions; Phone: +852 2358 6289; Fax: +852 2335 0082; email:  international. applicants@ust.hk; website: www.ust.hk.

Accommodation. There are nine on-campus undergraduate halls of residence. Most rooms are shared, air-conditioned and furnished. Television, refrigerator, microwave oven, newspapers, telephone and laundry facilities are provided. Overseas full-time undergraduate students are guaranteed university-provided accommodation for the first two years of their study programmes. Moreover, housing is also offered for postgraduate students and visiting interns.

Off-campus accommodation is also available. The university rents 20 apartments in Tai Po Tsai and six apartments in Sam Long to accommodate postgrad students.

Degree programmes. Hong Kong University of Science & Technology’s five faculties offer over 35 undergraduate majors as well as postgraduate and doctoral programmes (see box). At the undergraduate level, students have the option of choosing between three and four-year degree programmes. In addition the university hosts several research institutes and centres.

Summiya Yasmeen