News & Stories

The global transdisciplinary "research-to-operation" (R2O) initiative, “Seamless Prediction and Services for Sustainable Natural and Built Environments” (SEPRESS), led by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), has been endorsed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as part of its International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD). Over the next decade, HKUST’s SEPRESS will spearhead efforts to collaborate with global partners in transforming scientific advancements into tailored solutions that enhance climate resilience and sustainability worldwide, with a particular focus on Least Developed Countries. SEPRESS will achieve this by translating progress in weather-to-climate prediction research into scalable solutions and fostering global partnerships to deliver actionable outcomes.

Echoing the HKSAR Government’s strategy to develop artificial intelligence (AI) as a core industry, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today announced the establishment of the Von Neumann Institute (VNI). This pioneering research institute is dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration by integrating embodied intelligence, generative AI, and advanced supercomputing to drive new quality productive forces in the evolving era of AI.

The clatter of dim sum carts filled a transformed teahouse at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today, as over 100 participants, including seniors with swallowing difficulties and their families, savored a nostalgic Yum Cha experience on campus. Led by HKUST senior management and distinguished guests, students and staff volunteers served delicate soft-textured and fresh options dim sum on traditional carts, while two HKUST startups showcased how technology could enhance the quality of life for the elderly.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today announces its Net-Zero Action Plan (Action Plan), which is the first among higher education institutions in Hong Kong to have a comprehensive framework with multi-pronged strategies aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2045. This plan is supported by a commitment of HK$30 million earned from renewable energy generation to further accelerate research and adoption of innovative decarbonization solutions on campus.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) achieved a record-breaking success at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva concluding today.   Thirty-seven HKUST teams won a total of 38 awards, including two special grand prizes, 22 Gold Medals (of which seven received Congratulations of the Jury), and multiple Silver and Bronze Medals, showcasing the University’s outstanding performance across different fields including life and health technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, advanced manufacturing, new energy technologies and aerospace engineering. HKUST outshone other local universities and smashed its own record with this extraordinary haul of awards, reaffirming its status as a powerhouse of creativity and invention.

Tropical marine low clouds play a crucial role in regulating Earth’s climate. However, whether they mitigate or exacerbate global warming has long remained a mystery. Now, researchers from the School of Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed a groundbreaking method that significantly improves accuracy in climate predictions. This led to a major discovery – that tropical cloud feedback may have amplified the greenhouse effect by a staggering 71% more than previously known to scientists. The effects of tropical low clouds are difficult to investigate because they are influenced by a variety of factors. Commonly used low cloud controlling factors often struggle to separate the influence of local sea surface temperatures (SSTs) from that of temperatures in the free troposphere – the lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere, casting uncertainty in projections.

The Government announced today (March 20) the list of the first batch of low-altitude economy (LAE) Regulatory Sandbox pilot projects, which will be rolled out progressively, to enable members of the public to "see and feel" the tangible benefits of the LAE. These projects will also allow the Government and relevant sectors to simulate diversified scenarios, multiple air routes and overarching low-altitude airspace management matters, while accumulating data and experience to guide the work on multiple fronts including regulations, infrastructure, and applications.

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?