GOVERNANCE 43 42 HKUST Annual Report 2020-2021 Council would continue to maintain its oversight of various projects of the University including the new campus in Nansha, Guangzhou, and capital projects such as the Shaw Auditorium, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Graduate Tower and the soon-to-open Martin Ka Shing Lee Innovation Building. Riding on the opportunities of the Country’s Greater Bay Area blueprint, the establishment of HKUST(GZ) would help enhance education and research collaborations amongst the University and other institutions and industries in the Greater Bay Area. The Council has actively participated in overseeing the governance of HKUST(GZ), primarily through the appointment of eight HKUST representatives to serve on the Governing Board of HKUST(GZ) to review important matters of this entity. Operated under the “Unified HKUST – Complementary Campuses” framework, HKUST(GZ) is expected to achieve a governance standard comparable to the current operations in Clear Water Bay. Given the importance of this initiative to the University and its pace of development, the Council has strengthened its governance role in HKUST(GZ) through the work of its Committee on HKUST(GZ) and Task Force on HKUST(GZ). A Governance Framework for HKUST(GZ) has also been developed to delineate the roles and responsibilities of the Council and its Committees in handling crucial matters related to this new project. To conclude the year of 2021, the Council is delighted to witness the opening of Shaw Auditorium which is a new landmark of arts and culture on campus. With the state-ofthe-art facilities, the Auditorium will instill new energy for arts and cultural activities into the campus community. The Council and its Committees have all along been overseeing the whole project, starting from the review of the proposed design, budget, functionality, construction process, with reference to the Large Capital Works Governance Process as developed by the Council, as well as the publicity plan. The Shaw Auditorium demonstrates HKUST’s mission to advance students’ learning and knowledge beyond science and technology and in due course facilitate their wholeperson development. Over the years, the Counci l has developed var ious governance frameworks to delineate the authorities for University matters to be properly handled. This schema of delegation in the form of scope of responsibilities tables of Committees has been formulated to ensure that respective parties would follow the legitimate pathways to present their proposals to the Council with proper oversight. With a firm foundation of success in the past 30 years, the University takes pride in its achievements while planning ahead for the new phase. The Council will continue to focus its endeavor on how to further enhance effective governance of the University, for the achievement of both of its short and long-term strategic objectives. THE COURT The Court welcomed the appointment of several new Members and the re-appointment of the Court Chairman for another term. At the same time, a number of Court Members have been appointed Honorary Members following their diligent service on the Court for over six years. In the past year, the Court had conducted, for the first time, its meeting using online platform. At the Meeting, Members received a report from the Council which highlighted governance-related issues that the Council had been dealt with in the past months, and how the Council had been involved in the strategic planning process of the University. Court Members had also been apprised by the Senior Administration team of the work done in response to the challenges brought about by COVID-19. In response, Members had offered their advice to the Administration on various topics, such as those related to fundraising, capital work projects, as well as the establishment and operation of HKUST(GZ). A special retreat session was held this year following the Court Meeting during which Members of the Council and the Administration had a fruitful exchange on the latest development of the University. At the retreat, Members offered their insights to the Administration on an array of initiatives to facilitate the long-term planning of the University. THE SENATE As in the past, the Senate has reviewed a number of program proposals and matters related to academic policies. The items transacted also included those related to standard and arrangements of online teaching which has been the new mode of delivery since the outbreak of the pandemic. In anticipation of the opening of HKUST(GZ) next Fall, the Senate has approved the establishment of a Joint Academic Board (JAB) for overseeing related core academic matters. JAB, comprising all the Senate Members and key academic leaders of HKUST(GZ), is tasked to review the standard and quality of the academic programs for the Senate’s approval. Respective personnel of HKUST(GZ) would also be included in some Senate Committees in the long-run. To fac i l i tate undergraduate s tudent s ’ pursu i t of postgraduate studies immediately upon graduation, the Senate has also approved some amendments to the Academic Regulations Governing Postgraduate Studies to the effect that some of the credits earned during students’ undergraduate studies would be transferred to their postgraduate programs on either of the campuses. Other than pol icies and regulations, the Senate has reviewed and approved a new framework for the Common Core Program, with more emphasis put on interdisciplinary broadening and students’ communication competencies. Preparing for the future, the Senate has reviewed and approved the implementation of a number of new programs, covering, at undergraduate level, programs in Artificial Intelligence, Supply Chain Management and Sustainable and Green Finance, and for postgraduate studies, new disciplines such as Management in Public Sector, Integrated Circuit Design Engineering, Global Marine Resources Management and Integrative Systems and Design.
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