HKUST Annual Report 2021-2022

47 HKUST Annual Report 2021-2022 research university for nurturing all-rounded talents in future. The formal establishment of HKUST(GZ) in the summer of 2022 is another example of the concerted efforts of the University community including Council in taking HKUST to another level, after its 30 years of success. Council would continue to drive the University to the next level of excellence, through its roles in steering the upcoming strategic plans, reengineering of various processes, capitalizing on the existing and upcoming opportunities in Hong Kong and beyond, for the achievement of a high standard of governance. THE COURT In the reporting year, Court Members were invited to join various University activities amidst the pandemic situation. A number of Members did participate in Council or University Committees to give their advice to the Administration on different matters from a strategic perspective. Court Members also joined the other University Members in celebrating the official opening of the Shaw Auditorium in November 2021, and that of HKUST(GZ) in September 2022. During the key stages of development of these new and additional landmarks of the University, Court Members had been offering their invaluable advice and support to the Administration team. On membership, the Court is glad to see the re- appointment of a number of Members including the Chairman. During the year, the Court also welcomed six new Members, amongst them are alumni of the University and distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to society. THE SENATE Being the supreme academic body of the University, the Senate continued to review important academic policies and regulations, and program proposals for promotion of academic and research excellence. During the year, some proposed revisions to the Common Core Program had been reviewed by the Senate for the purpose of refining course taking pathway of students, to cater for their diverse interests. The Senate is glad to receive for review, an array of new program proposals covering those on Green Finance, Integrative Systems and Design, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Data-Centric Artificial Intelligence Technology, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. To facilitate students’ understanding of the legal framework of the Laws of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, a new mandatory non- credit bearing Legal and National Security Law course would be offered by the Legal Office, as one of the graduation requirements for all undergraduate students to be admitted to the University from the Fall term of 2022-2023 and thereafter. To better support the arrangement of online teaching, and to ensure academic quality through refined pedagogy and assessment, a policy governing how undergraduate courses are delivered through synchronous online/mixed-mode (online and face-to- face teaching) format has been developed. To be in line with the University’s Quality Assurance mechanisms, the policy will be reviewed by the Committee on Undergraduate Studies from time to time to ensure its effectiveness. Following the official opening of HKUST(GZ), the campus in Clear Water Bay and Guangzhou will continue to coordinate on various academic matters under the “Unified HKUST, Complementary Campuses” Framework. The Senate will continue to monitor the teaching and learning activities, to ensure the academic quality of all programs of HKUST(GZ) is aligned with the standard of HKUST. The Senate would also review and oversee the governance of related academic matters including the collaboration projects in HKUST(GZ) involving the conferment of HKUST degrees.