HKUST Annual Report 2022-2023

HKUST annual report 2022-2023 allowing the University to hire more than three Vice- Presidents as it was originally stated in the Ordinance. With the gracious support of the Legislative Council, the revised University Ordinance has been successfully promulgated since July 2023. The University is now embarking on recruiting two more Vice-Presidents, as part of the senior management team, to better drive and deliver the respective initiatives under the University’s Strategic Plan. Knowledge transfer has always been one of the key pillars of the University’s mission, and the success of which will bring betterment to society in multiple fronts. Through the efforts of its Knowledge Transfer Committee, the Council is driving a robust knowledge transfer ecosystem in HKUST, so as to actualize the University’s research and innovation in society. The University has for several years allocated, out of its own resources, a venture fund to support related research endeavors. For good governance, the University’s Intellectual Property Policy is constantly being reviewed and refined to suit the market needs. While the University is introducing its HKUST 3.0 endeavours, the firm foundation of HKUST formed along its 1.0 and 2.0 journey has to be mentioned. HKUST(GZ), as an important milestone of HKUST’s 2.0 plan, has been considered as a timely addition to the University’s Mainland platform in further developing its research and innovation in the Greater Bay Area. The Council is pleased to see the successful completion of the management infrastructure of HKUST(GZ) despite frequent interruptions and severe inhibitions during the three years of COVID times, thanks to the enormous and timely support from various parties including related authorities in Guangzhou and the HKSAR and the tireless efforts of personnel involved throughout the entire development of HKUST(GZ). On the academic front, the Council is pleased to see the first cohort of quality undergraduate students joining HKUST(GZ) in 2023, following its successful pilot postgraduate admissions. All these could not have been made possible without the substantial time and energy spent by the Council and the academic and administrative teams involved in the project. Throughout the entire process, various parties have been trying to migrate the best practices of HKUST to its Guangzhou campus where feasible. To ensure the continued success of HKUST(GZ), Council also saw the need to have close and effective coordination between the two campuses. The key principles of the “Cross- campus Coordination Framework” have been developed and elevated by Council, in addition to the “Governance Framework of HKUST(GZ)” which was designed by Council to ensure effective governance of this new entity through proper monitoring. Moreover, following the lifting of travel restrictions, leadership of HKUST has paid multiple visits to HKUST(GZ) and related authorities on the Mainland, in order to strengthen communication and to enhance collaboration. In anticipation of HKUST(GZ)’s plan in further improving its teaching and research infrastructure, the second phase of its campus development plan would be embarked soon. Through the synergies of the two campuses, the University will, in no doubt, elevate its education, research and knowledge transfer capabilities to the next level. Another landmark of the Council’s work in the review year was the creation of the University Anthem. Led by the Council-initiated “Working Group on the University Anthem”, and with the tireless efforts of Council Members, staff, students and alumni, an authentic piece of work, signifying the HKUST spirit in three languages, namely, Cantonese, English and Putonghua, has come into life in less than six months’ time. The University Anthem, having received uncountable praises, is now performed in all important University occasions and ceremonies such as the University Congregation and Honorary Fellowship Ceremony.   The Court Moving towards its 30th anniversary of establishment, the Court is glad to welcome Dr. Liao, the immediate past Chairman of the University Council, to take the helm, which was passed to him by Dr. John C. C. CHAN, who has been appointed the role of Pro-Chancellor of the University since March 2023, following his remarkable leadership of the University Court for about 15 years. During the reporting period, the Court met twice to receive reports respectively from the Council and the President, and discussed matters relating to the University’s overall direction. As for the previous years, GOVERNANCE