HKUST Annual Report 2023-2024

36 Connecting People and Communities In outreach further afield, the University’s Student Innovation for Global Health Technology (SIGHT) program continued to drive student-led sustainable real- world solutions in different cultural, economic, and social settings around the world. Over the year, students tackled an upcycling waste project and the creation of a 3T reactor to convert plastic waste into hydrocarbon fuel for the Kandy region in Sri Lanka; and a habit-building language learning program to improve English skills among hospitality workers in Pai, Thailand. Among other programs, a service-learning trip to Guilin, Guangxi, gave HKUST students the opportunity to tutor around 100 primary school students. The eye-opening experience was organized in collaboration with the Y. L. Yang Foundation. HKUST re-launched Hong Kong’s longest-running second-hand market event under the “Zero Waste” theme. Over 300 sellers and many NGOs and startups have fostered togetherness and a greener future on campus. Setting the Pace on Campus-Community Integration To connect up our HKUST and HKUST(GZ) campuses and integrate both into the wider community, the HKUSTours (Student-Edition) was introduced. The inaugural program engaged University students in designing themed tours that enabled over 100 participants, including secondary school students and others, to find out more about HKUST’s campuses and their roles in the development of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. HKUSTours joins other impactful University co-curricular programs focusing on leadership and community building, that empowered over 200 students in 2023-24. The Sustainable Design Thinking Certificate Program connects HKUST and HKUST(GZ) students who are passionate about innovation and sustainability. Through workshops, site visits and pitch competitions, students tackle sustainability challenges using human-centered design. Over 100 students have completed this cross- campus program. Separately, residential hall visits and tours were arranged for prospective students, local communities, visitors, and partner institutions from around the world to showcase the University’s excellent facilities and campus environment. Hong Kong government officials also utilized our student halls to discuss the Policy Address 2023 and exchange views with student residents about Hong Kong and HKUST. Activating Next-Generation Inventors and Technology Leaders Nurturing interest and insights into the mesmerizing world of science and technology among the next generation of potential innovators and technology pioneers are important parts of HKUST’s drive to foster local and regional talent. At the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Joint School Mathematics Competition—PractiflyAI, co-hosted by HKUST and the Hong Kong Students Union, GBA primary school students had the opportunity to test their mathematical knowledge, logical reasoning, and problem-solving by solving a series of challenges. At the secondary level, over 70 teams from around 50 schools in Hong Kong joined the 2023 Hang Lung Mathematics Awards, co-organized by HKUST and Hang Lung Properties Ltd. The competition seeks to nurture young talents by inspiring students to explore