HKUST Annual Report 2023-2024

3 HKUST Annual Report 2023-2024 Chairman’s Foreword I attribute this high recognition to the combination of HKUST’s forward-thinking pedagogy, interdisciplinary academic programs, and our strong partnership with businesses that provided valuable workshops and internship opportunities. From its inception, HKUST has realized the necessity of transcending traditional educational boundaries and advancing knowledge through scientific research, all with the goal of producing graduates with considerable versatility and a broad vision. Today, our undergraduates have the opportunity to enroll in a wide range of dual track programs in key fields such as artificial intelligence, biomedical and data science, microelectronics, and sustainable energy offered by the University. Another significant milestone in 2024 is the graduation of the first cohort of master’s degree students at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) (HKUST(GZ)) from its unique cross- disciplinary academic structure. This achievement underscores our commitment to interdisciplinary learning, which is essential for meeting the growing industry demands for diverse skill sets. By fostering an environment that encourages collaboration across disciplines, we are equipping our students with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. Effective governance and coordination between the two campuses are crucial to the success of our “Unified HKUST, Complementary Campuses” framework. During the year, the launch of the Cross-Campus Coordination Framework had borne fruits to certain collaborative initiatives. Among these, the Redbird Cross Campus Study Program is set to bring novel cross-boundary and cross-campus opportunities to the Greater Bay Area. The inauguration of the HK$500 million Redbird Innovation Fund is another key initiative of HKUST, reinforcing its longstanding leadership in innovation and entrepreneurship development. I congratulate President Nancy IP and