HKUST Annual Report 2023-2024

52 Governance The Court Following his eight years of chairmanship on the Council, Dr. The Hon Andrew LIAO Cheung-sing, GBM, GBS, SC, JP has taken the helm of the Court since March 2023. At his first meeting as Chair, he shared with Members how the Court would help engage different stakeholders in elevating HKUST’s status. Similar to previous years, Court Members were presented at the Meeting the comprehensive reports from both the Council Chair and the President, which outlined the major initiatives carried out in alignment with the latest strategic direction of the University. One of the key items highlighted at that meeting was how collaboration between HKUST and HKUST(GZ) could be further deepened, through various measures in strengthening the governance of the latter, to better support the Country’s Greater Bay Area blueprint. Noting the significant efforts made to foster the development of HKUST(GZ), Court Members shared their advice with the Administration of how the operation in Clear Water Bay could be further enhanced, probably through connecting innovation with business, as well as matching knowledge transfer initiatives with HKUST’s research endeavors. Looking forward, Members shared their insights with the Administration on how some of the initiatives under the HKUST Vision Plan 3.0 could be successfully implemented, covering the needs to obtain sufficient resources, ways to bolster the University’s fundraising capabilities, and plans to enhance community involvement and relationship building, etc., in order to guide the University’s long-term success. Wh i l e we l comi ng seve r a l new Membe r s and congratulating the reappointment of Members, some as Honorary Court Members, the Court acknowledged the valuable contributions of the retiring Members. Special thanks are expressed to the immediate past Chairman Dr. John CHAN Cho-Chak, for his 15 years of strong leadership to the Court. The Council The Council, as the supreme governing body, has its ongoing commitment to lead the University to move along its strategic journey. Under the chairmanship of Prof. Harry SHUM, the Council continues its mission in shaping HKUST’s strategic direction as it embarks on its fourth decade. By providing its guidance to the Administration, with regular monitoring and supervision on key areas, the Council seeks to ensure the smooth sailing of the HKUST 3.0 journey, and the achievement of its mission. Throughout the planning process of the University’s Strategic Plan 2031, Council Members had been playing a crucial role. Advice had been given to the Administration on how the Plan should be crafted in a more forward- looking way. This collaborative effort also resonates between the management teams of HKUST and HKUST(GZ), the latter of which has emerged as an iconic landmark in Nansha and even the Greater Bay Area, attracting quality students through the offering of innovative teaching and research. Riding on these achievements and for sustainable success, the Council has taken the lead to reinforce campus connectivity based on the “Unified HKUST, Complementary Campuses” framework, which has been exemplified by a plenary session of the Council held at HKUST(GZ) in October 2023. The Council’s ongoing