HKUST Annual Report 2024-2025

12 HKUST ANNUAL REPORT 2024-25 To further enrich the taught postgraduate experience, we opened KT-30 at the Millennity—a 39,540-square- foot urban learning hub in Kwun Tong. This vibrant space has quickly become a valuable asset, offering an interactive setting for academic achievement and community-building. Guided by this same commitment to academic opportunity and global talent, HKUST took decisive action to support the international academic community during the U.S. foreign student ban in May 2025. As the first university in Hong Kong to do so, we swiftly issued an open invitation to impacted students—particularly from Harvard— providing unconditional offers and streamlined support. By standing in solidarity and working closely with Harvard and other U.S. institutions, we ensured immediate academic continuity for affected students and scholars, transforming a moment of disruption into a demonstration of institutional leadership and academic solidarity. 25 YEARS OF KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER As a pioneer of university entrepreneurship in Hong Kong since the 1990s, HKUST celebrated a significant milestone as our Entrepreneurship Center marked its 25th anniversary. Signature events over the year included the highly popular HKUST-Sino One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition and Unicorn Day, which showcased our latest innovations and startups to potential investors and partners. The Center’s quarter-century anniversary was commemorated by the HKUST E-25th Entrepreneurship Carnival, which brought together 100 HKUST-related startups, attracted 3,500 visitors, and connected with over 200 founders. Overall, the HKUST community has delivered substantial economic and societal impact through the launch of 1,900 active startups, including 10 unicorns. We also recorded the highest number of projects granted in second batch of the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-Plus Scheme (RAISe+) among all universities. Furthermore, the HKUST Redbird Innovation Fund has partnered with major venture capital firms to support HKUST startups. With over 520 new patent filings and 238 active IP licenses in 2024–25—with a 31% patent utilization rate— the University continues to prove itself as a dynamic hub for innovation and a powerful catalyst for growth.