HKUST Annual Report 2024-2025

POWERING THE DISCOVERIES THAT TRANSFORM LIVES HKUST researchers continue to be recognized as leading change-makers, earning numerous prestigious grants for pioneering work in cutting-edge and cross-disciplinary fields. In the 2024-25 period, the University secured HK$1,196.1 million in funding to support 1,698 new and ongoing projects. The University’s global impact was underscored by 168 HKUST academics being named to Stanford University’s 2024 World’s Top 2% Scientists list based on their career-long influence. Major sponsors and highlighted projects from this period include: 25 To address the world’s most pressing challenges and accelerate positive change in society, we significantly enhanced our research, application, and knowledge transfer capabilities in 2024–25. This was achieved through strategic investments in brilliant academics, new research facilities, and key partnerships. University Grants Committee (UGC)/Research Grants Council (RGC) Areas of Excellence Scheme 1 Project Collaborative Research Fund 7 Projects Improving older individuals’ mental and physical care by developing human-centric AI and robotics technology. Projects ranging from brain-machine interface systems to construction technology for harsh extra-terrestrial environments. Theme-based Research Scheme 2 Projects Research Impact Fund 2 Projects Enhancing Hong Kong’s sustainable supply chain finance via technology transformation. A digital twin to assist coastal resilience against extreme storm surges in Hong Kong using real- time monitoring and AI-based predictions. Mobile tools for early orthodontic management and education for children. 3D printing of self-regulated biochar-enhanced concrete for low-carbon intelligent construction. RGC Research Fellowship Schemes 6 Projects General Research Fund (GRF) and Early Career Scheme (ECS) 145 GRF and 25 ECS Projects Two senior research fellowships focused on wide- bandgap semiconductors and human-centric contactless sensing using mmWave signals. Four research fellowships exploring muscle stem cells, spinal cord injury, cosmological collider physics, and regional science for transportation and innovation systems. HKUST achieved the highest success rates among UGC-funded institutions for both GRF (34.8%) and ECS (43.1%). The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) / Research Grants Council (RGC) Collaborative Research Scheme 3 Projects Joint submissions from HKUST and Chinese Mainland partners, including a novel computing system based on a heterogeneous, disaggregated cloud infrastructure.