HKUST Annual Report 2024-2025

45 C O N N E C T I N G P E O P L E A N D C O M M U N I T I E S AN INCLUSIVE CAMPUS WHERE ALL CAN THRIVE At HKUST, our strength is derived from our people. We believe a world-class university is built on a foundation of inclusivity, respect, and well-being for every member of our community. This year, we took concrete steps to deepen these values and ensure our campus is a place where everyone can thrive. Our commitment extended beyond policy and into partnership. We became the first university in Hong Kong to partner with The Women’s Foundation (TWF) as a 2025/26 Advocate, creating pathways for our staff to grow as inclusive leaders through TWF’s dedicated mentorship and executive training. This commitment to equity was further solidified when we signed the Racial Diversity and Inclusion Charter for Employers, publicly pledging to foster a fair and respectful environment for all. We also focused on the well-being that fuels a vibrant community. The introduction of flexible work arrangements and a special leave policy for volunteering empowered our staff to achieve a healthier work-life balance while engaging with the wider Hong Kong community. Finally, we honored the dedication that built this university, presenting Long Service Awards to 158 colleagues for 20, 30, and 35 years of service. Their loyalty is the bedrock upon which our inclusive future is built. Another distinctive landmark, ready to be unveiled, is the Jockey Club i-Village. This student residence features a unique design where the building’s roof line serves as an elevated walkway with communal activity rooms for people to rest and gather, fostering a more cohesive inter-campus culture. The building incorporates innovative sustainable features, such as the use of the campus district cooling system, enhanced thermal insulation of the building envelope (including additional insulated wall furring, IGU glazing, and fin designs), prefabricated building elements, and photovoltaic panels on all roofs. In enhanced living for campus residents, the latest staff quarters remodelling project, completed in June 2025, further promotes sustainable living. Initiatives include the use of thermal-reflective roof paint, green concrete blocks made from recycled glass and the expansion of the campus-wide photovoltaic panel work. Surpassing 100,000 Alumni since 1991