HKUST Annual Report 2024-2025

61 G O V E R N A N C E “internationalization”, comprises of different components including an overview of the internationalization efforts of different offices, as well as a Fireside Chat moderated by Prof. Roger KING, joined by Honorary Court Chair Dr. Vincent LO and ex-Council Vice-Chair Dr. Michael MAK, with different groups of students, alumni and faculty to share their insights and experience. The Court is pleased to welcome three newly appointed Members during the period, and the re-appointment of two Members as Honorary Members after their serving on the Court for ten years. Additional Members, as in the past, will be appointed to join the Court for sharing their diverse perspectives with the University. THE SENATE As the highest academic body of HKUST, the Senate plays a crucial role in shaping the University’s academic direction and promoting its governance by overseeing related academic policies and initiatives that support the advancement of the University’s mission and vision. Through regular reviews of related teaching and learning processes and research frameworks, the Senate seeks to ensure the University’s academic quality, research excellence, policy coherence, and advancement of cross- disciplinary teaching, amongst others. In alignment with the University’s Strategic Plan 2031, the Senate has been advancing an array of academic endeavors that strengthen HKUST’s leadership in innovation, sustainability, and global engagement. New initiatives are in place to enhance academic offerings in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and sustainable development. At the same time, the Senate embraced and promoted interdisciplinary education to prepare students in addressing complex global challenges, through the endorsement of arrangements that foster international collaboration including the joint and dual degrees with leading institutions, such as Nazarbayev University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and Tsinghua University, to reinforce HKUST’s global academic presence. These actions reflect the University’s commitment to future-ready education and international competitiveness. To further reinforce quality assurance and continuous improvement, the Senate approved a framework to facilitate the review on a five-year cycle, of policies, regulations, and guidelines related to teaching and learning, as well as students’ experience, in accordance with the recommendation of the Quality Assurance Council. Through the reviews, the University seeks to ensure systematic updates to academic regulations, program monitoring, and assessment practices. In addition, the Senate endorsed proposals from Schools and academic offices to update policies for courses delivered through blended learning and self-paced learning to enhance flexibility and learning effectiveness. A new Common Core area in Sustainability was also added to broaden students’ horizons. Corresponding to the University’s commitment to academic integrity in its education offerings, the Senate also constantly reviews policies and guidelines of the Guangzhou campus, specifically the updates to the Regulations for Student Conduct and Academic Integrity for HKUST(GZ) and policies that promote responsible learning and fair assessment were approved, to ensure consistency of academic standards across the two campuses. Recognizing the importance of talent development, the Senate reviewed and approved proposals from the administration, including refinements to faculty appointment policies, such as new titles for teaching- track faculty and updated guidelines for the rank of Research Professor. The Senate also endorsed proposals to introduce Fractional Appointment for senior professors and establish a Targeted Hiring Scheme for Associate Professor and Professor ranks to strengthen the University’s ability to attract and retain outstanding talent to support its quality academic endeavors. Through its strategic oversight, the Senate continues to shape a rigorous and forward-looking academic environment that empowers the University to thrive.