HKUST Marks 35 Years of Miracles with Visionary Celebration

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) officially launched its 35th Anniversary celebrations with a vibrant ceremony themed 'Where Miracles Happen,' bringing together distinguished government officials, industry leaders, and the university community. Key players included Mr. CHAN Kwok-Ki, Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government; Mr. LUO Yonggang, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Dr. CHOI Yuk-Lin, Secretary for Education; and HKUST leaders such as Pro-Chancellor Dr. John CHAN Cho-Chak, Council Chairman Prof. Harry SHUM, Court Chairman Dr. the Honorable Andrew LIAO Cheung-Sing, and President Prof. Nancy IP. The event honored the pioneering spirit of Founding President Prof. Chia-Wei Woo and highlighted HKUST's evolution from a bold new institution into a world-class research university, now ranked among the top 50 globally. President Ip emphasized the university's founding vision to become Hong Kong's first research-intensive university, which laid the groundwork for HKUST (Guangzhou) in 2022 and is now driving the establishment of a new School of Medicine—a transformative milestone that will admit its first cohort in 2028. The ceremony featured a robotic lion dance from the Guangzhou campus, robotic dogs developed by Direct Drive Technology and the Cheng Kar-Shun Robotics Institute, and a drone donated by DJI founder Mr. WANG Tao, symbolizing the fusion of tradition and innovation. The university also announced a new State Key Laboratory, its role in the Chang'E-8 lunar mission, and a greenhouse gas detection instrument for China's Tiangong Space Station. Celebratory events planned include co-hosting the THE Asia Universities Summit 2026 with Times Higher Education, an AI Film Festival, and joint celebrations with HKUST (Guangzhou).

The core message of the anniversary is HKUST's commitment to academic excellence, societal impact, and pioneering innovation. President Ip noted that the university's success is measured not by rankings alone but by tangible impact, such as the planned medical school that will bridge traditional curriculum with AI breakthroughs. Prof. Harry Shum reflected that HKUST is at a 'mature' stage where youthful energy meets seasoned wisdom, ready to lead in a fast-changing world. The HKSAR Government's trust in establishing the third medical school in Hong Kong underscores HKUST's role in nurturing global talent and supporting national development priorities. The university's deep integration with national initiatives, including space exploration and environmental monitoring, further cements its position as a cornerstone of Hong Kong's global leadership in education and research.