JOIN UST, Issue 1, March 2012

Abstract

Join UST Issue #1 Mar 2012 HKUST No. 1 in Asia & No. 40 in the World (QS Asian & World University Rankings 2011) Science School No. 1 in Hong Kong (QS World University Rankings 2010) Engineering School No. 1 in Greater China (Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2011) Business School No. 1 in Asia (Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2011) School of Humanities No.1 in Greater China and Social Science (Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2011) EMBA program No. 1 Global EMBA Ranking (2009-2011) (Financial Times) The world needs science and technology… Here at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, we strive to promote and create scientific research and technological innovation for the benefit of mankind. Today we are protected against previously deadly diseases, our quality of life is generally improved, our life expectancy is much extended, we could now travel to most parts of the world within a day or two and we have a universe of knowledge at our fingertips… all thanks to the wonderful scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs we have had. Science & technology (S&T) also holds the key to meeting the challenges of the new century – increase energy efficiency, create sustainable environment, advance health care and improve agricultural productivity to end poverty, among many others. We believe S&T is also the key to the future success of Hong Kong. The city has thrived on finance, services and real estates, but it now needs to diversify its economic base to survive in an ever increasingly competitive regional and global environment. Armed with human capital, infrastructure and resources, Hong Kong has great potential to become an innovation and technology hub. Since its establishment in 1991, the University has made groundbreaking advances in Science, Engineering, Business, Humanities and Social Science, pushing forward the frontiers of knowledge. Today, HKUST is globally recognized for its academic excellence. Ranking HKUST is the only university of science and technology in Hong Kong and we do see ourselves playing a special role in nurturing the next generation of talents. Riding on Hong Kong’s 334 reform, HKUST will launch a revamped curriculum to nurture well-rounded individuals equipped with professional competence, strong entrepreneurial spirit, creative thinking and relevant skills who will thrive in and contribute to a knowledge-based economy. Imagine: The founders of HKUST started work with a clean white canvas. In twenty years, the founders, together with faculties, students and staff have collaboratively created a magnificent masterpiece that is called “the HKUST Miracle”. We are eager to have more young talents come paint with us and create even greater miracles as we march into the next decade and beyond. The world needs science and technology; and science and technology needs women. In view of this, HKUST is launching a series of “Women in Science and Engineering” (WISE) initiatives. There is no doubt that women can contribute greatly to society through research and achievements in science and engineering. Since ancient times, great women scientists and engineers include the 17th century mathematician Ada Lovelace, Marie Curie who was famous for her pioneering research on radioactivity, and Grace Murray Hopper who devised the first computer compiler in the early 1950s. Closer to home, HKUST’s Dean of Science Prof Nancy Ip is well known for her discoveries in biology of neurotropic factors. Her research has contributed significantly to the field of neurophysiology. Prof Kei May Lau, Chair Professor of Electronic and Computer Engineering, is a leading researcher in the field of LED, the little bright light that is soon to be the ubiquitous and energy saving lighting in our world. We do look forward to having a WISE-er community here at HKUST. Our WISE program aims to inspire young women to pursue the unlimited opportunities within the world of science Issue #1 Mar 2012 Getting WISE-er The Dean of Science at HKUST is a woman scientist. Prof Nancy Ip, who is the first Chinese scientist to receive the L'Oreal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science in 2004, has become Dean of Science at HKUST since February 2011. Her research team has made breakthrough discoveries in unraveling new signaling mechanisms in the brain that could help generate new medicine for the prevention and treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Do you know? and engineering. The program will comprise a series of diverse initiatives, including academic lectures and workshops, shadowing and mentoring programs, a scholarship scheme and a summer camp. Target participants: S6 female students with an interest in science and engineering Young women with an interest in science and engineering generally lack role models. The WISE Summer Camp will offer them an opportunity to connect with our WISE community. They will get a sense of what female scientists and engineers are like. On the academic side, the WISE Camp will focus on four research areas: Neuroscience, Environment, Multi-Media and Skin Care. What else other than academic talks, experiments, numbers and data? Participants will have ample opportunities to interact with our Science and Engineering professors. They will also have the chance to hear about experiences of our WISE community — how they got into the field, challenges and rewards, what their work is like … (Details will be available in April at http://wisesummer.ust.hk) WISE Camp (16-18 July) “What’s Math Got to Do With It?” - Keynote Speech Prof Tony F Chan, our President, is an applied mathematician. As a true believer in basic science, he sees the sciences beautiful and exciting. He will enlighten WISE Camp participants on “What’s Math Got to Do With It?”. Highlights of the speech: • Math behind Pixar animation—to produce a reasonable level of realism in these movies, one needs to use sophisticated mathematics. How does it work? • JPEG—a popular image compression standard nowadays— brought major impact in signal and image processing. How does it relate to Math? The HKUST Summer Institute is established to give S4 and S5 (Years 10 & 11) students an early taste of university life. The program offers an opportunity for students to attend short courses (from our four Schools) delivered in the ambiance of our world-class university campus. In addition, there is much scope to enjoy, from the world-class library to sports activities. The Institute offers credit-earning courses; these are all taught by regular HKUST academics. Students may earn up to 4 credits, and all credits may be counted towards graduation requirements in future undergraduate studies at HKUST. Last year, close to 700 senior secondary school students coming from over 200 schools enjoyed the colorful university life at HKUST. Please tell your students about this enriching opportunity, and encourage them to apply before the end of April. Details at: http://summer.ust.hk/. Entering university is one of the most important transitions in life. Students may have many questions—even misunderstandings—and apprehensions about university life. Our e-Buddy Scheme is put in place to connect prospective students with our Student Ambassadors. As e-Buddies, the Student Ambassadors can give prospective students insider tips and share with them their experiences. This would help new students make a smooth transition to university life, and take full advantage of what the University offers, from the very start. How do students connect? Students may meet and connect with our team of e-Buddies at: http://saprogram.ust.hk/ebuddy.html What can students ask? Anything. They can ask for facts, opinions, impressions, experiences or advice. Here are some questions that prospective students may wish to ask their e-Buddies: Is the food good? Is Halal food available? Is there a rugby team? Are dorms noisy? How are exchange students selected? …And anything else you could think of! Upcoming Events Summer Institute E-Buddy Scheme (16 – 27 July / 30 July – 10 August) May 2012 Engineering Exploration Day HKUST Campus Stay tuned at: http://join.ust.hk 12-15 July 2012 Business Summer Camp for S4 /S5 Students Application Deadline: 13 April HKUST Campus http://www.bm.ust.hk/ug/summercamp/ April – June 2012 Humanities Public Lecture Series Hong Kong Museum of History (Open to public) http://www.shss.ust.hk/cgi-bin/cms/shss/news/ • The Spirit of Mahayana in Religious Taoism • China in the Historical Process of Economic Globalization • How to make HK$1.2 Billion in One Phone Call: Forensic Voice Comparison Theory & Practice • Shanghaiese, Chinese, or Hong Kong Personality: Hong Kong Films as Seen from the Urban Comedies of Eileen Chang • Challenge and Opportunity: Hong Kong Poetry in a Globalizing Age • Colonialism and Gender To prepare for the arrival of the double cohorts in September, HKUST has initiated various campus expansions and construction projects to extend our exquisite environment for research, learning and student life. Research & Learning Environment • Lee Shau Kee Campus (Target completion: Summer 2012) occupies roughly 10 hectares; main buildings will include the Lee Shau Kee Business Building and the Institute for Advanced Study • Library extension offers additional 1,800 m2 Catering Service There will be 4 additional catering outlets in the new Lee Shau Kee Campus • A 400-seat cafeteria serving international cuisine • A coffee corner • A food counter featuring special cuisine • A functional lounge These will bring the total dining capacity on campus from 2,450 to 3,330. In addition to providing new premises and facilities to accommodate the increasing number of students, HKUST is also renovating existing space to make it more efficient in accommodating students’ needs. These renovations will mostly be completed in 2012. For example, a section of the Library has been reconfigured as Learning Commons with an open study zone to facilitate self-learning activities. The LG5 Food Court has been converted into a centralized student activities center. Elsewhere, existing under-used space in academic buildings have been converted into laboratories and classrooms. These are just a few of the projects. New Bricks & Blocks on Campus Issue #1 Mar 2012 • Special KMB bus route no. 91P between HKUST and Diamond Hill MTR Station during peak hours • Shuttle bus service between HKUST and Diamond Hill / Tseung Kwan O during peak hours in September- October Transportation Arrangements JOIN UST is published by the Undergraduate Recruitment and Admissions Office to keep principals, teachers and counselors informed of HKUST’s latest information, especially information of interest to students who are preparing for university entry. The next issue should reach you in June. If you have suggestions on what to cover in upcoming issues, we are keen to have your input. Please email us at outreach@ust.hk. Website http://urao.ust.hk Facebook http://www.facebook.com/hkust.localadmit HKUST Institute for Advanced Study A new Research and Academic Building Student Housing Two new on-campus halls completing in Spring Term of 2012/13 will provide 701 hall places, additional to the 3,282 currently available places