JOIN UST, Issue 2, June 2012

Abstract

Join UST Issue #2 June 2012 Higher Education — An End and a Beginning Choosing a university and a program As students navigate this new journey, they should follow their internal compass, seeking their own “true North”. We hope students can think deep and be creative while shaping their own destiny – picture themselves as what they aspire to be and vigorously explore new options. Students should ask questions like, “Can this program connect me with my dreams?”, “How would that program bring me closer to whom I want to become?” HKUST is filled with the “can-do” spirit. It was started by pioneers, on a tree-covered hillside a mere 20 years ago. Here, students learn first-hand from passionate knowledge-creators. They are encouraged to search, explore and create knowledge. They are inspired to live out their dreams. The sky is the only limit. Academic Advising Sailing with students through the new voyage A student’s life may not be a perfectly smooth sail. Students may need guidance along the journey. They may also need to reset their internal compass at some points. Academic Course selection Different learning environments Assignments Examinations Personal-Emotional New faces, new identity Time management Health and wellness social Establishing new relationships Developing social life on campus Institutional Attachment Getting familiar with resources Participating in student activities Students This is where academic advising becomes critical. At HKUST, we care about students’ learning. We are eager to see students do well and thrive. Academic advising is much broader than merely helping students survive, choose the right courses, and decide on a major. It is a “walk-with-you” journey by dedicated, caring and qualified mentors. An advisor’s goal is to enhance each student’s total learning experience, to provide guidance and support, especially during the first terms. An Academic Home in the School At each of our Schools, a comprehensive academic advising scheme is put in place to assist students to identify and achieve their academic, professional and personal goals. Different Schools may have varied academic advising arrangements. For example, at the School of Engineering, the Center for Engineering Education Innovation (E2I) forms the academic home for students. A team, comprising a senior academic administrator, faculty advisors, peer mentors and a professional advisor, is there to walk with students in a cluster. They will attend to the four major areas of adjustment: academic, social, personal-emotional and institutional attachment. It is this time of the year when students finalize their choices for a higher education destination, which is as much the end of one road as it is the start of a new one. It is a turning point for a brand new journey in life; the connection to one’s dream! Issue #2 June 2012 Young people entering HKUST will be regarded as adults. They will embark on a new journey where they have to manage their freedom and time, and to lead their own life. A series of orientation activities and induction programs will be there to help new students build their passion, sharpen their mind and ignite their world. New students will get an idea about skills for academic success; as well as co-curricular and extra-curricular activities that support an active student life and promote personal well-being. They will also get to know the useful resources available to them. First Year Success (http://fys.ust.hk) The First Year Success (FYS) program is a one-stop treasure trove for students to navigate their way around. Beginning with the orientation activities in August, the program includes talks and workshops, and continues throughout the year with a range of activities that encourage students to explore their potential through trying new things. Highlights of FYS activities: Getting Started @HKUST Adjustment to university Library and course registration essentials Personal growth Healthy lifestyle Healthy diet away from home Global learning Time management School Orientation and Induction Programs Academic Orientation Academic orientation is scheduled for late August and early September. The sessions offer useful information and guidance that are catered to students’ programs of study and help students plan their progress towards graduation. (Note: 4-Year students interested in interdisciplinary programs will be invited to join corresponding advising sessions on top of the School-based orientation activities.) Out-of-Classroom Learning Students will also be introduced to out-of-classroom learning activities that supplement their academic study, enrich their university experience and facilitate holistic personal development. Support Network Faculty members and senior students will be present at different sessions to answer students’ questions relating to their studies. It is a good opportunity for students to build their support network for academic success. Campus Facilities and Services Campus life will be busy and exciting with the arrival of two cohorts of new students. Arrangements are in place to increase the capacity of campus facilities and services such as academic and student facilities, transportation, catering outlets, etc to cater for the expanded community. Further info: 334info.ust.hk/index.html Important Dates 2012: 3Y 4Y JUPAS (HKALE) Non-JUPAS Non-JUPAS JUAPS (HKDSE) Program Registration 30 Jul -1 Aug 17 Jul - late Aug 20 - 22 Aug Non-JUPAS Briefing Session / 17 Jul, 7 Aug / Student Orientation Camps 3-18 Aug 24 Aug - 1 Sep Talks: Getting Started @ HKUST August Academic Orientation & Induction Programs Academic Advising late Aug / early Sep Talks & Workshops Fall Term Starts 10 Sep Preparing Students for Success Organic Farming The initiative gathers students and staff members to embrace the nature and experience organic farming on the 1,800 square feet lawn on campus. It provides many hours of enjoyment for the HKUST community. Have fun while cultivating our own organic food! Harvests fresh out from our farmland include tomatoes, carrots, mints and amaranth. Charity Garage Sale It is a community fun day out for the whole family or friends. At the biannual Garage Sale, unused new or secondhand items are offered for sale while benefiting the community and environment. This non-profit making event is run voluntarily in line with the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle campaign. All the surplus funds from table hire go to charity. It is a living example of our commitment to environmental sustainability. Learn well to live, live well to learn. The HKUST culture provides just a perfect mix of both. Entering the university is an important step of life. It is essential for students to explore as much as possible before making the right decision. Being crazily curious about all aspects of the target university and program of study; picturing themselves as a part of the community are great ways to see how well a university fits them, and the other way round. Handy Updates on Facebook A Holistic Life Begins Here … Just one simple click to stay on top of HKUST news. Please encourage your students to like our Fan Page (www.facebook.com/hkust.localadmit) and find out more about us. Apart from useful admission tips, fans may also learn about our life and culture through the “HKUST Life Style” and “Do You Know” series. One only spends a few years of life at university. We therefore ask students to live it and make the most out of it. Here at HKUST, we create an ambiance for living a holistic lifestyle. “Meeting with Artists” Series Vivaciously filling the campus with aesthetic atmosphere, “Meeting with Artists” series takes the HKUST community to a brand new journey in experiencing a broad variety of arts and creative works. From junk wood sculpture and ceramics sessions to pinhole camera workshop and tap dance demonstration, artists of different practical art are invited to share their experiences and illustrate their artworks on campus. Summer Musical The all-time classic Broadway musical “Guys and Dolls” is a must-see event for this summer. Tickets will be available at URBTIX from 3 July. The first of its kind among Hong Kong universities, the HKUST Summer Musical Camp produced our very first Broadway musical “The Wedding Singers” in 2009 and was highly received by the enthusiastic audience. The 2011 show was brought to an off-campus venue, still attracting a full house. hkust.localadmit Issue #2 June 2012 JOIN UST is published by the Undergraduate Recruitment and Admissions Office to update principals, teachers and counselors on HKUST’s latest development, in particular, to provide information of interest to students who are preparing for university entry. The next issue should reach you in September. If you have suggestions on what to cover in upcoming issues, don’t hesitate to let us know. Please email us at outreach@ust.hk. Website http://urao.ust.hk Facebook www.facebook.com/hkust.localadmit Starting in Fall 2013, students will be admitted to our 4-Year programs. They will first enter one of our four Schools: Science, Engineering, Business and Management, and Humanities and Social Science. Transfer Credits: Max. 30 (out of 120) The University has approved a credit transfer arrangement for students admitted to the 4-Year programs. Students may be granted up to 30 transfer credits which will count towards the minimum graduation requirement of 120 credits. Upon being granted the credits, they may be able to complete their studies a year or six months earlier. While students may apply for credit transfer, there is no need to rush for graduation. We sincerely hope that students can appreciate and enjoy the 4-Year curriculum and make the most out of their stay at HKUST. Detailed information on credit transfer and the application procedure will be available on our website join.ust.hk in Fall 2012. Credit Transfer Arrangements 2013 A. For students admitted on the basis of IB Diploma, GCEAL or HKALE I. Common Core Credits Students admitted on the basis of IB Diploma, GCEAL or HKALE will be granted block transfer of 9 Common Core credits. II. English Communication Credits Students will be granted 6 transfer credits on English Communication provided that they have attained the required language proficiency (see typical indicators in Part C on the right). III. Subject-specific Credits Students will be granted credit transfer by the course-offering Schools, depending on the subject(s) taken and the grade / score attainments in the respective public examinations. B. For students admitted on the basis of US patterned qualification, with AP Students admitted on the basis of their US patterned qualification with AP subjects may apply for the transfer credits based on their English proficiency and AP subject attainments (see Parts A.II and A.III above). C. For students demonstrating a high level of English Proficiency Regardless of the qualifications held, students admitted to the 4-Year curriculum who demonstrate a high level of English proficiency may apply for the 6 transfer credits for English Communication. Typical Indicators of the required English Proficiency* IELTS: Band 7.0 or above (with minimum 6.5 in all sub-skills) TOEFL–IBT: 100 points or above (with 24 or above in writing) IB: Level 4 or above in English A Level 6 or above in English B AP: Score 4 or above in English / Literature GCE: Grade A or above in English (A-Level or AS-level) HKALE: Grade B or above in UE (with minimum grade C in all sub-scores) * subject to final confirmation