News & Stories

Prof. Nancy IP, President, The Morningside Professor of Life Science at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), has been awarded the 2026 UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences in recognition of her pioneering contributions to neuroscience and Alzheimer's disease research. The award ceremony was held on November 6 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has recently received a generous donation from distinguished alumnus Dr. Joseph CHEUNG Wang Ngai to establish the Dr Joseph W N Cheung Research Excellence Award, a new initiative designed to recognize and support outstanding research achievements at the University. The gift will be designated for HKUST's new School of Medicine and HKUST Business School, underscoring Dr. Cheung's commitment to driving research breakthroughs and nurturing future generations of scholars.

United by a drive to innovate, all 62 teams from HKUST and HKUST (Guangzhou) won awards at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva between March 11 and 15.Between them, the 36 teams from HKUST and 26 teams from HKUST (GZ) brought home 13 Gold Medals with Congratulations of the Jury, 20 Gold Medals, 20 Silver Medals, and nine Bronze Medals.This outstanding achievement by the HKUST entrants represented the highest number of awards among all higher education institutions in Hong Kong.Such a milestone emphasizes the remarkable spirit of cooperation between the two institutions, spotlighting HKUST’s deepening commitment to cross-border partnerships that boost social and economic development within the region.

Physics unlocks many of the universe’s enigmas, thanks to the relentless dedication of many great minds. Among them is Prof. DAI Xi, the Dr William M W Mong Professor of Nanoscience and Chair Professor of Physics at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). His theoretical work in condensed matter physics and topological materials research has added fresh perspectives to modern physics, earning him the prestigious 2025 Future Science Prize—widely regarded as China’s equivalent to the Nobel Prize.

Prof. XIE Yuan, Fang Professor of Engineering and Chair Professor of the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering and the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, was honored with a 2025 CCF Overseas Outstanding Contribution Award by China Computer Federation (CCF). He is concurrently Director of the Jockey Club STEM Lab of Future Advanced Computing Technologies (FACT Lab) and the Institute of Integrated Circuits and Systems at HKUST.

In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, its potential to ignite human creativity is quietly revolutionizing storytelling—even in filmmaking. Leading this charge is Professor RAO Anyi, an assistant professor in the newly established Division of Arts and Machine Creativity at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).  Prof. Rao, named to the 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list, is pioneering AI’s role in democratizing storytelling. He develops AI tools that empower filmmakers to generate content and control complex elements or special effects like scene lighting. With a mission to merge the realms of filmmaking, art, and AI, he aims to nurture a tech-savvy generation of storytellers. 

Loyalty is a virtue quietly forged through dedication. This year, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)’s Long Service Awards celebrates this very spirit by honoring 158 colleagues who have served for 20 years or more. Notably, HKUST is presenting its inaugural 35-Year Awards, recognizing colleagues whose 35 years of service—a milestone predating the University’s founding—underscores the deep-rooted commitment within our community. Join us to meet three of the remarkable honorees who have helped shape HKUST into the institution it is today.

Prof. SONG Xueyang, Assistant Professor of the Department of Physics at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Croucher Tak Wah Mak Innovation Award for her groundbreaking research in theoretical condensed matter physics. Her research promises to revolutionize energy-efficient technologies by designing materials with unprecedented control over electricity and heat. Prof. Song will receive HKD 5 million in funding from the Croucher Foundation to support her future research. The “Croucher Tak Wah Mak Innovation Award”, one of the Croucher Foundation's top honors, recognizes Hong Kong's brightest young scientific minds poised to make significant breakthroughs. Recipients are selected for their distinguished doctoral work, internationally competitive research, and high-impact contributions to their fields.