Remarkable Firsts | HKUST 35th Anniversary

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HKUST Developed First AI Toolkit “GrainBot” to Automate Quantitative Microstructure Analysis

A research team from HKUST developed GrainBot, an AI-enabled toolkit that automatically extracts and quantifies multiple microstructural features from microscopy images.

Date: 2026.02.27

HKUST Achieved First Certified Breakthrough in Fully Solvent‑Free Perovskite Solar Cell Technology

Researchers at HKUST made a major breakthrough in producing perovskite solar cells. They developed a multi-source co-evaporation recipe that markedly enhanced the crystal quality of vacuum-deposited perovskite films.

Date: 2026.02.24

HKUST Developed World’s First Sub-Zero Celsius Elastocaloric Green Freezer, Reshaping Freezing Industry with its Zero Emissions

Researchers at the School of Engineering of HKUST developed the world’s first Sub-Zero Celsius elastocaloric freezing device, capable of reaching temperatures as low as -12℃.

Date: 2026.01.15

HKUST Launched World's First Deep-Sea Multi-Omics Resource Platform Empowering Global Research into Biological Adaptation in Extreme Environments

HKUST, in collaboration with the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), launched the world's first Deep Ocean Omics (DOO) database.

Date: 2025.12.22

HKUST and Towngas Jointly Established Hong Kong’s First Hydrogen Energy Industry Innovation Platform

HKUST and The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Cooperation to establish Hong Kong’s first hydrogen energy innovation platform.

Date: 2025.12.10

HKUST Scholars Developed Novel High-Resolution Brain Imaging Technology A Breakthrough Enables Real-time Observation of Mouse Brain, Advancing Research into Human Brain and Neurological Diseases

A research team from the School of Engineering at HKUST achieved a major breakthrough in brain imaging by developing the world’s first technology to capture high-resolution images of the brain of awake experimental mice in a nearly non-invasive manner.

Date: 2025.11.10

HKUST Launched World’s Largest AI-Powered Educational Sandbox Game: Advancing AI Literacy and Encouraging Citizen Science

HKUST announced the launch of “Aivilization”, the largest-scale AI multi-agent social simulation sandbox to date.

Date: 2025.08.19

HKUST Led Tripartite Alliance with KPMG and Griffith University to Launch Asia's First Master Program Concentration

Addressing the global financial sector’s surging demand for expertise in financial crimes and forensic accounting, HKUST partnered with KPMG and Griffith University to introduce Asia’s first Master of Science in Accounting (MSAC) program concentration dedicated these critical fields.

Date: 2025.05.19

The Race to Zero: HKUST Unveiled First Comprehensive Net-Zero Action Plan Among Local Universities

HKUST announced its Net-Zero Action Plan (Action Plan), which was the first among higher education institutions in Hong Kong to have a comprehensive framework with multi-pronged strategies aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2045.

Date: 2025.04.30

Chat with HKGAI V1: HKUST Introduced First Homegrown AI Tool to Drive Innovative Education

Staff and students at HKUST can now access Hong Kong’s first homegrown artificial intelligence large language model (LLM), developed by the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center (HKGAI), at no cost!

Date: 2025.04.22

AI On Stage: HKUST Debuted AI-Generated Film Festival

Over 700 filmmakers, including award-winning directors, Emmy-nominated storytellers, established and emerging producers from over 80 countries and regions, had submitted their fully-AI generated artworks to the first 100% AI-focused film festival hosted by HKUST.

Date: 2025.04.15

Government Launched Regulatory Sandbox Pilot Projects at HKUST

The Government announced the list of the first batch of low-altitude economy (LAE) Regulatory Sandbox pilot projects, which will be rolled out progressively, to enable members of the public to "see and feel" the tangible benefits of the LAE.

Date: 2025.03.20

HKUST Developed World’s First Kilowatt-Scale Elastocaloric Green Cooling Device

Researchers at HKUST developed the world’s first kilowatt-scale elastocaloric cooling device.

Date: 2025.03.11

HKUST Researchers Introduced World’s First High-Resolution Global Groundwater Sulfate Distribution Map Uncovering Public Health Risks

A recent study by HKUST revealed a startling public health threat: About 17 million people were at risk of gastrointestinal problems due to excessive sulfate levels in groundwater.

Date: 2025.02.03

HKUST Engineering Researchers Developed World’s First Deep-UV MicroLED Display Chips for Maskless Photolithography

In a breakthrough set to revolutionize the semiconductor industry, the School of Engineering of HKUST developed the world’s first-of-its-kind deep-ultraviolet (UVC) microLED display array for lithography machines.

Date: 2024.12.30

HKUST Pioneered Official Flexible Work Location Policy

HKUST introduced a weekly work-from-home day and special leave options aimed at enhancing work-life balance and promoting an employee-centric culture.

Date: 2024.12.10

HKUST Launched Hong Kong’s First Division of Arts and Machine Creativity Blending Technology and Humanities to Nurture Talents for Creative Industries

HKUST announced the establishment of the Division of Arts and Machine Creativity (AMC), a cross-disciplinary center that promotes the convergence of technology and art.

Date: 2024.07.23

HKUST Launched Redbird Innovation Fund

HKUST announced the launch of HKUST Redbird Innovation Fund (RIF), a HK$500 million initiative to create multiple Venture Investment Fund (VIFs) worth HK$2 billion in collaboration with investment partners, to support HKUST start-ups.

Date: 2024.04.30

HKGAI Debuted Cutting Edge AI Projects at InnoEx 2024

The Hong Kong Generative AI R&D Center (HKGAI), a joint-university collaborative venture, led by HKUST, announced an array of its AI projects covering applications in various areas at InnoEx 2024.

Date: 2024.04.14

HKUST Introduced Asia’s First “AI Lecturers” in Class to Promote Teaching Innovation

Following the birth of “AI singers” and “AI weather presenters”, adding to the ever-expanding AI (Artificial Intelligence) family is the inaugural cohort of “AI Lecturers” created by HKUST through the utilization of AI-generative tools.

Date: 2024.03.08

HKUST's InvestLM: Hong Kong's First Open-Source Large Language Model for Financial Generative AI Applications

A research team at HKUST Business School developed InvestLM — Hong Kong's first open-source large language model (LLM) for financial generative AI (GenAI) applications, capable of generating investment-related, human-like responses comparable to those of well-known commercial chatbots, including

Date: 2023.11.30

HKUST Launched Hong Kong's First Higher Ed Satellite

HKUST launched a multispectral optical satellite at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu with Chang Guang Satellite Technology Company Ltd (Chang Guang).

Date: 2023.08.22

HKUST Hosted World Economic Forum’s First Leadership Development Program in Greater China on Artificial Intelligence for Young Global Leaders

HKUST was the first University in Greater China hosting World Economic Forum’s (Forum) Young Global Leaders (YGL) leadership development program.

Date: 2023.08.18

HKUST and Wisers Launched Hong Kong’s First Forward-looking Tourism Index Supporting Tourism Recovery with AI-Powered Predictive Model

HKUST Business School launched the Wisers-HKUST Tourism Index (Tourism Index) in collaboration with Wisers Information Limited (Wisers) in supporting Hong Kong’s tourism growth following the resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

Date: 2023.08.04

HKUST Scientists Achieved Groundbreaking First by Applying Artificial Intelligence for Early Risk Forecasting of Alzheimer’s Disease

An international research team led by HKUST had developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based model that uses genetic information to predict an individual’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) well before symptoms occur.

Date: 2023.06.07

Generative AI for Generation AI

Dr. Sean MCMINN, Director of HKUST’s Center for Education Innovation (CEI), is a veteran language educator of two decades. His love for applying technology in education was intensified by ChatGPT, the powerful artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that swept the world in just a few months.

Date: 2023.04.19

HKUST the First to Launch New ESG Investment Policy for its Net-Zero Carbon Goal

HKUST became the first university in Hong Kong to make a pledge to eliminate investments in fossil fuels, with a concrete environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) investment strategy to demonstrate our commitment to be a sustainability leader across the region and beyond.

Date: 2022.12.21

HKUST CARE 2022 Created Opportunity of Stocktaking Policy and Measures on Hong Kong’s Climate Adaptation and Resilience

Government officials, business executives, financiers, investors, technologists, and climate action practitioners discussed Hong Kong’s adaptation and resilience planning in the face of climate change with scholars of HKUST at the University’s three-day Climate Adaptation and Resilience Conferenc

Date: 2022.12.10

HKUST Strengthened Collaboration with the University of Southampton to Launch Hong Kong’s first Dual Degree Program in Global Marine Resources Management

HKUST and the University of Southampton strengthened their partnership and launched a new Dual Master Program of Science in global marine resources management in 2023.

Date: 2022.11.29

HKUST Installed First Woman President Prof. Nancy Ip at 30th Congregation

HKUST installed its fifth President and the first woman to head a University Grants Committee-supported institution – Prof. Nancy IP – at its 30th Congregation.

Date: 2022.11.26

HKUST Launched World’s First Twin Campuses in Metaverse

HKUST announced its plan of establishing the world’s first physical-digital twin campuses in metaverse, as the University sought to ride the wave of the next digital era to enhance teaching and learning experiences for its two campuses in Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

Date: 2022.07.28

HKUST Developed World’s Most Durable Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Researchers at HKUST developed a new hydrogen fuel cell which was not only the world’s most durable to date, but was also more cost-effective, paving way for a wider application of green energy in the pursuit of a carbon neutral world.

Date: 2022.07.04

HKUST Launched First Online Marine Environmental Visualization Platform Facilitating Marine Research and Conservation

HKUST launched WavyOcean - the first interactive marine environment visualization platform which offers an unprecedented level of data on the ocean in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA), the entire China Seas, and the Western Pacific Ocean.

Date: 2022.03.07

HKUST Established Asia’s first Transnational R&D Consortium on AI Chip Design

HKUST established Asia’s first transnational consortium to perform research and development on AI chip design, to help put Hong Kong on the global map of AI chip and hardware design and to nurture the much-needed talent for a booming global AI chip market.

Date: 2021.11.30

HKUST Launched Hong Kong’s First Sustainable and Green Finance Program

HKUST announced the first BSc in Sustainable and Green Finance (SGFN) Program in Hong Kong.

Date: 2021.09.21

HKUST Decoded a Deep-Sea Vent-Endemic Snail Hologenome and Unveiled its Living Strategies in the Extreme Environment

A research team led by Professor QIAN Peiyuan, Head and Chair Professor from the HKUST’s Department of Ocean Science and David von Hansemann Professor of Science, had published their cutting-edge findings of symbiotic mechanisms of a deep-sea vent snail (Gigantopelta aegis) in the scientific jour

Date: 2021.02.22

HKUST Launched HK’s First Degree Programs with Extended Major

HKUST introduced a novel academic framework “Major + X” as a new degree option for undergraduates.

Date: 2020.10.15

HKUST Researchers Developed the World's First Sound-transmitting Glass Material

Glass is a sound-proof material, but researchers at HKUST discovered a way which allows sound transmission for glass, opening a new horizon for the potential development of smart phones and other electronic devices that can function under water, while also offering greater flexibility to building

Date: 2020.09.24

HKUST Launched the Largest-Scale Solar Power System in Hong Kong

HKUST worked with Widex Technology Development Limited – one of the most experienced solar power project developers in Hong Kong – to install the solar PV systems at more than 50 campus locations.

Date: 2020.08.26

HKUST Launched First e-Verified Certification Platform in Hong Kong

HKUST launched the HKUST “Blockcerts” platform – a trust-free, user-friendly verification system for documents such as graduation diplomas and academic transcripts, in its latest move to promote a paperless and sustainable campus as well as tackling the problem of fake diplomas.

Date: 2020.06.22

HKUST Scientists Developed World's First Spherical Artificial Eye with 3D Retina

An international team led by scientists at HKUST developed the world’s first 3D artificial eye with capabilities better than existing bionic eyes and in some cases, even exceeded those of the human eyes, bringing vision to humanoid robots and new hope to patients with visual impairment.

Date: 2020.06.09

Hong Kong’s First Fintech Manpower Study Identified 13 Most Needed Competencies

HKUST Business School announced the major findings of an industry-wide study on “Fintech Talent Development, Competency and Manpower”.

Date: 2020.06.08

HKUST Became the First University in Asia-Pacific Associated with EY Tax Lab

HKUST announced a collaborative partnership with EY’s Advanced Technology Tax Lab (“Tax Lab”).

Date: 2020.05.27

HKUST and Microsoft Introduced First AI-Centric MBA Elective in Hong Kong

Microsoft Hong Kong and HKUST Business School introduced Hong Kong’s first MBA elective featuring an AI (Artificial Intelligence) curriculum.

Date: 2019.11.01

HKUST Researchers Built the World’s First All-Optical Multilayer Neural Network Paving Way for Next Generation of AI Hardware

Researchers from HKUST developed the world’s first all-optical neural network for deep machine learning – bringing artificial intelligence a step closer to matching human brains in tackling complex problems such as pattern recognition or risk management, and at much lower energy consumption at th

Date: 2019.09.11

HKUST and WeBank Launched First HK-Guangdong Joint Laboratory in Banking

HKUST and WeBank Co. Ltd (WeBank) established the HKUST-WeBank Joint Laboratory to nurture talent and explore cutting-edge technologies.

Date: 2019.05.20

HKUST Launched HK’s First Ocean Science and Technology Degree Program

HKUST launched Hong Kong’s first undergraduate program in ocean science and technology, nurturing a young generation of new professionals with first-hand experience on the investigation, conservation and management of marine environment.

Date: 2019.05.08

HKUST Launched “Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab” Inspiring a Culture for Sustainability Innovation

HKUST launched the “Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab” (SSC) – an initiative that transformed the campus into a testing ground for learning, experimenting, and advancing smart and innovative ideas to address real-life challenges.

Date: 2019.02.19

HKUST Hosts First Dialogue with ICRC on the Roles of Technology and Asian Youths in Humanitarian Work

The Presidents of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) exchanged insights for the first time in an open dialogue today, to explore the opportunities and challenges that technology bring to the humanitarian sector and how As

Date: 2018.11.23

HKUST Launches HK’s First Tech-Based Degree Program in Data Science and Technology

The School of Science (SSCI) and the School of Engineering (SENG) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) jointly launched a new degree program in Data Science and Technology (DSCT) amid a pressing demand for data scientists in a world of data explosion.

Date: 2018.09.23

HKUST Researchers Develop First Innovative Fusion-based Location Sensing Technology to Shape a Smart City

A research team at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) recently invented a new fusion-based technology which achieves remarkably improved accuracy to position people indoor, enabling novel smart location-based applications such as indoor navigation, location-based personali

Date: 2018.02.14

HKUST Hosted First Asian Physics Olympiad in Hong Kong

HKUST hosted the grand physics competition in Asia – the 17th annual Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO) – for the first time in Hong Kong in the largest scale ever.

Date: 2016.05.02

HKUST Hosted the First National Challenge Cup Theme-Based Competition on Smart Green Cities

HKUST was the first local university to co-host the “National Challenge Cup”, a prestigious competition branded as the Olympiad of Science and Technology for university students.

Date: 2015.08.04

HKUST Partnered with Global School Alliance to Host First Corporate Benchmarking Conference in Asia

HKUST Business School joined hands with the world’s top alliance of university business schools CEMS1 to hold its first corporate benchmarking conference in Asia.

Date: 2015.06.24

HKUST Developed First Visual Analytic System on E-learning Behavior VisMOOC Won HKICT Innovation Award

HKUST developed the first visual analytic system for Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), which provided interactive, in-depth, and user-friendly analysis of e-learning behavior, promising improvement in teaching quality and more demand-focus MOOC programs that could further boost the development

Date: 2015.04.16

HKUST First Local Institution to Co-host “National Challenge Cup”

HKUST signed a memorandum with Guangdong University of Technology (GDUT) to map out the details of co-hosting the “National Challenge Cup” – a competition branded as the Olympiad of Science and Technology for university students.

Date: 2014.08.20

HKUST Launched Hong Kong's First Credit-bearing MOOC and Three New Programs on edX

HKUST added its first three courses on edX (xConsortium) - one of the two major platforms in the world that offers Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), in its ongoing efforts to promote this next generation learning medium that not only gives any eager learner worldwide an opportunity to take cla

Date: 2014.04.30

HKUST Ranked First in Greater China, Top 20 in World, in Global Graduate Employability Rankings

HKUST climbed to No.18 in the high-profile Global Employability University Ranking 2013. HKUST was the only university in Greater China in the top 20.

Date: 2013.11.07

HKUST Physicists Awarded First Brillouin Medal for Groundbreaking Research in Phononics

Prof Ping Sheng, Prof Che-ting Chan and Prof Jason Yang of the Department of Physics at HKUST were jointly awarded the inaugural Brillouin Medal by the International Phononics Society (IPS) for their discovery of locally resonant acoustic / elastic metamaterials and related contributions.

Date: 2013.07.11

HKUST Achieved the First Direct Observation of Homogeneous Crystal Melting at Single-particle Level

A research team led by Prof Yilong Han at the Department of Physics of HKUST had for the first time successfully observed homogeneous melting at single-particle resolution, closing the long-term debate on alleged defects generated before melting.

Date: 2012.10.12

HKUST among the First in Asia and Only One from Greater China to Become Global Online Education Partner of Coursera

HKUST was among the first in Asia and the only university in Greater China to sign an agreement with Coursera to bring HKUST's courses online worldwide.

Date: 2012.09.20

Asia's First Social Media Research Laboratory HKUST NIE Social Media Laboratory Officially Opened

Established by the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, HKUST NIE Social Media Laboratory officially opened.

Date: 2012.02.16

HKUST Hosted MIT's First International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition in Asia

HKUST hosted the first Asia Regional Jamboree of the International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition (iGEM), an undergraduate Synthetic Biology competition launched by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2003.

Date: 2011.10.19

HKUST Built Hong Kong's First Multi-purpose Eco-Park for Teaching and Research

HKUST opened its multi-purpose Eco-Park, the first of its kind in Hong Kong, to promote teaching and academic research on sustainability from a wider perspective.

Date: 2011.09.08

HKUST Hosted UCLA's First Research in Industrial Projects for Students in Hong Kong Elite US and Hong Kong Students Work with Industrial Sponsors Huawei, BGI and MetLife

HKUST partnered with UCLA to host Hong Kong's first Research in Industrial Projects for Students (RIPS), a summer research plus industrial internship and international education exchange program.

Date: 2011.08.22

HKUST and Value Partners Launched Hong Kong's First Academic Center for Investing

HKUST and Value Partners Group Limited (SEHK: 806) jointly announced the launch of the Value Partners Center for Investing at the HKUST Business School - the first academic center of its kind in Hong Kong to support research and training on investment management.

Date: 2011.06.13

HKUST Launched First Air Quality Research Supersite for Real-time Characterization

HKUST launched the first Air Quality Research Supersite to enhance air quality research and to tackle air pollution problems in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta.

Date: 2011.05.19

HKUST's First Research Excellence Awards Honored Engineering Achievements

To recognize the faculty’s devotion and outstanding achievements, the School of Engineering established new research excellence awards in 2011, for the first time. They were Distinguished Research Excellence Award, Research Excellence Award and The Young Investigator Research Award.

Date: 2011.03.11

HKUST Held Asia's First Carbon-neutral Congregation

A post-event carbon audit had shown that HKUST’s 2010 Congregation, held over three days from 10 to 12 November at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Atrium on campus, achieved carbon neutrality based on British Standards Institution’s PAS 2060 protocol.

Date: 2010.11.25

HKUST Developed World's First Smart Anti-microbial Coating to Control Infectious Diseases

HKUST announced the successful development of a smart anti-microbial coating that has the longest-lasting effect against the widest range of microbes.

Date: 2010.09.09

HKUST Unmanned Helicopter Made World's First Autonomous Flight to Mount Everest

An unmanned miniature helicopter developed by HKUST had made the world's first autonomous flight to Mount Everest, setting a milestone both in the history of unmanned aviation and in the surveying and protection of high altitude environments.

Date: 2009.09.18

HKUST Launched Hong Kong's First Tertiary Institutions Cantonese Opera Promotion Project

The HKUST officially launched Hong Kong's first Tertiary Institutions Cantonese Opera Promotion Project.

Date: 2008.09.12

HKUST Hosted First UK-Hong Kong Frontiers of Science Symposium

HKUST hosted Hong Kong’s first Frontiers of Science Symposium jointly sponsored by the Royal Society of Britain and the Croucher Foundation, covering key research areas such as stem cell research and infectious diseases.

Date: 2008.01.16

HKUST Hosted the first International Conference on Information and Learning Commons in Hong Kong

International library and learning support experts from more than 10 countries attended an International Conference on Information and Learning Commons hosted by HKUST, the first of its kind in the territory.

Date: 2007.12.10