HKUST (CWB) x HKUST (GZ) Cross-University Collaboration Sparks Innovation to Tackle Campus Eco-Challenges at Sustainable Innovators Program 2026

Sponsored by the Tung Foundation, the HKUST Sustainable Innovators Program 2026 hosted at the Clearwater Bay campus was an astounding success, bringing together 32 undergraduate and postgraduate students from both HKUST (CWB) and HKUST (GZ). The program was held from May 31, 2026, to June 6, 2026, delivering a wide-range of intensive workshops, team building, and hands-on prototyping experience.

This program, which has become an annual cross-campus summer event, aimed to harness the diverse minds of each student to collaborate to solve real-world campus eco-challenges and pain points through the sustainability-related problem statements involving waste, nature, and people. Another core aim of the program was to foster inter-university friendships between students of different nationalities, disciplines, and years, alike and likeminded in their passion for sustainability and innovation.

The 7-day long program included a wide range of activities and events, including design thinking workshops, campus tours, industry sharing, and mentor feedbacking sessions, with the program ending in the culmination of innovative solutions and prototypes, where each of the 8 teams were able to pitch their ideas to a panel of expert judges.

Through this program, students were provided an avenue to inquire, ideate, create, and innovate their ideas and solutions, while still making their time spent full of fun, friendship, and teamwork. The design thinking methodology gave focus on iteration and collaboration, proving to be an excellent opportunity for the students to gain real-world and industry experience.

While each of the 32 participating students performed exceptionally throughout this program, a special congratulations goes to the winners of both the individual and team award winners who went above and beyond every step of the way.

Individual Awards

• Best Photography- Winner: YANG Feiyang (GZ)

• Best Video - Winner: GUO Xiurui (Jerry) (HK)
• Best Influencer - Winner: LI Jiayao – 438 likes (GZ)
• Best Engagement – Hong Kong - Winner: CHIU Hoi Yin (Ekko) (HK)
• Best Engagement - Guangzhou - Winner: ZHANG Jingxing (GZ)

The winning team, GreenEventLoop, features an AI-powered circular material management platform designed to eliminate single-use waste such as foam boards and banners from campus events. Other winning teams include FoodLoop (2nd place), an automated campus robot food waste collector, and Shaw Neon Adaptive Commons (3rd place), an inventive campus zone for student collaboration and recreation, as well as team Manchee Magic, who won Best Prototype for their interactive water and plant-based mosquito pond model.

Big congratulations to all participating teams and students!
While not every team was able to take home an award, every student received something equally, if not more, valuable. Friendship, core memories, and lifelong partnerships were the fruits of this intensive week-long event, proving that even in a competitve and high-stakes environment, human connection is at the heart of it all.

Some participants from the program shared:

“The best ideas come from listening, sharing, and caring for each other.

Innovation isn't about being the smartest person in the room—it's about creating a space where everyone can contribute, learn, and grow together. The ideas we created are important, but the friendships we built are what will truly last and continue to inspire future collaborations.”

- YIP Hoi Pang (Patrick), Student

“Over these fulfilling and fun-filled days, we learned design thinking together, enjoyed exciting activities together, and not only deepened our understanding of sustainability but also became close friends with one another. May our friendship last forever, and may we always treasure these summer nights as our most beautiful memories.”

- SI Zhongyun, Student

“This experience was never only about winning, but also about support, and the little moments that made the journey unforgettable. Competition is the current, but friendship is the future and forever.”

- TANG Po Yu (Judy), Student

For program highlights, check out our video by clicking here.

You can watch the videos of the winning teams by clicking here.

Check out the final presentation ceremony where each team brought their prototypes to life to a panel of judges here.