SDG 5: Gender Equality 

18 related courses were offered in the 2022-23 academic year.   

According to Science Direct, from 2019 to 2023, HKUST published 23 research papers addressing SDG 5.

About 35% of them are in the top 10% cite score and nearly 56% are internationally co-authored.

Publication

Apart from the effort of creating a gender-equal working and studying environment, HKUST is also contributing to gender equality through researches.

The publications "The Glass Wall and the Gendered Evaluation of Role Expansion in Freelancing Careers", "Revisiting the gender revolution: time on paid work, domestic work, and total work in East Asian and Western societies 1985-2016", and "Catching up with ‘compressed modernity’ - How the values of Millennials and Gen-Z’ers could reframe gender equity and demographic systems" are the evidence of such contribution. They act as credential proofs of the existence of gender inequality, and explored the opportunities for improvement,

Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Sexual Harassment Policies

HKUST is committed to creating an inclusive environment, treating all community members with fairness and respect. Discrimination and harassment are actively opposed, following the university’s Equal Opportunities and Anti-discrimination Policy guided by the Diversity and Equal Opportunities Committee (DEOC) which plays a crucial role in ensuring equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion at the university.

The University has implemented Anti-Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Policies to ensure a fair and inclusive working environment. These policies are based on the four anti-discrimination laws in Hong Kong, which cover sex, disability, family status, and race.  

Maternity, Paternity Policies Supporting Participation

Additionally, HKUST provides maternity leave, paternity leave and bereavement leave for eligible appointees. The campus also has designated spaces called Mothers' Stations to support nursing mothers.  

HKUST organizes talks and trainings to promote diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in the workplace, bridging the gender gap in the tech industry, and preventing sexual harassment on campus. International Women’s Day events in March 2022, such as LEAP Talk: Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness in the Workplace which prepared women to face invisible barriers in the workplace and how to overcome diversity/equity/inclusion issues when they encounter them. We also served as academic partner for the AmCham HK: Bridging the Gender Gap in Tech which highlighted how technology companies are seeking to accelerate diversity and inclusion, and let participants hear from a panel of female leaders on how they address challenges they faced in the workplace due to their gender. 

HKUST's historic appointment of Prof. Nancy IP as its fifth President in November 2022, and the first woman to lead a University Grants Committee-supported institution in Hong Kong, marks a major milestone for gender equality in higher education leadership in the city. Prof. Ip's assumption of the presidency showcases HKUST's unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the highest levels of university governance. As a distinguished neuroscientist and biotechnology pioneer who has been with HKUST for three decades, Prof. Ip's visionary leadership is poised to steer the university towards new heights of excellence and global impact. Her appointment is a powerful symbol of the progress being made to shatter the glass ceiling and provide equal opportunities for women to ascend to the top echelons of academia in Hong Kong.

HKUST is committed to achieving gender parity, especially in STEM fields, and actively promotes diversity and the reduction of stereotypes for a more equitable society. In celebration of International Women's Day (IWD), the university organizes a range of events every year, including a book corner Celebrating Women’s Achievements in 2023 and encourage individuals to participate in these events or become ambassadors to share the message in person or on social media.  

The Women Faculty Association (WFA) at HKUST was established in 2011 by a group of dedicated women faculty members from all four schools of the university with the mission of actively promoting a diverse, inclusive, equitable, and intellectually vibrant environment at the university. The association welcomes all faculty members and strives for diversity in terms of gender, discipline, cultural background, and personal experiences. It provides mentoring and support networks for women faculty and students, organizes seminars and forums, supports university initiatives, and has established scholarships and camps to encourage women's participation in underrepresented fields.

The Women in Business (WIB) at HKUST aims to empower women, introduce aspiring executives to professionals, and close the gender gap in leadership. WIB offers mentorship and projects for studentssuch as the Project Leadership Program ’that enhances students’ professional development by connecting them with successful female industry leaders.  

The WISE Scholarship established by HKUST aims to encourage high-achieving female students to pursue studies in science, engineering, or interdisciplinary studies by providing financial support and recognition. The scholarship not only recognizes academic excellence but also considers non-academic talents, achievements in science and technology competitions, and interview performance.