SDG 4: Quality Education

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

According to Science Direct, from 2019 to 2023, HKUST published 113 research papers addressing SDG 4.

About 21% of them are in the top 10% cite score and nearly 56% are internationally co-authored.

Publication

HKUST has been actively researching topics related to quality education. The publication "Knowledge Query Network for Knowledge Tracing: How Knowledge Interacts with Skills" provides insight how to utilize neural networks to encode student learning activities into knowledge state and skill vectors. Other publications like "Higher education during the pandemic: The predictive factors of learning effectiveness in covid-19 online learning" and "Knowledge Query Network for Knowledge Tracing: How Knowledge Interacts with Skills" also examined how research can promote quality education.

Education and Generative AI Fund

HKUST launched the Education and Generative AI (EDGE-AI) Fund to encourage the integration of generative AI tools into undergraduate curriculum.  To further encourage experimentation in teaching methods, the Teaching and Learning Innovation Projects (TLIP) provides finding for innovations, such as the Life Cycle Thinking Board Game that incorporates gamification and game-based learning into teaching.  

HKUST eLearning Strategy

The University has formulated the HKUST eLearning Strategy to encourage the digital transformation of teaching and learning that is innovative and pedagogically sound, sustains current best-practices in approaches to e-Learning and digital education, assures the maintenance of HKUST’s academic standards, and upholds the "Unified HKUST-Complementary Campuses umbrella" by enabling cross-campus teaching and learning opportunities, with faculty being encouraged and supported to collaborate and co-supervise students, and students having opportunities to pursue courses offered at HKUST and HKUST(Guangzhou).

Digital Education Council

HKUST is proud to be a founding member of the Digital Education Council (DEC), a global alliance initiated by over a dozen high-profile universities from around the world with a shared vision to drive sustainable innovation and AI adoption in higher education and workforce development.

As a member of the DEC, HKUST is at the forefront of exploring and implementing cutting-edge technologies and pedagogical approaches that promise to transform the landscape of education and skill development. We are committed to leveraging this partnership to enhance our educational offerings and prepare our students for future challenges and opportunities.

Government Committee

The academic staff of HKUST have also been involved in different government committees working on educational matters. Notably Committee on Professional Development of Teachers and Principals and University Grants Committee, contributing to the development of Hong Kong education.

HKUST Partnership with Chinese Studies Foundation and SUNWAH Group

In collaboration with the Chinese Studies Foundation and SUNWAH Group, HKUST seeks to promote education, technological research, innovation, and knowledge transfer through this partnership.

HKUST Connect

A group of students volunteers, the “DSE Squad” mentored and supported secondary school students preparing for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) examinations. The HKUST volunteers share their knowledge and experiences, inspiring and motivating the younger students to unlock their full academic potential. By partnering with local secondary schools, the university is able to provide personalized assistance and guidance to those who need it most, helping to ensure equitable access to quality education.

STEM with them, developed in collaboration with the non-profit organization Project WeCan and the Hong Kong Taoist Association The Yuen Yuen Institute No.3 Secondary School, aims to stem the young children's interest in STEM subjects and encourage them to explore further educational and career opportunities in these fields. By exposing underdeveloped communities of younger students to the excitement of STEM, HKUST is helping to cultivate the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.

HKUST's student volunteers provide one-on-one tutoring and mentorship to Lok Sin Tong Lau Tak Primary School students struggling with English and Mathematics through the Homework Saver program. By offering personalized support, the volunteers work to improve the academic performance and confidence of the younger students, ensuring that they have the necessary skills to succeed in their studies.

Free Education MOOC

HKUST has established partnerships with two leading MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platforms - Coursera and edX. These platforms allow HKUST instructors to create and deliver high-quality educational content that are accessible to learners from all over the world for free. Aside from breaking geographical and financial access barriers, MOOC lowers barriers to higher education as it can be taken at the student’s personal pace and convenience, allowing a more flexible and effective learning. 

We believe building a robust and diverse campus community is one of the key to sparking fruitful discussions, hence driving quality education. As a result, over the past year, our outreach team has held public information sessions in 37 cities across 23 provinces in Mainland China, as well as joining conferences in 30 cities across 14 countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa. These initiatives have allowed us to connect with over 10,000 prospective students and their families, sharing the unique value proposition of an HKUST education and repositioning our stance as a welcoming international community.

In 2022-2023, HKUST's unwavering commitment to catering to the diverse educational and career aspirations of its students manifests in the launch of the new BSc in Sustainable and Green Finance program. This forward-thinking curriculum, tying in sustainability concepts by incorporating climate science as well as ESG factors, is first of its kind in Hong Kong. HKUST is equipping students with the tools and mindset to become agents of change. This offering speaks volumes about HKUST's definition of quality education - one that is applicable and responsive to the ever-changing demands of the world.

HKUST has also approved several new postgraduate programs set to debut in the 2023-2024 academic year. These include the Master of Science in Biomolecular Engineering and Health Informatics, the Master of Science in Marketing, and a Dual Master's Degree Program in Global Marine Resources Management in collaboration with the University of Southampton. Additionally, the university has introduced the ASTRI Work-Study PhD Program, which offers students a unique opportunity to pursue doctoral-level studies while gaining valuable industry experience.

HKUST offers financial aid programs for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The University Financial Assistance (UFA) is available to local students facing financial hardship, with assistance levels determined by their family's financial circumstances, including special provisions for Emergency Financial Assistance. In 2022-2023, HKUST granted HK$ 104.4 Million worth of Financial Aid, which was an 18% increase from the previous year, demonstrating growing support for students from limited financial backgrounds. Additionally, 78 top Post Graduate students from 16 countries were awarded scholarships through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme. The University also supports students with programmes such as Deferment of Tuition/Hall fees and a Loan Scheme for Off-campus Housing.  

Starting from fall 2022, students with demonstrated financial need are also be eligible for the “Work-Study” On-Campus Internship Program (WSOCIP). In addition to their allowance from their on-campus internship, they would also receive a dollar-to-dollar matching bonus from HKUST SFAO.    

To further sustainable finance, the university also holds a special Personal Finance Ambassador Programme in collaboration with Career Sparkle for students to practice managing one's financial resources that balances both personal goals and long-term environmental and social sustainability.