SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth 

22 related courses were offered in the 2023-24 academic year. 

According to Science Direct, from 2020 to 2024, HKUST published 300 research papers addressing SDG 8.

24.67% of them are in the top 10% cite score and 74.4% are internationally co-authored.

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

A research team at the School of Business and Management of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST Business School) has 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 OpenAI's ChatGPT. InvestLM’s model parameters[i] and the insights from its development process have been made publicly available to support industry practitioners and researchers in deploying LLM-related technology. 

Living Wage Commitment

HKUST is committed to ensuring that all employees and contractors serving on our campus receive at least a Living Wage, which is higher than the statutory minimum wage and provides better financial security beyond meeting their basic needs.

Fair Employment Terms

HKUST values employee freedom of association and has established the HKUST Staff Association, which facilitates social, cultural, and recreational activities among staff members while protecting their welfare. This association serves as a vital communication link between the university and its employees, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are upheld.

Also, HKUST abides by the Employment of Children Regulations, made under the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57), which prohibits the employment of children in non-industrial establishments, forced labour human trafficking, and modern slavery. 

Guidelines on Additional Payment for Participation in Additional University Activities

In the case where staff or faculties engage in additional work outside their primary responsibilities, the university is obligated to compensate staff fairly for work beyond their normal duties as stated in the Guidelines on Additional Payment for Participation in Additional University Activities.

Staff Grievance Procedures

HKUST has established Staff Grievances Procedures to address employment-related concerns in an impartial and timely manner. Supervisors are responsible for actively listening to staff members' concerns and resolving them informally whenever possible. Face-to-face communication is encouraged, and if an informal resolution is reached, a written record should be kept. If an issue cannot be resolved informally, staff members can raise the matter formally following the prescribed procedures. 

HKUST Staff Mobile Computing Guidelines 

The Staff Mobile Computing Guidelines facilitates remote working by equipping staff to transition from desktop PCs to laptops. The guidelines highlight the benefits in employee well-being through flexible office design and work-life balance, strengthening HKUST's employer value proposition and competitiveness, enhancing staff productivity, transparency and efficiency through digitalization, and improving university agility and resilience.

HKUST and HSBC to Conduct One Week Hypothetical e-HKD Pilot 

The School of Business and Management of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST Business School) and HSBC today announced that they will commence on 16 September a one-week Hypothetical e-HKD pilot. This HKUST-HSBC collaboration represents the latest efforts of the academia and private sector in support of the exploration and experimentation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in Hong Kong under the purview of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. 

Nurturing Startups

Through collaboration with Sino Group, HKUST held the HKUST-Sino One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition to nurture innovative ideas and entrepreneurial talents from all over Hong Kong, Mainland China and international. Out of the 340 entries, over 80% of them featured Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) elements which aligns with the Sustainable Development mandate by the United Nations. This competition adds to the vast number of investments made by HKUST on startups incubation, as of June 2024, we have been associated with 1,747 active start-ups with 14 exits and 10 making their ways to becoming unicorns.

HKUST Staff Association

HKUST Staff Association is established with the mission of promoting social, cultural, and recreational activities among staff members and protecting the welfare of HKUST staff while acting as a communication link between the University and its staff members. The association also provides financial assistance in times of need and difficulty for eligible members. 

Staff Well-being 

During the 2023-24 academic year, HKUST implemented a comprehensive range of initiatives to foster an inclusive, supportive, and growth-oriented workplace. The University promoted diversity through immersive experiences like the Dark and Silence Experience and Sikh Temple Visit, alongside anti-discrimination workshops. Employee well-being was prioritized via creative and wellness activities, while talent development programs enhanced leadership and communication skills. Compliance sessions on critical topics like sexual harassment prevention and anti-bribery further cultivated a respectful and informed work environment. Together, these efforts strengthened workplace culture, supported professional growth, and advanced HKUST’s commitment to employee engagement and inclusion.  

Staff Volunteering Program 

Since the launch of the staff volunteering policy in 2022, full-time staff can now take four days each calendar year to participate in volunteering services in Hong Kong and in Wellness/Diversity & Equal Opportunities initiatives organized by the University. This empowers employees to grow professionally while addressing societal needs, modelling how institutes can integrate economic productivity with social progress. 

"Work-Study" On-Campus Internship Program

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.  

Start-Ups

MentorHUB@HKUST is an initiative to nurture and facilitate HKUST students with entrepreneurial mindsets through the provision of open and virtual mentoring for flexibility and diversity. HKUST further commits to assisting startup development and growth, theBASE, a co-working space holds entrepreneurial workshops and houses networking between start-up dwellers.    

Local Start-up Assistance

HKUST supports local entrepreneurs through financial assistance and non-financial support to local startups. Notable funding schemes such as the HKUST Entrepreneurship Fund, HKUST Entrepreneurship Development Fund, and the Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities offer support for research and development, business, and market development activities. We prioritize startups with innovative technologies and business models, aiming to bring about social and economic impact, fostering knowledge transfer and promoting entrepreneurship within our local community. 

Career Services

The HKUST Career Center was established to provide support and aid students plan for their future success entering the job market. The department offers services in forms of Career Advising, Career Building Courses, Career Mosaic as well as Designing Your Life Workshops.

Within a year, HKUST university advisors held approximately 1,900 career consultations, providing students proper guidance before entering the workforce. Additionally, through the “Ask Me Anything” chat series, 50 alumni shared career guidance to current students in one-on-one sessions.  

Through the courses and workshops, students are able to take aptitude tests, learn proper CV making, garner crucial interview skills. While Career Mosaic 2024 provided opportunities for students to get connected to recruiting managers and company representatives in job fairs and firm visits of various industries. 

Alumni Support

In addition to the career development initiatives for current students, HKUST also offers ongoing support to its alumni through regular events and networking opportunities to assist alumni in their job search and professional growth. HKUST also provides access to startup support programs and entrepreneurship competitions, which can potentially lead to funding opportunities for alumni looking to launch their own ventures. This holistic support system helps HKUST alumni stay engaged with the university and capitalize on the university's extensive network and expertise, even after they've completed their studies.

Since the opening of HKUST (GZ) in September 2022, nearly 1,300 students have spent up to a semester in enrichment activities spanning internships, cultural exchanges, industry visits and competitions on each other’s campuses, while another 250 students have attended online courses. In the near future, cross-campus summer camps will be introduced to further promote interaction among students and broaden their horizons. The two campuses will also implement credit transfer and course sharing mechanism under consistent academic standards, enabling more enrollment opportunities for selected subjects.