SDG 1: No Poverty 

Common Core Program

The Common Core Program requirements are mandatory for all undergraduate students, ensuring every graduate has the opportunity to engage with sustainability. For the 2024-25 academic year, over 20 Common Core courses are directly related to Sustainability and the SDGs, making sustainability education an integral part of the foundational curriculum for all students.

Extended Major in Sustainability

For students seeking deeper engagement, the Extended Major in Sustainability is available in combination with Science, Engineering, Business, Humanities and Social Science, and most Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies majors. In 2024-2025, it offers 55 courses covering a range of SDG topics, providing an interdisciplinary pathway for students across disciplines.

Other Relevant Programs

Additional specialized degree programs further integrate SDGs into the curriculum, including the BSc in Environmental Management and Technology (EVMT) , the BSc in Sustainable and Green Finance (SGFN) , and the BSc in Ocean Science and Technology (OST). These multi-disciplinary programs equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to address specific sustainability challenges.

For more details on the integration of SDGs across the HKUST curriculum, please click here.

HKUST offers courses such as:  

HUMA 2921 – Ethical Theories and Contemporary Issues: Applies ethical theories to evaluate fair wealth distribution and systemic deprivation 

MGMT 2130 – Business Ethics and Social Responsibility: Prepares business leaders to make responsible decisions that protect vulnerable workers and promote equitable livelihoods 

SOSC 3880 – Social Inequality and Social Mobility: Analyses the structural roots of inequality and pathways to upward mobility 

According to Science Direct, from 2021 to 2025, HKUST published 66 research papers addressing SDG 1. 

11.8% of them are in the top 10% cite score, and around 74.2% are internationally co-authored. 

Publication

HKUST is actively conducting research addressing poverty-related issues.

Vision-Language AI Model to Map Fine-Scale Urban Poverty 

Harnessing the power of a large vision-language model (CLIP) and street-view images, this groundbreaking study accurately measures fine-scale urban poverty in Shanghai, demonstrating greater spatial resolution and efficiency than traditional statistical methods. This provides a valuable, data-driven tool for governments to formulate poverty-alleviation policies and achieve sustainable urban management.

Land Certificate Reform Boosts Rural Household Welfare in China 

Researchers have found that stronger property rights through land certification in rural China significantly improve household welfare by enabling resource reallocation. The study shows that certified households are 19% more likely to rent out land, 14% more likely to take off-farm jobs, and 13% more likely to have migrant workers, leading to increased income and consumption.

Affordable Housing for Students

Undergraduate and Postgraduate students can apply for affordable residential halls all throughout Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer semesters.  

HKUST provides housing subsidies to its student residents to ensure that the University constantly offers prices below market rates, with financial aid is available to students in need. The University provides accommodations to students at rates as low as 12.5% of the rates offered by outside landlords. 

Living Wage and Ethical Outsourcing for Staff and Faculty Members 

HKUST is committed to ensuring that most employees and contractors serving on our campus receive at least a Living Wage, which is higher than the statutory minimum wage and ensures all living expenses can be covered without relying on external assistance. 

Code of Conduct for Outsourced Service Providers of HKUST

The Code of Conduct for Outsourced Service Providers at HKUST ensures that contractors providing services to the university adhere to certain standards. These include being equal opportunity employers, maintaining safe and healthy working conditions, committing to environmentally friendly practices, upholding high ethical standards, and treating employees with respect. The code also holds subcontractors accountable to the same standards and encourages the employment of workers from outgoing contractors with comparable terms and conditions.

HKUST Recruits Global Scholars to Tackle Poverty Through Research and Policy

HKUST has welcomed nearly 100 scholars from over a dozen countries to boost research across biomedical science, AI, green technology, and public policy. This talent drive strengthens the University's capacity to address poverty-related challenges—including access to healthcare, sustainable development, and inclusive economic growth—through evidence-based research and policy innovation. 

University Financial Assistance

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.  The University also supports students with programmes such as Deferment of Tuition/Hall fees and a Loan Scheme for Off-campus Housing.  

"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.  

WeCan Scholarship 

WeCan Scholarship Scheme provides financial assistance to help students pursue first-degree courses in the eight UGC-funded universities and the Hong Kong Academy. In addition to financial support, the alumni’s family is invited to participate in volunteering activities under WeCan and community services to give back to WeCan and society. 

International Enrichment Grant

Through International Enrichment Grant, regardless the CGA figure, HKUST School of Business and Management provides financial support for undergraduates’ participation in overseas, including Mainland China and Taiwan, competitions, conferences, community projects, business-related enrichment programs, exchange-out and Internship programs. It aims at widening undergraduates’ international perspective, sharpening their analytical skills and helping them put theories into practice. 

Employment Support 

HKUST is dedicated to helping students explore, plan and prepare for future careers. Resources, services, programs and assistance are provided for the exploration of interests, planning for further studies, understanding the trends and prospects of favorite industries, developing career competencies, obtaining up-to-date job information for internships, part-time or graduate employment, preparation for competitive job search process or advice on a career decision  

In 2025, the Career Center of HKUST has organized a career mosaic with over 220 companies or organizations, bringing promising graduate job and internship opportunities over a wide range of industries. HKUST Alumni also launched the HKUST United Program to support students by offering career advice, start-up support, and job or internship opportunities. 

Personal Finance Ambassador Programme

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.

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. 

Entrepreneurship Center 

The HKUST Entrepreneurship Center empower students and the community to be entrepreneurs of all kinds, creating scalable and ethical innovations that have economic and social impacts in the Greater Bay Area and beyond. To support students and faculty in their entrepreneurial pursuits, the university offers a wide range of programs and resources, including mentorship, funding opportunities, networking events, and competitions.