SDG 4: Quality Education

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:

ENVR 4001 – Academic and Professional Development: Develops essential academic and professional skills for career readiness in environmental fields.

According to Science Direct, from 2021 to 2025, HKUST published 182 research papers addressing SDG 4. 

10.8% of them are in the top 10% cite score and around 62.6% are internationally co-authored. 

HKUST Introduces HKGAI V1: First Homegrown AI Tool to Drive Innovative Education

HKUST has become the first local university to pilot HKGAI V1, Hong Kong's first homegrown generative AI model developed by the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center (HKGAI). Tailored for Hong Kong's cultural and linguistic landscape with support for Cantonese, Putonghua, and English, the chatbot is now available for free to HKUST staff and students. The tool enhances classroom discussions, reasoning, and collaborative learning, with training support provided for faculty. Beyond education, HKGAI V1 has already been deployed across more than 70 Hong Kong government departments, where it assists civil servants with document drafting, translation, summarization, and meeting minute generation. Its specialised sub-systems include "HKPilot" for document processing, "HKMeeting" for generating summaries, and "LexiHK" for legal case referencing.

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. This 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).

HKUST Strengthens Academic Ties with Leading Universities in Vietnam and Indonesia

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) warmly welcomed delegations from Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City and Institut Teknologi Bandung to explore student exchange programs, joint research initiatives, dual degree programs, and student mobility opportunities. These collaborations build on existing ties under the Asia-Oceania Top University League on Engineering framework. 

HKUST and Tung Wah College Join Forces to Transform Healthcare Education Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration 

HKUST has signed an MoU with Tung Wah College to enhance collaboration in cross-disciplinary medical education, innovative research, knowledge transfer, and community outreach. The partnership focuses on five key areas: facilitating student clinical rotations, developing joint interprofessional programs that integrate AI, fostering interdisciplinary research, enhancing community services, and co-establishing a Centre of Excellence to drive breakthroughs in medical education and patient care. By combining HKUST's strengths in scientific innovation and technology with TWC's expertise in nursing, allied health, and healthcare talent development, this initiative aims to prepare next-generation healthcare professionals equipped to address complex challenges such as aging populations and chronic diseases.

HKUST-Esquel Partnership Transforms Student Learning Through Real-World Sustainability Research

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has partnered with Esquel Group to launch a five-year program where students conduct biannual field research at Integral—a 500,000-square-meter sustainable development garden in Guilin recognized as one of China's top 20 UN sustainability projects. Guided by HKUST faculty, students collect data on environmental monitoring and biodiversity conservation, producing reports with practical recommendations for sustainable textile practices.

HKUST Launches Asia's First Master's Concentration in Financial Crime with KPMG and Griffith University

HKUST, KPMG, and Griffith University have partnered to launch Asia's first Master of Science in Accounting concentration in financial crimes and forensic accounting, starting Fall 2025. The program offers five specialized courses designed by HKUST, with materials from Griffith University and practical teaching by KPMG professionals. The initiative aims to build talent to combat the estimated US$1.45 trillion global cost of financial crimes and strengthen Hong Kong's financial system resilience.

HKUST Opens Doors to Harvard Students Amid Global Academic Shifts 

HKUST has extended an open invitation to Harvard students to continue their studies in Hong Kong, offering streamlined admissions, credit transfers, and comprehensive support. This initiative reinforces HKUST's position as a global education hub, attracting top talent to contribute to Hong Kong's innovation and economic growth. By welcoming students from a world-leading institution, HKUST strengthens its diverse academic community and supports the city's development as an international center for talent and research, driving long-term economic competitiveness. 

HKUST advances SDG 4 through global and local partnerships, as well as industry collaborators.

Global Partnerships

The International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN): The "Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab" gives students hands-on, real-world learning experiences.

Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN): SDSN offers the SDG Academy, a free online platform with graduate-level sustainability courses for students worldwide.

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE): HKUST is a member of AASHE, the leading sustainability association in higher education. 

Local Partnerships

Hong Kong Sustainable Campus Consortium (HKSCC): HKUST co-chairs the Sustainability Education Working Group. 

Industry Partners

Gotta GO! Sustainable Explorer Challenge: HKUST partners with HK Express to empower students to design lower-carbon travel itineraries. 

ESF English Schools Foundation: HKUST supports the ESF KG5 Sustainability Leadership Program. 

Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau: HKUST partners with the French Consulate to nurture young researchers.

STEM with Kids

HKUST volunteers led a hands-on STEM workshop for 40 primary school students, guiding them to build and launch water rockets. Through this interactive activity, the young participants explored scientific principles like gravity and pressure, sparking their curiosity and enthusiasm for science.

STEAM Day@HKUST

HKUST hosted STEAM Day, a three-day event from 16-18 January 2025, offering primary and secondary school students a unique interdisciplinary learning experience in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The event featured workshops, lab visits, interactive game booths, DIY corners, and robot demonstrations—providing hands-on exposure to 21st-century skills essential for addressing complex challenges.

Buddy for the HKDSE Students

HKUST volunteers visited HKTA Yuen Yuen Institute No.3 Secondary School to share their experiences with 100 Form 6 students preparing for the HKDSE. Through Project WeCan, the volunteers offered practical advice on study techniques, time management, and choosing university programs, while also sharing personal stories about adjusting to university life. The session aimed to inspire and guide younger students as they navigated their future academic pathways.

Vietnam Service Learning 

HKUST students and staff travelled to Tra Vinh province, Vietnam, for a service-learning trip in collaboration with ECO Vietnam Group. Volunteers conducted interactive STEM workshops for 400 local children, visited underprivileged households, and organized cultural exchange activities including a community carnival and cooking classes. Through these experiences, participants gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by rural communities inspiring reflections on how to make a positive social impact.