SDG 5: Gender Equality 

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:

SOSC 3250 – Gender and Development: Develops an understanding of how gender discrimination and poverty intersect, and analyzes strategies for empowering women through access to credit and political participation.
SOSC 3880 – Social Inequality and Social Mobility: Introduces theories on the unequal distribution of resources, providing a foundation to understand how gender operates as a key axis of social stratification.

According to Science Direct, from 2021 to 2025, HKUST published 34 research papers addressing SDG 5. 

10.9% of them are in the top 10% cite score and around 79.4 % 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 research. The following publications are evidence of this: 

Safe Spaces for Children: School Sanitation and Sexual Violence 

A study co-authored by HKUST researcher Yu-Hsiang Lei found that sex-specific toilets in Indian schools significantly reduce child rape cases, while unisex toilets do not. A 10 percentage-point increase in sex-specific toilet coverage is linked to a 2.6% drop in child rape cases. The effect is stronger in co-ed and secondary schools, and in areas with more gender-equal norms, highlighting the need for both infrastructure and cultural change. 

“I'm not confident in debiasing AI systems since I know too little”: Designing and Evaluating Hands-on Gender Bias Tutorials for AI Practitioners and Learners

A study by HKUST researcher Kyrie Zhixuan Zhou and colleagues found that current computing curricula lack adequate education on gender bias in AI, with instruction being absent, sporadic, abstract, or overly technical. Through interviews with 18 AI practitioners and learners, the team identified these gaps and designed hands-on tutorials to raise awareness and knowledge of gender bias. The study synthesizes design implications and a rubric to guide future efforts in integrating practical gender bias education into AI courses, aiming to better prepare students to build fairer AI systems. 

Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Sexual Harassment Policies

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.  

Equal Opportunities and Anti-discrimination Policy

The University is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse, inclusive and open learning and working environment in which members of our community including students, faculty and staff are treated with fairness, presented with equality of opportunities, with diversity valued and respected. The University aims to ensure that equality is embedded into its functions, operations and activities. The University opposes, and will proactively challenge and eliminate, any form of discrimination and harassment, prejudices and biases to ensure a level playing field, regardless of any individual characteristics. 

Prevention and Handling of Discrimination and Harassment 

In the university’s efforts to protect the safety and well-being of the faculty, the Prevention and Handling of Discrimination and Harassment: Guidelines for Supervisors and Managers was created. This set of guidelines aims to empower supervisors and managers, or those with leadership responsibilities, at HKUST when it comes to advising on discrimination and/or harassment and suggest best practices for preventing discrimination and harassment at workplace/learning environment. 

Pay Equity 

At HKUST, we are committed to promoting gender pay equity as a fundamental principle of our institution. We actively monitor and address pay disparities to ensure that all employees, regardless of gender, receive fair and equal compensation for their contributions. We are dedicated to fostering an environment of equality and opportunity for all members of our community, free from discrimination and harassment. Our pay policy aligns with the principles of Equal Pay for Equal Work (EPEW) and Equal Pay for Equal Value (EPEV), utilizing a job evaluation system that objectively assesses and compares the value of different roles in a systematic and gender-neutral manner. This approach ensures transparency and fairness in our compensation practices, reinforcing our commitment to gender pay equity. 

Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Scholarship 

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. Each awardee will receive funding ranging from a one-off award of HKD10,000 to a renewable award of HKD20,000 p.a., and will also be entitled for the University Admissions Scholarship Scheme for HKDSE Holders#. The number of awardees will vary from year to year depending on the academic and non-academic merits of the eligible candidates, as well as the available funding. 

Reach Out to Migrant Domestic Workers

In partnership with PathFinders, 14 HKUST volunteers participated in an outreach initiative to support migrant domestic workers in Sha Tin. After a briefing from PathFinders, volunteers distributed resource cards and engaged in meaningful conversations with around 50 migrant domestic workers. These discussions focused on raising awareness of maternity rights and available support services, while also providing volunteers with a deeper understanding of the challenges and realities faced by migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong. Through this direct engagement, volunteers developed greater empathy and awareness of the needs of this often-overlooked community.

Workshops, Seminars, & Events

HKUST offers a range of workshops and events dedicated to advancing gender equality (SDG 5) and empowering women in leadership and STEM fields.

The HKUST MBA Office hosted a Women Leadership Webinar (March 18, 2025), featuring alumnae Cherry Liu (Senior Vice President, Family Office at Invest HK) and Vandana Jain (Co-Founder at Zanskar Group), who shared their personal journeys and discussed how the MBA program empowered them to drive impactful change and open doors to leadership opportunities.

The HKUST EMBA program showcased "Empowering Women in Tech: Stories from HKUST EMBA" (March 2025), highlighting the entrepreneurial journeys of two female founders who defied stereotypes to build successful tech companies, celebrating the spirit of "She Power" and diverse leadership.

Additionally, the HKUST MBA Office hosted "From Struggle to Success: The Journey of Shattering the Glass Ceiling" (March 15, 2025), an evening panel discussion and networking event exploring challenges and opportunities for women in leadership, innovation, and societal impact, while offering actionable strategies to foster inclusive growth. 

HKUST International Women's Day 2025

In 2025, from March 3 to March 21, HKUST celebrated International Women's Day. 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, workshops, and exhibitions Celebrating Women’s Achievements in 2025 and encourage individuals to participate in these events or become ambassadors to share the message in person or on social media.   

Women's Faculty Association (WFA)

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.

Women in Business

Women in Business (WIB) is a student-run organization at HKUST dedicated to empowering women and closing the gender gap in business leadership. The association connects aspiring female executives with successful industry professionals through mentorship programs, networking events, and hands-on projects. By fostering meaningful connections between students and female leaders across various sectors, WIB enhances members' professional development, builds confidence, and equips them with the skills and networks needed to thrive in their future careers. Through these initiatives, the organization actively works to create a more inclusive and diverse business landscape. 

HKUST Partners with The Women's Foundation to Advance Gender Equality and Inclusion   

HKUST has become the first university in Hong Kong to join The Women's Foundation (TWF) as an Advocate Partner, offering staff access to programs including the Mentoring Program for Women Leaders, the Male Allies Program, and the Boardroom and C-suite Leadership Program. These initiatives aim to address systemic barriers to women's leadership, promote gender equity in the workplace, and build a more inclusive culture. By engaging men as allies and supporting women's career advancement, the partnership contributes directly to reducing gender inequalities and fostering a more equitable and diverse leadership pipeline in Hong Kong.