Sustainability Education for Students

As part of our commitment to sustainability education, all students at HKUST are required to complete a Common Core Program that includes Sustainability Fundamentals. This program exposes students to the principles and concepts of sustainability, enabling them to develop a solid understanding of sustainable practices and problem-solving.

The SEAG is a dedicated group at HKUST that works towards the university's strategic vision of becoming a regional leader in sustainability education. SEAG conducts regular analysis to identify opportunities and gaps in sustainability education, ensuring that our students graduate with the capacity and commitment to solve problems locally and globally.

We offer a wide range of sustainability-focused and sustainability-related courses to provide comprehensive education in sustainability. These courses are designed to cover sustainability concepts, issues, and contemporary thinking. Currently, we offer 61 sustainability-focused courses and 36 sustainability-related courses.

The annual Sustainability Course Evaluation Report assesses the exposure of our graduates to sustainability concepts. The 2022 data shows that 66% of graduates leave with "strong" exposure to sustainability concepts, having completed two or more sustainability-focused courses. Only 5% of students graduate with no course exposure to sustainability.

The Certificate in Sustainable Design Thinking program is a collaborative initiative between HKUST's Clear Water Bay and Guangzhou campuses. This workshop focuses on sustainably solving problems using design thinking methodologies. It provides students with the opportunity to work together, visit sustainable projects, and learn from practitioners and researchers.

The Jockey Club Sustainable Campus Consumer Programme aims to promote responsible choices, consumption, and consumer activism among students. 

The programme also implements a range of campus improvement and education initiatives to achieve its goals, including #EatForThePlanet programme which collaborates with on-campus catering outlets to implement carbon-labeled menus, raising awareness about the carbon footprint of food choices and promoting sustainable eating habits.

The JCSCCP Sustainability Leadership Programme provides leadership training to a select group of students from each university campus. These students develop and execute student-led projects dedicated to fostering sustainability and responsible consumption within their own campus communities. The programme offers guidance and support, connecting students with like-minded individuals from other universities and professionals working in the field of sustainability.

The Green Team has the power to drive sustainable change on campus by actively contribute to creating a more sustainable campus environment and making a positive impact. Members can work on hands-on projects that improve our campus and community and initiate sustainability projects, such as vegan tasting, meal boxes go green, and food sharing. By joining the Green Team, students can actively contribute to sustainability, gain valuable skills in project management and leadership, and become part of a collaborative community with like-minded peers.

At HKUST, we are committed to fostering a deep understanding of sustainability for all students from wide ranging schools and disciplines. Sustainability Literacy Survey is utilized as an educational tool to help all students enhance their awareness and reflect on their understanding of key sustainability concepts and current government policies.

HKUST employs a recognised methodology to assess the interconnectedness of social, economic and environmental issues, covering UN SDGs, climate change basics, climate resilience, ESG issues, system thinking, global poverty and social equity. This aligns with Hong Kong's strategic climate directives. Tailored questions designed as per AASHE guidelines assess our community. Explanations and references to videos and materials are provided to reinforce the learning. This survey is shared with all staff and students.

The outcomes allow us to track our progress and further improve sustainability education and operations.

More details about the Sustainability Literacy Survey and 2021-2023 Sustainability Literacy Survey can be found here.