The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is a world-class international research university excelling in science, technology, business, and more.
Hong Kong
- Tweets 917
- Following 80
- Followers 9,504
- Likes 29
HKUST President and Chinese Academy of Sciences Academician Prof. Nancy Ip Receives UNESCO Honor for a Second Time
Prof. Nancy IP, President and The Morningside Professor of Life Science at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has been awarded the 2026 UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences in recognition of her pioneering contributions to neuroscience and Alzheimer's disease research. The award ceremony was held on November 6 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.
President Prof. Nancy Ip first received the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award in 2004, becoming the first Chinese scientist in the life sciences and the first scientist from Hong Kong to receive the honor. Her latest recognition, the 2026 UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences, marks a second major accolade from UNESCO and makes her the first Hong Kong scientist to have received both prestigious UNESCO awards.
In announcing the award, UNESCO recognized Prof. Ip as an internationally renowned neuroscientist whose research has significantly advanced the understanding of brain function and neurodegenerative diseases. It highlighted her team's discoveries of novel biomarkers and genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, the development of an innovative blood-based diagnostic technology that enables earlier detection and monitoring of the disease, and her pioneering advances in gene therapy research that have opened new avenues for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
Receiving the award in Paris, Prof. Ip expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her research team, collaborators and colleagues, and thanked HKUST for its steadfast support throughout her scientific journey.
Prof. Ip said: "I am deeply honored to receive the UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences. This recognition belongs not only to me, but also to the many talented and dedicated team members, collaborators and colleagues who have contributed to these achievements. It reflects our shared commitment to advancing knowledge, deepening our understanding of Alzheimer's disease, and translating scientific discoveries into meaningful benefits for patients and society."
Explore more of Prof. Ip and her team's groundbreaking research in the comments.
#HKUST #HKUST35A #neuroscience #UNESCO #EquatorialGuineaInternationalPrize
1
1
2
321
HKUST Connects Global Leaders to Reimagine Higher Education 🌏
At a media stand-up during the World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 (WCUPF 2026) hosted by HKUST, President Prof. Nancy IP joined four distinguished higher education leaders to share their insights on the Forum's key themes and discuss opportunities for international collaboration, as well as Hong Kong's unique role as a global hub for higher education, research and innovation.
"Hong Kong's higher education sector is highly international and diverse, and Hong Kong is the only city in the world with five universities ranked among the global top 100," President Ip said. "Through dialogue and collaboration across regions and disciplines, this forum aims to explore the evolving role of higher education in the AI era, nurture the next generation of talent and advance sustainable development."
Joining the discussion were:
🇦🇺 Prof. Mark SCOTT, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sydney
🌐 Prof. Dawn FRESHWATER, Executive Director of the Worldwide Universities Network
🇦🇪 Prof. Ebrahim AL HAJRI, President of Khalifa University of Science and Technology
🇨🇳 Dr. JIN Li, President of Fudan University
The leaders explored how Hong Kong's global connectivity and the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town could create new opportunities for trusted international partnerships. Their discussion highlighted collaboration with HKUST on its new medical school, opportunities for student mobility and research exchanges, and the importance of bringing together expertise from science, medicine, the arts and social sciences to address complex global challenges.
At HKUST, we look forward to strengthening global partnerships to nurture talent, advance research and innovation, and jointly address the challenges and opportunities of our time.
#HKUST #HKUST35A #WCUPF2026 #HigherEducation #InternationalCollaboration #NorthernMetropolis
1
252
HKUST Deep-Tech Excellence Shines at SWITCH 2026!
The HKUST Office of Knowledge Transfer (OKT) wrapped up an impactful week at the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology #SWITCH2026, leading a delegation of six HKUST startups to showcase how deep-tech research from our university labs is being translated into real-world solutions and connected with global markets.
🤝 A Night of Global Connections
To extend the impact beyond the exhibition floor, HKUST OKT joined forces with the Development & Alumni Office (DAO) to host a networking reception in Singapore, bringing together regional university partners, industry leaders and members of the Singapore-based alumni community. The gathering created valuable opportunities for cross-border collaboration while celebrating HKUST’s growing achievements in knowledge transfer.
A massive congratulations to our 6 breakthrough teams for expanding their horizons and connecting with global investors and strategic business partners:
🛡️ Cresento: Democratizing elite-level sports analytics with AI-powered smart football shin guards that track performance, workload, and injury risks in real-time.
💧 EC Innovation: Developing patented electrocatalytic wastewater systems that convert agricultural effluent into fertilizer-rich water, cutting carbon emissions for smart greening and hydroponics.
🧪 ElequaNova: Backed by the HKSAR RAISe+ Scheme, they leverage advanced electrochemical oxidation (ECO) and saline sludge treatment (LEEO) to treat hazardous wastewater and landfill leachate chemical-free.
🔋 Leyden Power: Revolutionizing the energy sector with cutting-edge Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) designed to protect critical infrastructure and reduce industrial carbon emissions.
🩺 Luxvita: An emerging Biotech & MedTech innovator disrupting clinical screening and therapeutics to improve patient outcomes.
🍷 Vinobuzz: Hong Kong’s first consumer AI wine platform, utilizing advanced AI agents and smart algorithms to provide personalized, 10-second wine pairings and automated event curation.
Thank you to everyone who visited our booth and joined our reception. We look forward to turning these new connections into impactful global partnerships!
#HKUST #HKUSTKnowledgeTransfer #SWITCH2026 #FromLabtoMarket #Singapore #DeepTech #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #GlobalNetwork #DAO #HKUSTAlumni
1
148
“What Is a University For?”
The World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 (WCUPF 2026) opened at HKUST, bringing together over 130 presidents and representatives from more than 50 universities and education institutions, including Tsinghua, Fudan, Nanyang Technological University, Cambridge and UCLA.
A centuries-spanning story of intellectual exploration set the scene for the two-day forum’s discussions on higher education in the AI era.
Socrates, Confucius and scholars across the ages enter the same classroom, tracing a shared pursuit of knowledge. Later, a professor reunites with former students, including an AI model he helped train that now supports teaching and learning.
As he entrusts the university’s future to the next generation, a question connects the story with the discussions ahead. How should universities nurture imagination, independent thought and social responsibility as technology reshapes education?
🎬 Watch the story unfold and reflect on the university of tomorrow.
#HKUST #HKUST35A #WorldClassUniversityPresidentsForum2026 #WCUPF2026 #HigherEducation #AI #FutureOfEducation
1
2
241
At the World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 hosted at HKUST, Prof. Juliane WINKELMANN, Executive Senior Vice President for International Alliances and Alumni at the Technical University of Munich, discusses Hong Kong’s role as an international hub and opportunities for closer collaboration with HKUST in medical sciences.
The two-day flagship event brings together over 130 university presidents and global higher education leaders under the theme “Higher Education Reimagined: Innovating for the Future,” exploring talent development, innovation, open science and universities’ response to societal challenges in the AI era.
Check the comments for more highlights from WCUPF 2026.
#HKUST #HKUST35A #WCUPF2026 #HigherEducation
1
1
217
World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 Concludes Successfully
The two-day World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 held at HKUST successfully concluded today. The event brought together over 130 university presidents, scholars, and academic leaders, who convened in Hong Kong from more than 50 leading universities and higher education institutions across Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. Gathering for a series of panel dialogues and roundtable sessions, the delegates engaged in deep discussions on how institutions can nurture talent in the intelligent age, foster innovation, advance open science, and collectively address pressing global challenges.
Speaking on the second day of the Forum, Dr. CHOI Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education of the HKSAR Government, highlighted Hong Kong's growing strength, global voice, and strategic vision as a premier international higher education hub. "Assembling such a distinguished constellation of global academic leadership strongly reaffirms Hong Kong’s standing as an international education hub and significantly enhances the city's discourse power in the global educational arena," she said.
Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST, summarized the Forum, stating, "The past two days of the forum have yielded remarkable achievements, culminating in the signing of multiple cooperation agreements among participating institutions to deepen research collaboration, drive innovative development, and promote talent cultivation and student exchanges. Through this international platform, we successfully convened global leaders in higher education to engage in profound dialogues regarding the core issues shaping our collective future."
Following the conclusion of the forum, delegates will embark on a Greater Bay Area Innovation Tour tomorrow. The delegation will conduct site visits to key innovation and technology enterprises and cutting-edge research facilities across the region.
Dive deeper into the highlights of the Forum in the comments.
#hkust #hkust35a #WCUPF #HigherEducation #2026WorldClassUniversityPresidentsForum
1
1
282
At the World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 hosted at HKUST, Prof. Deborah PRENTICE, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, recognized the incredible work and rising global prominence of our local universities.
The two-day flagship event gathers over 130 university presidents and global higher education leaders to explore the evolving role of universities. Under the theme “Higher Education Reimagined: Innovating for the Future,” the forum aims to foster dialogue on how institutions can nurture future-ready talent, drive innovation, advance open science, and address complex societal challenges in the age of artificial intelligence.
Check the comments for more highlights from the WCUPF2026.
1
167
At the World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 hosted at HKUST, Prof. Shitij KAPUR, Vice-Chancellor and President of King's College London, highlighted our city's pivotal role in bridging traditional Western education with the rapidly emerging academic powerhouses in China.
The two-day flagship event gathers over 130 university presidents and global higher education leaders to explore the evolving role of universities. Under the theme “Higher Education Reimagined: Innovating for the Future,” the forum aims to foster dialogue on how institutions can nurture future-ready talent, drive innovation, advance open science, and address complex societal challenges in the age of artificial intelligence.
Check the comments for more highlights from the WCUPF2026.
#HKUST #HKUST35A #WCUPF2026 #HigherEducation
1
211
Math + music = a masterclass in teaching? 🎼📐
For Prof. Frederick FONG, teaching is a lot like playing a duet. He uses Franck’s Sonata for violin and piano to show that education is a true partnership.
The teacher takes the lead at first, but eventually steps back so the student can explore and take the stage.
At HKUST, this kind of harmonious mentorship is what shapes our world-class education. It’s exactly why Prof. Fong was honored with the Michael G. Gale Medal for Distinguished Teaching in 2024. Watch how he brings the rhythm of music into the world of math!
#HKUST #TeachingExcellence #MathandArt #HigherEd #HKUSTEducators
1
252
World-Class University Presidents Forum 2026 Opens in Hong Kong
The World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 (WCUPF 2026) opened today at HKUST’s Shaw Auditorium, bringing together more than 130 university presidents, senior leaders and delegates from leading higher education institutions around the world. Under the theme “Higher Education Reimagined: Innovating for the Future,” participants will explore the evolving role of universities and the future of higher education in the age of artificial intelligence.
The two-day flagship forum provides a unique platform for dialogue among global higher education leaders on the future of universities in a rapidly changing world.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Mr. CHAN Kwok-ki, Acting Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR); Mr. HUAI Jinpeng, Minister of Education of China; Mr. SUN Shangwu, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Dr. CHOI Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education of the HKSAR Government; Ms. LIN Huiqing, President of the China Association of Higher Education (CAHE); and Mr. ZHANG Hui, Vice Chairman, Executive Director and President of Bank of China.
The ceremony featured welcome addresses by by Prof. Harry SHUM, Council Chairman of HKUST, and Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST; opening remarks by Mr. Chan Kwok-ki; video messages from Mr. Khondker M. TALHA, President of the 43rd Session of UNESCO's General Conference, and former United Nations Secretary-General BAN Ki-moon; as well as remarks by Ms. LIN Huiqing, President of CAHE.
During the two-day Forum, higher education leaders from around the globe engaged in in-depth exchanges on the future development of higher education in the AI era, sharing perspectives on fostering innovation, nurturing talent, and strengthening global partnerships.
#HKUST #HKUST35A #WCUPF #2026WorldClassUniversityPresidentsForum #HigherEducation
1
343