The HKUST Common Core Program is an integral part of the undergraduate curriculum, broadening students’ learning experiences beyond their chosen disciplines. Established in 2025, the Common Core Student Recognition Award honors students for their outstanding achievements in common core studies.
HKUST President Prof. Nancy Ip joins the awardees for a group photo at the ceremony celebrating their interdisciplinary learning journeys and the transformative power of interdisciplinary learning.
This year, seven students received the Award, including three from the Business School. Their learning portfolios reflect personal growth and meaningful learning experiences, demonstrating the impact of the Common Core Program.
- Angela CHAN, from the Department of Economics, rediscovered her interest in chemistry through the Common Core Program. Having struggled to enjoy the subject in secondary school, she chose to revisit it as part of her Common Core experience and developed a new appreciation for the field after exploring its real-world applications.
- Ami KIM, from the Joint Schools Program (Department of Mathematics and Department of Economics), broadened her perspectives through courses in the arts, society, and human behavior. Her studies deepened her appreciation of Western art and classical music, while inspiring critical reflection on gender inequality.
- YE Tiansheng, from the School of Business and Management, explored civil engineering through the Common Core curriculum, cultivating a problem-first, technology-aware mindset essential for innovation. The experience has propelled his entrepreneurial ambitions.
Business students Angela Chan (far left) and Ami Kim (third from left) receive the awards from Prof. Jimmy FUNG, HKUST Associate Provost (Teaching & Learning).
Road to Paris
Congratulations to our undergraduate team for their remarkable achievement in China Final of L’Oréal Brandstorm 2026. The multi-stage case competition attracted fierce competition from universities worldwide. Our undergraduate team, formed by AU Ka Yu, KO Tsz Fung, and Sharon LUI Yuen Man, came second in the China Final. They will be coached by L’Oréal experts and will present their pitches to an executive jury in the final round at the L’Oréal Headquarters in Paris. We wish them the best of luck!
Helena LI (first left), L’Oréal North Asia & China LID General Manager, and Laurence MA (first right), Deputy CEO of L’Oréal China & General Manager of Luxe Division, present the award to the HKUST Team.
A Record Year for PhD Fellowships
Established by the Research Grants Council (RGC), the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) aims to attract the brightest students around the world to pursue PhD studies in local universities. The fellowship is a prestigious grant from RGC that fully funds PhD students and provides additional benefits, including a stipend and travel allowance. For the upcoming academic year, our School has secured a record17 HKPFS students. This achievement underscores our commitment to attracting outstanding doctoral talent and supporting the development of future researchers.
A Rising Statistician
Postgraduate student WANG Yizheng at the Department of Information Systems, Business Statistics and Operations Management, has received the Lingzi Lu Memorial Award from the American Statistical Association (ASA). The ASA, in partnership with the International Chinese Statistical Association, established the Award in memory of Lingzi Lu, a promising Boston University statistics master’s student who lost her life in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. The award supports dedicated students pursuing or recently completing a master’s degree in statistics.