The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CBME) celebrated its 20th Anniversary in 2013. It was a whole year event starting with a staff new year dinner, followed with Joint Dean/Head of Department Symposium of Chinese Chemical Engineering Schools/Departments, invited Guest Lectures from prominent Chemical Engineers including Sir CK Chow (Chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing), Prof Jinghai Li (Vice President and Academician, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Prof Gerald Fuller (Member, NAE, Stanford), Prof Phillip R Westmoreland (President of American Institute of Chemical Engineers), Prof Rafigul Gani (President of European Federation of Chemical Engineering), Prof David Shallcross (16th President of Asia-Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering), Prof Weikan Yuan (Academician, Chinese Academy of Engineering), and Dr Ke Liu (Vice President, Shenhua), poster presentation of faculty research activities, and a grand celebration party on the 5th October 2013. Around 200 students, staffs, alumni, and guests from other units of HKUST, industry and academia participated the party.

The congratulation message from President Tony Chan was read by Acting Dean of Engineering, Prof Roger Cheng. Dr Eden Woon, HKUST Vice-President for Institutional Advancement, delivered a congratulation speech. During the celebration banquet, the Head of Department revealed the secret of SUCCESS to the participants. They are Strong local, national and international networks, University’s leadership, and supports from other units, Commitment from faculty and staff, Continuous grants from governments, and industry, Excellent teaching, research and development outputs, Students (alumni) excellent performance, Skillful facilitation, dedicated service, from all the former Heads of Department.

Faculty and staff serving the department for more than 20 years were honored with long service award. Three retired faculty members received excellent contribution awards. Appreciations to industrial supports were presented to “Chiaphua”, “Lee Hysan Foundation”, and “Air Products” for their generous donation to the department and opportunities created for student internship and research collaborations.