CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (“CLP Power”), the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (“HKUST”) and the University of Strathclyde today (7 December) signed an agreement to launch Hong Kong’s first joint academic and industry-run dual master’s degree program in power engineering.

The part-time dual master’s degree program in areas related to future power system operation and management will help existing and aspiring engineers deepen their knowledge about power engineering in an initiative to nurture more professionals and promote research into the application of innovation and technology in the power industry. The program is expected to commence in September 2019.

Today’s signing ceremony at the CLP Power Academy was officiated by Deputy Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services of the Government of the HKSAR Ir. Eric PANG and HKUST’s Vice-President for Research and Development Prof. Nancy IP. CLP Power Academy Vice Chancellor Mr. Paul POON, Prof. Nancy Ip, and Head of Department for Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde Prof. Campbell BOOTH signed the agreement.

CLP Power Vice Chairman Mrs. Betty YUEN said: “Technology is moving forward at an incredible pace and influencing a broad range of industries. To strengthen Hong Kong's competitiveness as an international business hub and keep pace with technological advances, it was necessary to nurture more motivated and innovative people with an international perspective. This dual master’s degree program co-offered by CLP Power Academy and the two universities will help engineers and would-be engineers advance their careers and master the knowledge and technology of the power industry through research and practical experience. We hope their research projects will also enhance the spirit of innovation in the power industry, helping us move together towards a smarter, greener Hong Kong.”

Prof. Tim CHENG, Dean of Engineering at HKUST, said: “We at HKUST are delighted and proud to join forces with CLP Power and the University of Strathclyde, both eminent leaders in power engineering, to offer this innovative program which integrates elements of research with industrial application. We are confident that this program will be a resounding success and serve as the trailblazer for future collaborations in other engineering disciplines.”

Prof. Campbell Booth, Head of the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, said: “This new dual master’s degree will help to train the next generation of highly-skilled engineers and meet the demand for graduates and specialists in this field. Students on the program will benefit from the world-class expertise and facilities at the University of Strathclyde, HKUST and at the CLP Power Academy and we are delighted to be working on this initiative with our partners.”

Deputy Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services Ir. Eric Pang said: “The continuing development of Hong Kong’s economy requires a steady supply of talent in different sectors. With the major infrastructure projects in Hong Kong and the opportunities driven by the Belt and Road Initiative and Greater Bay Area development, we should seize these opportunities in technology development and application, to facilitate the training and exchanges of E&M talents in the region, and to promote collaborations among the academia, the E&M sector, the public sector and the Government. We are delighted to see the tripartite collaboration in this dual master’s degree program and looking forward to the industrial based research work of the students that will benefit the industry’s development.”

The dual master’s degree program contains elements of academic research combined with professional practice, covering specific knowledge of power system operation and management along with the application of the latest innovation and technology, such as big data analytics, IoT technology and artificial intelligence. Classes will be conducted both in a traditional classroom setting and through online distance learning. Students are required to complete thesis projects about the application of innovation and technology in the field of power engineering under the guidance of academic supervisors and local industrial mentors.

The program is open to people with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject, and can be completed within a minimum period of 2.5 years through part-time study. Graduates will be awarded both a Master of Philosophy degree from the HKUST and a Master of Science degree from the University of Strathclyde.

Prof. FAN Zhiyong, Associate Professor in the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, HKUST, will serve as the first Director of the Master of Philosophy degree program. Enrolment of the dual master’s degree program will begin in March / April 2019 for the first cohort.

About CLP Power Hong Kong Limited 
CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (“CLP Power”) is the Hong Kong utility subsidiary wholly owned by CLP Holdings Limited, a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and one of the largest investor-owned power businesses in Asia. CLP Power operates a vertically integrated electricity supply business in Hong Kong, and provides a highly reliable supply of electricity and excellent customer services to 6 million people in its supply area.

About Hong Kong University of Science and Technology 
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (www.ust.hk) is a world-class research university that focuses on science, technology and business as well as humanities and social science. HKUST offers an international campus, and a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy to nurture well-rounded graduates with global vision, a strong entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking. HKUST attained the highest proportion of internationally excellent research work in the Research Assessment Exercise 2014 of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee, and is ranked as the world’s best young university in Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2018. Its graduates were ranked 12th worldwide and top in Greater China in Global Employability University Survey 2017.

About University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde is a leading international technological university based in the centre of Glasgow. Inspired by our founding principle as ‘a place of useful learning’, our mission is to make a positive difference to the lives of our students, to society and to the world. Strathclyde students benefit from an innovative and practical educational experience enhanced by its integration with our research capabilities, high-quality academic resources and an unparalleled industry engagement programme. The excellence of our research is evidenced by our position amongst the UK’s top 20 research-intensive universities, according to the Times Higher Education’s analysis of REF2014, and by the growth in range and scale of our research collaborations. We have also redefined how we collaborate and work with industry, government and the third sector to ensure innovation and knowledge exchange are fundamental activities that deliver tangible impact.