The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today announces a collaborative partnership with EY’s Advanced Technology Tax Lab (“Tax Lab”). This unique collaboration brings together experts in data science, machine learning and business research, as well as a global leader in professional services, to solve complex tax issues through the use and application of advanced technologies.  

The agreement between HKUST and EY will establish a platform for joint research and technology development opportunities of mutual interest relating to the application of emerging technology to practical tax scenarios, thereby facilitating collaborations between the two organizations. This will include practical tax technology case study projects, speaking opportunities for HKUST academic staff and EY partners, and internship and graduate employment opportunities for students.

Leading the collaboration from HKUST are Prof. TAM Kar-Yan, Dean of HKUST Business School; Prof. Allen HUANG in the Department of Accounting; and Prof. James KWOK in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering at the School of Engineering. The expert team from HKUST underscores the value of interdisciplinary knowledge and the role of technology in business in the new digital economy. 

Prof. Tam says: “We are honored to become the first Asia-Pacific university to be associated with the EY Advanced Technology Tax Lab. The collaboration allows our researchers and students to build relevance to the corporate world and address real challenges faced by the industry.” 

Albert LEE, EY Global Tax Technology and Transformation Co-Leader and Asia-Pacific Tax Technology and Transformation Leader, says: “The digitalization of tax administrations is dramatically disrupting the tax profession. New technology enables more reporting requirements, more real-time data, digital data collection, application of data analytics and machine learning, as well as more data sharing between tax authorities.”

The new partnership reinforces HKUST’s vision to transfer its technology and expertise leading to economic or social improvements and EY’s commitment to help the tax profession navigate the evolving tax landscape as new technologies enter the market. 

About The 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 2019. Its graduates were ranked 10th worldwide and top in Greater China in Global Employability University Survey 2019.

(This news was originally published by the HKUST Public Affairs Office here.)