Inaugural I-Connect-U Forum cum CSE Get-Together Boosted Industry-Academia Interaction

The first “Industry Connects University” biannual forum on digital transformation cum CSE Get-together on October 25 drew 140 industry partners, faculty members, alumni and students. The occasion marked the first event that took place at the newly renovated Engineering Commons after its official opening on October 17. [Download Photo]

October 25, 2024 saw the first “Industry Connects University” (I-Connect-U) biannual forum take place at the Engineering Commons, subsequent to the establishment of the School of Engineering’s (SENG) Industry Engagement Committee (IEC) in June 2024.

The forum, in the format of a fireside chat, focused on the topic of “Digital Transformation: Opportunities and Challenges”. Following the forum, a monthly get-together for the whole SENG community was held. The get-together is organized by the School’s six departments on a rotating basis, on the last Friday of each month during term time, with the October gathering hosted by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). Together, the two events attracted around 140 industry partners, faculty members, alumni, and students, providing an excellent opportunity to cultivate connections and foster collaboration.

Before the forum, a tour of the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center (HKGAI), established under the Hong Kong government’s InnoHK initiative in September 2023, was arranged for IEC members and industry guests. This was followed by an eye-opening demonstration by SmartMore Corporation, a home-grown AI unicorn founded by HKUST CSE alumnus-turned-faculty Prof. JIA Jiaya. Participants were able to gain a deeper understanding of SmartMore’s new large multi-modal model named Mini-Gemini.

The I-Connect-U forum then kicked off with a warm welcome by Prof. Hong K. LO, Dean of Engineering. He thanked IEC members for attending this first forum after the inauguration of IEC and hoped the interaction between industry and faculty would generate new ideas to drive the future development of engineering. He also introduced the School’s efforts and success in attracting top-tier faculty members and the new “dual track” undergraduate admissions system.

After the welcome speech, Prof. Robin MA, Director of the Center for Industry Engagement and Internship (IEI), delivered a presentation on the missions, scope of work and future initiatives of the IEI. Prof. ZHOU Xiaofang, Head of the CSE Department and Director of the JC STEM Lab of Data Science Foundations, introduced the Department and the Lab, highlighting their research areas, industry linkages, strong faculty team and outstanding alumni.

Subsequently, the I-Connect-U fireside chat on “Digital Transformation: Opportunities and Challenges” took place, facilitated by Prof. Gary CHAN, Professor of CSE. Panel speakers included Mr. Gemini WONG, Chief Digital Officer, SmarTone; Mr. Michael WONG, Executive Director, Operations Technology, Morgan Stanley; CSE Department Head Prof. Zhou Xiaofang and CSE faculty member Prof. SONG Yanqiu. Both Mr. Gemini Wong and Mr. Michael Wong are IEC members and HKUST alumni, with Gemini a graduate of BBA from the Business School and Michael a graduate of MPhil in Computer Science and BEng in Computer Engineering from SENG.

A mingling session concluded the program, allowing industry professionals, alumni and students to engage in casual conversation and network with one another.

Overall, the forum facilitated meaningful exchanges that are essential for bridging the gap between academia and industry. Faculty members were able to gain valuable insights into industry needs and trends, which are essential for setting their research agenda. Industry partners had the opportunity to keep abreast of the School’s latest research, share their experiences and connect with promising talent. Engineering students and alumni were able to gain practical knowledge and expand their professional networks.

The next I-Connect-U forum will be held on March 28, 2025.

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