Embracing Flexibility with HKUST Engineering’s Innovative “Dual Track” Admissions System
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Prof. Henry LAM is an Associate Head and Professor of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. He has served as the Director of the School of Engineering’s Center for Engineering Education Innovation (E2I) since November 2023. With his extensive administrative experience and strong commitment to undergraduate education, he works closely with the School’s departments to create innovative teaching methods and a contemporary engineering curriculum that equips students for the ever‐changing technological landscape.
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By Prof. Henry Lam
When I joined HKUST in 2008, the University was busy preparing for the “334” transition. Those were exciting times! As three-year bachelor’s program was extended to four years in 2012, the School of Engineering seized the opportunity of a lifetime to provide all engineering students with more time and flexibility to choose their majors in a common Year 1 experience. The School-based admissions system was born, which has served well for the past 12 years. But times have changed. Globally, an engineering degree has become more sought after than ever, and young students of this era have become more informed and eager to get ahead of the competition for their dream careers.
Therefore, in 2025 the School will launch a “dual track” admissions system, which on the one hand will enable some students to enter their program of choice right away via department-based admissions (DBA), while on the other retain the option for students who need more time to explore their interest via School-based admissions (SBA). It is the best of both worlds. The new student-friendly system will better cater to our students’ diverse interests, and allow us to compete on equal grounds for engineering talents both locally and globally.
“Excitement is in the air again, just like 12 years ago.”
HKUST School of Engineering is the most comprehensive one in Hong Kong, offering 15 different programs in six departments. Students who have a strong interest in a particular engineering discipline can directly apply to one of the departments, as well as to the joint-department program in Computer Engineering. Once they enter a department, they will be allowed free choice of any program offered by that department (with some exceptions), and can embark on the major curriculum immediately. They will also be integrated into a community of like-minded students right from the beginning. With their major curriculum spread out over one more year, they will also enjoy greater flexibility in study planning and chances to pursue other learning opportunities such as overseas exchange, research, and internships.
On the other hand, we also recognize that some students do not have a single favorite major in mind when they apply to university, and prefer having more time to explore their interests. Or, some may be interested in interdisciplinary programs and a more multifaceted education. The School-based admissions choice will be ideal for them. A unique feature of our new “dual track” admissions system is that all students entering via School-based admissions will be entering the coveted “Engineering + AI” program. While they take some time to explore their interests in their first year, they will also be learning about the basics of artificial intelligence, and building up practical AI skills that have wide applicability across all engineering fields. These students will also join a tight community of students united by their common interest in AI, and looked after by the dedicated faculty and staff in the Center for Engineering Education Innovation (E2I). They will have until the end of the first year to declare their major, and the system is designed to ensure their steady progress toward in-time graduation no matter what they choose. Better yet, when they graduate, they will be better equipped to unleash the power of AI in their chosen engineering professions.
Even though the change is still one year away, we are already hard at work to ensure a smooth transition to the new “dual track” admissions system. Our promotional materials are being redesigned as we speak. The departments are gearing up to admit students directly by updating their curricula and reaching out to the community. We at E2I are thinking ahead about plans to revitalize the Year 1 experience for the “Engineering + AI” students admitted via school-based admissions. Excitement is in the air again, just like 12 years ago.
