The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) has granted provisional accreditation to the School of Engineering’s four-year undergraduate degree programs under the outcome-based education approach, making the School the first in Hong Kong to acquire this recognition. Provisional accreditation was granted following a two-day visit by the HKIE accreditation team last Fall. The result continues the School’s long-held HKIE recognition, which covers programs within the Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular The HKUST Energy Institute celebrated its grand opening in March, with leading scientists and energy experts from around the world participating in the occasion. The Institute demonstrates the University’s commitment to the global development of a sustainable energy future. It will provide a multi-disciplinary platform to bring together scientists to work on cutting-edge research across HKUST and beyond, and coordinate energy programs for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Some 90 faculty members are currently engaged in energy-related research at the University, with particular strengths in solar cells, fuel cells, solid state lighting HKUST Energy Institute Celebrates Opening with Forum on Sustainable Future and thermal energy technologies. The Institute’s diverse portfolio of interests will cover energy generation, storage and distribution, efficiency and policy-making. The keynote speech was given by Dr Christine Loh, Under Secretary for the Environment of the HKSAR, who focused on the evolving picture of energy in Hong Kong and the challenges facing the community, ranging from the city’s fuel mix, the regulatory framework for the two power companies, and air pollution. Other officiating guests included Ms Janet Wong, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, HKUST President Prof Tony F Chan, Executive Vice-President and Provost Prof Wei Shyy, Vice-President for Research and Graduate Studies Prof Joseph Hun-wei Lee, and the Institute’s Director Prof Tianshou Zhao, also Chair Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and an award-winning researcher in the field (see P10). President Chan said that the Institute would engage in emerging energy research that can have a transformative impact over the long term on Hong Kong and the country’s energy future. The ceremony was followed by a two-day forum on sustainable energy, with eminent speakers from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Japan and the United States discussing a range of cutting-edge developments involving ocean wind power, environmentally friendly building, cost-effective production of bioethanol, and solar cell design, among others. HKIE Recognizes Four-Year Degree Program Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management, and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and the Computer Engineering Program. Such status is important as HKIE is a signatory of the Washington Accord, a recognition agreement between engineering degree accreditation bodies overseas. Engineering degrees accredited by HKIE also receive recognition from other Washington Accord signatories, giving the programs international standing. 13 IN FOCUS
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