Bernard Wai Lok Li Queen’s College Top scorer of HKDSE exam among students admitted to the School of Engineering in 2013 ‘‘Engineering is the link between the work of scientists and the everyday lives of people.’’ Ihave always been fascinated by the question that I reckon many scientists face, and that is, is their invention economically feasible? Scientists work hard to develop laws and formulae that form the basis of inventions, but how many of these are destined to remain forever in the lab? I suspect many never see the light of day. This is where the profession of engineering comes in: it is the link between the work of scientists and the everyday lives of people. I was prompted to delve into the essence of this subject, by searching for studies that elucidate the nature of “engineering” to general readers. I discovered that engineers differ from scientists in that they often deal with the issue of “how” to produce the inventions put forward by scientists through optimizing the benefits. As a studentto-be of engineering, I was pondering over the fact that while a concrete foundation in scientific knowledge was important, engineering itself relies upon sociological tools – such as economics – to consider these theories in a more real-life and practical way. This reveals why I choose to be an engineer, which is different to becoming a scientist. Personally, I adore mathematics and science when they are applied in a broad sense. As for why I specifically chose HKUST, I would say I was impressed by the academically oriented atmosphere. In terms of software, the School of Engineering provides ample opportunities to equip students with a strong theoretical background as well as practical skills for their future career. The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) is an example of how students can gain access to research independently, rather than being confined to rigid theories from textbooks. This “trial-and-error” approach to learning can prepare me for becoming a self-dependent engineer who transforms theories into practicality. These are vital qualities that all engineers should be endowed with, and I am confident to say that I’m ready to accomplish the dreams of my own, and to inherit the work left undone by engineers of past generations. Jenny Ji Eun Kang Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong “I’ve always wanted to study the technicality of science with a touch of creativity, and engineering seemed to marry the two.” Ionly really discovered my underlying love for engineering during my last year of high school, when I had to think about what I wanted to study at university. I mainly wanted to pursue chemistry because I was interested in how chemicals work and shape our lives. I still remember my very first science project in which I had to test whether or not professional shampoos really lived up to their claim of being “better” than regular shampoos. Shortly after, I homed in on my fascination with pharmaceuticals – from the design process all the way to their effects on our bodies. It was then it struck me: chemistry may be a good choice for me... but what about chemical engineering? Three outstanding Year 1 undergraduates discuss why they chose to study engineering rather than pure science – and what appeals most about HKUST Young Engineers Ms & Mr 5 IN FOCUS
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