Moving onward and upward uring a year of change to established practices due to the COVID- pandemic, I am very happy to note that, despite all the challenges, the overall outcomes for the School of Engineering’s education and research have been inspiring. Indeed, thanks to the tremendous e orts of the School’s faculty, students, and alumni, leaps in learning have taken place through adapting to the extraordinary times. Our e ective expansion of mixed-mode teaching – a blend of online and in-person delivery – has opened up many more possibilities for delivery and reach of our classes. We have further extended our exploration of virtual labs through the creation as well as adaptation of leading-edge visualization tools and equipment. Meanwhile, the adoption of e-learning technologies and pedagogies means physical presence on campus is no longer always required, widening the potential for recruitment of local and non-local intake of top minds unable to continuously attend in-person. Nor have we been standing still with our degree programs. The pioneering initiative of an extended major option for undergraduates, termed “Engineering + X” is one key move. Our rst “X” will be arti cial intelligence (AI), enabling engineering students to gain an early step-up on this signi cant and rapidly expanding eld as it relates to their chosen engineering major. That students realize the great opportunity this provides can be seen in the overwhelming numbers applying for the option. Moreover, looking ahead, “X” can refer to other areas of emerging importance, such as digital media. Research advances by faculty at all stages of their careers, not only senior members, have also continued to draw widespread attention as well as contribute to addressing COVID- . I am delighted that two new large-scale research centers are now set to add such reach. Focused on integrated circuits to accelerate AI computations and construction robots respectively, and involving international partners, these centers stand out through their integration of basic and downstream development and the training of talents with understanding and skills beyond their individual research roles. They will thus provide a living example of the linkage between discovery, innovation, and social impact – and bring together these key but o en not fully connected elements of a university’s role: a focus on basic research in a way that other drivers, such as government and industry, do not; and the translation of that research to society to create impact. All these developments are a clear indication of the School’s resilience, flexibility, innovative spirit, and passion. In the most testing of times, these qualities, combined with an expansion of facilities and opportunities, including our education innovations, research centers, and the University’s new Guangzhou campus, have created truly exciting choices for the future that otherwise would not have been possible. This is certainly a win-win-win situation for young aspiring engineers, HKUST, and society as a whole. Prof. Tim CHENG Kwang-Ting Dean of Engineering 03 IN FOCUS Dean’s View D
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