An innovation powerhouse his will be my nal In Focus column as Dean before taking up the post of Vice-President for Research and Development in April (see also P ). Looking back, it has been an extraordinary six years. Situations locally and globally have tested me, the School, and the University. The social incidents and COVID- have all had to be managed to the best of our abilities and I am very proud to have been part of HKUST’s collegiate team during such times. It has also made my tenure one of great personal reflection, self-learning, and a few more gray hairs! Despite these unanticipated challenges, goals set on joining the School of Engineering (SENG) have kept moving ahead, in particular extending our multidisciplinary capabilities. Given that solutions to complex major global challenges such as climate change and aging populations lie beyond a single discipline, and emerging elds o en cross traditional boundaries, it has been essential to do so. Thus, in recent years, SENG faculty have led the establishment of signi cant multidisciplinary institutes at the University, such as the Cheng Kar-Shun Robotics Institute, Big Data Institute, Energy Institute, and GREAT Smart Cities Institute, and joint labs with industry, including the HKUST-Bright Dream Robotics Joint Research Institute and HKUST-WeBank Joint Laboratory. The School has also engaged in major collaborations with other top local and global universities, including the recent AI Chip Center for Emerging Smart Systems (see also P ). These endeavors have widened and deepened our R&D capabilities and social impact, producing successful entrepreneurial graduates and seeing SENG faculty and students involved in more than 8 % of the University’s knowledge transfer activities. Meanwhile, for our undergraduates, we have worked hard to evolve multidisciplinary programs that are opening up minds and community recognition regarding the immense career potential of engineering and innovation today and tomorrow. We have launched degrees in key emerging areas, such as sustainable energy engineering and data science & technology, and introduced an extended major embracing AI or digital media and arts, among other initiatives. In addition, we have adopted innovative engineering pedagogies and creative online learning to equip our graduates with the flexibility, curiosity, and enquiring minds to embrace the rapidly evolving future as well as the core engineering skills they require. The future is set to be equally bright. The School has already played a major role in the cutting-edge cross-disciplinary approach of the new HKUST(GZ), with these close ties set to deepen when the campus in Nansha opens this September. Burgeoning opportunities in the Greater Bay Area will provide further scope for development as a dynamic engine of innovation. SENG will also continue to seek top faculty, researchers, and students from around the world, adding further vision and perspectives to our community and that of the wider University. This is why I am con dent that in the next six years, the School will keep soaring to fresh heights, not only as a reputable, highly ranked engineering hub, but also as an innovation powerhouse of technology. Prof. Tim CHENG Kwang-Ting Dean of Engineering 03 IN FOCUS Dean’s View T
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