News & Stories

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today announces its Net-Zero Action Plan (Action Plan), which is the first among higher education institutions in Hong Kong to have a comprehensive framework with multi-pronged strategies aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2045. This plan is supported by a commitment of HK$30 million earned from renewable energy generation to further accelerate research and adoption of innovative decarbonization solutions on campus.

Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed a cutting-edge AI-assisted 3D food printing solution that combines printing with infrared cooking, paving the way for safer, more efficient, and visually appealing food production. Traditional 3D food printing methods often require additional postprocessing steps, which can have unappealing food ingredients, imperfect shapes, and even potential microbial contamination. To address these challenges, the team from the Division of Integrative Systems and Design (ISD) at HKUST has developed an AI-enhanced system that combines extrusion-based printing with simultaneous infrared heating for on-the-fly cooking of intricate starch-based foods. Using graphene heaters for cooking, they precisely controlled the cooking process, ensuring that starch-based food items retain their intended shape and quality.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) gained recognition for its efforts to become a global sustainability leader as the University was ranked the world’s 19th*, as well as the first in Hong Kong and Mainland China in its debut appearance in Times Higher Education (THE)’s Impact Rankings, announced in its annual Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) yesterday in Bangkok. Assessing over 2,100 universities worldwide for their impacts in helping achieve the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), THE commended HKUST in particular for its contributions to SDGs 9, 11 and 12, which focus on building resilient infrastructure and industries with innovation, promoting sustainable cities and ensuring responsible consumption and production. 

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is investing up to HK$40 million to upgrade 30% of its total parking space with charging capability and related software support for electric vehicles (EV).  The initiative aims to cultivate a sustainable commuting habit and supports emission reduction goals in the HKUST 2028 Sustainability Challenge.HKUST is set to become the most EV-friendly university in Hong Kong with the completion of the EV charging infrastructure enhancement project, which will see approximately 360 parking spaces on campus fitted with medium EV chargers, providing an output power of no less than 7kW. The initiative not only supports the HKSAR Government's Roadmap on Popularization of EVs, but also accelerates opportunities to reduce emissions from University-owned vehicles and indirect emissions from commuting. 

A three-year Jockey Club Sustainable Campus Consumer Programme was developed to promote the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 12.

The rapid growth in food delivery and takeout thanks to the pandemic has led to more plastic waste being dumped in the city’s landfills. To help reduce single-use plastics, have you ever imagined eating your spoons, forks, and chopsticks after finishing your meal? This is what Aditi DEODHAR, Swapnil MISHRA, and Srijan SAXENA, co-founders of Planeteers, do to fight against plastic pollution.“With social-distancing measures in place, it’s safe to assume a lot more people are taking their food home, and that much more plastic is used in the process,” says Aditi. “All that waste will contribute to the city’s landfills.”Government statistics shows that about 166 tons of plastic tableware were disposed every day in 2018, and the figure is probably on an uptrend under the prolonged uncertainty posed by COVID-19.

The University is strengthening its commitment to building a sustainable culture and environment while enhancing its goal on attaining a net zero.