The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is supported by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.
The University was established by the HKUST Ordinance.
The Court is the University's supreme advisory body. The Council is the supreme governing body. The composition and duties of University bodies and other major matters are prescribed by Statutes made by the Council.
Senate
The University Senate is the supreme academic body. Under the Statutes, it has the power to make Academic Regulations subject to approval by the Council.
The Senate establishes academic policies, either directly or through Senate committees. The Office of the Provost is responsible for formulating academic policies and overseeing their implementation by the units concerned.
Statute 1 of the University Statutes governs the composition and operation of the Senate. The Senate's powers and duties are set out in Statute 2.
University Officers
The University is headed by the President, who is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Academic Officer. He is assisted by a provost, three vice-presidents and deans of the four schools and the Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies.
The Senate has several committees to help carry out its work:
The Committee on Undergraduate Studies deals with all undergraduate matters at the University level. It has five undergraduate student representatives.
The Committee on Teaching and Learning Quality is responsible for strengthening the University's quality assurance systems. The committee has one undergraduate student representative.
The Student Disciplinary Committee deals with all student disciplinary matters at the University level. It has one or two undergraduate student representatives.
The Committee on Student Affairs advises the Senate on policies and makes recommendations relating to student affairs. The committee includes two or three undergraduate student representatives.
For further details and information about other committees, see Committees of Senate.
HKUST is led by senior administrators who oversee the University’s well-being and long-term planning. Administrative offices are set up to support the operations of the University.
HKUST has four schools:
The schools are each headed by a dean, who reports to the Provost. The dean may be assisted by associate deans and committees.
The School Board is responsible to the Senate. The board’s membership and powers are governed by Statute 3 and Statute 4 of the University Statutes.
Under the Provost, Associate Provost (Teaching & Learning) has broad responsibility for overseeing the whole academic administration of the University’s educational programs and for ensuring continual improvement in the quality of teaching and learning at HKUST.
The Academic Registry is part of the Associate Provost's (Teaching and Learning) remit and comprises three functional teams under the leadership and management of the Academic Registrar. Among the functional teams, the Quality Assurance and Enhancement (QAE) team acts as the secretariat for both the Senate Committee on Teaching and Learning Quality (CTLQ) and the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (CUS) and has broad responsibilities of overseeing the quality assurance and enhancement of teaching and learning, as well as academic administration related to undergraduate studies; the Registry Services team is responsible for implementing academic policies, procedures and systems in relation to student records, registration, examinations and graduation; the Registry Systems team provides support and services to Academic Registry teams and other academic units in relation to Academic Registry information systems and business processes.
Academic Departments
The schools are composed of academic departments or divisions that offer degree programs.
Each academic department and division has a head, who reports to the dean of the school.
The Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS), led by a dean, is responsible for promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration and developing new interdisciplinary programs. Apart from the Dual Degree Program in Technology and Management and, the AIS offers a range of interdisciplinary programs including the BSc program in Environmental Management and Technology, BSc in Sustainable and Green Finance, and BSc in Individualized Interdisciplinary Major with the support of Division of Environment and Division of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas.
You are encouraged to participate in the governance of the University through various means, from serving as a member of a University body to conveying suggestions to staff members formally or informally.
The Senate includes the President of the Students' Union and an undergraduate student who is elected by full-time undergraduates. Both representatives must be full-time students.
Student representatives also hold seats on some Senate committees and other committees that play decision-making or advisory roles in policy formulation and management matters, for example, the Undergraduate Hall Selection Committee.
Students' Union
The Students' Union is an unincorporated association formed by HKUST students who choose to register as its members and is independent from the University. As a full member of the Students' Union, you can run for office or apply to join a standing committee of the Students' Union Executive Committee or Council.
There are over 100 student societies affiliated to the Students' Union that meet the diverse interests of students in sports, community service, arts and culture as well as academic affairs.
Student Societies
Students are free to form student societies and organize any activities they wish as long as the activities are not against the laws of Hong Kong or the rules and regulations of the University.
All student societies can apply for affiliation with the HKUST Students' Union. Student societies and clubs affiliated with the Students' Union offer a range of activities to meet the diverse interests of students in sports, community service, arts, culture and academic studies. You are welcome to contact any organization that you wish to join.
Student Life
To explore more information on different student activities, see the website of the Dean of Students' Office.
During your study at HKUST, you may need help and advice in different aspects. You are encouraged to approach the following frequent contact points and channels:
Academic study
General academic administrative matters and requests
Student’s life and experience matters
Other academic studies and support services
The above contacts can found at Useful Contacts.
Personal Contact Data
Update personal contact data is essential for effective communication. To amend personal details such as your name, address or telephone numbers, you can submit an application for personal data amendment directly to the Academic Registry or via SIS.