Status Report 2006-2008
Making Global Impact
Leading
Change
PTC-G12569 H KU ST a SE N G – S ta tu s R ep or t 20 06 -20 08About SENG
The School of Engineering (SENG) is the largest of the 5 Schools
within the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
(HKUST), enrolling about 40% of the University’s undergraduate and
postgraduate students and committed to teaching and research
at the cutting edge of engineering. In 2008, HKUST was ranked No.
24 in The Times Higher Education Supplement Rankings “World’s
Top Technology University”. HKUST admitted its first students in
October 1991.
Dean’s Message
SENG Shines Globally
Expanding Knowledge Frontiers
Empowering Leaders of Tomorrow
Preparing for the New Era
A New Paradigm for Engineering Education
Working Together to Drive Progress
International
National
Word-Class Pioneers
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering
Department of Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Innovators of the Future
Building Connectivity
Events
Campus News
Advisory Committee
02
04
08
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Contents
Education Moves
Among the most important alterations for universities has been the end of government budget-cutting and the air of pessimism in higher education and the start of a morale-boosting expansion as Hong Kong gears up for one of the biggest changes in the city’s tertiary education history: the switch from a three-year degree program to four years, starting in 2012. This will be accompanied by a move from seven to six years of secondary education in schools to be divided into three years at junior secondary and three years at senior secondary (also known as the “3+3+4 system”).
Dean’s Message
Leading Change, Making a Global Impact
The financial crisis, which left the world holding its breath in Fall 2008, brings the end of this 2006-08
review to a dramatic close. There is little doubt that the impact of the meltdown will reshape the
global landscape in the times ahead. Indeed, Hong Kong has faced a number of highly significant
developments over the past three years that will have far-reaching consequences for the future
direction of the community, and the education sector in particular.
3 The scale of the undertaking and its impact on universities in Hong
Kong are enormous, and designing the new four-year curriculum is being looked at as both an opportunity and a challenge. In the School of Engineering, we have been reviewing how engineering education has changed in the past 20 to 30 years and the best ways to introduce outcome-based learning. In the past, the idea was to “deliver”, that is, to look at input. Now, the view is that it is output which must be gauged, as Prof Edmond KO explains in his article for this report. All faculty members will be involved in a concerted effort to make this transition smooth and successful.
Research Excellence
In recent years, the School has started to see the retirement of senior professors. However, younger faculty members have been successfully stepping up to continue to advance the School’s strong research reputation. This is clearly shown by the many basic and applied world-class innovations achieved by our faculty members over the review period. It also reveals the overall strength of the School’s recruitment of high-potential academics and their positive impact on research.
In line with international trends, interdisciplinary research is starting to play a greater role and will be an important area for future development for the School, and the university as a whole. The School is a key performer in many of the interdisciplinary high-impact areas designated by HKUST as selected fields in which the university is seeking global leadership. These include nanoscience and technology; sustainable development, energy and environment; electronics, wireless and information technology; and bioengineering.
Global Learning
To enhance students’ learning experience, the School shall adopt a broader outlook toward engineering education in order to produce graduates who possess not only technical knowledge but also communication and leadership skills. The academic awards received by our students and graduates, together with our success in competitions that test innovation and creativity through real projects and case studies, show the benefits they are deriving from such an approach.
In addition, we have been expanding our international student exchange program which assists the School community in two major ways. It enables our own students to travel overseas to gain fresh perspectives, and expands their independence and
cross-cultural understanding in preparation for joining today’s globalized workplace. It also allows exchange students from our many partner institutions around the world to join us in Hong Kong. In the past, Hong Kong campuses were very homogenous, limiting students’ horizons. Bringing people from different cultures, with different learning habits and views of the world to study alongside those from Hong Kong really helps to broaden campus life along with friendships and international networks.
Extended Vision
Another form of boundary crossing has become more significant during 2006-08, with the School becoming increasingly engaged in local, national and international collaborations. Academic partners now hail from countries as diverse as the Korea, Saudi Arabia and Belarus. The School has also played a pivotal role in the establishment of the HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School (FYTGS), the University’s fifth school, in Nansha, at the heart of the Pearl River Delta. Meanwhile, business partnerships and support from local enterprises in the form of generous donations have strengthened our connections with various industries.
Locally, the School is actively participating within the Hong Kong community. Faculty members have organized top-level international conferences in numerous cutting-edge engineering fields. Camps and contests to inspire Hong Kong secondary school students to consider further studies and a career in engineering have taken place. The launch of an ambassador scheme has also been particularly successful, bringing current undergraduates into contact with prospective students to share their experiences and knowledge of different engineering fields and life at HKUST.
Driving the Future
All these changes and activities reflect the School’s ongoing drive to increase the popularity of engineering as a study option, advance cutting-edge knowledge in the field, widen and deepen students’ educational experience to add to their competitive edge, and raise community awareness of the essential role that engineers play in improving the world we live in. It has been an exciting three years. While uncertainty looms over the world in 2009, the directions taken by the School of Engineering during 2006-08 should position us well in the future.
Prof Philip C H CHAN
Dean of Engineering D ea n’s M es sa ge S EN G S hin es G lo ba lly E m po w er in g L ea de rs o f T om or ro w W or kin g T og et he r t o D riv e P ro gr es s W or ld -C la ss P io ne er s B uil din g C on ne ct iv ity
During 2006-08, the School of Engineering continued to receive worldwide
recognition for its achievements with high rankings in international
engineering league tables and significant academic accomplishments
SENG Shines
Globally
Leading the Way
The quality of work carried out at the School of Engineering has been highlighted by HKUST’s excellent performance in different global rankings.
HKUST was placed at No.24 in the world’s top 50 universities for technology in the Times Higher Education -Quacquarelli Symonds (THE-QS) World University Rankings 2008. The University has been ranked in the top 25 of the THE-QS technology league tables since the category was launched in 2005 and is the only university in Hong Kong consecutively listed in the top 50 in the past four years.
Peer review is central to the THE-QS technology rankings of the world’s top universities in Engineering and IT. The University’s consistent presence in these tables reflects its strong international standing and the respect for faculty members and their work among fellow academics internationally.
With a growing response rate from the global academic community to the THE-QS university ranking surveys, HKUST’s continuous high ranking is further indication of the wide reach of its reputation. There were 6,350 responses in 2008 compared with around 5,100 in 2007.
In the Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s world university rankings in 2007 and 2008, HKUST was also ranked in the world’s top 50 universities in engineering, being placed at 37 and 40 respectively. The Shanghai Jiao Tong league tables include all institutions with Nobel Laureates, Fields Medal winners and frequently cited researchers. More than 1,000 institutions were ranked in each of the five subject fields covered.
Geotechnical Group Keeps Up Pioneering Pace
Members of the Geotechnical Group in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering have maintained their No.1 ranking for total number of journal papers published in four major geotechnical journals.
The World’s Top 50
Universities for Technology
(Times Higher Education Supplement world’s top universities’ league tables)
Ranked
Our faculty members in this area have held the top position from
2001-08, according to Web of Science® statistics. The leading journals
are Geotechniques; Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE; Canadian Geotechnical Journal; and Soils and Foundations.
Inspiring SIGGRAPH Success
The Computer Vision and Graphics Group, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, has been drawing strong attention at the frontiers of new international knowledge with 10 papers accepted by SIGGRAPH in 2008. This saw HKUST become the first institution in Hong Kong to publish a double-digit number of SIGGRAPH papers in a single year.
The SIGGRAPH papers program is the top global forum for unveiling new scholarly work in computer graphics and interactive techniques. In 2008, HKUST had eight papers accepted for the inaugural SIGGRAPH-Asia event and two accepted at the established SIGGRAPH-US.
SIGGRAPH-Asia is equivalent to SIGGRAPH-US with submissions comparable in quality and papers from US and SIGGRAPH-Asia published in the same top journal ACM Transactions on Graphics (TOG). The acceptance rate at both SIGGRAPHs was around 18%. Current focuses of the HKUST research group include segmentation, tracking/matching, multi-view geometry, uncalibrated reconstruction, modeling and rendering. Targeted applications are 3D authoring tools for multimedia, medical imaging, and biometrics.
Such success has provided additional motivation to the Group’s pursuit of inspirational research. In 2007, the Group had six papers accepted at SIGGRAPH.
Super-Strong Fibers
Interdisciplinary research in the School of Engineering is leading to further innovative discoveries. More effective bullet-proof vests and extra-durable nautical rope may be the outcome of an exciting new technology involving carbon nanotubes developed by Prof Ping GAO, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Prof Tong-Xi YU, Department of Mechanical Engineering.
The technology aligns nanotubes along the length of polymer fibers, greatly increasing tensile strength and enabling garments to withstand high impact while remaining light. The high ventilating capability of carbon nanotubes also means that end products can be more comfortable for users. Other uses for the new materials include tennis racket threads with greater elasticity and strings for musical instruments.
ECE Publications Earn Global Acclaim and
Academic Excellence
The Electronic and Computer Engineering Department continues to shine and maintains its high ranking in terms of the total number of journal papers published. It is ranked in top 5 places amongst the 5 prestigious journals in the world.
D ea n’s M es sa ge SE N G S hin es G lo ba lly E m po w er in g L ea de rs o f T om or ro w W or kin g T og et he r t o D riv e P ro gr es s W or ld -C la ss P io ne er s B uil din g C on ne ct iv ity
No.
1
IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications (2002-2007)No.
2
IEEE Transactions on Electronic Devices (1998-2007)No.
3
IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications (1996-2007)No.
4
IEEE Transactions on Communications (1996-2007)No.
5
IEEE Electron Device Letter (1998-2007)Expanding Knowledge Frontiers
by Prof Jang Kyo KIM, Associate Dean of Engineering (Postgraduate Studies)
Biological
Sciences and
Biotechnology
(BIO)
Management
Education and
Research
(CEO)
Nanoscience and
Nanotechnology
(NANO)
Sustainable
Development,
Energy and
Environment
(ENVIRO)
Electronics,
Wireless and
Information
Technology
(INFO)
With the launch of HKUST’s Strategic Plan 2005-2020, the University is seeking to build on its previous successes. To do so, it is focusing on attaining global leadership and maximum influence, in particular in five high-impact areas that will determine the way we live in the years to come: Biological sciences and biotechnology (BIO), Nanoscience and nanotechnology (NANO), Sustainable development, energy and environment (ENVIRO), Electronics, wireless and information technology (INFO), Management education and research (CEO).
Faculty Strengths
In 2006-08, the School of Engineering showed it had a leading part to play in driving forward these various “Os”, in particular in the first four categories, with research advances ranging from wireless sensor network to increase mine safety (INFO) to direct alcohol fuel cells research (ENVIRO). Almost all the School’s 150-plus faculty members are involved in one way or another in high-impact areas. Indeed, our world-class academics are the key to the School’s outstanding research track record. Faculty members do not only conceive and pursue innovative ideas. They also possess the international credibility to attract other top-flight researchers to work together on projects and the major funding support that enables cutting-edge research to be carried out.
Faculty members collaborate with other Schools within HKUST, and with other universities and industries locally, nationally and internationally on leading research projects. Such collaborations, between colleagues, different disciplines and institutions, are the prerequisite to building up critical mass and research networks. Our departments have also been contributing through the successful development of interdisciplinary research and graduate teaching programs, such as nanotechnology, bioengineering and environmental engineering. These types of interdisciplinary programs foster and educate graduate students – the next generation of academic explorers – and inspire further frontier research.
Pioneering research is an integral part of the School of Engineering, and its numerous internationally
recognized breakthroughs have played a major role in rapidly establishing HKUST’s position within
the global academic community. Prof Jang Kyo KIM, Associate Dean of Engineering (Postgraduate
Studies), discusses research developments in 2006-08 and their impact on future opportunities
9
Funding
During 2006-08, the School of Engineering continued to draw substantial funding to its projects from a variety of sources. Major funding locally centers on the Hong Kong government’s Research Grants Council’s (RGC) General Research Fund (formerly known as Competitive Earmarked Research Grant) schemes and the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF). In these years, the School received well over 40% of RGC money awarded to the whole university, the largest percentage for an individual school at HKUST, and maintained an average annual percentage project success rate of around 65%. Almost 95% of ITF funding for HKUST came to the School of Engineering. Faculty members also successfully source research money from industry, especially for applied research and development projects. Companies may be based locally, in Mainland China, and/or overseas.
Outstanding Infrastructure
Another singular benefit driving School of Engineering research output is HKUST’s special approach to infrastructure and support. The University currently hosts nine research institutes, six associated with the School of Engineering, and 40 research centers, of which 20 are associated with the School of Engineering. In addition, 10 out of 13 centers/programs of the Fok Ying Tung Graduate School, the fifth school of the University, are associated with the School of Engineering. These provide a unique platform for the School’s faculty members to pursue their research.
Unlike many other institutions, HKUST takes a centrally administered approach to many of its research facilities. This offers major advantages. It means the University can maintain leading-edge facilities by avoiding duplication, and a greater variety of equipment can be acquired. Thus, when new areas of research are identified to develop, we can start right away.
Administrative support is another important component of the School of Engineering’s success story. HKUST’s efficient system and the services in place allow faculty members to concentrate on their work, raise research funding, and nurture graduate students. This, in turn, allows the School to continuously add to its reputation and that of the University as a whole.
Research Students
Top faculty, funding, and infrastructure help the School to draw the best and brightest of the young generation of research scholars. In 2008, it had over 1,350 postgraduates from Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas, out of a total of more than 3,500 engineering students.
HKUST has already established its reputation among Mainland China postgraduate students. To boost presence and research connections overseas, the University will launch a new initiative starting from 2010 to provide international fellowships for PhD students from countries and regions other than Hong Kong, Mainland China and Taiwan. Through this move, the School of Engineering will be able to attract more top students from all over the world, in particular from the Asia-Pacific region. This will foster ties for future regional research collaborations and help to build closer connections with institutions in these locations.
The Way Ahead
As can be seen in this report, 2006-08 have been eventful and exciting years for School of Engineering research, years that have paved the way for comprehensive future growth in project areas under study, funding, research students, and collaborations.
D ea n’s M es sa ge SE N G S hin es G lo ba lly E m po w er in g L ea de rs o f T om or ro w W or kin g T og et he r t o D riv e P ro gr es s W or ld -C la ss P io ne er s B uil din g C on ne ct iv ity
Hong Kong tertiary education will enter in a new era with the introduction of
four-year curriculum in 2012. To prepare for this move, the School of Engineering
has been putting great efforts in reviewing its pedagogy and planning for the
new curriculum to offer best learning outcomes for our future graduates
Empowering
Leaders
Preparing for the New Era
by Prof Charles W W NG, Associate Dean of Engineering (Undergraduate Studies)
The four-year university degree structure being introduced across Hong Kong involves enormous alterations to the educational framework previously in place. Hong Kong secondary and tertiary education as a whole will change fundamentally and extensively. Secondary education will be shortened from seven years to six years to accommodate the expansion to four years at university. The secondary school curriculum and exit qualifications will be restructured, with one public examination, the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE), replacing HKCEE and Hong Kong A-levels. The interface between secondary and university will also alter.
Impact of Curriculum Change
The curriculum arrangements being put in place for undergraduates in the School of Engineering envisage greater breadth and more educational choices for student learning while at the same time retaining the depth and focus to obtain the necessary skills and knowledge to fulfill professional requirements and to pursue further studies. It also provides sufficient flexibility for students to learn outside the books through exchange and internship.
With an additional year, there will be more time for our students to explore different subject areas, across engineering disciplines and in other fields. To make our four-year curriculum more flexible, the School has designed a “three-track” model that reflects students’ differing learning goals in professional engineering, further studies
or diverse career path. The “heavy major” option will prepare our students to be professional engineers and further studies. The “light major” tracks will pave the way for postgraduate studies and diverse careers.
The School has been actively participating in interdisciplinary collaborations. In addition to the Dual Degree Program in Technology and Management, there are many new interdisciplinary programs such as Bioengineering Graduate Program jointly offered with the School of Science; BSc in Risk Management and Business Intelligence with Departments of Information Systems, Business Statistics & Operations Management, Mathematics and Computer Science & Engineering taking in students from 2009 onwards, and an Environmental Technology and Management program, subject to the university’s approval in admitting students from 2010 onwards, that marks the concerted efforts between the four Schools of the University.
Apart from the existing double major, there will also be new minor options such as Minor in Business, Environmental Sustainability & Management. With the adoption of the new curriculum, students can discover their strengths and interests before making up their mind as to the direction they wish to go in. And once decided on a certain path, they will be able to see their chosen field – and the world – in a broader perspective, given their greater all-round knowledge.
Hong Kong’s move from a three-year undergraduate degree to a four-year system in 2012 is a
challenging, exciting development that will open up a range of fresh learning opportunities for
university students. Prof Charles W W NG, Associate Dean of Engineering (Undergraduate Studies),
discusses the preparatory moves made in the School of Engineering in 2006-08
13 Social development demands that our graduates can operate
across traditional boundaries and take on roles that demand not only technical knowledge but a range of other skills, including communication, leadership and management capabilities. In order to nurture graduates with good attitude, sense of responsibility and ethical value, holistic teaching and learning is emphasized. We must not only produce excellent engineers but also enable our students to transform themselves into entrepreneurs, business executives, and cutting-edge researchers. They must be able to see themselves as social leaders, capable administrators and creative thinkers. We have already been evolving the School’s engineering curricula in this new direction. The four-year program allows us to step up this move to expand students’ career choices and to move toward outcome-based learning.
School-based Admission
The start of School-based admission for our engineering undergraduates, announced in September 2008, is one clear indication of the greater flexibility that students will gain under the new arrangements. In 2009-10, students applying for admission under Hong Kong’s Joint University Programmes Admission Scheme (JUPAS) and Early Admission Scheme (EAS) will have an alternative
to selecting one of the School’s 13 individual programs. They will be able to choose either of two School-based streams, each comprising a different group of the School’s engineering departments. Students entering under School-based admission will only need to choose an individual program toward the end of their first semester. Those interested in several engineering disciplines initially will thus be able to gain a broader understanding of what fields encompass before deciding their major. School-based admission is set to evolve in the run-up to 2012.
Internationalization
The School has attached paramount importance to widening students’ horizons through greater internationalization of its student body. Internationalization encompasses two major aspects. One involves student exchanges, which will be further facilitated by the migration from the 3-year curriculum to the 4-year one; the other seeks to raise the number of overseas students who take bachelor’s degrees with us. Many students from Mainland China have already been taking advantage of the world-class education available at the School.
In addition to the US and Canada, our university exchange partner network has expanded to 7 new regions (Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan and Thailand) which add up to over 60 partners stretching over 17 regions. New exchange links have been forged with top-notch universities in the world, such as ETH Zurich and the University College London. The value of exchanges is tremendous and the benefits are multi-faceted. Exchanges allow students to broaden their cultural understanding, foster their independence and very often to experience a different academic approach. Such an experience also helps to make graduates more marketable. In a global world of the 21st century,
young professionals are highly likely to be working in multicultural teams and/or different countries. An exchange provides early preparation for this. By the end of 2008/09 academic year, over 20% of the School’s total student body will have a chance to study outside Hong Kong through the School’s exchange programs.
With regard to international undergraduate students studying full-time at the School, our applicant pool has expanded from 15 nationalities for the 2006 intake to 27 for the 2008 intake. We believe that numbers will keep soaring in the coming years. In addition to its world-class faculty, and excellent learning/research opportunities, the international campus culture at HKUST and the cosmopolitan, East-West lifestyle in Hong Kong offers a wonderful platform from which
D ea n’s M es sa ge S EN G S hin es G lo ba lly Em po w er in g L ea de rs o f T om or ro w W or kin g T og et he r t o D riv e P ro gr es s W or ld -C la ss P io ne er s B uil din g C on ne ct iv ity
one can learn more about the China market, according to feedback from international students. Geared to the needs of the international students, we have been working with the School of Humanities and Social Science to modify China-related minor program and courses specifically designed to provide insight into its society, politics and economy for those from overseas.
Co-curricular Activities
In addition, the School has started to extend the nature of the learning experience that students receive. Under a three-year system, time to participate in additional activities can often be tight. Yet students have shown they recognize the benefits of these opportunities by their enthusiasm and willingness to participate despite heavy workloads. In 2006-08, undergraduates have been involved in a growing number of local and international competitions, outreach activities such as the Student Ambassador Program (see P.48), and internships.
Activities will be further extended in the future through co-curricular programs to encourage students to engage in and contribute to society while earning credits towards their degree. The School has been busy establishing or utilizing previous links with
non-governmental organizations, such as the Lions Club Metropolitan Hong Kong. A new course – the Community Services Project – will be launched in Spring 2009 to offer students an opportunity to serve the community and from which to acquire necessary soft-skills such as time management, communication skills, etc. A series of community service and charitable work will be lined up with the objective of cultivating a social responsibility culture. After graduation, this social experience can place them in a better position as engineers when handling projects requiring formal or informal community approval and/or increase their prospects of success as entrepreneurs.
All-round Vision
All these new developments will positively impact on undergraduate life for our engineering students. They are given ample opportunities to learn from other cultures through internationalization and at different levels of the society via community service and charitable work. The four-year system will provide a longer timeframe that opens up greater mental space to adapt the transition from school to university. They will also be able to more comfortably engage in a broader range of studies and activities to develop academically, creatively, ethically, socially and personally.
15 D ea n’s M es sa ge S EN G S hin es G lo ba lly Em po w er in g L ea de rs o f T om or ro w W or kin g T og et he r t o D riv e P ro gr es s W or ld -C la ss P io ne er s B uil din g C on ne ct iv ity
A New Paradigm for Engineering Education
by Prof Edmond KO, Acting Head of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering,
Senior Advisor to HKUST’s Vice-President for Academic Affairs (Deputy to the President)
Engineering as Liberal Education?
To this day, many people regard engineering as a dry technical discipline that only involves the application of mathematics and science to solve real-world problems. In this light, engineering students are often perceived to be “nerdy” in the sense that they are too analytical, too narrowly focused, or lacking in people skills. It is thus incumbent on engineering educators to come up with innovative curricula that would arouse young people’s interest and attract them to the profession.
The fact of the matter is, since the beginning of the 20th century,
there has been an emphasis on the non-technical component (often referred to as general or liberal education) of an engineering curriculum. This emphasis is even stronger in the 21st century when
engineering graduates now face more complex, multidisciplinary problems and at the same time a much wider choice of career paths across national boundaries.
Moves by engineering accreditation boards worldwide have brought in criteria that hold engineering schools responsible for helping their students develop a series of graduate attributes other than academic and technical knowledge. The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE), which is a signatory of the Washington Accord, is also moving in this direction. Specifically, five non-technical graduate attributes that the Washington Accord emphasizes are the ability to:
• Communicate effectively
• Function effectively in diverse teams and in multi-disciplinary settings
• Engage in lifelong learning and professional development
• Act in accordance with the ethical principles of the engineering profession
• Function in contemporary society
Engineering education in Hong Kong is moving toward an outcome-based approach as universities
prepare for the introduction of the four-year curriculum in 2012. Prof Edmond KO, Acting Head
of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Senior Advisor to HKUST’s
Vice-President for Academic Affairs (Deputy to the President) reviews the impact of this change
and how the School of Engineering has been preparing for it
These attitudes and skills are usually regarded as hallmarks of a liberal education. However, our focus should not be on the label (professional versus liberal) but on clearly defining the intended learning outcomes of an engineering education in terms of the desirable graduate attributes, then delivering these outcomes in an effective and convincing manner. This is the approach taken by the School of Engineering in its planning for the four-year curriculum to be introduced in 2012.
Addressing Learning Outcomes
The concept of learning outcomes is a convenient way to define the impact of an educational process on students. A learning outcome is what a student should know or can do as a result of a learning experience. The learning outcomes that university graduates should possess can be broadly classified into three categories: knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
At the School of Engineering, some 15%-20% of our graduates each year pursue further studies. Of the remaining 80% or so, about half work in engineering-related fields (for example, manufacturing and industries, construction) and half in the commerce and business sector. These employment statistics show that we need a curriculum with sufficient flexibility to prepare students for different career paths, along with a strong advisory system to help them make informed decisions. Above all, skill and attitude outcomes should be treated as essential components of the curriculum.
A concern often expressed by engineering educators is that spending time on developing skill and attitude outcomes will adversely affect the advancement of students’ professional knowledge. Along this line, a 2006 research report from the United States is of interest. The study* found that since the country’s accreditation board, ABET, Inc., began promoting outcome criteria (EC 2000), there had been a
1
Attitude outcomes valued by employers
• Interest in lifelong learning and professional development • Personal management• Social consciousness • Sense of responsibility • Ethics and values
• Attitude in dealing with different situations and people • Zest and self-motivation
• Risk-taking
positive impact on engineering programs, student experiences, and student learning. In particular, these researchers reported a greater emphasis on professional skills and active learning and, at the same time, higher levels of faculty support for continuous improvement. Even though this is an initial finding, it reminds us that in designing engineering curricula we should not just think of how to divide the pie. Instead, we should enlarge the pie through using effective learning and teaching methods to benefit students in different ways simultaneously.
Aligning Teaching and Assessment
Research on student learning has repeatedly identified the usefulness of aligning learning outcomes with pedagogy and assessment. Thus, with enhancement of student learning as the primary objective, the University Grants Committee – Hong Kong’s university funding body – has been encouraging its institutions to adopt an outcome-based approach in planning the four-year undergraduate curriculum.
In this regard, an inter-institutional task force was formed in February 2007 to take the initiative forward. With Prof Mounir HAMDI of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering as a co-convenor and myself a member of this task force, we have been working closely with colleagues at both local and overseas institutions in identifying and disseminating best practices that will help us in the design and implementation of our new curriculum.
D ea n’s M es sa ge S EN G S hin es G lo ba lly Em po w er in g L ea de rs o f T om or ro w W or kin g T og et he r t o D riv e P ro gr es s W or ld -C la ss P io ne er s B uil din g C on ne ct iv ity
Skill outcomes valued by employers
• Language• Communication • Interpersonal relationships • Teamwork
• Analytical and problem solving • Critical thinking
• Leadership • Project management
Keeping Competitive
The School of Engineering has also benefited from visits by many experts in engineering education and accreditation such as Dr Ira JACOBSON, Prof Karl SMITH, and Prof Charles SODINI. Through a series of seminars, workshops and department-based meetings, faculty members from all engineering departments had fruitful discussions with these visitors on a wide range of learning and teaching issues. The School has also held two half-day curriculum-planning workshops in May and October 2008, during which representatives from all departments presented their progress in curriculum design and exchanged views on how best to move forward.
The introduction of a four-year curriculum may appear to be a daunting task, but it presents a rare opportunity for the School to examine critically its educational mission, objectives, and delivery. By bringing faculty members together to work as a team, we have identified ways to improve our learning and teaching activities not only for the new curricula, but also for existing ones. We are poised to move ahead with enthusiasm and purpose in providing the best possible learning outcomes for our graduates.
* Lisa R. Lattuca, Patrick T. Terenzini, J. Fredricks Volkwein (2006). Engineering Change – A Study of the Impact of EC 2000. Baltimore: ABET, Inc.
Increasingly in today’s global environment, leading research and
education involves crossing international borders as well as teaming
up with other institutions nationally and forging bonds with different
sectors of the local community. In 2006-08, the School of Engineering
benefited from HKUST’s highly active approach to collaborations to
substantially built up its partnerships
Working Together to
Drive
Three Universities, Three Continents, One Goal
In 2007, a significant international agreement between three leading universities, each located on different continents, saw HKUST set up a pioneering new research and education center focused on computing and communications technology and hosted by the School of Engineering. The International Center for Advanced Computing and Communications Technology (InterACT) works with similar centers at top-ranked Carnegie Mellon University in the US and renowned German research institute Universität Karlsruhe to foster ideas, discoveries, and the education of young computer and communications engineers. The agreement also encompasses student and faculty exchanges to widen global perspectives.
The first and current director of InterACT at HKUST is Prof Pascale N FUNG, Electronic and Computer Engineering and co-founder of the Human Language Technology Center.
Joining Forces Regionally
In 2007, regional relations received a boost when HKUST and 11 other high-flying universities in Asia and neighboring locations agreed to establish a league to raise engineering education and research quality further. The Asia-Oceania Top University League on Engineering (AOTULE) encourages collaboration through student, staff and information exchanges, joint annual research symposiums and an annual gathering for Deans of Engineering Schools/Faculties. Members include Tsinghua University (China), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (India), Monash University (Australia), National Taiwan University (Taiwan), and Tokyo Institute of Technology (Japan).
Bringing together academics and students with different cultural values and diverse world views
offers the prospect of fresh vision and dramatic advances in engineering education and research
International
Member Universities
(alphabetical order in country/ region names)
Monash University
Tsinghua University
National Taiwan University
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
Bandung Institute of Technology
Tokyo Institute of Technology
Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
University of Malaya
The University of Auckland
Nanyang Technological University
Chulalongkorn University
21 D ea n’s M es sa ge S EN G S hin es G lo ba lly E m po w er in g L ea de rs o f T om or ro w W or kin g T og et he r t o D riv e P ro gr es s W or ld -C la ss P io ne er s B uil din g C on ne ct iv ity
Belarus Connection
Further afield, HKUST and Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics signed a five-year agreement in 2007 to build academic connections, student exchanges, and develop joint projects involving nanomaterials and nanoelectronics. Chair Professor Hoi Sing KWOK, Electronic and Computer Engineering and Director of the Center for Display Research, represented HKUST at the signing ceremony.
Meeting of Minds in Middle East
In 2008, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between HKUST and Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), a new, graduate-level research institution. The inspiring development seeks to establish a long-term relationship between the two young academic powerhouses. It focuses on generating boundary-breaking discoveries in nanotechnology and marine genomic research, with scientists conducting marine research off the coast of the Red Sea where KAUST is situated.
The multi-faceted agreement involves collaborative research programs; scientific, technical and administrative staff exchanges; and the establishment of fellowships for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from each of the two universities to study at the other institution.
Nanofiber Venture
HKUST and Finetex Technology Global Limited, a leading Korean manufacturer of nanostructured materials, signed a collaborative agreement to foster research into the development and applications of carbon-nanofibers and nanocomposites. With financial support from Finetex, the FINETEX-HKUST R&D Center was established in 2008 to pursue multidisciplinary research into the field and develop new technologies for the industry.
Boeing Research Takes Off
In a notable academic-industrial venture, HKUST, Tsinghua University, and Southeast University in Nanjing entered into collaborative agreements with US aviation innovator Boeing Phantom Works to research and develop new wireless communications-related technology. Research centers on breakthroughs related to onboard entertainment systems and communication between maintenance technicians at airports. Each university will work separately on a different aspect of the wireless communications system.
The School’s Computer Science and Engineering faculty and doctoral and master’s degree candidates are tackling seamless connectivity among different networks used by aircraft line maintenance technicians. Hong Kong International Airport is participating in the project. The agreement between HKUST and Boeing Phantom Works was made in 2007.
Concrete Measures
Civil engineering academics are participating in a significant 973 project involving research on environmentally friendly contemporary concrete. A 973 project is the highest-level basic research project category in China. The interdisciplinary team also includes colleagues from HKUST’s Mathematics and Chemistry departments. The research is being carried out together with Southeast University and other institutions.
In the period under review, the School has greatly helped to boost HKUST’s presence in Mainland
China and encourage productive alliances
National
Wireless Connections
The Huawei-HKUST Joint Research and Development Center was established in 2007 to support academic excellence in wireless communication technology, train up future leaders in the field, and boost industrial collaboration. Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, based in Shenzhen, is a leading force in next-generation telecommunications networks. The center will also support Huawei’s product development and nurture its research and development capability.
23 D ea n’s M es sa ge S EN G S hin es G lo ba lly E m po w er in g L ea de rs o f T om or ro w W or kin g T og et he r t o D riv e P ro gr es s W or ld -C la ss P io ne er s B uil din g C on ne ct iv ity
Nano Partners
The Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering and the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ highly regarded Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology (SIMIT) agreed in 2008 to establish a platform for collaborative research into innovative micro and nano-electronic device structures and semiconductor memory technology. The Joint Laboratory for Nano-Electronic Device Research will also foster the development of postgraduate students and work together on project applications.
Fok Ying Tung Footprint
The HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School (FYTGS), the University’s fifth School, has been established in Nansha to provide a base for growing HKUST’s presence in Mainland China. FYTGS conducts research in high-impact technology areas. It also collaborates with local industries including those in the Pearl River Delta, offers professional training programs for businesses and government agencies, and will provide postgraduate education programs.
The Dean of FYTGS is Prof Tong-Xi YU who is also Chair Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Associate Vice-President for Research and Development (Mainland Programs) at HKUST.
Since establishment, FYTGS has collaborated in several prestigious Mainland China research schemes and also gained the Mainland’s Science and Technology Bureau grants as well as research and technology projects from companies/industries. In 2008, FYTGS was awarded the International Science & Technology Cooperation Base status by China’s Ministry of Science and Technology. Such official recognition will add to its ability to cooperate with overseas universities and institutions.
Seeing the Future
A joint South China University of Technology (SCUT) and HKUST laboratory for display technology was established in 2008. SCUT, a key science and engineering university in Mainland China, and the Guangdong government committed HK$100 million to set up the facility, which is dedicated to thin film transistor technology.
SENG Departments Profile
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Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
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Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
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Department of Computer Science and Engineering
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Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering
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Department of Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management
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Department of Mechanical Engineering
World-Class
Pioneers
Department of Chemical and
Biomolecular Engineering
Acting Head: Prof Edmond KO
The Department’s pioneering chemical engineering program is the first of its kind in Hong Kong. During the period under review, the Department of Chemical Engineering changed its name to the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Biomolecular engineering adds a further horizon in pharmaceutical engineering and biotechnology.
Faculty members seek to provide a high-quality academic base which, when supplemented with professional training and experience, enables graduates to contribute to the technological, socio-economic development and competitiveness of Hong Kong and the region. Our research and development is focused on work that is academically challenging, particularly that which has potentially global impact and relevance to Hong Kong. Faculty members collaborate with business and industry to promote technological innovation and economic development. The Department also strives to promote and catalyze sustainable development in Hong Kong.
At a Glance
Faculty Members 15 Undergraduates 188 Postgraduates* • Research 50 Academic Programs Undergraduate• BEng in Chemical and Bioproduct Engineering • BEng in Chemical and Environmental Engineering • BEng in Chemical Engineering
Postgraduate
• MSc in Chemical Engineering
• MPhil in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering • PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Major Research Areas
• Advanced materials • Bioprocess engineering • Environmental engineering • Product and process design
Departmental Teaching and Research Laboratories
• Advanced Materials for Environmental Protection Lab • Aerosol Laboratory
• Biomicrosystem & Fuel Cell Lab
• Bioprocessing and Biocomputation Laboratory • Catalysis, Adsorption & Nanomaterials Laboratory • Drug Delivery and Biomaterials Laboratory • Liquid Adsorption & Environmental Materials Lab • Micro and Nano Systems and Materials Laboratory • New Energy and Intelligent- & Bio-Materials Laboratory
• Physical Properties Characterization & Materials Processing Laboratory • Polymer Processing & Systems Laboratory
• Polymer Surface & Interface Analysis Laboratory • Process Systems Engineering Laboratory –
Catalysis and Reaction Engineering
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Faculty Honors
Prof Chak Keung CHAN
Awarded China’s National Natural Science Award, First Class, in 2007 for his contribution in a joint project led by Tsinghua University in collaboration with HKUST and Tongji University on the characteristics of emission and complex pollution of particulate matter and its precursors. The honor is one of the country’s most significant research accolades. He has been appointed Executive Editor of Atmospheric Environment and a member of the editorial advisory board of Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics and Aerosol Science and Technology.
Prof Guohua CHEN
Appointed an editorial board member of International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, reappointed an editorial board member of the Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering in 2007. He was awarded the "Certificate of Excellence" by World Forum for Crystalization, Filtration and Drying in 2007.
Prof Ping GAO
A Nano and Advanced Materials Institute Limited (NAMI) project coordinated by Prof Ping GAO received around HK$3 million from Fibrastics (HK) Ltd and HK$2.6 million in matching funds from Hong Kong’s Innovation and Technology Fund. The project, which runs from 2008-10, focuses on high performance polymer nanocomposite fibers for electronic applications.
Prof Xijun HU
Received “Top-50 most Cited Paper 2003-06” awards for his co-authored paper [Feng, J., Hu, X., Yue, P.L., Zhu, H.Y. and Lu, G.Q., A Novel Laponite Clay-based Fe Nanocomposite and Its Photo-catalytic Activity in Photo-assisted Degradation of Orange II, Chemical Engineering Science, 58, 679-685 (2003)] published in Chemical Engineering Science. Prof HU was appointed an editorial board member of the International Journal of Chemical Engineering in 2007. He has also been the Associate Editor of Asia-Pacific Journal
of Chemical Engineering and Chinese Science Bulletin since 2006. Together with Prof Wei-Kang YUAN, East China University of Science and Technology, they worked on a jointly funded National Natural Science Foundation of China/Research Grants Council project to look at preparation of catalytic architecture composed of titanium silicate and carbon nanofiber.
Research Highlights
On-the-Spot DNA Tests
Development of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) microchip by a HKUST team, led by Prof I-Ming HSING, brought on-the-spot testing of forensic evidence at crime scenes and disease diagnosis at surgeries a step closer. The team miniaturized the technology needed to perform PCR using electrochemical DNA sensors to provide simultaneous DNA amplification and detection on a silicon-glass microchip. The advance drew international attention with HKUST’s results published in the American Chemical Society journal Analytical Chemistry in 2008.
Air Pollution Study via Single Particle Levitation
Prof Chak Keung CHAN’s group specializes in understanding the atmospheric transformation of particulate pollutants and how they affect visibility and climate change via cloud formation. In his laboratory, research students levitate single 10-20 microns particles to study their physical and chemical changes in the atmosphere. He co-authored the paper 'Understanding hygroscopic growth and phase transformation of aerosols using single particle Raman spectroscopy in an electrodynamic balance' with A K Y LEE and T Y LING, PhD and MPhil students in the Department respectively. This was published in Faraday Discussions in 2008 and named a hot article by the journal. He has now extended the single particle studies into chemical reactions between gas phase and particulate phase pollutants.
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering website:
http://www.cbme.ust.hk
D ea n’s M es sa ge S EN G S hin es G lo ba lly E m po w er in g L ea de rs o f T om or ro w W or kin g T og et he r t o D riv e P ro gr es s W or ld -C la ss P io ne er s B uil din g C on ne ct iv ityFrom left to right:
Department of Civil and
Environmental Engineering
Head: Prof Moe M S CHEUNG
The School of Engineering contains one of the most creative, innovative Civil and Environmental Engineering departments among the region’s universities. The Department’s mission is to provide the high-quality engineering education needed to design, construct, protect and maintain both infrastructure and the environment; and to provide students with a productive and fulfilling experience at all stages of their program.
The Department’s world-class faculty members serve as directors, advisors and executive members in numerous organizations, institutions and associations, including the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and American Society of Civil Engineers. The Department’s research strategy is formulated to balance high-impact fundamental and applied research with local and international significance. Collaborative projects with other first-rate universities are also undertaken to enrich research output.
At a Glance
Faculty Members 25 Undergraduates 391 Postgraduates* • Research • Taught 105 98 Academic Programs Undergraduate• BEng in Civil and Environmental Engineering • BEng in Civil and Structural Engineering Postgraduate
• Graduate Diploma in Civil Infrastructural Engineering and Management
• Graduate Diploma in Environmental Engineering^ • MSc in Civil Infrastructural Engineering and Management • MSc in Environmental Engineering^
• MPhil in Civil Engineering
• MPhil in Environmental Engineering^ • PhD in Civil Engineering
• PhD in Environmental Engineering^
Departmental Teaching and Research Laboratories
• Civil Engineering Laboratory • Construction Materials Laboratory • Geotechnical Centrifuge Facility (GCF) • Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory • Hydraulics Research Laboratory • Hydraulics Teaching Laboratory
• Intelligent Transportation Systems Laboratory • Structural Engineering Laboratory
Major Research Areas
Constructional Management: web-based decision tools and computer simulation techniques; project delivery systems; infrastructure project financing and international financial markets; mathematic and simulation modeling in infrastructure operations and management Environmental Engineering: water/wastewater treatment technologies, solid/hazardous waste disposal, air quality modeling Geotechnical Engineering: slope stability, retaining structures, excavations, tunnels, bridge abutments, pile foundations, geotechnical earthquake engineering, geotechnical systems and risks
Hydraulics Engineering: environmental hydraulics and fluid mechanics, urban hydrology and hydraulics, probabilistic analysis of hydro system engineering and wind engineering
Material Engineering: development of materials with high performance and durability for sustainable development of civil infrastructures
Structural Engineering: wind engineering, structural optimization, advanced design technologies, sustainable green design for tall buildings
Transportation Engineering: network modeling, transport pricing and economics, dynamic traffic assignment and control, public transport systems, network reliability studies
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Faculty Honors
Prof Moe M S CHEUNG
Elected a Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) in 2007 for his contributions to structural engineering and design. Prof CHEUNG also received the James A Vance Award from the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) in 2008. The accolade recognizes a CSCE member’s dedicated service and contributions to the society and engineering community.
Prof Mohamed S GHIDAOUI
Received the Arthur Thomas Ippen Award in 2007 for his leading research in hydraulics and environmental fluid mechanics, in particular the fields of hydraulic transients, stability of shallows flows and time dependent flows, and computational hydraulics. The prize is the most prestigious bestowed by the International Association of Hydraulic Engineering & Research (IAHR). Prof GHIDAOUI was the second Asia-based researcher to gain the award since it was established in 1977.
Prof Jun Shang KUANG
Following received TK Hsieh Award in 2006 from Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) UK with his former PhD student, presented for the best paper on seismic engineering in the journal of Structures and Buildings, awarded HKIE Transaction Prize in 2007 from Hong Kong Institution of Engineers with his former student, presented for the best paper on seismic design in HKIE Transactions. Elected an IStructE Fellow in 2006 for his significant research achievements in structural engineering and design. Prof KUANG is also a Fellow of the UK’s Institution of Civil Engineers. His research interests include earthquake engineering and earthquake-resistant design; reinforced concrete; tall building structures; and damage and vulnerability assessment of structures.
Prof Christopher K Y LEUNG
Gained the Best Applied Research Paper Award for 2007 from the Journal of Composites for Construction (ASCE) for the research paper
“Effect of Size on the Failure of Geometrically Similar Concrete Beams Strengthened in Shear with FRP Strips”. The paper, written together with Dr Stephen LEE (AEMF) and other co-authors challenged current understanding and practice, paving the way for further research to develop better design approaches for shear strengthened concrete beams.
Prof Irene Man-Chi LO
Selected by the American Society of Civil Engineers for the 2007 Samuel Arnold Greeley Award together with her former PhD student, Dr Keith C K LAI, and her research partners in Denmark. The prestigious award recognizes Prof LO and her research group for their outstanding paper “Field Monitoring of a Permeable Reactive Barrier for Removal of Chlorinated Organics”, published in the Journal of Environmental Engineering in 2006. Prof LO employed her expertise in remediation technologies for contaminated soils and groundwater to return polluted groundwater in Denmark to satisfactory levels. She is a leading force in field monitoring and the application of tracer studies to Permeable Reactive Barrier technology.
Prof Charles W W NG
Elected a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE), Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences (HKAES) and Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2008 for his outstanding contributions to civil and geotechnical engineering. Prof NG received the Overseas Young Scholar Award (National Science Foundation of China (NSFC)) in 2007 for his work on the “Three-dimensional Centrifuge and Numerical Modeling of Tunneling Effects on Dykes” project. The same year, he gained the R M Quigley Honorable Mention, together with former PhD student Liang Tong ZHAN and Prof Del FRELUND, for their joint paper “Field Study of Rainfall Infiltration into a Grassed Unsaturated Expansive Soil Slope”. The paper was published in the Canadian Geotechnical Journal and provided a pioneer study into the behavior of expansive soil slopes in China.
D ea n’s M es sa ge S EN G S hin es G lo ba lly E m po w er in g L ea de rs o f T om or ro w W or kin g T og et he r t o D riv e P ro gr es s W or ld -C la ss P io ne er s B uil din g C on ne ct iv ity
Research Highlights
Constructive Move
A research team led by Profs Kenny Chung Sau KWOK, Chun Man CHAN, Chih-Chen CHANG and Lambros KATAFYGIOTIS has developed an integrated design platform for an innovative performance-based approach to cost-effective design solutions for tall buildings in a typhoon-prone urban environment.
Research advances have been achieved by the development of novel design and structural optimization technologies, including state-of-the-art wind tunnel modeling studies, advanced computer-aided design techniques, sophisticated performance monitoring systems and a unique motion simulator test facility, to facilitate design optimization of tall buildings in terms of safety, serviceability and occupant comfort.
The major benefits of the research will be a new generation of landmark tall buildings and high-rise residential buildings for mass housing that are cost-effective in materials and construction and superior in design quality, space utilization, and performance under strong winds. The research has attracted considerable interest from building professionals locally and internationally.
South-North Water Transfer Project & Heritage Protection
As one of the China’s mega infrastructure projects in the 21st
century, the South-North Water Transfer Project is designed to transport portable water from the Yangtze River to Beijing. Prof Charles W W NG and his research team were involved in the preliminary field study of the middle route. Their research paper reporting a field trial was named a recipient of the R M Quigley Honorable Mention for 2007 by the National Research Council
Canada (NRC). In collaboration with the Yangtze River Scientific Research Institute, Prof NG also has been actively involved in the detailed design of the water transfer canal using the state-of-the-art Geotechnical Centrifuge Facility at HKUST.
Being an expert in unsaturated soil mechanics, Prof NG has also been invited by the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Dunhuang Academy to participate in a national research project to devise environmentally friendly preservation technology for heritage protection in Mainland China.
Sludge Disposal
Mainland China faces a great challenge in reducing sludge disposal from sewage treatment. To solve this problem at low cost, the HKUST and Sun Yat-sen University Joint Research Team, led by Prof Guanghao CHEN, has invented a new oxic-settling-anoxic (OSA) process. The method can modify existing sewage treatment works and reduce excess sludge by 30% without increasing operational and maintenance costs. The Education Ministry of China and Guangdong Science and Technology Agency jointly awarded a trial (50-100 m3/day) at the Le De Sewage Treatment Works in
Guangzhou (60,000 m3/day) to the team from 2008-10. The plant is
the largest sewage treatment works in Guangdong.
Prof CHEN has also developed low-cost membrane bioreactor technology for wastewater reuse and recycling using a high-flux and non-fouling membrane module.
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering website:
31
Department of Computer Science
and Engineering
Head: Prof Mounir HAMDI
The Department was one of the earliest academic departments established at HKUST. When the Department first opened in 1991, the year HKUST commenced, it consisted of seven faculty members. Demand for our courses has since seen the Department expand to a faculty team of more than 40, supported by administrative and system staff members.
We work in exciting times as computer science is now widely recognized as an essential source of tools and techniques for advancements in many spheres. Our high-achieving Department is research oriented and student centered. We engage in creative research and new technologies in Computer Science and Engineering and across disciplines; and we seek to produce highly qualified and well-rounded graduates in computing and information technology, who can lead the way in Hong Kong, China and globally.
At a Glance
Faculty Members 47 (including 5 visiting faculty) Undergraduates 566 Postgraduates* • Research • Taught 176 129 Academic Programs Undergraduate • BEng in Computer Science
• BEng in Computer Science and Information Engineering • BEng in Computer Engineering (jointly with the Department
of Electronic and Computer Engineering) • BSc in Computer Science
Postgraduate
• MSc in Information Technology
• MPhil in Computer Science and Engineering • PhD in Computer Science and Engineering
Major Research Areas
• Artificial Intelligence
• Data, Knowledge and Information Management • Networking and Computer Systems
• Software Technologies • Theoretical Computer Science • Vision and Graphics
Departmental Teaching and Research Laboratories
Teaching
The Department is served by about 600 workstations and PCs, including those in four teaching laboratories: two PC laboratories, one Linux laboratory and a multi-media laboratory. Each teaching laboratory has 41 sets of computers networked together, a LCD projector, and at least one high-speed laser printer. Teaching laboratories are upgraded frequently to keep the equipment current. The multi-media laboratory is equipped with professional grade amplifiers, speakers, synthesizers, Sound Blaster XFi sound cards, and 3D graphics cards.
Research
• Computer Engineering Laboratory • Database Laboratory
• Pervasive Laboratory • Vision and Graphics Laboratory
* as at 31 December 2008 D ea n’s M es sa ge S EN G S hin es G lo ba lly E m po w er in g L ea de rs o f T om or ro w W or kin g T og et he r t o D riv e P ro gr es s W or ld -C la ss P io ne er s B uil din g C on ne ct iv ity
