To allow prospective students to know more about the four undergraduate programs:  Dual Degree Program in Technology and Management (T&M-DDP), Risk Management and Business Intelligence Program (RMBI), Environmental Management and Technology Program (EVMT) and Individualized Interdisciplinary Major Program (IIM), offered by Interdiscplinary Programs Office (IPO), the Office organized “Innovate Your Future – Exploring IPO at HKUST” on 26 November 2016 and attracted around 50 secondary students to attend. 

Prof. King L. CHOW, Director of IPO, welcomed all students and briefly introduced the four undergraduate programs.  Prof. CHOW said students might not be clear about what they wanted to do in future but IPO provided them opportunities to discover themselves and unleash their potentials. 

IPO invited Mr Ken CHENG, Associate Engineer of Cathay Pacific Airways Limited and the alumni of T&M-DDP, to share how he fulfilled his flying dream of building and flying Hong Kong’s first homebuilt and locally certified aircraft. Led by Mr Hank CHENG and Mr Gary TAT, Ken and other 14 teammates altogether shared the same dream to build an aircraft and fly it around the world to represent Hong Kong. The project took them 7 years to achieve the successful first flight. It cannot be done without perseverance and passion. 

The aircraft was firstly assembled at St. Paul Convent School (Secondary Section) with the involvement of students. When the aircraft “grew” too big, it was moved to the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO) which has kindly provided space and engineering support for the team to complete the assembly of the aircraft. The team would like to educate and inspire the Hong Kong public’s interest in aviation by building and flying this aircraft, but they had difficulties in seeking approval from Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department (CAD) to certify the fly. Obstacles could not stop them. They sent the aircraft to Australia and obtained the “Special Certificate of Airworthiness” from Civil Aviation Safety Authority in Australia, then were finally granted the approval by CAD in Hong Kong. After certified, the aircraft flew around the world for over 50,000 km to visit 20 countries. Ken encouraged students to play, to dream, to think out of the box instead of concentrating solely on study. There are numerous opportunities for youngsters to understand their interests and develop in various aspects.         

After Ken’s inspiring talk, current students of IPO shared their study and university life with secondary students in groups.  Secondary students grasped the chance to ask about the program curriculum, enrichment activities and examination tips.