Prof. Huamin QU, Dean of the Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS), said at the Suzhou Xiangcheng (HK) Technology Co-operation Exchange Session on Tuesday that Xiangcheng District's geographical, industrial, and policy support can facilitate business startups and innovation, and that HKUST is delighted to collaborate with Xiangcheng District in areas including technology innovation and talent cultivation.

In an article by Prof. Michael EDESESS, Adjunct Associate Professor of the Division of Environment and Sustainability (ENVR), he explained why there's no simple solution to climate change. He indicated that much technological development and scientific research will be needed over the coming years for climate protection, not just politics and finance.

In an article on the Hong Kong ethnic minority population’s dire demands for counseling services, Prof. Naubahar SHARIF, Acting Head and Professor of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL), was quoted as saying that mainstream mental health services have yet to address their cultural, religious and linguistic needs. Cassy CHAN, Assistant Manager of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL), suggested that it is more effective to promote mental health messages to the ethnic minority in their mother tongues.

In an article on the difficulties faced by China’s rural seniors, Prof. Stuart GIETEL-BASTEN, Professor of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL), said the fragmentation of the family is obviously a challenge impacting care for China's older villagers.

PRAISE-HK-EXP, a mobile app developed by the Institute for the Environment (IENV) that helps users manage their health risks due to air pollution exposure, has won the gold medal in the category of public sector and social innovation at the Asia Smart App Awards held by the HK Wireless Technology Industry Association yesterday.

HKUST is the only university in HK to be invited to attend the Summer Davos Forum. Five professors including Prof. Pan HUI, Chair Professor of the Division of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas (EMIA), chaired or spoke in some of the sessions. Prof. HUI was quoted in an article as speaking at the Betazone session on “Metaverse Metropolis: Navigating Digital Twin Cities”.

In an article on Mongolian Prime Minister’s 6-day visit to China, Prof. Edwin LAI, Professor of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL), was quoted as saying that Mongolia is very important for China's relations with Central Asia, and this is a consistent strategy to form relations with developing countries through trade and economic cooperation.

In an article on the Bauhinia Party delegation’s 10-day visit to the US, Prof. Naubahar SHARIF, Acting Head and Professor of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL) and the Party’s Convenor of Community Development and External Affairs, said there are some misconceptions about the social changes in HK, he believes the HK and US could enhance bilateral relations starting from small projects. He also briefed US officials on the positive response of HK's ethnic minority groups to the National Security Law and electoral reform.

In an article on the Northern Metropolis master plan, Prof. Zhongming LU, Assistant Professor of the Division of Environment and Sustainability (ENVR), was quoted as saying that proper planning and the correct measures can make buildings very energy-efficient, with an immediate knock-on effect on the wider urban scale, adding that HK has the talent to create such buildings, while policymakers need to craft the right policies and incentives.

In an article on whether China can lead the development of green finance taxonomy, Prof. Keith CHAN, Assistant Professor of the Division of Environment and Sustainability (ENVR), was quoted as saying that before incorporating natural gas into transition finance taxonomy and green finance taxonomy, regulators need to consider a wide range of economic and technical factors, including carbon trading prices, natural gas technology screening criteria and the cost structure of coal-fired power plants etc.