Study Abroad Center, 3224 Memorial Union, (515) 294-6792

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), China - Reciprocal Exchange

This exchange is limited to students in Engineering, Chemistry, Math, and Physics

Hong Kong (Heung góng in Cantonese, meaning fragrant harbour) is a place with multiple personalities, as a result of being both Cantonese Chinese and under a more recent contemporary ex-British influence. Today, the former British colony is a major tourism destination for China’s increasingly affluent mainland population. It is also an important hub in East Asia with global connections to many of the world’s cities. It is a unique destination that has absorbed people and cultural influences from places as diverse as Vietnam and Vancouver and proudly proclaims itself to be Asia’s World City.

Founded in 1991, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is a young, dynamic and internationally renowned research university offering undergraduate programs in Science, Engineering, Business and Management, Humanities and Social Science, and a selection of interdisciplinary programs. The medium of instruction is English.

Only 20 years after admitting its first students, HKUST is recognized to be a leading university in the region and beyond, standing alongside institutions with much longer histories and reputations. In 2012, the University is proud to be ranked No.1 in Asia for the second year in a row (QS Asian University Rankings 2011 and 2012).
 

With state-of-the-art facilities and a spectacular campus spread over 60 hectares along the Clear Water Bay peninsula, HKUST’s campus is purpose-built to create the best environment for its campus community.

In order to experience university life to the fullest, students are encouraged to live on-campus. There are nine undergraduate halls of residence. Most rooms are shared, and are air-conditioned and furnished. There are provisions for linking personal electronic devices to the university network. Non-local full-time undergraduate students are guaranteed university-provided accommodation for the first two years of their study program.

There are a number of food outlets on campus, offering different cuisines (including vegetarian options) at affordable prices. There are also banks, postal services, a supermarket, hair salon, bookshop, student co-op shop, souvenir center and self-service photocopiers, making the campus relatively self-sufficient. A health center is also available and medical and dental services are provided.

Classrooms and lecture theaters are equipped with advanced teaching facilities with teaching and research laboratories offering high-tech facilities. As a cutting-edge university, the advanced IT network at HKUST covers all parts of the University, including residential halls, and has bilingual Chinese and English capability. All computers are connected to the central network.

In addition, the five-storey library is centrally located on campus and open seven days a week. Its book, periodical and microfilm collections total around 670,000 volumes, plus 30,000 media materials. With its hi-tech orientation, the library has extensive electronic collections, including more than 290 electronic databases and over 12,000 full-text e-journals.

• 50m outdoor swimming pool and 25m indoor swimming pool
• Fitness center
• Climbing wall
• Squash courts
• Astroturf soccer pitch and eight-lane, 400-meter track
• Tennis courts
• Facilities for badminton, basketball, volleyball, soccer, handball
• Multi-purpose rooms, hosting different activities including table-tennis, aerobic dance, fencing, martial arts and indoor archery
• Basketball courts
• Karaoke and music room

Our world is rapidly changing. There is an increasing focus of attention and resources on the Asia-Pacific region, in view of China’s rising economic and political influence. This translates into a treasure-trove of opportunities and prospects for the region. Here in Hong Kong, not only will you be at the gateway to China, you will also receive a world-class education that counts as one of the best in the region and beyond.

There is so much more to Hong Kong than the ‘shopping mecca’ and ‘food paradise’ that it is commonly known for. This former British territory offers a lifestyle so vibrant, dynamic and varied, it has and continues to be an irresistible destination for people to work and live in. With a population exceeding 7 million people, Hong Kong's society personifies the essence of both the eastern and western traditions. This is where ancient Chinese temples are juxtaposed against towering steel and glass skyscrapers, and where dragon boat races are held alongside the annual Rudby Sevens.

Hong Kong, above all, continues to be a land of opportunities. During the yesteryears, migrants were attracted to labor-intensive industries such as manufacturing and textiles. Supported by a low-crime, low-corruption environment, and an adherence to the rule of law, the territory has developed into a leading global business and financial center, serving as an important bridge between multinational corporations and the Mainland China market.

To prepare you for a future where the eyes of the world are set on Asia, Hong Kong is the perfect opportunity for you to understand the 21^st century business environment and regional market conditions.

 

With a rich Chinese heritage tracing back thousands of years, and some 150 years of British administration until its return to China in 1997, Hong Kong has a unique East-West perspective that created a cosmopolitan society of 7 million people and a dynamic city with a 24/7 lifestyle and an electrifying energy all of its own.

From the lively nightlife of Lan Kwai Fong on Hong Kong Island, to the long distance walking trails in the hills of the New Territories, to the lively Chinese festivals celebrated around the city, Hong Kong offers students an exciting mix of activities to choose from.

Throughout the year, many colorful Chinese festivals are celebrated, drawing you into a culture stretching back 5,000 years. The lion dances and fireworks of Chinese New Year, races and rice dumplings of Dragon Boat Festival, and mooncakes and lanterns of Mid-Autumn Festival are just some of the traditional events waiting for you to explore.

There is also a lively arts scene and a wide selection of clubs, concerts and creative events that keep Hong Kong going. International arts and film festival draw top names from around the world, while major sports events such as the world-renowned Rugby Sevens, attract stars and visitors to the city. You can well be taking in a Chinese folk dance one week, Jose Carreras the next, and Disneyland thereafter.

For those who prefer some peace and quiet, country parks and scenic walks are widely available in Hong Kong. HKUST’s location in Clear Water Bay puts the scenic beaches and spectacular rural sights of Sai Kung Country park within easy reach, as well as the 100km MacLehose Trail.