The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)’s first Summer Institute for Secondary School Students, which offered 25 credit-bearing courses in Science, Engineering, Business and Management, Humanities and Social Science, attracted more than 670 participants from over 200 local and overseas schools. Some of them joined the Institute especially from abroad, coming from schools in the UK, USA, Canada, Japan and the Mainland. The Institute helps students develop their potentials, identify areas of interest and acquire deeper understanding of university education.
HKUST’s Summer Institute was meant to give senior secondary school students (Secondary 4 and 5, or Grades 10 and 11) a head start in their pursuit of university education and the opportunities to learn about their interests and passions at an early age. Held between mid July and mid August this year, the Summer Institute offered courses which aimed to nurture participants’ passion of learning a multitude of disciplines. Interesting courses, conducted in English, covered a variety of areas ranging from physics, chemistry, life science, engineering, marketing and finance, decision making, to history and architecture. Students also conducted experiments in university laboratories.
In addition to engaging in meaningful courses in areas of their choice and being taught by HKUST faculty, participants also took part in enrichment activities which gave them a taste of dynamic university lives. Such included ice-breaking and sports sessions to enhance students’ social skills and physical strength to achieve holistic education. Workshops had been hosted to prepare students for university admission. Meetings with HKUST’s President Tony F Chan, Secretary General of the Hong Kong Examinations Assessment Authority Dr Chong-sze Tong and other leading academics and experts presented excellent opportunities for participants to learn about the academic leaders’ visions and insights on university education.
Participants, in advance of their high-school peers, enjoyed the summer and university life in HKUST’s scenic campus. Each student could take a maximum of four courses in a summer and earn up to four university credits which, if the student joins HKUST as an undergraduate student in the future, could be counted towards his or her studies at HKUST.
Provost Prof Wei Shyy said, “HKUST is most delighted to offer our first Summer Institute for Secondary School Students with credit-bearing elective courses which prepare participants for university education in the future. Given early exposure to a wide array of knowledge during their high-school years, participants will gain inspiration regarding their future studies and development.”
“This innovative Summer Institute, with a broad range of enriching programs, has attracted enthusiastic response from local and overseas students,” said Prof Kar-yan Tam, HKUST Associate Provost and Dean of Students. “With students from different cultural backgrounds and walks of life, the Institute facilitates interactions which help participants broaden their horizons.”
HKUST’s School of Science offered five courses, covering physics, chemistry, calculus, game theory and life science. The School of Engineering provided 10 courses, encompassing robot fundamentals, electronics, the multimedia world, great structures in history, computer-aided drawing, electric vehicles, wind power for lighting, and environmental engineering. The School of Business and Management offered eight courses which covered the language of accounting, marketing, management, finance, price theory, information systems and decision-making skills. The School of Humanities and Social Science offered two courses on appreciation of western architecture, as well as modern Chinese history.
PROJECT LED BY
Prof Kar-yan Tam
Associate Provost and Dean of Students
Tel: 2358 8448
Email: kytam@ust.hk
