 In
the coming years, HKUST will realize its unique institutional
commitment to the integration of technology, management
and entrepreneurship, aimed particularly at the creation
of value in the context of the development of Hong Kong
and the region around the Pearl River Delta. We emphasize
that while this builds on experience with more conventional
science, engineering and business disciplines, our vision
is to go much further: towards the education of a new
class of entrepreneurs and technologists. With this
vision as a centerpiece of its strategy, HKUST will
occupy a unique position in the higher education scene
in Hong Kong and in the world.
A number of steps have already been taken to further
this vision
- initiation of the Entrepreneurship Program to assist
faculty, staff and students in the establishment of
technology-based start-up companies
- creation and marketing of the successful Masters
of Technology Management programs both in Hong Kong
and Mainland China
- development of a dual degree program in Technology
and Management for gifted undergraduates
- beginning construction of the Enterprise Center,
which will provide key facilities support for further
development of these initiatives
Several of these innovations have already become trendsetters,
stimulating similar initiatives by other institutions
in Hong Kong and elsewhere. To go to the next level,
tighter integration of the relevant disciplines is in
order.
To achieve this, HKUST will establish a new School
to promote and develop the integration of its strengths
in technology, management and entrepreneurship. At the
heart of this new School will be a novel undergraduate
degree program in Innovation and Technology Management
(ITM). The program is designed to educate undergraduate
students with grounding in science, engineering and
management, and will lead to careers in a wide range
of business, finance and technology fields. The graduates
of the program will be in great demand for positions
in strategic planning, marketing, and management positions
in the manufacturing and technological industries; and
in investment banking and direct investments specializing
in new technology. The program will provide a rigorous
academic training, ensuring that graduates will also
be sought after by the best graduate schools.
The ITM graduates should aim to be leaders in their
fields. They will learn to be integrative in their approach
to solving real world problems, and possess strong communication
skills. They will also develop the cultural sensitivities
to work in a multi-cultural environment.
To achieve these ends, the curriculum will be multi-disciplinary,
involving foundation courses in the basic sciences and
courses in several technology areas:
- Electronics, Communications and Information Technology
- Chemicals and Materials
- Health and Pharmaceuticals
- Energy and Environment
 The
business aspects of the program will supplement the
core management courses with focus on financing and
marketing of new technology, intellectual property management,
entrepreneurship and human resource management in the
technological sector. Case study and other problem-based
learning approaches will be widely used in the ITM program,
making maximum use of collaboration with business and
industry. Student exchange programs and internships
will be an integral part of the curriculum. It is also
possible that the program will be a focus of a residential
living and learning unit.
The School will also develop a strong research postgraduate
program that will be a leader in the research on innovations
and technology management and commercialization of technology.
The research output will be valuable in supporting the
teaching in the undergraduate program.
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