Hong Kong society has made the improvement of its environment a high priority issue to ensure sound future development. HKUST wishes to contribute to this important task.

The formation of the Institute for Environmental Studies (IES) in 1993 has contributed to effective collaboration between those university departments actively engaged in environmental studies and government and industry in the solution of the many urgent environmental challenges facing Hong Kong and its surrounding region. Joint and cooperative work with government and academic institutions in China has also taken place and is expected to increase after Hong Kong's return to China on July 1, 1997.

The change of name to "Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development" in April 1997 is deliberate. It emphasizes that the philosophy of the Institute is to support development necessary for a growing populaton and an increasing standard of living, but to ensure as much as possible that such development is carried out in a "sustainable" way, that is, in harmony with our natural environment.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Development which meets the needs and aspirations of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987).

IESD does not have graduate programmes. Applicants for graduate studies in Environment should apply directly to the appropriate HKUST department, based on their undergraduate discipline.