Effective collaboration within a university in interdisciplinary fields is an important challenge. HKUST departments and staff with a direct major interest in environmental studies include the following:

• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Civil and Structural Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

At present, about 50 faculty members, called IESD Affiliates, in the participating departments and in the Institute carry out environmental research. In addition, staff from other departments, including Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Finance and Economics and the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, also work on environmental projects.

To allow us to contribute beyond the sphere of academic research and education in the environmental field, we need government's and industry's help to provide opportunities for our staff and students to become directly involved in environmental projects. Practical collaboration between `town and gown' is the key to success of the Institute.

While individual departments and their staff may develop links with industry and government organizations themselves, the Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development is HKUST's focal point for coordinating technical and administrative aspects of major interdiciplinary environmental research activities.