Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering Celebrated its 30th Anniversary

23 June 2023

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) commemorated its 30th anniversary by hosting a three-day international conference and a Welcoming cum Alumni Homecoming Dinner in June, drawing more than 200 participants in each event.

Centering on the theme of “Future Research and Education in Chemical and Biological Engineering”, the CBE 30th Anniversary Conference held on June 12-14 at the HKUST Shaw Auditorium brought together world-renowned experts in chemical and biological engineering, faculty, students and alumni. The conference was kick-started by a gala in the morning of the first day, where HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP and Provost Prof. GUO Yike delivered congratulatory speeches and CBE Department Head Prof. HSING I-Ming gave welcoming remarks.

“The conference aims to facilitate collaboration by connecting students, faculty, alumni, and industrial participants to the local, Greater Bay Area, and international community. In addition, this conference represents a symbolic milestone as we unveil the exciting opening of our Guangzhou campus. This expansion displays our relentless efforts to contribute to the development of sustainability, energy, healthcare, and more to our community, and the rest of the world,” said Prof. Hsing in his remarks.

The three-day program featured a total of 44 talks, including five plenary presentations and 15 keynote invited talks, by prominent academics from leading institutions in Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mainland China, Singapore, Taiwan, United Kingdom and United States. The talks centered on five themes: sustainable energy and advanced materials; smart biosensors and bioimaging; data science in chemical and biological engineering; synthetic biology and biomolecular engineering; and advanced manufacturing and processing.

In the plenary sessions, HKUST Provost Prof. GUO Yike, also Chair Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, spoke on “An AI-based CBE: From a Computing Scientist Perspective”; Prof. Jay LEE, Choong Hoon Cho Chair and Professor of the Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Southern California, addressed “Role of Process Systems Engineering in Decarbonization and Energy Transition”; Prof. LIU Bin, Deputy President (Research and Technology) at the National University of Singapore, shared her insights on “Accelerating Biomedical Research through AIEgen Innovation”; Prof. SHEN Youqing, Dean of the College of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Zhejiang University, discussed “Anticancer Nanomedicine: Rational Design and Clinical Translation”; and CBE departmental faculty Prof. YEUNG King-Lun gave a presentation on “Smart Technologies for a Sustainable and Healthier Living Environment”.

The Welcoming cum Alumni Homecoming Dinner, held on the first evening of the conference on June 12, enabled guests, faculty, and alumni to reminisce about past times, establish new bonds, and look forward to the achievements ahead. The joyous occasion was addressed by the Dean of Engineering Prof. Hong K. LO and Department Head Prof. HSING I-Ming. Talented students from the CBE Department, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, and Division of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas entertained the audience with performances of trombone, piano, violin, vocal ensemble, and even yo-yo.

Established in 1993 – two years after HKUST’s founding – as the Department of Chemical Engineering, the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering has been instrumental in advancing knowledge in chemical, biological, environmental and energy engineering, and has played a crucial role in training the next generation of engineers and researchers. Its founding mission 30 years ago is just as relevant now, 30 years later.

The 30th anniversary celebrations not only honor the past achievements of the department, but also testify to its bright future. Amid the celebrations, there is a palpable sense of pride and optimism for what lies ahead. As the department enters its fourth decade, it remains committed to fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. The CBE Department is poised to make even greater strides in the years to come.

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering Celebrated its 30th Anniversary

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