The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has achieved a historic milestone by welcoming over 1,000 recipients of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) since the program's inception in 2009. This achievement solidifies HKUST's position as the leading destination for HKPFS awardees among Hong Kong's University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities, attracting elite scholars from over 50 countries and regions.
In the 2026/27 academic year, HKUST admitted more than 100 new HKPFS recipients, who will collectively receive over HK$112 million in fellowships and research allowances from the HKSAR Government over the next three years. This influx of talent is a testament to HKUST's world-class research capabilities and its commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators. The university has secured the highest number of HKPFS awardees among local universities for 14 of the past 17 years, reflecting its consistent appeal to top-tier doctoral students.
The significance of this achievement extends beyond institutional pride. As Hong Kong strives to become an international hub for high-caliber talent, post-secondary education, and innovation, HKUST plays a pivotal role in attracting global research talent. The presence of over 1,000 fellowship recipients, who represent more than a quarter of all HKPFS awardees, underscores the university's contribution to the city's intellectual capital and its competitiveness on the world stage. According to the Research Grants Council, the HKPFS was established to attract outstanding students with exceptional academic achievements and research potential to pursue postgraduate studies in Hong Kong. The scheme's expansion to 400 fellowships per year, as announced in the 2025-26 Budget, reflects the government's commitment to bolstering research capacity.
HKUST's President, Prof. Nancy Ip, highlighted the university's dedication to advancing knowledge with meaningful impact. She noted that over the past 17 years, more than a thousand outstanding students from around the world have chosen HKUST for their postgraduate research, enriching the community with diverse perspectives and affirming the global recognition of its research excellence. Prof. Ip emphasized the university's ongoing efforts to attract talent, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and support young scholars in tackling pressing global challenges.
Beyond the HKPFS, HKUST offers a comprehensive support package to its fellowship recipients, including a full tuition waiver for four years, research and academic development funding, and guaranteed first-year accommodation. This holistic support enables students to focus on their research and expand their international academic networks. The university also provides various scholarships and support schemes for other research postgraduate students, such as the Postgraduate Studentship and the Global Research Award, ensuring that all doctoral students have access to resources for academic development and overseas exchanges.
The research domains pursued by HKPFS recipients at HKUST span frontier areas, including artificial intelligence, biomedical sciences, materials science, business innovation, and sustainability. These scholars engage in cutting-edge research that contributes to Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem. Prof. Bert Shi, Dean of HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School, noted the diverse backgrounds of the fellowship recipients, which create a vibrant scholarly community. Graduates from HKUST's doctoral programs go on to pursue careers in academia, research institutions, and entrepreneurial ventures, with many startups securing support from government and industry partners.
This milestone not only highlights HKUST's leadership in graduate education but also reinforces its role in advancing Hong Kong's development as a global hub for high-caliber talent and innovation. As the city continues to invest in research and development, the influx of top-tier scholars will be instrumental in driving scientific breakthroughs and economic growth.
