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Personal Statement:
This is CAO Xiangyunong, a third-year PhD (AES) student and MPhil (AES) Alumni. With a deep sense of belonging and an understanding of our university's culture and challenges, I am running to be your voice on the University Council.
During my tenure as Exco (New Media) and IVP of MSSS, I took an active role in writing guidelines for freshmen related to UST life, and organized many activities, including orientation sessions, career workshops, and cultural exchange events to enrich student life. As a core member of the HKUST Flag Guard Team, I was instrumental not only in disciplined training and the execution of ceremonies, but also in team building and outreach. Each flawlessly executed event deepens my sense of honor and responsibility towards the university, demonstrating the true meaning of the HKUST Can-do spirit. As an RPG student, I also benefited from the academic resources, including access to subscribed journals and databases, laboratory facilities, and financial support for attending academic conferences; these resources have been fundamental to my academic journey.
I have gained knowledge, friendships, and valuable experience at HKUST, which motivates me to contribute back to the community. Through interactions with students from diverse cultural backgrounds (UG/PG, MTM/local/international), I have gained a better understanding of students' opinions and needs.
From my observations, many students in recent years felt a sense of loss due to the lack of campus culture, and the disconnect between HKUST's progress and their personal experiences has led to frustration. The employment data released by Career Center looks impressive, but students (especially TPG students) still struggle to balance their studies with job hunting. While the university promotes a vibrant student life, there remains a chronic shortage of student housing (the new UG hall 11-13 are still not operational), and sports skill classes are always oversubscribed. HKUST boasts impressive research achievements, but many RPG students report psychological stress in their relationships with their supervisors (especially related to funding issues).
Beyond these, there are many common reported problems, such as hygiene issues in canteens, overcrowding on shuttle buses, and frequent outages of the eduroam network. More concerning than these problems themselves is the fact that, as the most frequent users of facilities and the biggest stakeholders in the university, students' suggestions and opinions on these issues are not given enough attention.
"Change never comes easily, but it begins with us." If elected, I am committed to gathering and amplifying the voices of my fellow students. I will translate the students' opinions into specific demands and meet with relevant departments (DSTO, FYTGS, etc.) to understand their perspectives and available resources. Based on this, I will strive to propose constructive and feasible improvement measures, ultimately aiming to present these proposals to the University Council, or potentially through resolution at the departmental or school level.
I'm ready to listen, learn, and work for every one of you. Thank you for your consideration, and I would be honored to earn your vote and your trust.
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Personal Statement:
As a candidate in this election, I stand for one simple principle: Empower fellow students. In
the post-pandemic era, the state of social engagement among students leaves much to be
desired. The restrictions on participating in public and university affairs in the name of public
health are long gone, but so is students' enthusiasm in getting involved. While this situation
is due in no small part to the general social climate of Hong Kong, our university surely could
have taken a more active role in promoting the culture of student participation. As future
leaders of the society, students in HKUST deserve the opportunity to be empowered and
prepared to take on this responsibility. Serving in leadership roles in several youth
organisations, it is my belief that youth empowerment can be made possible only when the
young people can see that their voices are heard and that their contributions can bring impact.
If I am given the chance to serve on the Council, I will spare no efforts in making sure the
voice of our students are clearly heard and all decisions are made with students' benefits in
mind, which will undoubtedly benefit both our institution and the greater society.
If elected, I promise to:
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Initiate Town Hall Meetings
Hold regular town hall-style meetings together with school officials to collect student
opinions so as to foster direct communication and transparency.
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Gather Support for Student Organizations
Advocate for increased support for student organizations in HKUST, including
integrating relevant student-led activities into the HMAW 1905 recognized events.
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Seek Solutions to Academic Stress
Push reforms on grading policies and other controversial academic issues that
contribute to the alarming stress students experience.
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Raise Mental Health Awareness
Promote campaigns that focus on de-stigmatization of mental health issues and
expand the availability of counseling services.
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Tackle Student Housing Issues
Encourage the collaboration between the university and real estate developers to
provide affordable off-campus housing options for students.
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Foster Collaboration with HKUST (GZ)
Offers educational and cultural exchange opportunities to students from both
campuses.
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Monitor Resource Allocation for Non-Local Students
Ensure that both local and non-local students are given proportional resources and that
campus facilities can support the demand from the increasing amount of overseas
students.
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Personal Statement:
My name is Xiaoqi LIN, a second-year Ph.D. student in Marine Environmental Science and the elected Student President of the HKUST Graduate Students and Alumni Association (GSAA). It is with a profound sense of commitment and responsibility that I declare my candidacy for the position of Student Member of the Council. My dual experience as a researcher and leader has provided me with a unique skill set and a clear vision to effectively represent student interests and advocate for meaningful, positive change across our university community.
Election Slogan:
"Connect, Empower, Promote: For a Better HKUST!"
My Background and Strengths:
As Student President of the GSAA, I have organized initiatives focused on academic growth, career development, and community engagement. This role has deepened my understanding of student needs and enhanced my ability to listen, synthesize diverse opinions, and achieve tangible outcomes. My research background has trained me in systematic problem-solving and collaborative action. As a Ph.D. student, I am ready to dedicate the time and energy required for sustained service.
Key Initiatives and Action Plan
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Safeguarding Student Rights, Safety and Interests
To cultivate a safer and more supportive campus environment, I will be devoted for a direct, real-time reporting channel that connects students with relevant university departments, ensuring swift assistance during emergencies and fraudulent incidents, complemented by regular scam alerts disseminated through official platforms. To improve daily student life, I will drive for a transparent canteen evaluation mechanism where vendor selection is directly informed by structured student feedback and will work to expand automated retail services across campus for easier access to daily necessities. I am committed to broadening scholarship opportunities and endorsing for equitable accommodation policies to ensure all students have the resources and support they need to thrive.
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Streamlining University Communication and Academic Processes
I will advocate for an intelligent email triage system to categorize messages by urgency and topic, significantly improving clarity. This initiative will be supported by a centralized university platform for essential announcements, enabling students to access critical information quickly and efficiently. Meanwhile, I will champion the simplified course selection, ensure clarity in the process, and accommodate specific guidance hence students can enroll with confidence and clarity.
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Enhancing Student-Alumni Connections
I will institutionalize regular dissemination of alumni information, event notices and professional opportunities through accessible University platforms. I will also facilitate structured collaboration between recent graduates and student organizations to expand mentorship and career support for all students.
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Enriching Student Life and Mental Well-being
I will campaign for more counseling resources with shorter wait times, well-being workshops, and peer-support programs to encourage early help-seeking. I also support more diverse extracurricular activities to strengthen social connections and holistic wellness.
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Strengthening Inclusivity and Diversity
I will promote programs that unite students from various backgrounds in social, professional, and academic settings to foster belonging, mutual respect, and constructive conversation.
I humbly ask for your vote. This comprehensive plan is dedicated to building a more responsive, supportive, and inclusive campus for everyone!
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Personal Statement:
As a second-year student in the School of Business and Management, I am driven by a deep commitment to the well-being and future of our student community. My time at HKUST has been defined by its vibrant academic environment and strong sense of community-values I am determined to protect and enhance. In my role as a Business Student Ambassador and through my participation in numerous case competitions, I have not only represented the university but have also learned to listen intently, analyze complex problems, and collaborate on effective solutions. These experiences have connected me to the hopes and concerns of my peers, solidifying my resolve to advocate for positive, tangible change.
I am running for the University Council because I see the current challenges we face today require urgent solutions. Our university is at a pivotal moment. The increasing student population is a testament to our success, but it places a significant strain on our resources that requires immediate and strategic action. This strain is not an abstract issue; it is felt in the lack of dormitories, in diminished one-on-one time with our esteemed professors, and in the daily anxieties faced by students.
A primary concern is the critical shortage of dormitory spaces, which directly impacts student life and academic focus. The uncertainty of securing accommodation creates unnecessary stress and weakens the fabric of our campus community. I will strive to accelerate the construction schedule for new dormitories and will strongly advocate for greater transparency from the university, including a clear, publicly communicated timeline for these vital projects.
Furthermore, as our university expands, we cannot allow the quality of our world-class education to be diluted. I am firmly committed to ensuring the university hires more teaching staff to maintain an ideal student-to-professor ratio. This is essential for preserving the interactive seminars, personalized feedback, and meaningful mentorship opportunities that define the HKUST academic experience. This principle of proportional growth must also apply across all university resources. I will diligently monitor the university's budget and resource allocation to guarantee that essential services-from academic support and library facilities to athletic centers and mental health counseling-are properly scaled to meet the needs of our growing student body, ensuring well-being is treated as a prerequisite for success.
If elected, I pledge to be a dedicated, transparent, and approachable representative. I will work constructively and relentlessly within the Council to address these pressing needs. My commitment is to ensure our collective voice is not just a passive consideration, but an active and central force in the university's decision-making process. I ask for your trust and your vote to build a better, more supportive community together.
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