HKUST(GZ) Undergraduate Teaching Lab is officially open

On March 8, 2024, the opening ceremony of the Undergraduate Teaching Lab at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) was held with great solemnity. The event was organized by the UG Teaching Labs of the College of Education Sciences.

Attending the ceremony were Professor Lionel M. NI, President of HKUST(GZ); Professor Shaobing QU, Party Secretary; Professor Jingshen WU, Vice-President (Teaching & Learning); Professor Kaishun WU, Associate Vice-President (Research); Professor Hui XIONG, Associate Vice-President (Knowledge Transfer) and Thrust Head of the Artificial Intelligence; Professor Ricky Shi-Wei LEE, Dean of the Systems Hub; Professor Shuncheng LEE, Acting Thrust Head of the Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences; Professor Huihe QIU, Thrust Head of the Sustainable Energy and Environment; Professor Zhong QI, Thrust Head of the Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering; and Professor Kai TANG, Thrust Head of the Smart Manufacturing. The ceremony was presided over by Professor Yang YANG, Associate Vice-President (Teaching & Learning) and Dean of the College of Education Sciences.

At the beginning of the ceremony, President Lionel M. NI delivered a speech. He emphasized the importance of laboratory construction for the development of the university and the cultivation of talents. The university prioritizes the placement of classrooms and laboratories on the second floor, connected by corridors, to facilitate communication between teachers and students. He pointed out that the design of classrooms and laboratories requires meticulous attention to detail to enhance the efficiency of interaction between teachers and students. President NI also highlighted that the cultivation of practical skills is an essential part of talent development. The official open of the Undergraduate Teaching Lab signifies a solid step forward for the university in practical teaching and the development of students' research capabilities.

Secretary Shaobing QU pointed out that undergraduate education at HKUST(GZ) is truly built "from the roots," emphasizing innovation and reform in teaching design and educational philosophy. He emphasized the need to build a comprehensive educational system that not only looks ahead but also has deep roots, with the Undergraduate Teaching Lab being an important component of this foundation.

In his speech, the Vice-President (Teaching & Learning), Professor Jingshen WU reviewed the bits and pieces in the construction of undergraduate programs of the university and emphasized the importance of undergraduate education. In his speech, he thanked all the relevant departments of the university for their great support to teaching and the construction of Undergraduate Teaching Lab, and congratulated the inauguration of the new labs.

At the end of the speeches, the university leaders took the stage to cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Undergraduate Teaching Lab. After the ceremony, the university leaders and guests visited the lab accompanied by Professor Yang YANG.

Introduction to Undergraduate Teaching Lab (Phase I)

The first phase of undergraduate teaching labs totaled 660 square meters and contained two physics labs, two chemistry labs, two biology labs, a technician's office, a storage room, and a laundry room.

The design of the laboratory takes into full consideration of the coordination and unity of students, teachers and management personnel, making the use of the laboratory more efficient and convenient. The use of BIM (Building Information Modeling) in the design process has greatly shortened the construction period of the laboratory under complex conditions. At the same time, the use of digital twin technology will also provide more convenience for the management and operation of the laboratory.

The Undergraduate Teaching Labs combine the intelligence and comfort of smart classrooms with the experimental investigation functions of traditional laboratories while ensuring the integrity and safety of laboratory functions, allowing students to enjoy the fun of experimental investigation in them.

In addition, the labs are marked with theme colors, the lab tables, reagent racks, landmarks, etc. are in eye-catching colors, and the instruments and equipment, buttons, switches, and gas piping in the labs have clear markings, which makes the layout of the labs clearer and safer and more standardized for use.