Under the University Charter, HKUST(GZ) sets up its Senate in accordance with regulations and laws in Mainland China. The HKUST(GZ) Senate has the supreme academic power and will review the compliance of educational programs, decide and manage course offerings, education, research and examinations, and manage degree programs offered by HKUST(GZ), including admissions and course-taking of students.

Senates of HKUST and HKUST(GZ) will establish cooperation relationship with each other and establish joint academic consultative mechanism to ensure two-way interaction and maintain quality of teaching and research.

Terms of Reference

1. The responsibilities of the Senate are as follows:
   • Review the compliance of educational programs;
   • Decide and manage course offerings, education, research and examinations;
   • Manage degree programs offered by HKUST(GZ), including admissions and course-taking of students;
   • Set regulations and management protocols related to teaching, research, and examinations;
   • Approve recommendations by Academic Registrar on the conferment of HKUST(GZ) degrees, certificates, and non-degree qualifications;
   • Report to the Governing Board on academic matters;
   • Devise or adjust proposals regarding the organization of academic units and allocation of courses, and make recommendations to the Governing Board on the setup, cancellation, merger, or split of academic units;
   • Exercise other powers delegated by the Governing Board and follow such other requirements under the Regulations for Academic Committee in Higher Education Institutions.
2. The HKUST(GZ) Senate shall establish joint academic consultative mechanism with the Senate of HKUST. The joint consultative mechanism facilitates the two campuses in discussing and reaching clear consensus on HKUST(GZ)’s curriculum as well as teaching and learning quality. It also enables the two campuses to oversee the quality of degrees, diplomas, certificates, and other qualifications conferred by HKUST(GZ), so as to ensure quality of teaching and research.
3. With regard to HKUST degree conferral, HKUST(GZ) will vet students who have completed approved courses and satisfied degree requirements, after which HKUST(GZ) Senate will submit the list of students recommended for conferral of HKUST degrees to HKUST Senate for consideration. If the Senate of HKUST so approves, HKUST may confer its degrees upon students who meet HKUST’s degree requirements.
4. The Senate may determine its own procedures, subject to the Charter of HKUST(GZ).
5. The Senate shall meet at least once in each term or semester of every academic year, and additionally at any time at the direction of the Chairman or on the written request of any 10 members of the Senate.
6. The quorum of the Senate shall be the smallest number which is not less than 50% of the number of members for the time being.
7. The Secretary will be appointed by the Chairman.
   • Student members of the Senate, and of such committees and other bodies as the Senate may establish, shall not be entitled to participate in that part of meetings which are reserved areas of business nor to see papers or any other documents relating thereto. 
   • The reserved areas of business are:
     • matters affecting the appointment, promotion and other affairs relating to academics and other members of the School staff as individuals;
     • matters affecting the admission and academic assessment of students as individuals;
     • any other matters of a like or different nature considered by the Chairman to be reserved areas of business.

The Chairman of the Senate, or the Chairman of the Committee or other body established by the Senate, as the case may be, may decide in any case of doubt whether or not a matter falls within one of the reserved areas of business and her/his decision shall be final.

Membership composition

1. The Senate shall consist of:
   • the President, who shall also be Chairman;
   • the Vice-Presidents;
   • the Deans of Hubs;
   • the Heads of Thrusts or other equivalent academic units;
   • the Academic Registrar;
   • the Director of Library;
   • the Dean of Students;
   • two other academic staff members from each Hub who are full-time employees of HKUST(GZ), and who shall be elected by the full-time academic staff members of the respective Hubs, provided that during such time as the number of thrusts or other equivalent academic units in any Hub shall be less than two, the number of appointees in respect of that Hub under this provision shall be the same as the number of thrusts or other equivalent academic units for the time being;
   • two other academic staff members who are full-time employees of HKUST(GZ) and who shall be selected through call for self-nomination by the Chairman of the Senate;
   • two postgraduate students who shall be registered full-time students at HKUST(GZ), one each respectively from PhD and MPhil program, selected through call for self-nomination by the Dean of Students; and
   • one undergraduate student who shall be registered full-time student at HKUST(GZ), selected through call for self-nomination by the Dean of Students.
2. The Senate shall have the power to co-opt further full-time academic staff members of HKUST(GZ) to serve for such periods as the Senate may determine.
3. Members of the Senate elected under paragraphs 1(h) shall hold office for 2 years from the date of their selection and shall be eligible for re-election.
4. Members of the Senate selected under paragraphs 1(i) shall hold office for 2 years from the date of their selection and shall be eligible for reappointment.
5. Members of the Senate selected under paragraphs 1(j) and 1(k) shall hold office for 1 year from 1 July till 30 June the following year and shall be eligible for reappointment. The selection will be managed by the Dean of Students and convened in each Spring Semester.
6. In the event that any casual vacancy shall occur, the Senate shall have power to fill the same, and any such member so appointed shall hold office for the balance of the term of the appointee whom s/he is replacing and shall be eligible for re-election.
7. No person shall be eligible for membership of the Senate in more than one capacity.