Stories from the Library – what's new and what's happening
Winter solstice is the time of year when the pole is tilted furthest away from the sun. In the northern hemisphere (where Hong Kong is located) our winter solstice is in December. In 2023, it will be Friday, December 22nd. In many cultures this time of year, with the shortest days and longest nights, are…
Part 1 discussed how students can fight monsters of anxiety about grades & GPA by laughing and learning with the Wisdom Stone Game. But, some carry around other fears. Since childhood, we’ve become familiar with the idea or cliché of corpses and skeletons coming to life. Others may fear living creatures like spiders or snakes….
Did you know that the little hill beside the North Gate bus stop has a name? It is called the Fung Shui Ridge! Do you know what its name, “Fung Shui”, means? Fung Shui (風水) is the traditional Chinese practice of arranging buildings and spaces. Even thousands of years ago, people understood the importance of…
We have received feedback about loud chatter and gaming, especially in the Learning Commons. To maintain a serene study space, we have increased patrols and added signage to remind everyone of our Library etiquette. Let’s work together to create a positive study environment for all! Keep Voices Low Remember, the Library is for studying,…
As the year closes, it is an opportune moment to reflect with humility on the year passed, and to look forward with hope to the year coming. I would like to attempt a brief review and preview about the Library’s work. 2024 In 2024, the Library team worked very hard to update and upgrade services…
You may notice that starting from May 6, 2025, a little owl-like icon appears on our Library homepage. This is our new HKUST Library Chatbot (beta)! It is now on a two-month pilot program until the end of June. Developed through our DS CoLab initiative—where students team up with the Library staff to explore digital…
In early 2011, dirt came to the Library Garden. Then in the Summer, came the plants. Including an odd-looking tree. The tree needed bamboo supports to survive the coming typhoons. The tree survived several severe typhoons, the first being just two days after being planted. And after falling over during a Signal 10 typhoon in…
I love bi-lingual puns! Today at the Idea Corner, I saw this witty commentary on yesterday’s weather. This is a play on the Cantonese name for HKUST: 香港科技大學 香[heung1]港[gong2]科[fo1]技[gei6]大[daai6]學[hok6] 科[fo1]技[gei6] = sounds like Foggy It made me chuckle. Today, it’s still a bit foggy, but beautiful. Let’s embrace the name 🙂 …
If you have ever been to one of the congregation ceremonies at HKUST, you might be wondering ─ what is that long stick the procession leader is carrying? A staff of some sort, perhaps, but what is it for? Despite its unconventional appearance, this is the University’s ceremonial mace. Most universities have a ceremonial mace…
As a staff member at the HKUST Library and a devoted fan of The Three-Body Problem since my student days, I never imagined that one day I would meet Liu Cixin (劉慈欣) in person, and right here at my workplace. From Ancient Maps to Galactic Orbits On October 18, HKUST held its Congregation 2025, awarding…
