HKUST Alumni A journey back in time Harking back to HKUST days, it is clear that Jack is a living mascot for the University. “I had some of the most amazing experiences at HKUST. I am probably the only person who had so many di#erent roles, which include PhD and EMBA student, Professor, Council Member, and CEO of the "rst HKUST spin-o# to go IPO on the main board in Hong Kong,” he says. Jack also has demonstrated his passion as a pioneer donor of the Alumni Endowment Fund (AEF), also getting initially known for setting up Perception Digital Limited, under HKUST’s Entrepreneurship Program, along with two other HKUST professors. “I just keep looking for opportunities which allow me to be completely absorbed in that task. When I was younger, of course I had more dreams. Now, I just want to be helpful to whoever I can help and enjoy every step of the way,” he says. It all started from very humble beginnings as a youngster in California, interested in making model boats and being a “huge Star Wars fan”. He studied Engineering at UC Berkeley, moving to Hong Kong and becoming fully immersed in the HKUST community. “When I "rst arrived in Hong Kong, the campus was not "nished yet, and yes, they call me the University’s ‘"rst PhD’, which is a great honor,” he says. FEATURE The path less taken Jack Lau’s (1994 PhD(ELEC)/2010 EMBA) journey is nothing short of extraordinary. In his career, the President of the Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) has traversed the worlds of entrepreneurship and academics. Describing his path as “surreal, rewarding, and full of joy,” he has been a HKUST Adjunct Professor in Electronic and Computer Engineering and an Honorary Fellow; all while serving on boards including the HKEX and several for the HKSAR Government. His current role sees him at the head of QSTP, which has the mission to create a comprehensive platform for nurturing and growing tech enterprises in Qatar and placing the country at the forefront of scienti"c research and tech, generating global impact for the Park. Comprising nearly 500,000 square feet of o%ces, laboratories and business facilities on 120 hectares of land, QSTP is currently home to more than 40 multinational companies, including General Electric, Microsoft and Siemens, to name a few. Jack is responsible for driving the development of products and services, commercializing market-ready technologies, and helping Qatar diversify. 6 7 The Qatari adventure Jack’s career is full of adventurous and unconventional turns – his stint at QSTP began in February 2024, a role which he describes as being an enriching experience, with unique challenges and rewards. “Building an innovation hub here involves navigating cultural and economic dynamics that di#er from other markets.” It all started from a chance encounter. An impromptu stopover in Doha was initiated by a friend who asked Jack to a talk on innovation and entrepreneurship. The sell-out lecture at the Hamad bin Khalifa University in Doha altered his career and led to him taking on what many people felt to be a surprising role, particularly as he has become the "rst non-Qatari to helm QSTP in its two-decade existence. The job is somewhat di#erent from his previous engagements, and while Hong Kong has a more mature and established "nancial center, Qatar is diversifying in technology and innovation, so there are synergies between the two cities. “There are growing links between Hong Kong and Qatar, especially in "nance and investment. Through my role, I encourage collaboration by fostering partnerships and knowledge exchange,” he says. From Gulf States to further a"eld such as Armenia, Uzbekistan and beyond, QSTP has expanded and focused on new markets and innovation. As Hong Kong and HKUST develop, students and young people will be playing a greater role in delivering new excitement to the Hong Kong market. Jack believes that it is crucial for them to be “curious, observant, bold and want to change things, with the grit to see things through.” Gazing into the future When asked what his career goals are for the future, Jack stresses the importance of “enjoying every opportunity when it comes.” Ultimately, he says his life goal is simply to be useful and in service of others. “I don’t think I ever have a career goal. Look at my own career. People often think that I am crazy – eccentric, Engineer, Professor, CEO, Public Services, and now in the Middle East,” he adds. When I was younger, of course I had more dreams. Now, I just want to be helpful to whoever I can help and enjoy every step of the way.
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