In 2025, we are thrilled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of UROP. Over the past decade, UROP has introduced numerous exciting developments. In Spring 2015, we launched the UROP Faculty Research Award to honor the supervising teams of our student awardees. This was followed by the UROP Best Poster Award in Spring 2017, recognizing outstanding poster presentations. In Spring 2022, we enhanced flexibility for our students by allowing them to engage in a different project offered by the same faculty supervisor and advance to a higher UROP course level. That summer, we mandated that supervising faculty members be physically present on the HKUST Clear Water Bay campus for UROP supervision and to be eligible for applications for the UROP Support Grant, ensuring sufficient faculty–student interactions. To further enrich their research knowledge, we required all our UROP students to complete an online training course on "Responsible Conduct of Research" (RCR) at the start of each semester, beginning in Spring 2023. Additionally, we piloted a new course, UROP 3200, which featured our inaugural UROP Mini-Conference in Summer 2023. In Fall 2023, to ensure that research projects offered under UROP complied with University standards and regulations, we established a requirement for UROP supervisors to make formal declarations regarding ethics and safety in the UROP online system. Meanwhile, the Best UROP Mini-conference Paper Award was created to recognize exceptional UROP 3200 projects. In Spring 2024, we were proud to receive a generous donation from Kerry Holdings Limited, leading to the renaming of the UROP Award as the Kerry Holdings Limited UROP Award. To further acknowledge the achievements of UROP 3200 students, we introduced finalist awards for our UROP Mini-Conference. In Summer 2024, we relaxed the requirements of cumulative grade average to encourage broader student participation. By Fall 2024, UROP 3200 was officially listed as a common core course, and students could earn three credits under the UxOP by taking two regular UROP courses together with UROP 3200. Looking ahead, we anticipate more promising developments. In response to growing student demand for UROP 3200, we will increase the quota from 20 to 30 in Spring 2026, allowing more students to enjoy the mini-conference experience while conducting research alongside their supervisors. The success of UROP relies on the continued support and involvement of our wonderful students and supervisors. We hope our students will reap the benefits of their UROP experiences long after graduation. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey! I am thrilled to present the annual e-proceedings showcasing the remarkable projects undertaken by our UROP students during the academic year 2024–25. This collection of abstracts is a testament to the hard work, creativity, and intellectual curiosity that our students have displayed throughout the year. At HKUST, we are committed to fostering a vibrant research culture that empowers our students to explore their passions and develop as independent researchers. Through programs such as UROP, we provide invaluable opportunities for our students to engage in hands-on research, collaborate with faculty members, and contribute to advancements in their respective fields. We firmly believe that nurturing a research oriented mindset is essential for our students’ growth, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their future endeavors. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to our faculty supervisors, whose mentorship is the cornerstone of UROP's success. Their expertise and enthusiasm inspire our students to push boundaries and achieve excellence. Without their commitment, these transformative experiences would not be possible. I am particularly excited to learn that UROP 3200, the new common core course offered under the Undergraduate experiential Opportunities Program (UxOP) in the Fall of 2024–25, has attracted significant student interest and applications. As we celebrate the achievements of our UROP students and anticipate the continued growth of our research community, I encourage all students to embrace the research opportunities available to them. Together, we can cultivate a spirit of inquiry and innovation that will define the future of research at HKUST. I hope you enjoy exploring the innovative work of our talented students! Message from the Program Director Message from the President Prof. Raymond WONG Program Director of UROP HKUST Prof. Nancy IP President HKUST i ii
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