MPhil in Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TIE)

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is committed to fostering the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, and has incubated over 1,700 active start-ups, including 10 unicorns and 11 listed companies, creating more than HK$400 billion of economic benefits for the community, and nurturing tens of thousands of innovative talents rooted in a wide range of industries. Today, Clear Water Bay has become a cradle of technology innovations with rich resources and a strong eco-system. 

The Master of Philosophy in Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TIE) is a major attempt by HKUST to reshape the education system and make the school a real driving force for continuous innovation in society after 30 years of focus on education. The entire training model will be transformed from the traditional model to a problem-oriented, multidisciplinary, project-based learning model, designed for innovators and entrepreneurs who aspire to take the lead in the deep technology field.

The program provides a comprehensive new engineering education experience, combining in-depth technical knowledge with necessary entrepreneurial skills. Students will work in dynamic teams, participate in rigorous research training, and gain valuable industry experience opportunities. Each student must complete a thesis independently under the guidance of faculty members and collaborate on team projects that combine theoretical insights with practical applications. If you have a solid foundation in science and engineering, a courageous entrepreneurial spirit, a good team spirit, and a desire to learn interdisciplinary thinking, come and apply!

Educational Objectives

 

The TIE program encapsulates HKUST’s accumulated experience in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship and propels students to the forefront of technological advancement and enterprise creation. TIE has three key features: 

  • A research-driven entrepreneurship education
    • This approach ensures graduates are well-equipped to be technical experts in specific areas and are able to originate solutions and overcome technical barriers of complex problems.
  • A research-to-industry ecosystem
    • A synergistic ecosystem linking students with industry practitioners, investors, and other relevant stakeholders to offer practical experience in commercializing original research outcomes to resolve real-life challenges.
  • Collaborative learning and personalized research endeavours
    • TIE promotes teamwork and individual research contribution. Students will pursue individual thesis topics linked to a prototype/service developed by their team.
Curriculum and Learning Outcomes

 

Students are required to take a total of 12 credits of coursework (including 6 credits of core courses, i.e. Design Thinking, Entrepreneurial Literacy, and 6 credits of elective courses), to fulfill HKUST graduation requirements, and complete individual thesis research. Besides the required courses, students will be equipped with Graduate Teaching Assistant Training, Professional Development Courses, and Language courses for full-person development. The detailed curriculum can be found in the Program Catalog. 

Besides the required courses, Industrial Engagement Workshops, Field Trips & Exhibitions, as well as Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Seminar will be provided. 

Students in teams of 4 to 5 will collaboratively develop a product prototype or service throughout the program, and conduct a product demonstration. Each team will be assigned a prime supervisor and include additional supervisors based on the specialized expertise or guidance necessary from faculty members.

Students are required to complete an individual thesis related to the group-based product prototype or service they worked on.

The 2-year program journey and milestones are illustrated as above. On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

  1. Tackle challenges of technology innovation in a real context
  2. Diversify market sense.
  3. Converge resources to integrate supply chains and industry pain points.
  4. Possess outstanding technical capabilities and leadership.
  5. Communicate effectively to do market research and form groups.
  6. Learn fast from changing scenarios and study interdisciplinarity.
  7. Implement products to fit the market need and maintain sustainability.
  8. Iterate products continuously and have the ability to commercialize.
Research Areas

 

Through the program study, candidates will establish a robust foundation in the following areas, a profound sense of curiosity, and an aptitude for learning are ideal for this program.

  • Marine Tech, Underwater Vision, Transport, Communications
  • Bio Health, Bio-inspired Design, [Tele] Medical Design, Wearable Healthcare Devices
  • AI Hardware, Edge AI
  • Low Energy System Design, Architectural Geometry, Sustainable Design
  • Design Theory, Innovative Design, Human-centred Design
  • Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM)
  • Computer Vision, Computer Graphics, Computation Design
  • Augmented Reality, Pervasive and Cloud Computing
  • System Designs, Embedded Systems
  • Microelectronics, Beyond 5G, IoT
  • Robotics Dynamics and Control, Systems Simulation and Modelling
Academic and Industrial Partners

 

The TIE MPhil program is designed to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world application. Our program collaborates with a diverse range of academic institutions and industrial partners to provide students with a comprehensive learning experience.

  • Academic Partners

Our academic partners include leading universities and research institutions, including UC Berkeley, Olin College of Engineering, Shenzhen InnoX Academy, etc. Collaborative research projects and joint seminars can foster an environment of innovation, encouraging students to engage with current trends and challenges in technology.

  • Industrial Partners

We also collaborate with various industrial partners, including HKSTP, HKCRC, XBot Park, etc. By working closely with industry leaders, students will gain practical experience and insights into the entrepreneurial landscape.

 

Application and Financial Assistance

 

TIE requires a period of two years of study in full-time mode. For details on admission requirements and the application process, please visit the Program Catalog.
Typically, all qualified students accepted to HKUST MPhil programs will receive postgraduate studentship (PGS) which carries financial assistance sufficient for an individual’s cost of living in Hong Kong. For detailed regulations, please visit the FYTGS webpage and Handbook for Research Postgraduate Studies for details.

 

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