The Faculty of Engineering celebrated the official opening of the MSc Student Commons, marking a new milestone in enhancing support for taught postgraduate (TPG) students of HKU Engineering. Located on the 6th and 8th floors of Pacific Plaza, the Commons officially opened on 11 February 2026, welcoming faculty members, alumni, student representatives, and guests to an evening of celebration, connection, and inspiration.
The Grand Opening commenced with welcome remarks delivered by the Dean of Engineering, Professor David Srolovitz, who characterised the Commons as a “think tank” that enables students to generate innovative ideas, sustain academic momentum, and cultivate substantive professional networks.
Mrs Cherry Tse Ling Kit-ching, GBS, JP, Executive Vice-President (Administration & Finance) of HKU, delivered the opening remarks. She underscored the importance of creating shared spaces that foster meaningful interactions within the University community: “The most important thing is to nurture the leaders of the future, people who contribute to the community and to the industry. And without creating space for students to mingle — with their faculty members and with each other — you cannot truly nurture future leaders”. Her words resonated strongly with the event’s central theme: that physical spaces play an essential role in shaping academic culture and student development.
Professor S. C. Chan, Associate Dean (Masters) of HKU Engineering and Professor of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (HKUECE), expressed appreciation to all teams involved in the project and reiterated that the Commons will further empower students to meet, study, and collaborate effectively.
The opening of the MSc Student Commons reinforces the Faculty’s continued investment in supporting the rapidly expanding TPG community and enriching the postgraduate journey, strengthening HKU’s engineering education ecosystem. Designed under the motto “Meet, Study, Collab”, the MSc Student Commons provides flexible workspaces, modern facilities, and panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, offering students a conducive environment for academic pursuits, interdisciplinary dialogue, and community building.
For enquiries, please contact enggmsc-commons@hku.hk.
Source from the Faculty website: https://engg.hku.hk/News-Events/News/issue/2026-02#8732