Introduction

The Joint PhD program aims to train students in original research in marine environmental science, and independent and innovative thinking that is essential for a successful research career. In particular, the collaborative effort provides students with opportunities to benefit from the research excellence shared between HKUST and Shenzhen University (SZU), as well as to cultivate outstanding science and technology talents to build a sustainable economy in China.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a certificate from SZU and a degree certificate from HKUST, with a special note to indicate that the degree was conferred through a joint program.

Program Duration

The intended duration of the program is normally 4 years. Each student is required to spend a minimum of 2 years at each university.

Curriculum

The curriculum is divided into two parts, one part at SZU and another at HKUST. Students are required to complete both parts for graduation.

HKUST Curriculum

Students must fulfill the designed program requirements, which include at least 12 credits of courses at HKUST and all the degree requirements of PhD degree program at HKUST. Please refer to http://oces.ust.hk/programs-pg-szu-hkust-joint-phd-mes for more information.

Supervision

Two supervisors―one from SZU and one from HKUST―will be assigned to each student.

Study Plan

•        Developed by a three-person group: The two co-supervisors and the student;

•        Stipulates the graduation requirements of both universities, including the curriculum and the research topic;

•        Includes the period of attendance at each university, arrangement of the qualifying examination, a brief description of the thesis research, courses to be taken at each university, credit transfer arrangement; and

•        Must be endorsed by the co-supervisors of SZU and HKUST before commencement of the study. Subsequent changes made to the study plan must be endorsed in writing by the relevant departments of both universities.

Medium of Instruction

All coursework, qualifying examination, thesis work, and thesis examination will be conducted in English.

Progress Assessment and Quality Assurance

The academic progress of students will be monitored by a Thesis Supervision Committee consisting of a minimum of 3 faculty members from both universities, including the 2 co-supervisors of the student and 1 faculty member from HKUST. Each student is required to submit an annual progress report at the end of each academic year for assessment by the Thesis Supervision Committee. A thesis in English together with an abstract in Chinese should be submitted after the completion of thesis research. An oral defense in English in front of a Thesis Examination Committee will be required.

Studentship and Scholarship

a. Studentship

Students will be awarded the studentship from SZU, the amount of which is equivalent to the postgraduate studentship for other HKUST research postgraduates during their residency in HKUST.

b. First-class Scholarship
Students may be awarded this Scholarship from SZU during their residency in SZU.

Studentship and scholarship may be suspended if a student fails in his/her interim or annual examination or has not made good progress in thesis work. Students who withdraw from the program of study without justifiable reasons will be required to fully refund the scholarship received during their residency in SZU.

Accommodation

Due to limited student accommodation at HKUST, students are required to arrange their own accommodation outside HKUST campus.

Intellectual Property

Published papers based on a student’s research work during the Joint PhD Program study should carry the names of both institutions. The first affiliation of the papers should be determined by the co-supervisors of the student. Ownership of Intellectual property created by students in the Joint PhD Program will be governed by the policy on ownership of intellectual property of the institution at which the student is in residence at the time the intellectual property is created.

In other situations where the demarcation of intellectual property rights cannot be clearly defined, an agreement should be reached between the co-supervisors and the student concerned before the student graduates.

(Please also refer to: http://oces.ust.hk/programs-pg-szu-hkust-joint-phd-mes for more information)