Introduction

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is a dynamic, international research university, in relentless pursuit of excellence, leading the advancement of science, technology, business and humanities, and educating the new generation of front-runners for the world. Since its official opening in October 1991, HKUST has established itself as an intellectual powerhouse, energizing the community's transformation into a knowledge-based society, and securing a place on the academic world map in record-breaking time. You may trace the founding years of HKUST and get to know more about today’s HKUST here: About | The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Welcome to the HKUST Bootcamp for Polymath!

We are excited to welcome you to the HKUST Bootcamp for Polymath. Below are some important details for your better arrangements. 

Program Overview

Our Polymath Summer Bootcamp is a comprehensive program that immerses students with lectures and workshops from various schools and departments. Students will also have the opportunity to experience company visits and gain inspiration from local business leaders in Hong Kong. Our camp also features a Capstone case competition that allows participants to apply knowledge learnt into real-life problem-solving contexts. Other than academics, the camp incorporates excursions and social activities where students have a chance to mingle with other participants and current students in HKUST. All participants will also have the chance to live in the HKUST Undergraduate Student Halls for a taste of authentic HKUST student life.

Classroom Regulations and Attendance

All of our programs, including classes, workshops, and presentations, are all conducted in English, as it is the medium of instruction for our undergraduate and graduate courses. Students will have a taste of how lectures are conducted for HKUST students. Feel free to share your ideas, join in-class discussions, and ask questions.

Attendance for all sessions and activities is compulsory. A 20% absence allowance is permitted for emergencies or sick leave, provided there is valid documentation. Students are responsible for notifying the program coordinator/group leader in advance of any expected absences; no exceptions will be made without prior approval. Punctuality is expected, and unexcused lateness may count as an absence. For a better learning experience, all students are highly encouraged to actively participate in activities and collaborate as groups.

Food and drinks are not allowed in classrooms except water. Please be responsible and maintain classroom cleanliness. 

Lastly, audio/video recordings or distribution of any teaching materials without consent are strictly prohibited. Property rights of all content during lecture/workshops/company talks belong to the University or to third parties.

Dress code Guideline

1. Casual: You may dress casually for lectures and workshops.

2. Formal Events: Make sure you have one set of formal attire for specific events such as capstone project presentations.

   Ladies: Business suit (jacket and trousers or knee-length skirt) with a blouse, or a knee-length dress and formal shoes.

   Gentlemen: Business suit (jacket and pants) with a collared shirt, tie, and formal shoes.

3. Outdoor Activities: Wear a light windbreaker or T-shirt, comfortable pants, and sport shoes.

Provision in Each Room

All bedrooms are fully furnished and air-conditioned. A chair, a desk, a wardrobe and a bed with mattress are provided in the room for each resident. Residents are recommended to bring jackets or extra clothes in case it is too cold in the room. Each resident will be provided with a pillow, a pillowcase, a bed sheet and a blanket. 

The Hall DOES NOT provide personal accessories such as towels, suits, toothpaste, toothbrush, slippers, shower gel and cups for residents.

Access to Hall

Entry to and exit from the Hall MUST BE made through the main entrance ONLY except during emergencies when the nearest exits should be used. The Residential / On-campus Coordinator will inform participants regarding the method of gaining access to hall. 

Safety and Security

Participants are required to show their identity upon entry into the Hall premises. In addition, a security guard will station at the entrance of the Hall from 3:30pm to 7:30am daily. Please do not feel offended if proof of identity is requested in the Hall by members of Hall staff / security guard. Please also be reminded to safeguard your belongings and lock the door whenever you are not in the room, even for a short period of time. 

Pantry and Cooking 

There is a pantry on each floor of the Hall (inside the common rooms) with facilities for making tea and reheating food. Cooking is NOT permitted in any parts of the Hall. 

Laundry Facilities 

Laundering is only permitted in the Laundry of each Hall. The service hour of the laundry service is from 10am to 10pm daily. The laundry charge paid to the Hall Office is non-refundable. Electronic iron and ironing boards are available to be on loan upon request.

Dining Options

At HKUST, there are various dining options to suit different tastes. There are also Halal food and vegetarian choices on Campus. Most often a meal per person on campus costs around HKD 30 - HKD 50. For more information on these dining choices, please visit: https://cso.hkust.edu.hk/locations/restaurants. 

Please note that the opening hours in summer may vary. To check opening hours updates, please visit: Special Opening Hours | Campus Services Office.

Alternatively, you may also choose to dine outside of campus. For most restaurants, the spending per person for a meal varies from around HKD 70 - HKD 200. Please also note that some restaurants charge an extra 10% service fee. For more details regarding cost of living in Hong Kong, simply visit: Cost of Living - Study in Hong Kong.

Location of Water Fountains

In HKUST, there are more than 150 water drinking fountains around campus. The locations can be found here: HKUST_drinking_fountains_location_02_1.pdf

Wi-Fi and Data

You may connect to Wi-Fi HK on campus for free Wi-Fi service by simply choosing "Wi-Fi.HK via HKUST". For more details please visit: Wi-Fi Connection for HKUST Guests | Information Technology Services Office. You may also connect to free Wi-Fi services in most public places in Hong Kong via this channel. For cell phone data, you may apply for data roaming or purchase Hong Kong SIM card before/after departure. Pre-paid SIM cards are available for purchase at most supermarkets and convenience stores (Circle K, 7-11) in Hong Kong.

Octopus Card

The Octopus Card is essential for riding public transportation (e.g., Ferries, Trains, Buses) and paying for food and other items in local shops. It is recommended to obtain one upon arrival, ideally with HKD 100 - HKD 200 preloaded. However, MTR, Buses, Ferries, and even very few minibuses accept Alipay, WeChat Pay and/or VISA cards as the payment method. So don't worry too much if you do not have an octopus card.

Getting to Campus 

Applicants will need to arrange their own transportation to the HKUST campus. Ensure you have all the necessary documents, including your passport, ID documents and any required visas. It is recommended to keep both printed version (hardcopy) and original documents with you just in case.

From Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

By Airport Express 
1.    Take the Airport Express to the Hong Kong MTR Station (HKD 115)
2.    Walk to the Central MTR Station via the underground passage link and take the Island Line towards Chai Wan and get off at the North Point MTR Station.
3.    Transfer to the Tseung Kwan O Line towards Po Lam and get off at the Hang Hau MTR Station.
4.    Locate Exit B1 and proceed to the Hang Hau Station Public Transport Interchange on the left of the exit. 
5.    Proceed to HKUST via Taxi or Bus 91M located at the Hang Hau Station Public Transport Interchange. Tell the driver to go to “HKUST North Gate” or get off the 91M bus at “HKUST (South)” Bus Station respectively.  

By Bus 
1.    Take the Citybus A29 from the Hong Kong International Airport, and get off at the “Nan Fung Plaza, Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau Station” Station. 
2.    Locate the Hang Hau Station Public Transport Interchange across the road near Hang Hau MTR Station Exit B1. 
3.    Proceed to HKUST via Taxi or Bus 91M located at the Hang Hau Station Public Transport Interchange. Tell the driver to go to “HKUST North Gate” or get off the 91M bus at “HKUST (South)” Bus Station respectively.

By Taxi
1.    Taxis are readily available from the airport. Please choose the red taxis and inform the driver that you would like to go to “HKUST North Gate”. This is the most convenient option (approx. HKD 300 to HKD 400). Cash is the primary payment method.

From Lo Wu/ Lok Ma Chau Border Rail Link

By MTR 
1.    Take the East Rail Line towards Admiralty and get off at the Tai Wai MTR Station. Transfer to the Tuen Ma Line towards Tuen Mun, and get off at the Diamond Hill MTR Station. 
2.    Locate Exit C2 at the Diamond Hill MTR Station and turn left to proceed to the Diamond Hill Public Transport Interchange. Look for KMB Double Decker Bus 91 or 91M.
3.    Get on 91/91M, get off the bus when it reaches “HKUST (North)” Station.

By Taxi 
1.    Taxis are readily available from the border. Please choose the red taxis and inform the driver that you would like to go to “HKUST North Gate”. This is the most convenient option (approx. HKD 330 to HKD 360). Cash is the primary payment method.

From High-Speed Rail West Kowloon Station

By MTR 
1.    Locate Exit A or Exit N and proceed to the Austin MTR Station
2.    Take the Tuen Ma Line towards Wu Kai Sha and get off at the Diamond Hill MTR station.
3.    Locate Exit C2 at the Diamond Hill MTR Station and turn left to proceed to the Diamond Hill Public Transport Interchange. Look for KMB Double Decker Bus 91 or 91M.
4.    Get on 91/91M, get off the bus when it reaches “HKUST (North)” Station.

By Taxi 
1.    Taxis are readily available from the Rail Station. Please choose the red taxis and inform the driver that you would like to go to “HKUST North Gate”. This is the most convenient option (approx. HKD 170 to HKD 220). Cash is the primary payment method.

 From Hong Kong - Zhuhai -Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port

By Bus 
1.    Take the Citybus A29 from the Hong Kong International Airport, and get off at the “Nan Fung Plaza, Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau Station” Station. 
2.    Locate the Hang Hau Station Public Transport Interchange across the road near Hang Hau MTR Station Exit B1. 
3.    Proceed to HKUST via Taxi or Bus 91M located at the Hang Hau Station Public Transport Interchange, tell the driver to go to “HKUST North Gate” or get off the 91M bus at “HKUST (South)” Bus Station respectively.

By Taxi 
1.    Taxis are readily available from the Rail Station. Please choose the red taxis and inform the driver that you would like to go to “HKUST North Gate”. This is the most convenient option (approx. HKD350). Cash is the primary payment method.

Banking and Payments

ATMs are widespread in Hong Kong. Most terminals are linked to international money systems, including Cirrus, Maestro, Plus, Visa Electron, UnionPay, as well as the Visa and MasterCard credit systems. However, you should note that there are ATM systems in Hong Kong; one is linked to the Bank of China and its partners, and the other used by HSBC and other international banks. You may be charged a fee if you use an ATM machine operating on a system not linked to your bank.

Electronic payments such as WeChat Pay, Alipay, Visa and MasterCard, Apple Pay, and Octopus are widely accepted by most merchants in Hong Kong. Almost all canteens and restaurants on campus, as well as our supermarket and 7-11 convenient store accept the aforementioned payment methods. So, don't worry if you forget to bring enough cash as most payments do not require cash. However, please note that you need cash for most Taxi rides.

On campus you can also find the operating banks and ATMs:

Bank of China

• Location: G/F at the Piazza
• Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 09:00am – 5:00pm | Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday: Closed 

Hang Seng Bank

• Location: G/F at the Piazza
• Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 09:00am – 5:00pm | Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday: Closed

24-Hour ATM services

Bank of China & Hang Seng Bank

• Entrance of banks
• G/F of the LSK building (near room G003)
• Near Computer Barn B, 1/F (lift 17-18)

Emergency Contact

Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world. However, you should stay alert and always be aware of your surroundings, especially when you are in a crowded area. Please remain with your group during outings. If in any case you require immediate assistance or are in hazardous situations, please dial the emergency number below. 

• Emergency Services in Hong Kong: Dial 999 if you need emergency services from the Hong Kong Police, Fire Services Department or Ambulance Services in Hong Kong. 

• Emergency Support on campus Enquiry: If you need help on campus, please contact your group leader. Remember to add contact with your group leader upon arrival.

Useful Websites and Apps

1.    City Mapper: An excellent app for planning transport routes. 
2.    MTR Mobile: The official app for Hong Kong's MTR services. 
3.    Google Maps: Helpful for navigation and understanding local transport options. 
4.    Octopus App: Information on the Octopus card, essential for public transport usage in Hong Kong, can top up the physical card from Apple Pay or Bank Account 
5.    Hong Kong Tourism Board: Explore Hong Kong’s latest events and sightseeing attractions.
6.    Hong Kong Observatory: The official app for weather forecasts.
7.    HKUST Path Advisor: An excellent app for finding locations on the HKUST Campus map.

Weather in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is classified as subtropical. The weather in summer in Hong Kong is often hot, humid, and sunny. Yet June to August is also the typhoon season, so you might experience showers and thunderstorms at times. The average temperature ranges from 26°C to 33°C (78.8°F to 87.8°F). Temperature can exceed 33°C and high humidity levels can make it feel even hotter.

However, you are recommended to bring a light windbreaker or cardigan with you as the indoor air-conditioned temperature is around 20°C. For detailed weather updates, please visit the Hong Kong Observatory website: http://www.hko.gov.hk