Image

Overview

More than 120 U.S. engineering schools announced plans to educate a new generation of engineers expressly equipped to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing society in the 21st century. 14 Grand Challenges (GC) are identified through initiates including the White House Strategy for American Innovation, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Grand Challenges for Engineering, and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. The GCs are a call to action and serve as a focal point for society's attention to opportunities and challenges affecting our quality of life.

The CityU X Sino GCSP is a combined curricular and extra-curricular elements to prepare students to be the future engineers and scientists that solves the 14 GCs facing the world in this century. The elements will be embedded into the curriculum so as to maximize the learning experience of students, through participation in research projects, Entrepreneurship schemes, interdisciplinary courses, service learning activities and overseas exchange program. The program was endorsed by the NAE in February 2009.

For further information about GCSP (NAE), please visit the website below:

NAE Grand Challenges Scholars Program

Grand Challenges for Engineering (Video)

 

Application

Icon Requirements

 
  • All CENG students are welcomed to apply for GCSP.
  • First year students are suggested to apply for GCSP in Semester B of their first year of study.
  • Students can work individually or in groups for the Summer Research Projects.
    • Multi-disciplinary topics of the Summer Research projects are recommended.
    • For students who work in groups, members from different CENG departments and different years are recommended.
    • Students from different colleges are welcomed to join the Summer Research Projects.

Icon Application Timeline

 
Stages Requirements Timeline
One
  • A Statement of Commitment (Not more than 1000 words)
    • Identify the chosen Grand Challenge(s) and explain the vision.
    • Explain how your portfolio will address the issue.
  • A brief Research Proposal
    • Describe the research proposal and explain how it aligns with the selected Grand Challenge(s).
  • A copy of transcript demonstrating CGPA 2.7 or above.
  • At least one recommendation from your CENG faculty mentor^^.
 November
(Year 2 or above students)

January
(Year 1 students)
Two
  • After receiving the conditional offers, applicants have to submit a detailed Research Proposal, a Curricular Plan and a Budget Plan (Optional) for the Summer Research Project** to the steering committee within two months.
Offers to enter GCSP and/or the Summer Research Project will be announced in April.
 April
(Year 2 or above students)

November
(Year 1 students)

IconRemark

 

* Applicants will receive a conditional offer once the application is accepted by the steering committee.

^ First year students can provide the transcript in Semester B, when the examination results are released.

^^ Students could invite a faculty member to be his/her mentor from the GCSP website (not inclusive). Students may approach the College (Email: ceng.office@cityu.edu.hk; Tel: 3442 4133) if they have difficulties finding a faculty mentor.

** Applicants who want to apply for the Summer Research Project subsidy are required to complete the Budget plan.

Program Requirements

Curricular Components

Components Requirements
Research Experience Complete EACH of the following:
  • Perform a two-semester long Final Year Project (FYP) with the topic related to at least one of the 14 Grand Challenges;
  • Present the FYP in the College’s annual Student Project Exhibition; and
  • Conduct a two-month summer research project* (minimum of 120 hours) with the theme related to one of the 14 Grand Challenges and submit a final report and a poster. 

*Students who already have other equivalent research exposure could apply for exemption from the summer research project.
Interdisciplinary Curriculum

Complete at least 4 GE courses from an approved list:

  • Courses need to demonstrate the interdisciplinary component (i.e. minimum one course each from Area 1, 2 and 3) and relationship with the chosen Grand Challenge(s).
Entrepreneurship Complete the following:
  • Participate in at least one business plan  (e.g. HK Tech 300) / pitching competition and submit a reflective essay to articulate the linkage between the experience and the chosen Grand Challenge after completion of the competition.
Global Dimension Complete ONE of the following activities:
  • Overseas Student Exchange Program
  • Overseas Internship Scheme (OIS)
  • Cultural and Language Immersion Scheme (CALIS)
  • Overseas Study Tours
  • Overseas Summer School
  • Overseas Competition

And, submit a reflective essay to articulate the linkage between the global experience and the Grand Challenge.
Service Learning Complete ONE of the following activities:
  • Community Engagement Programme (CEP)
    • Minimum of 30 hours of services
    • Submit a report to the faculty mentor to reflect on the overall experience
  • Servant Leadership Training Program (SLTP)
    • Meet the requirements laid down by the SLTP
    • Obtain endorsement on the completion of the program
  • Engineers Without Borders Global Citizenship Program (EWB GCP)
    • Meet the requirements laid down by the EWB GCP
    • Obtain endorsement on the completion of the program
  • Other service learning activities related to the 14 Grand Challenges
    • Prior approval needs to be sought from the steering committee
    • Minimum of 30 hours of services
    • Submit a report to the faculty mentor to reflect on the overall experience

*Courses listed below are examples only. Please select the course(s) NOT offered by your home department. (Students may consult the committee for other choices outside the list).

Areas of Study Subject Code Subject Name
Area 1: Arts and Humanities GE1102 Cinema: East and West
GE1105 Chinese Music Appreciation
GE1113 Visual Storytelling and Cultural Thinking
GE1117 Music and Human Values – Philosophical Investigations
GE1120 Thinking Philosophically: Bridging the Gap between Arts and Sciences
GE1125 Architecture and Space in Chinese Culture
GE1137 Movies and Psychology
GE2105 Popular Culture
GE2109 Love, Sex, and Relationships: Psychological Perspectives
GE2120 Asian Values and Managerial Practices
GE2128 The Sounds of the World’s Languages
GE2129 Psychology for Young Professionals
GE2134 Critical and Creative Thinking
Area 2: Study of Societies, Social and Business Organizations GE1201 Information Management and its Social Impact
GE1202 Managing Your Personal Finance
GE1205 Green Economics
GE1220 Enhancing Your Service Leadership for the 21st Century
GE1222 Contemporary Accounting
GE1223 Public Health Communication
GE2204 Business Ethics and Society
GE2211 Sexuality, Culture and Diversity
GE2220 Sustainable Business: Doing Good Business While Doing Good
GE2223 Interpersonal Skills and Positive Personal Development
GE2227 Preservation and Revitalization of Buildings with Heritage Value inside City Environments
GE2230 Revolutions in Global Business
GE2231 Business, Media and Society
GE2239 Food: Culture, Science and Society
GE2256 Applications of Game Theory to Business
GE2258 Introduction to Economics
GE2260 Introduction to Finance
GE3202 Citizen Journalism and Civil Society
Area 3: Science and Technology GE1301 Climate Change and Extreme Weather
GE1305 Foundation Physics
GE1337 Urban Green City: Pollution and Solution
GE1338 Seeing is Believing, or is it?
GE1339 Wireless Connectivity in Modern Society
GE1340 Materials, Civilization and Modern Development
GE1341 Life and Health
GE1342 Light: from Double Rainbows to Optical Fibers
GE1350 Essential Maths in Daily Life
GE1352 How Your Brain Works
GE1354 Introduction to Electronic Design
GE2301 Science and Technology: Fascinating Mechanical Engineering
GE2303 Save the Earth: Sustainable Development
GE2306 Energy and Technology
GE2322 The Nobel Prize: A Discovery Approach to Human Greatness 
GE2324 The Art and Science of Data
GE2329 Green Buildings: Discovery & Innovations
GE2333 The Science of Cosmetics

Suggested Curricular Plan

Year of study Suggested Curricular Plan
Year 1
  • Submit application in the second semester
  • Successful candidates will receive conditional offer
  • Take relevant Gateway Education courses in Areas 1-3 to fulfil “interdisciplinary curriculum” requirement
  • Participate in service learning activities (if applicable)
  • Submit Annual Progress Report
Year 2 & 3
  • Submit detailed Research Proposal and Curricular Plan to the assessment panel (First semester of Year 2)
  • Successful candidates will receive offer to GCSP
  • Continue to take relevant Gateway Education courses in Areas 1-3 to fulfill “interdisciplinary curriculum” requirement
  • Take GE2304 Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Young Professionals
  • Participate in entrepreneurship contests/competitions
  • Participate in at least one cross cultural activity
  • Participate in service learning activities
  • Conduct the proposed 2-month summer research project during Year 2 or Year 3 summer.
  • Submit Annual Progress Reports
Year 4
  • Complete Final Year Project (FYP)
  • Complete any requirements of the 5 components which have not been fulfilled.
  • Submit Annual Progress Report 
  • Notify committee about the completion of the program.  Submit final portfolio and reflective essay to demonstrate how the learning and activities carried out in the five components relate to the selected Grand Challenge

Summer Research Project

Each GCSP scholar has to complete a two-month summer research project/equivalent research project in order to fulfil the component of “Research Experience”. It can be an individual or a group project.

Icon Composition of Each Group Project

 
  • Maximum three students in each group.
  • Justifications for manpower needs have to be made by indicating workload of each member in the research proposal.
  • Each group can be comprised of students from different years, Departments, Schools/Colleges*.
  • The leader of each group must be a GCSP scholar.

Priority will be given to groups with more than 50% CENG students.

Icon Budget

 
  • The College may provide subsidy to summer research project. Reimbursement after the successful completion of the project will apply.
  • Materials subsidy per group cap at HK$1,000 on reimbursement basis (Justifications have to be made).
  • Additional resources may be provided to overseas project.
    • For overseas project in Mainland, 50% of the total travel expense or $2,000, whichever is lower may be subsidized on a case-by case basis.
    • For overseas project in any other places, 50% of the total travel expense or $4,000, whichever is lower may be subsidized on a case-by case basis.

IconSelection Criteria

 
  • The originality of the Research Project.
  • The alignment between the Research Project and the 14 Grand Challenges.
  • Multi-discipline topics addressing the Grand Challenges are recommended.

Icon Outcome of Each Project

 
  • Complete a minimum of 120 hours of research for each project.
  • Approved by one or more GCSP mentors.
  • Submit a final report, a poster and a log book for recording research progress to the Steering Committee by mid-September.

    *No allowance will be provided if students fail to submit a final report, a poster and a log book.
  • Selected projects will be presented in the Discovery and Innovation Gala.

IconImportant Notes

 
  • GCSP scholars (Year 2 or above) have to submit a detailed proposal, a detailed curricular plan and/or a budget plan for the summer research project to the Steering Committee by early April.
  • Results for Stage Two application and summer research project subsidy will be announced in May.
  • The summer research project is expected to begin after the examination.
  • GCSP scholars have to contact their mentors before starting the research project, and should meet their mentors regularly during summer.

Five Curricular Components

Component Description
Hands-on Project or Research Experience Related to a Grand Challenge
Interdisciplinary Curriculum A curriculum that complements engineering fundamentals with courses in other fields, preparing engineering students to work at the overlap with public policy, business, law, ethics, human behavior, risk, and the arts, as well as medicine and the sciences
Entrepreneurship Preparing students to translate invention to innovation; to develop market ventures that scale to global solutions in the public interest
Global Dimension Developing the students’ global perspective necessary to address challenges that are inherently global as well as to lead innovation in a global economy
Service Learning

Developing and deepening students’ social consciousness and their motivation to bring their technical expertise to bear on societal problems through mentored experiential learning with real clients

 

  • A well-connected program would be one where a single component can be linked to one or more of the other components; e.g., interning at an organization (Entrepreneurship) and/or performing research (Research experience) on global health or clean energy (Grand Challenge(s) / Service Learning).
  • Each GC scholar should select or be assigned a faculty mentor to monitor student progress and ensure thematic continuity and connectivity.

The Steering Committee

Chairman

Name Position Title & Department Email Tel. No. Office
Professor Jian Lu Dean
College of Engineering		 Email Icon (852) 3442-4889 YEUNG-B6502

Program Director

Name Position Title & Department Email Tel. No. Office
Professor H P Chan, Andy Associate Professor
Department of Electrical Engineering		 Email Icon (852) 3442-8444 YEUNG-G6512

Committee Member

Name Position Title & Department Email Tel. No. Office
Professor C W Lim Professor
Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering		 Email Icon (852) 3442-7285 YEUNG-B6306
Professor Chia-Hung Chen Associate Professor
Department of Biomedical Engineering		 Email Icon (852) 3442-9547 YEUNG-P7726
Professor Chit Kit Siu Associate Professor
Department of Chemistry		 Email Icon (852) 3442-2272 YEUNG-P5105
Professor Jijian Xu Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry		 Email Icon (852) 3442-4679 YEUNG-P5316
Professor Linqi Song Assistant Professor
Department of Computer Science		 Email Icon (852) 3442-4231 YEUNG-Y6425
Professor Alert Sung Associate Professor
Department of Electrical Engineering		 Email Icon (852) 3442-9373 YEUNG-G6354
Professor Chan Hung Shek Professor
Department of Materials Science and Engineering		 Email Icon (852) 3442-7798 BOC-R7175
Professor W C Ho, Daniel Chair Professor of Applied Mathematics
Department of Mathematics		 Email Icon (852) 3442-8652 YEUNG-Y6507
Professor Wing Cheong Lo Associate Professor
Department of Mathematics		 Email Icon (852) 3442-2578 YEUNG-Y6628
Professor Penghao Duan Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering		 Email Icon (852) 3442-9519 YEUNG-Y7308
Professor Condon Lau Associate Professor
Department of Physics		 Email Icon (852) 3442-7882 YEUNG-G6612
Professor Xiaohan Du Assistant Professor
Department of Systems Engineering		 Email Icon (852) 3442-8306 YEUNG-P6616

Faculty Mentors

14 Grand Challenges

Sustainability Grand Challenge Theme

Grand Challenges Name Department Email Tel. No. Office
1. Make solar energy economical Professor Mei-yung Leung Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-7142 YEUNG-B6426
Professor Wing Shing Chan Department of Electrical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-7804 YEUNG-G6360
Professor Roy He Department of Mathematics Email Icon (852) 3442-2964 YEUNG-Y5129
Professor Ya Yan Lu Department of Mathematics Email Icon (852) 3442-7436 YEUNG-Y5136
Professor Yinghao Chu Department of Systems Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-4703 YEUNG-G6607
2. Provide energy from fusion N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
3. Develop carbon sequestration methods Professor Chi Kit Siu, Andy Department of Chemistry Email Icon (852) 3442-2272 YEUNG-P5105
Professor Roy He Department of Mathematics Email Icon (852) 3442-2964 YEUNG-Y5129
4. Manage the Nitrogen Cycle Professor Roy He Department of Mathematics Email Icon (852) 3442-2964 YEUNG-Y5129
5. Provide access to clean water Professor Ting Hsuan Chen, Cecil Department of Biomedical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-4114 YEUNG-P6415

Health Grand Challenge Theme

Grand Challenges Name Department Email Tel. no. Office
6. Advance health informatics Professor Minming Li Department of Computer Science Email Icon (852) 3442-9538 YEUNG-Y6316
Professor Shuaicheng Li Department of Computer Science Email Icon (852) 3442-9412 YEUNG-G6520
Professor Ho Man Chan, Rosa Department of Electrical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-7651 YEUNG-G6356
Professor Wing Shing Chan Department of Electrical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-7804 YEUNG-G6360
Professor Wing Cheong Lo Department of Mathematics Email Icon (852) 3442-2578 YEUNG-Y5139
Professor Weiyin Ma Department of Mechanical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-9548 YEUNG-Y6707
7. Engineer better medicines Professor Ting Hsuan Chen, Cecil Department of Biomedical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-4114 YEUNG-P6415
Professor Dongan Wang Department of Biomedical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-9542 YEUNG-P7718
Professor Lidai Wang Department of Biomedical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-6157 YEUNG-Y6619
Professor Hongyan Sun Department of Chemistry Email Icon (852) 3442-9537 YEUNG-B6705
Professor Ho Man Chan, Rosa Department of Electrical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-7651 YEUNG-G6356
Professor Wing Cheong Lo Department of Mathematics Email Icon (852) 3442-2578 YEUNG-Y5139

Security Grand Challenge Theme

Grand Challenges Name Department Email Tel. no. Office
8. Prevent nuclear terror N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
9. Secure cyberspace Professor Gerhard Petrus Hancke Department of Computer Science Email Icon (852) 3442-9341 YEUNG-G7307
10. Restore and improve urban infrastructure Professor C W Lim Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-7285 YEUNG-B6306
Professor Mei-yung Leung Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-7142 YEUNG-B6426
Professor Cheng Liu Department of Systems Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-8431 YEUNG-Y6618

Joy of Living Grand Challenge Theme

Grand Challenges Name Department Email Tel. no. Office
11. Reverse-engineer the brain Professor Chung Tin Department of Biomedical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-5145 YEUNG-P6416
Professor Lidai Wang Department of Biomedical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-6157 YEUNG-Y6619
Professor Antoni B Chan Department of Computer Science Email Icon (852) 3442-6509 YEUNG-G7311
Professor Ho Man Chan, Rosa Department of Electrical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-7651 YEUNG-G6356
Professor Roy He Department of Mathematics Email Icon (852) 3442-2964 YEUNG-Y5129
Professor Hongyu Liu Department of Mathematics Email Icon (852) 3442-7155 YEUNG-Y6511
12. Enhance virtual reality Professor Ho Man Chan, Rosa Department of Electrical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-7651 YEUNG-G6356
Professor Roy He Department of Mathematics Email Icon (852) 3442-2964 YEUNG-Y5129
Professor Hongyu Liu Department of Mathematics Email Icon (852) 3442-7155 YEUNG-Y6511
Professor Xiaosheng Zhuang Department of Mathematics Email Icon (852) 3442-5942 YEUNG-Y5105
Professor Weiyin Ma Department of Mechanical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-9548 YEUNG-Y6707
13. Advance personalized learning Professor Minming Li Department of Computer Science Email Icon (852) 3442-9538 YEUNG-Y6316
Professor Shuaicheng Li Department of Computer Science Email Icon (852) 3442-9412 YEUNG-G6520
Professor Ho Man Chan, Rosa Department of Electrical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-7651 YEUNG-G6356
Professor Roy He Department of Mathematics Email Icon (852) 3442-2964 YEUNG-Y5129
Professor Hongyu Liu Department of Mathematics Email Icon (852) 3442-7155 YEUNG-Y6511
14. Engineer the tools of scientific discovery Professor C W Lim Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-7285 YEUNG-B6306
Professor Ting Hsuan Chen, Cecil Department of Biomedical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-4114 YEUNG-P6415
Professor Chung Tin Department of Biomedical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-5145 YEUNG-P6416
Professor Lidai Wang Department of Biomedical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-6157 YEUNG-Y6619
Professor Chi Kit Siu, Andy Department of Chemistry Email Icon (852) 3442-2272 YEUNG-G6622
Professor Hongyan Sun Department of Chemistry Email Icon (852) 3442-9537 YEUNG-B6705
Professor Hau Ping Andy Chan Department of Electrical Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-8444 YEUNG-G6512
Professor Roy He Department of Mathematics Email Icon (852) 3442-2964 YEUNG-Y5129
Professor Hongyu Liu Department of Mathematics Email Icon (852) 3442-7155 YEUNG-Y6511
Professor Wing Cheong Lo Department of Mathematics Email Icon (852) 3442-2578 YEUNG-Y5139
Professor Xiaosheng Zhuang Department of Mathematics Email Icon (852) 3442-5942 YEUNG-Y5105
Professor Xiaoyan Zhong Department of Materials Science and Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-6850 BOC-R7124
Professor Xiaohan Du Department of Systems Engineering Email Icon (852) 3442-8306 YEUNG-P6616

Vidoes & Photos

GCSP_Videos

Videos

GCSP_photos

Photos

Sitemap

arrow