Agreements between HKUST and two prestigious overseas universities are set to open further opportunities for the School of Engineering to engage in enterprising collaborations and raise its international profile.

A Memorandum for Cooperation and an Academic, Scientific and Cultural Cooperation Agreement was signed with École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Saint-Étienne (ENSMSE), France. The school is one of the longest established in France and among the country's top 10 graduate schools in engineering.

The memorandum will see HKUST and ENSMSE working together to develop joint activities and programs that will facilitate academic, scientific and technological exchange and cooperation in engineering and science.

The cooperation agreement aims to develop joint programs in teaching and student training. Areas may include joint PhD programs, joint research projects, joint courses and curricula, seminars, student exchanges, and visits.

HKUST also boosted its ties with Sharif University of Technology, Iran, with an agreement to establish a joint PhD program in engineering. The two universities had signed a Cooperation Agreement in 2010.

The exciting new move will enable PhD students to engage in academic exchange at both universities and gain a global perspective. Sharif University is a top university in Iran, with a strong reputation in the Middle East. Undergraduate admission is limited to the top 5% of students who pass Iran's national entrance examination.

The joint PhD program will run over four years, with students spending two years at each university. Students will have an advisor at each institution, with a plan developed for the research before the student starts the program.