Around 40 leading Hong Kong and Mainland China academics gathered at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangdong in November 2011 for the Mainland-Hong Kong Operations and Logistics Management Forum, organized by the Department of Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management and alumni. Those attending the two-day event included representatives from HKUST, Chinese University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Tsinghua University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Fudan University, and Zhejiang University.

The School's Global and Community Engagement Program organized a seminar entitled "Raleigh - Get Out There" in February to inspire students to participate in local and international voluntary programs. Ms Lydia Leung, Electronic and Computer Engineering alumna and Vice Chairperson of Raleigh Hong Kong, a youth charity that helps young people to explore their potential through volunteer activities, introduced the organization and its goals. Two volunteers also shared their experiences and the impact of their 10-week program in Costa Rica.

Prof Tim Woo, Electronic and Computer Engineering, launched an enterprising undergraduate joint project with Purdue University, US, involving internet remote-controlled cars. Student teams at HKUST and Purdue each built a system to control model cars at the other's campus via the internet. The project provided a great opportunity for students to exchange ideas and learn from each other.

Fundraising was at the fore as Electronic and Computer Engineering faculty members joined the popular Oxfam Trailwalker in November 2011. Undertaking the strenuous 100km charity walk as part of the ECE@HKUST team were Prof Mansun Chan, Prof Howard Luong, Prof Ross Murch, Prof James She, Prof Bert Shi, Prof Ling Shi, Prof Man Wong and Prof George Yuan. The team crossed the finishing line after 29 hours and 43 minutes, finishing second in the Education category. They also exceeded their fundraising goal by more than 10%.