History & Mission

HKUST established the MSRA/HKUST IT Joint Research Laboratory in September 2000 to promote academic exchange and research collaboration. Since then, eleven PhD students have been awarded Microsoft Fellowships and two faculty members have spent a year at MSRA as visit-ing researchers. In November 2004, the lab was selected by Ministry of Education as one of the five MOE/MSRA Key Labs in China (the only one in Hong Kong). The mission of MOE/MSRA Key Labs is to conduct joint basic research projects in computer science, train young and talented computer science researchers and promote the Chinese information technology industry. The MOE/MSRA IT Key Lab at HKUST focuses on three research areas: vision and graphics, systems and networking, and mass information management. The Key Lab represents an effective model for collaboration between university, industry, and government. Leveraging government support, the industrial strength of Microsoft, and the research expertise of HKUST, the Key Lab has been instrumental in enhancing research and nurturing IT professionals.