Motto, Emblem and Campus Landmarks — The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

# 1. Mission and Vision

HKUST does not have a traditional motto in the form of an ancient maxim. Instead, the University uses an official Mission and Vision statement:

Mission

"To advance learning and knowledge through teaching and research, particularly in science, technology, engineering, management and business studies; and at the postgraduate level; To assist in the economic and social development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region."^※

Vision

"To be a leading university with significant international impact and strong local commitment."^※

Brand Purpose

"We provide a breeding ground for tomorrow's leaders to flourish."^※

Core Values

According to the official website, HKUST’s core values cover five items^※:

1. Excellence, Integrity and Academic Freedom — maintaining leadership through quality teaching and research, and safeguarding academic independence
2. Global Vision and Local Commitment — sustaining a top-tier global research standing while making substantive contributions to local and national development
3. Can-do Spirit — an entrepreneurial culture that encourages innovation, resilience and creative problem-solving
4. Inclusiveness, Diversity and Respect — transcending differences in race, gender, culture and background
5. 1-HKUST — a unified community spirit that integrates students, staff and alumni

# 2. School Colours

The official school colours of HKUST are blue and gold^※. Blue symbolises wisdom and depth, while gold stands for excellence and achievement. The two colours are used consistently across the emblem, brand materials, sports uniforms and other University publications.

# 3. The University Emblem

The HKUST emblem is made up of several layered motifs, described in the University’s brand guidelines as follows:

• A golden “wisdom head” is placed atop an open book of knowledge^※ — the head symbolises wisdom, the book knowledge.
• The design beneath the head allows two coexisting interpretations: a scientific flask (representing science and life science) and a transmission antenna (representing engineering and communication technology)^※. Both readings share the same outline, embodying the fusion of science and technology.
• Embedded in the emblem are the Greek letters υ (upsilon), ψ (psi) and τ (tau), which together form a phonetic echo of “UST”^※.
• The overall colour scheme — gold lines on a deep blue background — matches the school colours.

# 4. The Red Bird Sundial Sculpture: “Circle of Time”

# Background and commission

The “Circle of Time” is HKUST’s most iconic landmark, installed at the centre of the entrance piazza^※. The sculpture was commissioned by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and created by Irish-born sculptors Charles Smith and Joan Walsh-Smith (now based in Perth, Australia). It was formally installed on 8 October 1991^※ — just a few days before the University opened.

# Dimensions and structure

• The main sundial stands about 8.5 metres tall.^※
• The bas-relief wall at the base measures roughly 7.0 metres in length and about 1.5 metres in height.^※
• The whole sculpture is set in the middle of a reflecting pool surrounded by a waterfall.

# Function: where art meets science

The sculpture is a fully functioning sundial — “the sundial is one of mankind’s earliest scientific inventions, using the sun’s shadow to tell the time”^※. Shadow is an intrinsic design element: it gives the artwork visual depth and makes it appear different at different times of day, striking a balance between artistic expression and scientific function.

# Symbolic elements

• The flowing water represents “the passage of time,” while the waterfall suggests “the flow of history.”^※
• The bas-relief wall depicts 39 Chinese scientific and technological achievements dating from ancient times to the Middle Ages^※, covering astronomy, mathematics, agriculture, smelting, printing and other fields. It pays homage to Chinese civilisation while also echoing the University’s science-and-technology mission.

# The “Red Bird” imagery

The top of the sculpture resembles a red bird spreading its wings, ready to take flight. It has become a visual symbol of the HKUST spirit, commonly referred to as the “Red Bird” (or “Redbird”), and has been adopted as the University’s mascot.

The Red Bird carries several layers of cultural meaning:

• Chinese phoenix (fènghuáng) — a mythical bird in traditional Chinese culture that symbolises auspiciousness, virtue and nobility. The sculptors, Charles Smith and Joan Walsh-Smith, have linked it to the “Vermilion Bird of the South” (Zhūquè), a divine creature in the Daoist five-element system representing the fire element and the southern direction.^※
• Western phoenix / firebird — a symbol of rebirth through fire and ceaseless innovation, which resonates with the young university’s story of rising from nothing to soar upward.
• The colour red — paired with the school colour gold, red also suggests passion, energy and a pioneering spirit.

Over time the informal name “Red Bird” has taken deep root and is now used in a range of University brand initiatives, such as the “Redbird Innovation Fund.”

# 5. Other campus landmarks

# Armillary Sphere

Located along the Fung Siu-ching Promenade, the Armillary Sphere is a half-dimensional model of a Ming-dynasty astronomical instrument, the prototype of which was built roughly 570 years ago.^※ The armillary sphere is itself an important piece of ancient scientific heritage; together with the Red Bird sundial, it forms an artistic theme around the campus: “where science meets history.”

# One-World Fountain

Situated outside the LG7 canteen, the One-World Fountain is a water-and-light stone sculpture designed by the Austrian sculptor Professor Hans Muhr.^※ The installation consists of five stones, each sourced from a different continent, with the Asian stone placed at the centre. It symbolises “the harmonious coexistence of nature and humanity, and the fusion of technology with global communication.”

# 6. The University Anthem

HKUST officially unveiled its University Anthem in March 2023, with music composed by Prof. Kelvin Yuen, a professor of music at the University.^※ It was the first official anthem in the University’s 32-year history and marks an important step in HKUST’s cultural development. The title of the anthem is “Spurring us to a brave new start.” Before 2023, HKUST had no official anthem.