The opening of our impressive Shaw Auditorium commenced HKUST’s 30th anniversary celebrations in style.


Modern, elegant and impactful, the opening of our Shaw Auditorium on November 17, 2021 formed the centerpiece of HKUST’s 30th anniversary celebrations, ensuring the joyous occasion was commemorated in style. To make the day extraordinary, more than 500 guests joined us in the festivities, all made possible by the Shaw Foundation Hong Kong’s generous HK$150 million donation to establish the Auditorium.

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Excitement as guests officiate the Opening Ceremon
A cultural icon arises

Designed by Danish architect Claude Bøjer Godefroy, the Auditorium emphasizes sustainability, boasting a seating capacity of around 850 for concerts and over 1,300 in flat floor configurations for concerts, theater performances, lectures, exhibitions, and ceremonies. The Shaw Auditorium also provides flexibility with supporting facilities for seminars, rehearsals, small-scale performances, and gatherings both indoors and outside.

The Shaw Auditorium is placing HKUST on the arts and culture map, with a new center of learning and gathering, while furthering the humanistic and creative development of the University. With the opening of HKUST(Guangzhou) on the horizon, culture is taking pride of place at the University, with a focus on whole-person development beyond science and technology, the fostering of East-meets-West cultural exchange, and the synthesis of arts and science.

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All eyes on the Shaw Auditorium Plaque and Run Run Shaw Bust Unveiling Ceremony
Student life transformed

With all the new facilities in place, HKUST is promoting an interplay of art and technology by making art-related courses compulsory for most programs. There are new courses such as the Extended Major in Digital Media and Creative Arts, and Computational Media and Arts. With this in mind, the ceremony opened with vocal and instrumental performances by HKUST alumni and students, including professional alumni Warren Lee, Kwok Ho Lam, Pauline Tang and Edwin Wan. It concluded with a concert by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the perfect start to a new artistic era for HKUST.



The wonderful occasion was enhanced by Chinese and Western music performances by HKUST alumni and students

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Pauline Tang

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Edwin Wan

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Kwok Ho Lam

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Warren Lee

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Yanliu Qiao and Yanyang Qiao



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The HK Philharmonic Orchestra was a star billing during the Opening Concert

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A friend of HKUST and renowned baker Christina Man makes a cake in celebration of the Shaw Auditorium Opening
Learn more about the Shaw Auditorium
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The stunning Main Hall

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The Open Foyer is light and airy

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The Balcony hosts impressive views

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The Mona Shaw Plaza, set to be an iconic gathering, spot

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A commemoration for Dr Tse Yuen Man

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We look forward to a bright future