For students

1. Aims and Structure

EUREKA offers extended learning opportunities for undergraduate students to undertake inquiry-based research projects during the early years of their normative study period.

Spanning across ONE academic year, the programme consists of an introductory research methods course and an undergraduate research course. Students are required to complete the introductory research methods course or provide proof of equivalent training and match with a mentor by the end of First Semester and undertake the undergraduate research course to conduct their research projects in the Second Semester.

The undergraduate research course is NOT a substitute of the capstone experience students normally undertake during their final year of study.

The programme will be centrally coordinated by the EUREKA team under Teaching and Learning. Faculties will be invited to participate in EUREKA through teacher nominations and set-up of satellite Undergraduate Research Courses.

As an experimental programme, the pilot launch in 2022-23 seeks to recruit a small batch of enthusiastic teachers and students. The lessons learned from the launch will be audited in Summer 2023 before further expanding in 2023-24.

3. Eligibility for EUREKA students

Individual students not in their final year of studies are eligible to enroll in EUREKA having completed at least two semesters at HKU and attained a cumulative GPA of 2.70 and above. Mentors, whose decision is final, may exercise discretion to accept students not meeting the above baseline requirements.

4. Schedule

First Semester
Period	Events
Within the First Semester	Prospective EUREKA students to enroll and complete the online introductory research methods course or provide proof of equivalent training on a designated online platform* (This requirement is waived for students joining in 2022-23).
Mid-October to December	Mentors and students to attend separate induction talks organised by EUREKA team to understand the programme. Faculty to organize follow-up matchmaking sessions after the induction talks.   Students to register interested project(s) on the online platform, explore opportunities and meet up with their potential mentors to discuss research projects.   EUREKA team will contact mentors and students to confirm the match by the end of December.
Second Semester
Period	Events
Mid to Late January (Add-Drop Period)	Students who have successfully matched with a mentor and intended to proceed to enroll in the corresponding satellite Undergraduate Research Course on the Student Information System (SIS).
January to April	Students to work on their projects with mentors.
Late April to Early May	Students to submit their one-page research poster and reflective research essay to their mentors for review.
May	Mentors to schedule review sessions with students, and nominate students with exceptional performance to participate in the HKU Teaching and Learning Festival in the coming academic year.

Introductory Research Methods Course

*At 2022-23 launch, students will not be required to complete the course or provide proof of equivalent training. The course, set to launch in September 2023, will be developed with iterative feedback from participating teachers, students and Faculties during the pilot year.

Before enrolling in the undergraduate research course, students are required to complete a self-paced online course on Introductory Research Methods. The course will cover both quantitative and qualitative research skills, as well as topics concerning logical and critical thinking. The course will enhance students’ understanding of research methods and equip them with the necessary skills and toolkits to succeed in their undergraduate research course and other research opportunities. Peer tutors may be recruited to assist students in need. ONE Out-of-classroom credit will be granted upon completion of the course.

Exemption will be granted for students who demonstrate proof of equivalent training.

Undergraduate Research Course

To seek a research opportunity, please refer to the following steps:

1. Attend an induction talk

In October, a EUREKA Induction Talk will be held to introduce the basics of EUREKA. By attending the talk, you will gain an overview of the programme, tips on how to identify appropriate research opportunities and ways to approach your potential EUREKA mentors. Faculties will also organize follow-up matchmaking sessions after the induction talk.

2. Find research projects or mentors that interested you

From mid-October to December, you can begin to select projects posted by EUREKA mentors. You should meet up with potential EUREKA mentors and agree to work on ONE research project ONLY.

You may select a research project outside of your home disciplines, provided that you demonstrate strong research interest and potential to the mentor of a research project. It is, however, at the sole discretion of EUREKA mentors of the said research project to accept or decline a student’s application.

EUREKA team will contact you and your mentor by the end of the matching period to confirm the match.

Before the end of the add-drop period of the Second Semester, if you intend to proceed, you will enroll in the corresponding satellite Undergraduate Research Course of your mentor’s department on the Student Information System (SIS).

3. Understand the mode of collaboration

The course operates on a one-on-one basis i.e., one student is matched with one mentor. Each student will only be allowed to match with ONE mentor. While each mentor can accept normally no more than FIVE students, OR no more than TEN students with Faculty endorsement every academic year.

Research activities, such as monthly progress meetings, fieldtrips, working at mentor’s laboratory etc., as well as the mode of interaction i.e. face-to-face, remote or hybrid, will be carried out under mutual agreement between mentors and students.

You are expected to allocate no less than 120 hours and no more than 180 hours of learning hours for this course. You are advised to work out specific arrangements with your mentor before undertaking the undergraduate research course.

4. Course Learning Outcomes

On completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Identify, describe and explain an important academic question based on experience, expertise, and literature
2. Develop competence in and make good use of critical undergraduate research skills
3. Collaborate, communicate, and present their notions effectively with other researchers, as well as a variety of audiences they may encounter
4. Attain the relevant field’s standards for conducting responsible research
5. Nurture an inquiry-based mindset to tackle ill-defined problems for lifelong learning and produce scholarly work for the benefit of the wider community

5. Roles and Responsibilities of Mentors

Mentors are expected to:

1. Support students in their creative and academic endeavours
2. Clearly identify the parts of project undergraduate students can be engaged
3. Clearly specify expectations and deadlines with your students
4. Conduct regular meetings with students to discuss progress
5. Ensure students have had appropriate training in research compliance, including but not limited to laboratory safety, ethical procedures
6. Demonstrate leadership to inspire students to develop their academic and professional pursuits

Mentors must arrange a minimum of 8-12 contact hours per month with each student.

If mentors have recruited more than ONE student to their project, team meetings may be arranged to track students’ progress and provide guidance. Individual feedback must be provided to each student by the end of URC.

6. Understand the assessment criteria

You will develop your research projects under your mentors’ coaching in the Second Semester.

Between late April to early May, you are required to submit a one-page research poster and a research reflective essay. Your mentor will provide their feedback and schedule review sessions with you in May.

Course assessment is 100% coursework consisting of course participation (30%), a one-page research poster (50%) and a research reflective essay (20%).  Course participation will be based on students’ learning attitude towards their research projects, the quality of their preparation work for consultation, and the observance of the social and academic protocols required as researchers.  Assessment of the written work is based on the breadth and depth of their research topic, analysis, and discussion.

You will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis. Upon satisfactory completion, the course will be recorded as a 6-credit elective course on student transcripts.

Why should I become a EUREKA student?

Credits and transcript records

You will receive academic credits as a recognition of your learning experience. Your successful completion of EUREKA courses, i.e. the Introductory Research Methods course and the Undergraduate Research Course will be recorded on your transcript.

Mentorship

EUREKA offers a unique opportunity for you to build rapport with established scholars in your field of interests. Through this mentorship, you will receive one-on-one coaching on your research. There may also be opportunities for you to obtain academic recommendations and venture networking opportunities within and beyond the HKU scholars’ network, further developing your potential career as a researcher.

Seed fund for EUREKA

A seed fund will be set up to support students’ research endeavours in EUREKA. Students who have successfully passed the Undergraduate Research Course and fulfilled the funding criteria will be eligible to claim up to HKD 3,000 of project consumable for each student project. Exceptional claim requests beyond HKD 3,000 coverage will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All seed fund requests will need to be supported in writing by the research mentor together with adequate evidence (e.g., receipts).

Expansive pathway for future research opportunities

Students with exceptional performance in the undergraduate research course will have an advantage in applying to other prestigious undergraduate research programmes at HKU, such as the Undergraduate Research Fellowship Programme (URFP) and Laidlaw Scholars Programme.

Figure 2. Suggested timeline for Undergraduate Research Journey at HKU

Develop Future-Readiness skills

The job market is increasingly in need of talents that can manifest rigorous analytical and critical thinking skills. Through participating in EUREKA, you can further these skills to enhance your adaptivity and competitiveness upon graduation.

International awards and publishing opportunities

You are encouraged to participate in international paper contests such as the Global Undergraduate Awards. You may also have a chance to be featured in scholarly journals if excellent research works are produced.

Annual Teaching and Learning Festival

The existing annual Teaching and Learning Festival will feature a new array of events and awards to recognize the work and contributions made by our undergraduate researchers and mentors. Proposed events include a EUREKA Poster Exhibition, an awards presentation ceremony, and a series of symposiums featuring students from EUREKA to recognize student achievements. You may have a chance to be featured at the festival.

Further Queries

Queries should be directed to eureka@hku.hk.

August 2022