1. Aims and Structure
The Undergraduate Research Programme-Eureka offers extended learning opportunities for undergraduate students to undertake inquiry-based research projects during the early years of their normative study period.
Spanning ONE academic year, the Eureka programme consists of: (a) Introduction to Research Methods online module; and (b) Eureka research project.
Parts (a) will be taken in S1 in self-paced mode by students and it carries 1 credit under the Out-of-Classroom Learning Award Scheme. More details are available at https://fri.hku.hk/. For year 2 to 4 students, you can self-register the course by clicking on “take this course button at https://learning.hku.hk/catalog/course/friresearch/. After you login to the HKU portal, there will be “Enrol Now” button.
Part (b) will be taken in S2 under the supervision of an academic mentor. This course will be taken as a free elective and will carry 6 academic credits.
The Eureka research project is NOT a substitute for the capstone experience students normally undertake during their final year of study.
2. Eligibility for students
Eureka students must have completed at least two semesters at HKU but not yet be in their final year of study with a cumulative GPA of 2.70 or above.
3. Eligibility for Eureka mentors
Eureka mentors must have a solid research track record and an active research agenda. For Research Assistant Professors or Post-doctoral Fellows intending to be Eureka mentors, co-mentoring with a senior academic staff is mandatory.
4. Schedule
| First Semester |
| Period | Events |
| Within S1 | Eureka students to enrol in and complete the Introduction to Research Methods online module by December 30, 2023. |
| July – October 2024 | Faculty to nominate teachers interested in being mentors in S2. Nominated mentors to receive an invitation from Eureka team to submit a research project brief on the online platform. Mentors to apply for ethical and other necessary clearances for their research projects, if required. |
| October to December 2024 | Mentors and students to attend separate induction talks organised by Eureka team. Faculty to organize follow-up matchmaking sessions. Students to register for interested project(s) on the online platform, explore opportunities and meet up with potential mentors. Eureka team to contact mentors and students to confirm the match by the end of December. |
| Second Semester |
| Period | Events |
| Add/ Drop Period | Students who have successfully matched with a mentor and intended to proceed to enrol in the corresponding Eureka research course on the Student Information System (SIS). |
| January to April 2025 | Students to work on their projects with mentors. |
| April to May 2025 | Students to submit one-page research poster and reflective research essay to mentors for review. |
| May 2025 | Faculty to consolidate grading and feedback from mentors. Mentors to schedule review sessions with students, and nominate students with exceptional performance to participate in HKU Teaching and Learning Festival in coming academic year. |
5. Introduction to Research Methods Course
Before enrolling in the Eureka research course, students are required to complete a self-paced online course on Introduction to 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 Eureka research course and other research opportunities. Peer tutors will be recruited to assist students in need. Undergraduate students with strong research methods training will be recruited as Peer Tutors. Once Eureka reaches a stable state, peer tutors will be recruited from former Eureka participants. Upon completion of both Preparation for University. Essentials for Success course and Introduction to Research Methods course, two out-of-classroom credits will be granted
Exemption will be granted for students who demonstrate proof of equivalent training.
Eureka Research Course (ERC)
As mentors, you are invited to:
a. Submit a research project brief via an online form, attend the induction talk, and meet with students
From mid-July to October, faculties are invited to recruit interested teachers for Eureka in S2. Upon successful completion of Eureka, your student(s) will receive academic credits and the course will be an official record on their transcripts. The team will also invite you to submit your research project brief for student selection on the online platform.
Additionally, Student Feedback on Teaching and Learning (SFTL) Questionnaires will provide a structured feedback mechanism for course enhancement.
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 developing research activities, social and academic protocols with your potential Eureka students.
From mid-October to December, you may set up office hours or be approached by students for meetings. You may meet up with selected students to determine whether they fit your research project. You may recruit students from different backgrounds depending on your project requirements.
By the end of December, the team will check with you on which student(s) you have accepted. The team will notify both you and your student(s) regarding the match results. After that, you may start working with your student(s) in the Second Semester.
b. 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. 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.
Students 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 remind your students to work out specific arrangements with you at the beginning of the Eureka research course.
c. Course Learning Outcomes
On completing this course, students will be able to:
- Identify, describe and explain an important academic question based on experience, expertise, and literature
- Develop competence in and make good use of critical undergraduate research skills
- Collaborate, communicate and present their notions effectively with other researchers, as well as a variety of audiences they may encounter
- Understand the relevant field’s fundamental standards for conducting responsible research
- Nurture an inquiry-based mindset to tackle ill-defined problems for lifelong learning and produce scholarly work for the benefit of the wider community
d. Roles and Responsibilities of Mentors
Mentors are expected to:
- Support students in their creative and academic endeavours
- Clearly identify the parts of project undergraduate students can be engaged
- Clearly specify expectations and deadlines with your students
- Conduct regular meetings with students to discuss progress
- Ensure students have had appropriate training in research compliance, including but not limited to laboratory safety, ethical procedures
- 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 Eureka project, team meetings may be arranged to track student progress and provide guidance. Individual feedback must be provided to each student by the end of ERC.
e. Understand the Assessment Criteria
Your student(s) will develop their research projects under your coaching in the S2. Between late April to early May, your student(s) will submit a one-page research poster and other assessments assigned by you via Moodle.
From May to June, you will submit grades, provide feedback, schedule review sessions, and nominate students with exceptional performance for the HKU Teaching and Learning Festival poster exhibition and awards presentation ceremony in the coming academic year.
Suggested course assessment is 100% coursework consisting of course participation (30%), a one-page research poster (50%) and a 500-word research reflective essay (20%). Aside from the compulsory assessment of a one-page research poster, you may modify the assessment items and their weightings. Please inform students in advance of these requirements. 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.
Your student(s) will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis. Upon satisfactory completion, the course will be recorded as a 6-credit elective course on their transcripts.
6. Template Forms and Guidelines
Sample course offering template, guidelines, registration, and reporting forms for both teachers and students are available on eureka.hku.hk.
Why should I become a Eureka Mentor?
Supportive Infrastructure for Undergraduate Research
Students joining Eureka will have completed research methods training. They will also be supported by a network of peer tutors and be oriented to other relevant resources should they need further assistance. Likewise, Faculties will be advised to develop relevant infrastructure and host events such as follow-up matchmaking sessions to support participating teachers.
Diverse Funding Source
According to the University Grants Committee (UGC), there is provision in the General Research Fund (GRF) budget for a monthly allowance to undergraduate students to support their participation in GRF projects, up to HKD 2,500 to an undergraduate helper for 10 months for each GRF application. Teachers may also be eligible to apply for various funding sources to scale up their projects by recruiting undergraduate researchers.
Improving One’s Existing Research Work
Overseas cases have shown that the involvement of undergraduate researchers has positively improved the breadth and depth of the existing research projects. Teachers will be able to gain new perspectives through mentoring undergraduate students, as well as having extra support to accelerate the research process.
Undergraduate Research Mentorship Awards
As part of the annual Teaching and Learning Festival, mentorship awards will be set up to recognize the efforts teachers paid in realizing excellent undergraduate research projects.
7. Further Queries
Please contact the Undergraduate Research Programme – Eureka team by email at eurekaproject@hku.hk.