Prof. Xiaoli Ding, Prof. Qihao Weng, Prof. Christopher Chao, and Prof, Wu Chen (from left to right) in the meeting
Ir Professor Christopher Chao is giving an opening remark
Ms. Priscilla YEUNG from ASTRI and Prof. Weng is discussing about potential collaborations
Prof. Qihao Weng is introducing the JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations
A group photo of major participants
The core members from Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) visited the JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations (JC STEM Lab) and discussed with the principal investigator – Prof. Qihao Weng and some major lab members about the potential collaborations on 6th Feb, 2023.
ASTRI was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness through applied research. Over the years, ASTRI has nurtured a pool of research, I&T talents and received numerous international awards for its pioneering innovations as well as outstanding business and community contributions. ASTRI has recently set up a framework for cultivating the university technology transfer and collaboration ecosystem. Under the initiative, ASTRI will pursue opportunities to apply funding to do joint projects with universities. With the aim of discovering potential collaboration opportunities with our lab, a total of six core members from ASTRI’s University Tech Transfer Committee, led by Ms. Priscilla YEUNG discussed with Prof. Weng and lab members.
The project meeting was led by Prof. Qihao Weng, Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence and Global STEM Scholar at LSGI, and Director of JC STEM Lab at PolyU. Ir Professor Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, Chair Professor of Thermal and Environmental Engineering, attended the meeting and gave an opening speech on behalf of the university. Prof. Wu Chen, Head of LSGI, and Prof. Xiaoli Ding, Director of Research Institute of Land and Space, also attended the meeting. Other participated members included: Dr. Zhiwei Li (Research Assistant Professor), Dr. Cheolhee Yoo (Research Assistant Professor), Dr. Qiming Zheng (Research Assistant Professor), and Dr. Jessie Jia (Postdoc Fellow). Participants introduced their research field and how they can work hand in hand with ASTRI to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem.
In the meeting, Prof. Weng introduced the focus areas of the JC STEM Lab with eleven examples of research: (1) Apartment/house vacancy estimation; (2) Building energy efficiency; (3) Nighttime lighting safety; (4) Accident surveillance; (5) Lighting sources discrimination and pollution monitoring; (6) Bird monitoring for biodiversity conservation; (7) Land cover and land use mapping; (8) Vegetation carbon uptake monitoring; (9) Extreme heat waves and vulnerability; (10) Public health concerns constrained by environmental factors; and (11) Urban Flood Hazard Monitoring and risk assessment.
The ASTRI members showed sincere interest in the research areas of the JC STEM Lab. Mr. Andy Lam introduced the opportunities for future collaborations. Ms. Priscilla YEUNG explained such collaborations in much detail, e.g., the function that ASTRI plays in the collaborations, the kind of support they can provide, and the expected outcomes, as well as the foci of immediate research collaboration. Other ASTRI members provided additional information related to the collaboration. Through the in-depth discussions between ASTRI’s University Tech Transfer Committee and the JC STEM Lab at PolyU, more collaborations and business opportunities are expected in the near future.
