PolyU is a key player in deep space exploration and aerospace innovation in Hong Kong, and recently hosted the Aerospace Innovation Research Summit (AIR Summit), bringing together the brightest minds in global aerospace innovation on campus.

The Summit, which attracted nearly 1,000 global scholars and industry experts, featured over 50 speakers discussing deep space exploration, rocket and satellite technology, the new space economy, and low-altitude economy opportunities for startups.

The opening ceremony was graced by distinguished guests from the government, academic and space exploration sectors. The Summit also received video addresses from Professor Wu Weiren, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Chief Designer of China's Lunar Exploration Program, and Ms Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, who conveyed their well-wishes for the Summit's success.

At the opening ceremony, Ms Wu Cheng, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (5th from left); Ms Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR (6th from right); Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President (6th from left); Dr Christian Feichtinger, Executive Director of the International Astronautical Federation (5th from right); Ms Li Tingting, Division Director of Satellite Data and Application International Cooperation Center, China National Space Administration (4th from left); Dr the Hon Hoey Simon Lee (3rd from right), the Hon Duncan Chiu (3rd from left), Dr the Hon Wendy Hong Wen (2nd from right), the Hon Shang Hailong (2nd from left), Prof. the Hon William Wong Kam-fai, Members of Legislative Council of the HKSAR (right); Mr Allen Yeung, Hong Kong Deputy to the National People’s Congress (4th from right), and Prof. Christopher Chao, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) (left), inaugurated the event.

In his welcoming remarks, Professor Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU, emphasised the University’s commitment to fostering international partnerships in aerospace. “As an innovative world-class university, now ranked 57th in the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings, PolyU will continue to leverage its scientific, engineering and research excellence to further contribute to the development of aerospace,” he said. Professor Teng noted that PolyU is the only local university in Hong Kong involved in various pioneering National space missions. He also highlighted that the University became the first Hong Kong educational institution to join the International Astronautical Federation last year, and recently presented seven pioneering research projects at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan.

The Summit featured five thematic parallel sessions exploring entrepreneurship in the space economy, low-altitude economy development, LEO satellites and rockets, space exploration technology, and space commercialisation. In the parallel session themed “Commercialising Space”, PolyU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Orion Astropreneur Space Academy (Hong Kong) Limited (OASA) to establish a “Space Accelerator”, focusing on nurturing talent for the new space economy and related industries.

In the parallel session themed “Commercialising Space”, PolyU signed an MoU with the Orion Astropreneur Space Academy (Hong Kong) Limited (OASA). Witnessed by Prof. Richard Leung, PolyU Court Member and Member of the International Council of Advisors, OASA (right, back row), and Prof. Gregg Li, Convenor of International Council, OASA (left, back row), the MoU was signed by Prof. Christopher Chao, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) (right, seated) and Mr Fletcher Ng, President and Director of OASA (left, seated).