China moon landing scientists at Hong Kong Polytechnic University urge youngsters to join hi-tech revolution with career in manufacturing
- Innovation and technology are the next big thing, professors say
Scientists at Hong Kong Polytechnic University involved in China’s latest moon landing have urged young people planning their futures to ride on the coattails of the city’s aspirations for reindustrialisation and innovation.
Manufacturing was no longer a dirty job with the industry moving towards hi-tech production, the researchers said, and Hong Kong youngsters should consider a career in the sector to contribute to the country’s success.
Professor Yung Kai-leung and his team let out a sigh of relief on January 3 when the Chang’e 4 robotic probe achieved the first soft touchdown on the far side of the moon. Their multi-axis camera pointing system installed on the spacecraft was functioning properly.
“There were a lot of uncertainties and challenges. We did not know if it would work until the minute we got the pictures back,” said Yung, associate head of the university’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.
“Even though the system had been functioning in our laboratories, it did not mean it would react in the same way in outer space, since it was exposed to extreme temperatures and a high vacuum environment. Therefore accuracy was key.”
The camera system was mounted on the upper section of the lander and was built to extend and rotate 360 degrees to capture panoramic images.
The nerve-racking moment not only made history but also gave the university’s engineering faculty confidence that is was moving in the right direction.
“It’s crucial to obtain the ability to produce hardware and not only solely focus on research papers, so we have been providing hands-on experiences because we want our students to be well rounded,” said Professor Alex Wai Ping-kong, PolyU’s vice-president for research and development.
Moon mission a sign of Hong Kong’s potential in China’s hi-tech drive
“The world no longer sees manufacturing as dirty work – it’s not mass production at a noisy factory any more. The technologies used for advanced manufacturing are shaping our future, from digital design predictive analytics and augmented reality to advanced robotics and new materials.”
Wai said it was important for China to be self-reliant in the field, citing the United States’ ban on chip sales to Chinese telecommunications company ZTE.
“If Hong Kong is able to develop its high-value-added manufacturing, we will not have to rely on other companies or countries, and can also speed up overall production times,” he said.
PolyU was the only university from Hong Kong involved in the Chang’e mission, Wai added.
The number of students studying extended maths for the Diploma of Secondary Education, the city’s secondary school graduation exams, has plunged in recent years, despite promotion of so-called STEM education (science, technology, engineering and maths).
According to the Examinations and Assessment Authority, 16,155 students signed up for the algebra, calculus and statistics course in 2012, but by 2017 the number had nearly halved to just 8,171. The figure hit a new low last year, with only 7,531 students sitting the final exam.
Wai said PolyU had been pushing for more advanced manufacturing courses to offer its engineers, designers, scientists and technologists on campus at Hung Hom.
“I think a lot of times youngsters are reluctant to take up maths or science courses because it’s complicated, and sometimes they’re worried about the narrow job opportunities, but they have to bear in mind that innovation and technology are the next big thing,” Wai said.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor promised in her policy speech last year to provide HK$2 billion (US$295 million) worth of resources to the operators of the city’s industrial estates and science park to develop facilities for advanced manufacturing.
