Two world-class HKUST scientists under the Global STEM Professorship Scheme (GSPS) highlight the enduring appeal of the University’s research ecosystem.
This scheme empowers local universities to attract world-renowned scholars, elevate local research, and translate academic discoveries into real-world social and economic benefits.
The two recent GSPS recipients are Prof. GAO Yang, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and a globally renowned space roboticist, and Prof. ZHENG Lizhong, Chair Professor in the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering and a prominent information theorist.
Space Quest
For Prof. Gao, the GSPS clearly demonstrates how HKUST and the HKSAR Government work in tandem to invest in the research area to which she has devoted her entire career.
"I consider the Global STEM Professorship Scheme to be primarily a vital recognition. It reflects the appreciation and firm commitment of both the University and the government toward space research and innovation," she said.
At HKUST, Prof. Gao is Director of the InnoHK Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Centre, Director of the Centre for AI Robotics in Space Sustainability, and Co-Director of the Space Science and Technology Institute. She leads R&D on the "Hong Kong Operation Robot" for the nation's lunar exploration mission.
Her research enables the "AI brain" of a state-of-the-art Moon rover to navigate unknown lunar terrain and transport surface samples—a crucial technological demonstration in support of the future International Lunar Research Station. Beyond the national missions, she also leads commercial space projects developing next-generation robotic manipulators for space debris removal, satellite servicing, and in-orbit manufacturing.
These cutting-edge projects at HKUST build directly on Professor Gao's internationally acclaimed foundation in space robotics and autonomous systems developed over 20 years in the UK. There, she served as Professor of Space Autonomous Systems at the University of Surrey and held the Chair in Robotics at King's College London, where she also led the King's Centre for Robotics Research.
She noted that GSPS's support for recruitment is highly appealing, as it enables her team to bring on board top early-career researchers needed for initiatives that will drive cutting-edge innovation across the entire space technology lifecycle, from concept development and R&D to spacecraft manufacturing, integration, launch, and operation.
Collaborative Ecosystem for Research
Prof. Zheng also appreciates the value that HKUST and the HKSAR Government place on his research and that of other scholars. The former Elihu Thomson Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT said the GSPS was an added incentive to join HKUST but noted that the main attraction was HKUST’s dynamic academic environment.
“Working at HKUST has been exciting for me. The atmosphere is friendly and collaborative,” he said.
One project he is engaged in is setting up a low-altitude economy (LAE) test field, with a wireless network to provide communication and navigation for drones. This project aims to provide drone operators with information services that help their drones carry out business tasks.
“This is a critical infrastructure for LAE to really become a billion-dollar industry. HKUST provides a truly unique environment for these experiments. As you know, flying drones has safety and security issues. The government can regulate this activity, and we need real business opportunities to convince the authorities to allow such experiments. These conditions are all present in the Greater Bay Area,” he said.
“We have the full support of nearby industries, wireless operators, and government agencies, making HKUST a special place to advance the emerging field of the low-altitude economy. Holding a Professorship at HKUST has certainly helped our efforts,” he added.
GSPS Successes
Prof. Gao and Prof. Zheng are far from the only current or former HKUST faculty members selected under the GSPS. Others include (in alphabetical order):
• Prof. BU Guojun (Division of Life Science)
• Prof. LI Dan (Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering)
• Prof. LI Mo (Department of Computer Science and Engineering)
• Prof. LUK Kam-biu (Department of Physics)
• Prof. SU Hui (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering)
• Prof. XIE Ting (Division of Life Science)
• Prof. XIE Yuan (Department of Computer Science and Engineering)
• Prof. ZHOU Xiaofang (Department of Computer Science and Engineering)
By attracting global talent such as these scholars, the GSPS helps researchers build strong teams in Hong Kong. This, in turn, strengthens HKUST’s position as a leading research university and supports the city’s broader innovation and technology ecosystem.
