HKCT Institute of Higher Education (HKCT) and Tsinghua University Suzhou Automotive Research Institute (TSARI) signed a collaboration agreement in 2023 with "Safety Systems for Aerospace and Polar Vehicles' Terminal Facilities" as a pilot theme, to establish a collaborative institution for initiating in-depth scientific research cooperation and provide platforms for fundamental scientific research, technological product development, project incubation, and new industrial integration. HKCT’s "Lion Rock Labs of Cyberspace Security" worked under the guidance of TSARI’s Aerospace Vehicle R&D Centre, established the "Joint Laboratory for Aerospace Security and Human Factors Engineering" in Hong Kong and both parties jointly formulated its initial construction plan.
To mark this significant occasion, HKCT and TSARI held the "Joint Laboratory for Aerospace Security and Human Factors Engineering” Plaque Unveiling Ceremony on November 30, 2023. TAM Yiu Chung, the Honorary Chairperson of the Board of Governors of HKCT, HO Kai Ming, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, and CHENG Bo, the Director of TSARI, together with WONG King Keung, Chairperson of Board of Directors of HKCT Group, WONG Yau Kar, Chairperson of Board of Governors of HKCT Institute of Higher Education, LAU Pui King, Chairperson of Management Board of Hong Kong College of Technology, TSANG Lai Keung, Governors of HKCT and CHAN Cheuk Hay, members of CPPCC and President of HKCT officiated the ceremony and witnessed the new milestone of the collaboration between HKCT and TSARI.
In November 2023, the China’s 40th Antarctic expedition officially set sail. With the assistance of TSARI, HKCT developed an IIoT prototype verification equipment capable of adapting to extreme natural and cyberspace environments. The equipment successfully passed national tests and was selected to participate in the Antarctic expedition, marking the first-time researchers from Hong Kong have been involved in the national Antarctic scientific research work. "Xuelong" and "Xuelong2", China's icebreaking and scientific research vessels officially began their journey back in April 2024, marking the successful completion of the China’s 40th Antarctic expedition. The "Xuelong 2", even made Hong Kong its first port of call on its return journey, signifying a significant milestone.
In order to deepen secondary students’ understanding of the country’s achievements in polar scientific research and inspire them to become scientists, the “Joint Laboratory for Aerospace Security and Human Factors Engineering” organised a student exchange event titled “How to Become a polar expedition member on Xuelong” on April 25, 2024. The event invited MA Fung Kwok, the Chairman of the organising committee of Xuelong 2’s visit and Legislative Council member as the officiating guest and YANG Shuang, the polar expedition project expert of the Aerospace Vehicle R&D Centre of TSARI as guest speaker. Over 120 senior forms students from 14 schools attended the event. The ambience at the event was vibrant and filled with excitement. During the exchange, YANG Shuang played some precious video clips from the 39th and 40th China’s Antarctic expeditions. She also pointed out that expedition member requires good physical fitness and stamina, as the expedition work often needs to be carried out in extremely harsh conditions. Regardless of the circumstances encountered, perseverance is necessary to ensure the smooth progress of the expedition work.
In fact, the qualities of the polar expedition teams and researchers, such as "fearless in the face of adversity and perseverance" seem to mirror HKCT since its establishment over 75 years ago. Founded in 1947 as the first post-war Workers' Night School, HKCT has shouldered a unique social responsibility and has never been afraid of challenges or changes. We have persisted in our beliefs, operated with diligence, and harbored loves for the country, evolving into today’s HKCT Institute of Higher Education, which can confer bachelor's degrees and focuses on vocational and professional education and training (VPET) to provide career pathways for different generations of society. It is with the belief that "fearless in the face of challenges and perseverance until the end will lead to success" that HKCT has achieved its current standing in various professional fields, especially in Cyberspace Technology, Cybersecurity, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and other areas, positioning itself as a “forerunning” role and achieving outstanding results, becoming a "reliable and trustworthy higher education institution".
