Strategic Collaboration Between Universiti Sains Malaysia and Chongqing Research Institute of Harbin Institute of Technology (CGHIT)

On 25 June 2026, a strategic meeting was convened at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) to explore and advance collaborative initiatives with the Chongqing Research Institute of Harbin Institute of Technology (CGHIT) and its industry partners. The USM delegation was led by Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamir Pakhuruddi, Director at the Institute of Nano Optoelectronics Research and Technology (INOR), alongside Associate Professor Dr. Elmi Abu Bakar, Dean of the School of Aerospace Engineering, and Associate Professor Dr. Wan Mohd Nazmee Wan Zainon, Dean of the School of Computer Science. The CGHIT delegation was headed by Vice Dean Prof. Dr. Yan Bing, accompanied by leading experts in artificial intelligence and aerospace engineering, as well as Mr. Akdov Lei Fu, Manager from Shenzhen Magixpace Technology Co., Ltd.

The meeting commenced with an administrative and progress update on the active joint projects currently running between HIT and USM’s Schools of Aerospace Engineering and Computer Science, noting steady momentum in these existing partnerships. Following this, Mr. Akdov Lei Fu presented a corporate and technical overview of Shenzhen Magixpace Technology, highlighting their capabilities in the design, mass production, and operation of small satellites, including CubeSats and microsatellites. The company specializes in developing proprietary satellite platforms and onboard components, alongside providing advanced Earth observation and remote sensing data services for environmental monitoring and disaster management. Mr. Lei Fu also emphasized their commitment to commercializing low-cost, industrialized satellite manufacturing to support global satellite constellations.

The session proceeded with high-level technical presentations from the CGHIT experts. Prof. Dr. Chen Bin shared insights on the integration of artificial intelligence within the inspection industry, detailing how AI enhances automation and accuracy in quality control. This was followed by a presentation from Prof. Dr. Qu Zhenshen, who discussed cutting-edge developments in autonomous, GPS-denied indoor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), focusing on navigation and stabilization solutions in complex enclosed environments.

The concluding segment focused on translating these technical synergies into a sustainable, long-term partnership through several key academic and research-driven initiatives. A primary area of mutual interest was evaluating the potential establishment of a local satellite ground station, a facility intended to provide significant operational and data-sharing benefits to both parties. Furthermore, the discussions outlined concrete pathways for undergraduate and postgraduate student mobility, academic exchanges to foster global perspectives, and a mutual commitment to co-authoring research papers for publication in high-impact international journals. Both institutions concluded the meeting by expressing mutual enthusiasm for formalizing these initiatives in the near future. Ultimately, this strategic visit not only strengthens the bond between USM and HIT but also positions USM as a key player in the global aerospace research arena, promising a future of shared innovation and discovery.