Beijing: The International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), spearheaded by China and incorporating the collaboration of multiple countries, is emerging as a pivotal hub for engineers and scientists globally. It is not only advancing the frontiers of space exploration but also nurturing international talent in deep space research, as stated by a UN regional head of space education.
According to Namibia Press Agency, China is actively fostering education and training for talents associated with the ILRS. Jing Guifei, the deputy director of the Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP), which is affiliated with the UN, highlighted that numerous top Chinese universities have established world-class education systems. These institutions have developed leading faculties and curricula, creating a conducive research environment that has produced many outstanding space engineers and scientists worldwide.
Jing announced at a three-day conference marking the 10th annive
rsary of CSSTEAP that the regional center plans to utilize aerospace resources from Chinese universities over the next decade. This initiative will offer comprehensive international talent education and training programs to all ILRS participating countries and organizations.
The ILRS is an ambitious project, aiming to establish an expandable and maintainable system capable of long-term robotic operations with occasional human participation on the moon, according to Ling Fei, deputy director of the international cooperation and exchange center of the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory.
Beihang University hosts the CSSTEAP, marking it as the sixth center established under the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. As of September 2024, CSSTEAP had educated 395 master’s and doctoral students from 33 countries and conducted over 30 short-term training courses, benefiting more than 2,000 participants from over 70 countries.
Several Chinese universities, including Beihang University, the University of Sci
ence and Technology of China, and Northwestern Polytechnical University, are involved in ILRS education and training programs, Jing noted. These programs cover a wide array of disciplines, such as space engineering, lunar science, and project management, designed for master’s and doctoral degree education.
Jing emphasized that the integration of theory and practice is crucial in cultivating high-end engineering, scientific, and management talents. These individuals are expected to lead future deep space exploration and technology development for all participating countries.
Engineer Doctor Seyi Festus Olatoyinbo, the executive director of the African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in English Language, affiliated with the UN, expressed enthusiasm over China’s leadership in lunar research studies. He mentioned the opportunity to bring in experts to train the younger generation on lunar research, highlighting excitement about partnering with China in education and training initiativ
es.
