Mentor of HK's first astronaut Lai Ka-ying describes her "Lion Rock spirit"
發佈日期: 2026-05-23 20:08
TVB News
Hong Kong's first astronaut Lai Ka-ying is a senior police officer who is a trained computer security specialist and holds a PhD.
Her doctoral supervisor describes her out-of-this-world journey as an embodiment of the Hong Kong spirit.
Lai Ka-ying spent a decade studying at the University of Hong Kong.
From her undergraduate studies to a doctorate, her focus is on cyber security and computer-related disciplines.
From an information technology expert to a payload specialist in space, what connects Lai to her work now in space exploration?
Supervising Lai's doctoral thesis on online copyright infringement was her longtime mentor -- cyber security expert Dr. Chow Kam-pui.
The Honorary Associate Professor at the School of Computing and Data Science at HKU's Faculty of Engineering says Lai was an excellent student -- hardworking, responsible and highly committed.
The pair co-authored multiple academic papers and have become close friends over the years.
Having known her for more than a decade, Chow says Lai did not mention a dream to explore space.
Chow says it was only much later, when she officially joined Hong Kong's astronaut selection programme that she revealed the wish.
She says in life, you have to give things a shot.
Describing Lai as a meticulous and patient person, Chow says conducting experiments in space or delivering lessons from orbit would not faze her, expressing confidence she can fulfil the duties of a payload specialist.
Lai is a police superintendent and the mother of three children.
And now, she adds another title: Hong Kong's first astronaut.
Chow says our home-grown astronaut truly represents Hong Kong's Lion Rock spirit.
And Ka-ying's journey shows us anything is possible if we try.
