Ir Prof Alex Wai has had a stellar career as a theoretical physicist researching into optical communications and photonics. Growing up, he was fascinated by science and the fundamental principles governing the universe. “Mysteries intrigued me,” he reminisced, “and I believed there were reasons behind them that scientists could unravel and explain. This belief inspired me to become a scientist from a very young age.”

Making an impact as a physicist

Ir Prof Wai earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in Physics in the US because of the opportunity offered by such experiences to learn from world-renowned physicists and be involved in cutting-edge research. He worked as a research scientist on the Tethered Satellite System (TSS) mission, a joint US-Italian space shuttle project with NASA in the US. “I experienced firsthand how a space project is managed and the stringent technical requirements for instrumentation in space projects,” He explained.

After a decade in the US, Ir Prof Wai returned to Hong Kong in 1996. “I was driven by a desire to contribute to the development of science and technology in Hong Kong and the Mainland,” He remarked. “I saw potential to make a significant impact on the academic and research landscape in Hong Kong. I joined The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) to start my academic career in Hong Kong.”

Ir Prof Wai giving a welcome address as the OptoElectronics and Communications Conference International Advisory Committee (OECC IAC) Co-Chair at the OECC held from 2 to 6 July 2023 in Shanghai, China

Contributing to the Mainland’s space exploration

During his 25 years at PolyU, Ir Prof Wai achieved many significant milestones. The most memorable one was to participate in the Mainland’s lunar and Mars exploration missions. In the early 2000s, the Mainland announced its intention to launch a three-phase lunar exploration programme, Chang'e, consisting of orbiting, soft-landing, and sample-return missions.

Ir Prof Wai was confident that PolyU’s prior expertise in developing space instrumentation for Russian and European space agencies would benefit the Mainland’s missions. “My team visited the China National Space Administration many times to lobby for PolyU to have a role in the lunar exploration project,” he said. “After much effort, PolyU was finally able to participate in and support the Mainland’s missions.”

From 2010 until his departure from PolyU in 2021, Ir Prof Wai was part of PolyU’s research team collaborating with China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) to design and make space tools for the Mainland space missions. These included the camera pointing system used in the Chang’e-3 mission in 2013, Chang’e-4 mission in 2019, and Chang’e-5 mission in 2020. As a theoretical physicist researching into optical communications and photonics, Ir Prof Wai’s role was to manage and oversee the successful execution of these projects. “The camera pointing system used on the Chang’e-3 mission in 2013,” he elaborated, “was the first Hong Kong-made instrument used in the Mainland’s lunar exploration programme. It helped capture images of the Moon and made it easier for the mission control centre to direct the rover’s movement.”

Ir Prof Wai (2nd left) and the PolyU team including Prof Yung Kai-Leung, Chair Professor of Precision Engineering (1st right) contributed to the Nation’s lunar probe by developing the Camera Pointing System jointly with China Academy of Space Technology for the Chang’e-4 mission in 2019

He also has high praise for the Surface Sampling and Packing System. “Developed by PolyU’s research team in collaboration with CAST, this system helped collect lunar surface samples for the Chang’e-5 mission in 2020 and Chang’e-6 mission in 2024,” He explained. “Return of samples from the far side of the Moon by Chang’e-6 mission is the first of its kind in human history.”

Recalling another memorable experience, Ir Prof Wai says, “I led the PolyU research team to successfully design and make the Mars Landing Surveillance Camera, one of the key instruments on board the Mars spacecraft, to participate in China’s first Mars mission, Tianwen-1, launched in July 2020.”

He summed up, “These space-qualified instruments, including the Mars Rock Corer, Camera Pointing Systems, and Surface Sampling and Packing Systems, were designed and made by PolyU’s engineering teams. PolyU’s teams can boast that their instruments are literally out of this world. I am proud to be part of the team that contributed to the success of the Mainland’s deep space exploration programme.”

Leading education into a new era of innovation and excellence

On becoming the President and Vice-Chancellor at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) in 2021, Ir Prof Wai stated that he was “motivated by a desire to lead a diverse and dynamic institution full of potential into a new era of innovation and excellence.” At HKBU, he was “proud of the various initiatives launched to achieve academic excellence in teaching, research and knowledge transfer, as well as promote the whole person development of our students.”

Ir Prof Wai (3rd left), along with other HKBU and Airport Authority Hong Kong representatives, officiating the opening ceremony of the “Fly Me There” exhibition, a deliverable of the “Future Cinema Systems: Next-Generation Art Technologies”

In his strong belief that technology is important in every field, Ir Prof Wai explained that “today the boundaries between art and technology are blurring, creating new opportunities for innovation and collaboration.” For instance, he helped realise a far-sighted art-tech project called “Future Cinema Systems: Next-Generation Art Technologies”, which received HK$35.4 million funding from the HKSAR Government’s Innovation and Technology Support Programme.

Another of his many memorable moments at HKBU was leading a team of Chinese medicine experts and support staff to launch the “Free Online Consultation Service for COVID-19 Patients”. “This Service provided free online health consultation, medicine delivery and emotional support resources to over 41,000 people. In addition, HKBU’s Chinese medicine practitioners and social work experts supported the operation of approximately 1,200 beds at the Kai Tak Holding Centre for resident elderly patients with mild symptoms.” He claimed. “This experience is invaluable to HKBU when it opens by phases the Hong Kong’s first Chinese medicine hospital in late 2025.”

HKBU participated in the Kai Tak Holding Centre’s operation and offered Chinese medicine-based services during the COVID in 2022; Mrs Carrie Lam, the then Chief Executive (front row; 2nd left), together with government officials visited the Centre for an overview of beds managed by HKBU; Prof Bian Zhaoxiang, Associate Vice- President (Clinical Chinese Medicine) and Hospital Chief Executive of The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (front row; 1st right) introduced the Chinese medicine treatments and the other care services offered by the University to the resident elders

Research, professional recognition and improving higher education

Ir Prof Wai’s research in fibre optic communications focuses on improving the efficiency and capacity of data transmission. He holds a number of patents on methods that improve the performance of telecommunications networks. “These innovations,” he commented, “have enabled faster and more reliable Internet connectivity, benefitting individuals and businesses worldwide.”

Of the numerous honours and awards he received, he humbly said, “These represent professional recognition by leading authorities and underscore the contributions and advances in my scientific research. They open doors to valuable networking and collaboration opportunities, fostering further innovation and development. The one I value most is being elected an Optica Fellow because of its prestigious status in the field of optics and photonics.”

“Throughout my career, I have used my roles in various prestigious associations, societies, institutes and government bodies to improve higher education in Hong Kong.” He clarified. “As a former member of the Research Grants Council and University Grants Committee, I have influenced research funding policies and promoted a culture of innovation and excellence in Hong Kong’s universities. My leadership in the Society of Hong Kong Scholars and Council of Hong Kong Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology facilitates collaboration and knowledge exchange among academics, strengthening our scholarly community, particularly in the field of science and technology.”

To young people entering STEAM fields, he advised that they should “stay curious and open-minded, follow their interests, and stay abreast of the latest technological developments. Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.”

Martial arts as a skillset creating harmony and perseverance

In addition to his professional commitments in university management, engineering, and research, Ir Prof Wai has a deep passion for martial arts, especially Tai Chi. “Martial arts instil a sense of discipline, focus, and resilience, being essential qualities in my role as a scientist and academic administrator,” he elaborated. “They teach the importance of perseverance and continuous improvement, principles I apply in fostering a culture of innovation and excellence at HKBU. Tai Chi, with its emphasis on balance, harmony and mindfulness, teaches the value of maintaining balance between professional responsibilities and personal well-being, inspiring me to lead with integrity, empathy, and commitment to foster an environment where academic and personal growth go hand in hand.”

Ir Prof Wai (R) being conferred the HKIE Honorary Fellow 2025 by the President