Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 2006

Chinese University Bulletin Autumn · Winter 2006 22 of ENVISAT, a satellite launched by the European Space Agency, from a distance of 700 km. The station receives and processes remote sensing data, turning them into useful information for governments, the private sector, and other users in Hong Kong, South China and the neighbouring regions. Beyond Earth, Beyond Science Prof. Lin points out that the station has revolutionized the use of information in earth science research in the region. ‘Through the station, ISEIS supports and advances traditional earth science with the latest space and information technology. That is why we are called the Institute of Space and Earth Information Science.’ Geoinformation science is one of the fastest growing areas along with the development of space and information science and technology in the 21st century and one which has far-reaching implications for other disciplines as well. ISEIS has a team of interdisciplinary research professionals from seven faculties and Prof. Lin hopes they will soon be joined by an expert from the new School of Law, environmental law in particular. These professionals work with scientists at the institute to, for example, identify thermal environments andwetlands that are conducive to the spread of infectious diseases, study transportation networks and air-flow in congested urban areas, develop software for geographic information analysis, and trace the cotton textile economy of premodern maritime China. Education ISEIS also has plans, resources permitting, to organize a postgraduate programme for both local and international students and to offer General Education courses for undergraduates. ‘This planet is our only home. Problems such as earthquakes, typhoons, and global warming affect us all, Tropic and Sub-tropic Remote Sensing Due to its geographical location, the CUHK sub-division specializes in cloud-prone and rainy area remote sensing and the study of coastal and marine environments. ‘The Chinese University base is a very important one,’ says Prof. Lin Hui, director of ISEIS. ‘Eighty-five percent of China’s natural disasters, including typhoon, rainstorm, flood, landslide, land subsidence and mud- rock flow, happen in areas with clouds and a rainy season. These are problems that must be solved. As land-based resources are being depleted, the world is looking more into ocean theories and methodologies for multi- source andmulti-scale spatial data, as well as integrationof geoinformation technology and earth science. Increasingly we tap into ocean resources such as off-shore oil. It is crucial to protect these resources and the environment.’ The institute’s other research areas include virtual geographic environments, emergency response and natural disaster monitoring and management, analysis and modeling of the urban settlement environment, public health and geoinformation systems. The first phase of the Satellite Remote Sensing Ground Receiving Station of ISEIS was built with HK$30 million from Innovation Technology Fund of HKSAR and the ‘863’ High-Tech Research Programme of China as well as sponsorships from private funds and began full operation on 1 January 2006. The second phase of the station will be built with a handsome donation of HK$40 million from the Fok Ying Tung Foundation. Besides being a landmark of the University, it is one of China’s two most advanced satellite remote sensing receiving stations for civilian use. The station’s antenna covers an area with a 2,500-mile radius, reaching Mongolia to the north, the Philippines and Indonesia to the south, Japan and Korea to the east, and the Eastern Indian Ocean to the west. Currently it receives radar images