Abstract

For decades, dual-use has been a commonly adopted tool to regulate export and to help protect certain countries’ military advantages. However, its meaning, scope, and specific policies rapidly evolving. In accordance with fast development in a number of high-tech areas and escalation of geopolitical stresses, many civilian R&D as well as heretofore commercial technologies are now within the national security domain. Moreover, “de-risking” is often-used as a key framework to articulate this shifting landscape. In this lecture, we will provide historical evolution along with illustrative case studies, and policy observations to foster exchange and discussion about the implications of these changes. Moving forward, how and whether nations can de-risk will significantly shape the future global dynamics. The outcome affects not only the major powers but also countries which must leverage innovative technologies to develop solutions needed to address their social-economic challenges per the individual context. The fast shifting national agenda in regard to security and continuing societal-wide open opportunities, and related policy framework are important themes to be addressed.

About the Speaker

Wei Shyy was the President of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) from 2018 to 2022.  He first joined HKUST in August 2010 as Provost and Chair Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.  Prior to this, he was Clarence L. “Kelly” Johnson Collegiate Professor and Chairman of the Department of Aerospace Engineering of the University of Michigan.  He was the Principal Investigator of several multi-institutional research projects on future space transport, bio-inspired flight, and computational science.He is General Editor of the Cambridge Aerospace Book Series published by the Cambridge University Press; and Co-Editor-in-Chief of Encyclopedia of Aerospace Engineering, a major reference work published by Wiley-Blackwell. Professor Shyy is an agenda contributor of the World Economic Forum and has received awards for his research and professional contributions, including the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) 2003 Pendray Aerospace Literature Award, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) 2005 Heat Transfer Memorial Award, and The Engineers’ Council (Sherman Oaks, CA) 2009 Distinguished Educator Award.  In 2021, the French Government made him an Officer of the Legion of Honor. In 2023, the International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences (ICCES) honored him with the Satya N. Atluri Award. In 2024, he received The Meir Hanin International Aerospace Prize.  He is an elected member of Academia Sinica and serves as a member of the board or advisor of several foundations and companies.