Global governance & aerospace – The need for a management-integrated air and space education paradigm

In the coming 20 years, advancements in aerospace technology will transform the aviation industry, spurred by environmental concerns and worldwide developments. The emergence of Higher Airspace Operations (HAO) will create new possibilities in fields such as telecommunications, Earth observation, and hypersonic transportation, employing trans-atmospheric vehicles and High-Altitude Platform Stations. Simultaneously, the low-altitude sector is experiencing growth through advanced air mobility (AAM), including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and air taxis. China is spearheading this "low-altitude economy" initiative, with projections suggesting that urban air mobility could surpass a trillion-dollar valuation by 2040. The expansion in both high- and low-altitude domains signals significant technological progress and economic benefits on a global scale. All these advancements present significant challenges to operations, management, and governance of air and space, most importantly as they relate to safety. In response, the Beijing Institute of Technology's School of Global Governance (SGG) was established to address China's evolving global role, its increasing involvement in the United Nations, and the lack of integrated management and governance content in aerospace-related graduate programs. The school has developed four primary focus areas: air and space, the digital economy and AI, the environment and sustainability, and governance. The SGG aims to maintain a significant proportion of international faculty members. The school emphasizes an internationalized curriculum to equip students with the multifaceted and interdisciplinary nature of air and space studies. By offering a global governance degree in business management, public administration, or legal focus, students have the flexibility to tailor their thesis or dissertation to their career goals. The SGG forged numerous international partnerships through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), providing students with internship opportunities. The school's educational approach is grounded in Self-Directed Learning principles, fostering skills for lifelong learning in its students.