Xu Aoao, a renowned astronomer and higher education administrator, is an Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics and the Emeritus President of MUST. Graduating from Nanjing University’s Department of Astronomy in 1962, he remained as a faculty member, focusing on solar physics and related fields, as well as higher education management.

From 1992 to 2002, Xu served as the Dean of Academic Affairs and Vice President of Nanjing University. In 2001, Xu was awarded the First Prize of the 4th National Teaching Achievement Award.

In 2003, Xu was invited to assume the presidency of MUST. Xu pioneered general education in Macao’s higher education sector and fostered a campus culture centered on “harmony and professionalism.” Under his leadership, MUST focused on academic excellence in the second decade, achieving breakthroughs in traditional Chinese medicine, space science, and historical-cultural research. In 2010, it earned approval from China’s Ministry of Science and Technology to establish the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine (MUST)—the first national key laboratory in Macao. He propelled MUST into the ranks of the top 100 universities in the Cross-strait, Hong Kong and Macao.

After stepping down as president in 2013, Xu continued focusing on China’s deep-space exploration initiatives. He established a lunar and planetary science research platform at the university. He lead teams in data analysis of China’s landmark “Chang’e Project” lunar exploration program. In 2014, the Space Science Institute he founded became the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ first overseas key laboratory. By 2016, Xu contributed to China’s another major national project, “Tianwen Project,” playing a pivotal role in the successful landing of the “Zhurong” Mars rover. In 2018, MUST was approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology to establish the “State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Science.”

Xu has received numerous accolades, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences Award for Scientific and Technological Progress, the State Education Commission Science and Technology Progress Award, the National Natural Science Award, the First Price in the Macau Natural Science Award, and the Medal of Merit - Professions from the Macao SAR Government, etc. In 2016, asteroid 55901 was permanently named “Xuaoao” in honor of his exceptional contributions to astronomy and higher education.