Space technology firm Tenchijin Inc. has stepped up as the Official Main Partner of Science Castle Asia 2026, a research conference designed for junior and senior high school students. Held on 22–23 August at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, the event drew 150 student research teams from 11 countries, with projects spanning environmental science, water management, agriculture, healthcare, and artificial intelligence.
For travel and infrastructure professionals, the partnership underscores a growing intersection between satellite data and practical applications—from leak detection in hospitality properties to route planning for tourism infrastructure. Tenchijin showcased its flagship product, KnoWaterleak, which uses satellite imagery and AI to identify and prevent water leaks, a solution that has already delivered measurable cost and time savings in infrastructure management.
Hands-on learning with satellite data
Beyond the exhibition, Tenchijin presented four Tenchijin Poster Awards and co-hosted a workshop with the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) for approximately 400 students. The session, titled “Eyes from Space: Solving Everyday Problems with Satellite Data,” combined live quizzes with a practical challenge: participants used satellite and ground data to recommend a location for a new hospital.
Yasuo Shirai, Vice President of Engineering at Tenchijin, emphasized the importance of pairing space-derived insights with local context. “Satellite data becomes truly powerful only when paired with local knowledge and human ideas,” he said. Shirai expressed hope that some of the students would eventually join the space technology industry, which increasingly supports sectors such as aviation, logistics, and destination management.
The company’s involvement in Science Castle Asia 2026 reflects a broader commitment to bridging classrooms and cutting-edge technology. Tenchijin’s solutions have earned recognition including the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Prize at the 7th Infrastructure Maintenance Grand Prize, highlighting their relevance to public and private infrastructure alike.
For travel industry stakeholders, the event also signals a pipeline of talent familiar with geospatial analytics—skills that are becoming essential for optimizing hotel operations, managing water resources at resorts, and planning resilient tourism infrastructure. As destinations in Asia ramp up sustainable development, partnerships like this one could help cultivate a workforce ready to apply satellite data to real-world challenges.
Science Castle Asia 2026 itself serves as a platform for young researchers to present their work to an international audience, fostering cross-border collaboration. With Tenchijin’s backing, the conference aims to inspire the next generation of innovators who may one day shape the travel and technology landscape.
