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With the theme "Let's Innovate...For a New Era", a 10-week Innovation Festival 07 was launched today (August 31) to enhance public awareness of Hong Kong's achievements in innovation, technology and design.
Organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission with The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups as festival partner, the Innovation Festival 07 was launched today at Millennium City 5 (apm) in Kwun Tong.
The festival features a wide variety of programmes including Innovation Expo 07, three roving roadshows and a design exhibition, 20 seminars, more than 140 DesignTech Workshops, innovation and technology competitions, attempts to set world records, as well as a public sharing and voting campaign for "Wish for the New Era - My Most Wanted Technology Breakthrough."
Officiating at the ceremony today, the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Anthony Wong, said the Innovation Festival was aimed at enhancing public awareness of Hong Kong's achievements in innovation, technology and design and to promote an innovation and technology culture.
"The event will nurture the interests of the younger generation in technology, thereby grooming more local talent in innovation and technology," Mr Wong said.
Innovation Expo 07, the highlight of the Festival and one of the major celebration programmes of the 10th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region, will be held from September 14 to 18 at Hall 1 of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. More than 100 organisations, including universities, R&D organisations, industry support organisations, technology and design enterprises and technology education organisations will display exhibits at the Expo and organise various activities such as seminars and workshops. The State Ministry of Science and Technology has also pledged its support through lining up technology projects such as the Three Gorges Project model to showcase at the Expo.
With the objective of reaching out to the community, in addition to the roadshow at apm from today (August 31) to Sunday (September 2), there will be roadshows at Cityplaza in Taikoo Shing from October 5 to 7 and at Tuen Mun Town Plaza from October 12 to 14. A design exhibition will be held at the InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong from October 17 to November 7.
Honorary Secretary of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Mr Walter Chan Kar-lok said young people were innovative and full of dreams and through their spirit of daring, all things were possible.
"The Innovation Festival is a good arena for the exposure of young people to new technology and science. It also provides an opportunity for them to realise innovative talent. With their concerted efforts, Hong Kong's science and technology industry will hopefully continue to flourish."
Officiating guests and members of the public posted their "Most Wanted Technology Breakthrough" on to the "Lab for the Future" to start up the "Wish for the New Era" Campaign. Ten "Most Wanted Technology Breakthroughs" will be selected for public voting during the Innovation Expo in mid-September.
There was a preview today of the attempt by a group of primary students to set a world record with "the highest number of Lego robots in a tug-of-war". The actual attempt, together with another attempt to set the world record of "the highest number of students making Lego robots together" will be held on September 16 during the Innovation Expo 07.
A number of renowned technology enterprises supported as major sponsors of the Festival, including PCCW, VTech, Wong's International (Holdings) Limited, Surface Mount Technology (Holdings) Limited, Global Digital Imaging Ltd and Johnson Electric.
People are most welcome to join the festival activities which are free. For details of the Innovation Festival 07 and pre-registration for workshops, please visit www.innotech.gov.hk or contact the festival partner, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, on 2561 6149.
Ends/Friday, August 31, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:18
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