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The Acting Commissioner for the Innovation and Technology Commission, Mr Gordon Leung, said today (September 26) that the theme of the Innovation Festival 08 (IF 08)– "InnoVision Innovation InnoFuture" - underscored the Government's hope that nurturing an innovation culture would help develop more youngsters with creativity and technology literacy.
This in turn would lay a solid foundation for Hong Kong's future, Mr Leung said.
Officiating at the opening ceremony of the IF 08 at apm, Millennium City 5, Kwun Tong, Mr Leung said, "Young students are the key target audience of IF 08.. Other than the many activities and competitions specifically designed for them, they also actively participate in organising various events for the festival.
"Many booths at the festival showcase the students' innovation. They will also be on-duty at the InnoCarnival and roadshows, both to introduce their projects and to share with visitors their experience in innovation," he said.
To promote the message of IF 08 to the public, the Innovation and Technology Commission will organise four roadshows and Designtech workshops at amp, Kwun Tong; Tuen Mun Town Plaza; Tin Shui Wai Park & Ginza Square, and Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, from today until mid-November.
Apart from the seven-week Innovation Festival, the commission will also organise different activities to enhance the community's knowledge and interest in innovation, technology and design, as well as their understanding of the importance of technology to Hong Kong's future development.
Mr Leung said, "One of the key initiative this year is the production of a TV series 'Techno Frontiers', jointly with Radio Television Hong Kong. The 10-episode TV series will be broadcast on TVB Jade from October 1. Through the creative characters and fascinating stories, the series will highlight the importance of innovation and technology to our daily lives, as well as explore with the community the direction of technology development in the future."
InnoCarnival, the highlight of IF 08, will be held at the Hong Kong Science Park from October 16-18. Activities of the InnoCarnival fall into four main categories - exhibitions, workshops, seminars and competitions. Among the competitions, there will be the World Robot Olympiad (Hong Kong Selection), Hong Kong Tech Challenge 2008 and a T-shirt design competition. They all will challenge students' creativity, technological knowledge, organisation and communication skills. The workshops will cover a variety of topics including building and design of robots, making of 3D animation and solar cooker.
A number of universities, professional organisations, the Education Bureau and various youth and educational organisations will also take part in IF 08. They will exhibit innovations and creative works, host 20 seminars and 150 workshops and organise several competitions. Members of the public can experience the "Made-in Hong Kong" technology achievements and creative trends. They can also enrich their technological knowledge and showcase their creative talents through participation in these activities.
Also officiating at the opening ceremony, Council Member of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Ms Junia Ho Suk-yin expressed support for the "innovative, lively and interesting" approach used by the commission to put the younger generation in touch with advanced technology, inspire their creativity and foster their interest in scientific research..
People are welcome to join all the activities of IF 08. For details of the programmes and enrolment for the activities, please visit www.itc.gov.hk or contact IF 08 partners on 2561 6149 or email: innofest@hkfyg.org.hk
Ends/Friday, September 26, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:20
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