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The outstanding achievements of the local information and communications technology (ICT) industry were recognised at the presentation of the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2008 tonight (February 9).
PremiumSoft CyberTech Ltd. received the Award of the Year, the most prestigious award, from the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, the officiating guest at the presentation ceremony. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mrs Rita Lau, presented the grand awards to the eight winners at the ceremony.
Addressing the ceremony, Mr Tsang said, "We will be looking to you, our ICT professionals, to help us fulfil our creative, productive and learning potential as we ride out the global financial storm."
"Going forward, we will continue to embrace the opportunities and challenges brought about by ICT developments. This is a timely and vital ingredient as we strive to improve efficiency, create and sustain jobs and improve our quality of life," he said.
Mr Tsang stressed that the Government was fully committed to promoting ICT development. "We are working to implement the 'Digital 21 Strategy', the blueprint for Hong Kong's ICT development, in partnership with the industry," he said.
Introduced in 2006, the Hong Kong ICT Awards aim to recognise and promote the outstanding achievements of local ICT professionals and organisations. The awards received 348 high quality entries this year, a similarly high level of participation to the previous two years.
"The winning entries are distinctive, and they come from a wide range of sectors, including ICT enterprises, SMEs, creative industries, social enterprises, government departments and students. Different sectors have joined forces to achieve success on in a spirit of collaborative," Mr Tsang said.
The Hong Kong ICT Awards 2008 comprised eight categories. There was one Grand Award in each category and an "Award of the Year" was selected from the eight Grand Awards. The Grand Award winners and their entries are:
1) Best Business Grand Award:
PremiumSoft CyberTech Ltd. (Navicat for MySQL)
2) Best Digital Entertainment Grand Award:
Asia Animation Ltd. (Storm Rider - Clash of Evils)
3) Best Digital Inclusion Grand Award:
Cyber Senior Network Development Association Ltd. (Elderly Computer Tutor Training Programme)
4) Best Innovation & Research Grand Award:
Immigration Department, HKSAR Government (Electronic Passport (e-Passport) System)
5) Best Lifestyle Grand Award:
Centre for Integrative Digital Health, School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU-Henry G. Leong Mobile Integrative Health Centre)
6) Best Professional Development Grand Award:
Cisco Systems (HK) Ltd. (Cisco Networking Academy Program in Hong Kong)
7) Best Public Service Application Grand Award:
Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (Virtual Reality Photography in Hospital)
8) Best Ubiquitous Networking Grand Award:
Senior Citizen Home Safety Association / CSL Ltd. / mSolution Consultants Ltd. (Mobile Link Service)
More details of the award winners, as well as the composition of the judging panels, are available on the website of the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2008: (www.hkictawards.hk).
Ends/Monday, February 9, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:15
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