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As the global community heads towards a knowledge-based economy, the Government will spare no effort in encouraging our next generation to explore science and develop their creativity, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mrs Rita Lau said today (May 30).
Officiating at the award presentation ceremony of the Hong Kong Student Science Project Competition 2009, Mrs Lau said the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) hosted various promotional activities annually, such as the Innovation Festival and 3D animation competition, to inspire youngsters and help them onto the path of scientific research.
Mrs Lau said, "We also hope to help utilise their creativity. Therefore, part of the job of Create Hong Kong, the new office soon to be set up under the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, is to work with different sectors and organisations to foster creativity among youngsters so as to build up a creative atmosphere and to nurture talent for the industry."
Noting the theme of the competition "Radio Frequency Identification technology"(RFID), Mrs Lau said, "The daily use of Octopus cards, in which RFID technology is applied, shows how technology is an integral part of our life."
She said the entries this year were of very high quality and very diverse, demonstrating the students' infinite scientific creativity and most importantly, their knowledge of how to enhance quality of life with science.
Jointly organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, the Education Bureau and the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Hong Kong Student Science Project Competition is now in its 11th year, and has became one of the most popular scientific competitions in the education sector.
Winners of the competition will be invited to join a field trip to Korea during the summer holiday, when they will explore and share the wonders of science with other Asian youngsters. Meanwhile, various learning activities such as summer camps, science lectures and research internship programmes will be held, enabling students to exchange ideas with local scientists and postgraduate students.
At the final judging held this morning in the Hong Kong Science Park, 20 finalist teams demonstrated their scientific knowledge and innovative talent in front of the judges. In the Senior Division, the winners of the "Invention" and "Investigation of Scientific Phenomena or Application of Scientific Theories" categories went to "Miracle Tiger" and "Anti-Ant" of Kwok Tak Sing Catholic Secondary School. In the Junior Division, the winners of the two categories were "'Help' Phone" of H.K.T.A. The Yuen Yuen Institute No.2 Secondary School; and "Edible Paper" of Ho Yu College and Primary School (Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen).
In addition, the "RFID Award" went to "Multi-Functional Shoes" of Fanling Rhenish Church Secondary School and "'Help' Phone" of H.K.T.A. The Yuen Yuen Institute No.2 Secondary School.
The public can view the full results on the website www.hksspc.gov.hk.
Other officiating guests at today's ceremony included Associate Dean, Faculty of Science, the University of Hong Kong, Professor Allan Cheung; Research Professor, Department of Biology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Samuel Sun; Honorary Secretary, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Mr Walter Chan; Deputy Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Andrew Lai; and representatives from the Education Bureau and Hong Kong Science Museum.
Ends/Saturday, May 30, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:30
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