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A total of 14 district-based cyber centres were providing services under a pilot scheme on District Cyber Centres (DCCs) and it would be expanded to 25 to cover different districts, the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology), Mr Duncan Pescod, said today (July 16).
Speaking at a visit to the District Cyber Centre in Ngau Tau Kok today, Mr Pescod said, "It is the Government's vision under the Digital 21 Strategy that everyone can take advantage of information and communications technology (ICT) for learning, entertainment, work and even just everyday living."
"To this end, we launched the pilot scheme in February to provide computing facilities, Internet connectivity, training and technical support to enable needy local residents to gain access to the rich pool of information in the cyber world," Mr Pescod said.
The scheme is currently supporting 14 centres equipped with about 200 computers and related facilities, as well as training programmes to serve different needy communities including youth, the elderly and women. A library is established to provide about 190 laptop computers for loan to the public and a mobile van will parade across the territory to deliver training and mount community-based ICT thematic activities.
The scheme is implemented by a DCC Alliance formed by the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and the Internet Professional Association. It seeks to enhance the capacity of district-based cyber centres through strengthening the branding, co-ordination and support network for the provision of more effective and quality services.
"These centres provide a good mix of locations supporting different needy groups in the community. I am glad to note that the DCC Alliance has recently started the second phase of the pilot scheme to expand the number of affiliated centres," Mr Pescod said.
Under the tripartite partnership arrangement, the Government has sponsored $14.4 million to the scheme while the DCC Alliance has raised considerable commercial sponsorship, both in cash and in kind, including professional support, hardware, software, service donation, to kick-start the scheme.
Ends/Thursday, July 16, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:08
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