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An additional 19 new affiliated District Cyber Centres (DCCs) joined the Government's Pilot Scheme on District Cyber Centre recently, bringing the total number to 33 and providing a good mix of locations supporting different needy groups in the community, the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, said today (August 25) while visiting one of these centres in Tin Shui Wai.
Mr So toured the Y.W.C.A. Tin Shui Wai Integrated Social Service Centre this morning to see the services provided by the centre, including the computing facilities, Internet connectivity, training and technical support that enable local residents to gain access to the rich pool of information in the cyber world.
He chatted with members of the public using the computer facilities there and learned that the centre had helped broadened their information and communications technology (ICT) knowledge.
"It is the Government's vision under the Digital 21 Strategy that everyone can take advantage of ICT for learning, entertainment, work and even just everyday living," Mr So said.
The Government launched the pilot scheme in February this year, supporting in the first phase 14 DCCs equipped with computers and related facilities, as well as training programmes to serve different needy communities including low income families, youth, the elderly and women. In view of the overwhelming response, the number of DCCs under its support service was increased by 19 to 33 under the second phase service expansion launched this July.
The pilot 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 co-ordination and support network for the provision of more effective and quality services.
For more details of the DCC pilot scheme, please call 3166 3888 or visit the DCC Alliance website at (www.dcca.hk/).
Ends/Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Issued at HKT 14:26
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