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Fifty-six Hong Kong experts recommended by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) have been approved by the State Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and selected for the National Science and Technology Programmes Expert Database. This is the first time the ITC has recommended Hong Kong experts for the Expert Database.
The Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Miss Janet Wong, said, "Hong Kong experts listed on the Expert Database will support the work of MOST and participate in compiling the application guide for national science and technology programmes, assessing project applications and evaluating progress of approved projects. They will also put forward views and proposals for managing these programmes.
"They can also contribute to the Mainland's science and technology development under the National 12th Five-Year Plan by participating in policy formulation and project assessment for national science and technology programmes. In addition, they can become more involved in national science and technology research projects and thus enhance exchange and co-operation between the two sides in this area."
At the sixth meeting of the Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee held in Chengdu in August last year, the ITC obtained MOST's consent to co-ordinate the task of recommending Hong Kong experts for the Expert Database in a bid to further the involvement of Hong Kong research institutes and enterprises in the national innovation system.
The ITC's co-ordination involved inviting universities to nominate their experts for the Expert Database, conducting preliminary assessment of the applicants' details, and preparing a recommendation list for MOST's approval.
For nomination to the Expert Database, Hong Kong experts must be drawn from one of the following categories: heads of universities, deputy heads (research and/or Mainland affairs), deans (in the fields of science, engineering, agriculture and medical sciences), Directors/Members of Academic Committees of Partner State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong, or Members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Applicants must also be Chinese nationals.
Ends/Friday, February 10, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:08
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