S for IT visits NAMI, ASTRI and HKSTPC (with photos)
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Mr Yang started the day by visiting NAMI. Accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of NAMI, Mr Daniel Yu, Mr Yang toured the laboratory where a number of prototypes made of nano and advanced materials were shown. These included the Smart Mask involving nanofiber technology, the application of flexible battery technology in a smartwatch power strap, the use of lithium-ion battery technology in extreme temperature batteries and the innovative materials used for next-generation lighting.
The Government set up five research and development (R&D) centres in 2006 to drive and co-ordinate applied R&D in selected focus areas. NAMI undertakes and provides support for market-oriented research in nanotechnology and advanced materials and strives for commercialisation of the technologies.
Mr Yang then went to ASTRI, which is also one of the five R&D centres. Received by the Board Chairman of ASTRI, Mr Wong Ming-yam, and the Chief Executive Officer, Dr Frank Tong, Mr Yang toured the ASTRI Security Lab, the Cyber Range Lab and the Next Generation Network Lab to view demonstrations of ASTRI's latest technologies including a cyber threat intelligence sharing platform, blockchain technology and big data analytics.
ASTRI was established in 2000 with the aim of enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness in technology-based industries through applied research. In 2006, ASTRI was designated as the R&D Centre for Information and Communications Technologies. Five areas of applications including financial technologies, intelligent manufacturing, next generation networks, medical and health and smart city were identified for major pursuit.
Mr Yang said, "The R&D centres are the major executive arms of the Government on innovation and technology development. They play a significant role as focal points for technology collaboration among the Government, industry, academia and the research sector.
"We will continue to support the operation of the R&D centres and strengthen our support for the realisation and commercialisation of R&D results."
In the afternoon, Mr Yang visited the HKSTPC. Accompanied by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the HKSTPC, Mrs Fanny Law, Mr Yang received a presentation by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Albert Wong, on the HKSTPC's latest developments.
This was followed by a tour of Hong Kong Cyclotron Laboratories Limited, a radio-pharmaceutical manufacturer specialising in positron emission tomography (PET) drugs, and the Arrow Open Lab at the Hong Kong Science Park. Launched in the Hong Kong Science Park this year, the Arrow Open Lab is equipped with state-of-the-art engineering equipment and testing modules and provides professional advice to technology start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Mr Yang also took the opportunity to visit HKSTPC incubatees with various focuses, including augmented reality, design and development of interactive business applications and analytics technology.
Over the years, the HKSTPC has set a solid foundation for the development of the innovation and technology ecosystem in Hong Kong. "To realise the goal of driving economic development with innovation and technology, we will work closely with the HKSTPC, and assist in promoting and publicising the innovation and technology areas in which Hong Kong enjoys advantages, such as the application platforms for the three cross-disciplinary research areas of robotics, healthy ageing and smart city, with a view to facilitating technology integration of innovative products," Mr Yang added.
Ends/Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:48
Issued at HKT 17:48
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