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The Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Eddy Chan, today (July 19) said human capital was the key to successful innovation and technology development.
Officiating at the Showcase of Young Scientist Summer Camp at Hong Kong Science Park in Sha Tin, Mr Chan said that the Government had a mission to build Hong Kong into a regional hub of innovation and technology.
Mr Chan said, "Apart from supporting organisations in setting up their personnel training programmes, the Government has proposed in the 2008-2009 Budget to provide 800 additional publicly funded places for postgraduate research programmes in phases from the 2009-2010 academic year, which will cost nearly $300 million a year. Another budget proposal makes provision for a one-off grant of $18 billion to establish a Research Endowment Fund to support research projects at tertiary institutions.
"The Government also provides excellent technology infrastructure to foster the growth of innovation and technology enterprises. The Hong Kong Science Park is one of the key parts of that infrastructure," he added.
Mr Chan said the first two phases of the Science Park had been launched with over a hundred local and overseas technology companies now based in it. These companies carry out applied research and development activities and exploit new products and designs in an excellent environment with advanced technological and various support facilities.
Mr Chan said that the Science Park not only enhanced Hong Kong's position as a regional hub of innovation and technology, but also provided many young scientists and students with job and development opportunities. The park's incubation programme provides technology and design start-ups with an array of supporting services, including low-cost offices, management, marketing and promotions, financial services and technical support.
Over the years, the department has organised science competitions, Innovation Festivals, a Youth Innovation Club and summer activities for students, as well as helping with and sponsoring similar activities conducted by other organisations.
The Showcase of Young Scientist Summer Camp is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation. A total of 100 students from Primary Four to Six took part in the three-day camp. They learned from experts and scholars the application of environmental technology and created models of environment-friendly holiday resorts with the help of computers, and handicraft materials.
Ends/Saturday, July 19, 2008
Issued at HKT 13:05
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