The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, visited Sha Tin District today (September 18), meeting members of the Sha Tin District Council (STDC) as well as touring the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and a secondary school.
 
     The district visit started with a meeting with members of the STDC. Accompanied by the Chairman of the STDC, Mr Ho Hau-cheung, and the District Officer (Sha Tin), Miss Amy Chan, Mr Yang exchanged views with STDC members to get a better grasp of the district's development and issues of community concern, including the Innovation and Technology Venture Fund, Wi-Fi service, e-payment, the construction of an InnoCell adjacent to the Hong Kong Science Park and the impact of the automated bicycle rental service on the district.
 
     Mr Yang then proceeded to his next stop at the HKSI. Accompanied by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the HKSI, Dr Lam Tai-fai, Mr Yang toured the Sports Medicine Centre, the Fitness Training Centre and the Sports Science Centre and received a briefing on the application of technology in enhancing the athletes' performance. The Elite Training Science and Technology Division of the HKSI provides science and data-based support to assist coaches in formulating the most suitable training plans for athletes.
 
     The Director of Project Development of the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), Dr Gloria Yao, introduced to Mr Yang the collaboration projects between the HKRITA and the HKSI. Since the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the HKRITA has been developing high-performance sportswear for use by the Hong Kong rowing team in the Olympic Games and the Asian Games. The design of the high-performance sportswear addresses the needs of the athletes due to thermal reaction and biomechanical physiology. With its ergonomic design and UV protection, as well as comfort and suitable moisture-wicking function, the sportswear helps athletes perform at their best under changing outdoor weather in different environments. The HKRITA also developed asymmetrical fencing shoes to match the needs of the leading leg and the supporting leg during movement by addressing the unique biomechanical demands on the two feet. A Hong Kong fencing athlete wore the asymmetric fencing shoes in the 2016 Rio Olympics. The HKRITA is now actively exploring a new collaboration project with the HKSI for track and field sports and working on a new collection for the rowing team to prepare for the 2018 Asian Games.
 
     Mr Yang said that advanced equipment plays a key role in helping athletes perform their best to attain good results, in addition to the hard work of athletes and coaching teams. The collaboration between the HKSI and the HKRITA promotes the realisation of research and development results and helps the athletes better adapt to the sports environment and competition needs with the aid of technology.
 
     Before concluding the district visit, Mr Yang went to SKH Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School to better understand the implementation and support of the school in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. The students also introduced to Mr Yang the application of 3D printing and laser cutting in the school. In his chats with students, Mr Yang encouraged them to pursue active STEM learning to better equip themselves and raise their technology literacy.
 

Ends/Monday, September 18, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:50

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