The Hong Kong High-tech Development Investment Scheme inter-school competition organized by the Better Hong Kong Foundation’s Hong Kong Together Campaign held an award-presentation ceremony today. The top three winners were, Lai Chack Middle School, Po Leung Kuk No.1 W.H.Cheung College and St. Paul’s Secondary School. Along with nine other outstanding teams, they were awarded scholarships to attend a high-tech course in Beijing’s Tsinghua University and Shenzhen’s Tsinghua Research Institute.
George Yuen, the Foundation’s Chief Executive explained that, “the aim of this competition is to realize the government’s vision of developing Hong Kong into an information and technology center. This program reasserts the importance of nurturing a new generation of professionals in science and technology in order to face the challenge in the new century which stresses the use of knowledge.”
Yuen added, “the competition’s main objective was to generate students’ interest in high technology. Through the process of data collection, analysis, establishing arguments, compiling and presenting their proposals, students would have a better understanding of the research topics. The use of computer in the project also helps polish their skills in the applying new technology.” The winning entries will be published in the Better Hong Kong Foundation’s web site.
The Hong Kong High-tech Development Investment Scheme competition was possible through the support of the Hong Kong Government’s Quality Education Fund.
Peter Lee, Education Committee Chairman of the Foundation’s Hong Kong Together Campaign says, “not only does the competition foster students’ understanding in science and technology, it also strengthens their commitment to contribute to a more cohesive community.”
In July, the 12 winning teams will attend a two-week course at Beijing’s Tsinghua University and Shenzhen’s Tsinghua Research Institute, where they will have a familiarization course on the developments in information, electronics, biochemical and environmental technology. They will also visit various research institutions and organizations to have first-hand experience of the latest technology and economic development in China.
K.H. Tong, Acting Director of the Education said, “the meaning of this competition lies in the importance of knowledge-based education. We should arouse students’ interest in the knowledge outside textbooks, especially those concerning high technology and its application. Competitions like this are part of the investment in human capital. I hope there will be more such competitions in the near future so as to help train a new generation of professionals in Hong Kong.”
Mr. Yuen added, “this competition has received a good response from the students and have put together excellent presentations.” Following the success pf this competition, the Better Hong Kong Foundation will hold a second Hong Kong High-Tech Development Investment Scheme” competition in September and October this year. We hope that more students will be interested to take part.”
The Foundation’s Hong Kong Together Campaign was started in 1998 to encourage public togetherness as well as engender much valued civic spirit in the community. The Better Hong Kong Foundation with a number of participating sectors in the community formed a Joint Working Committee to steer the Campaign.
The Better Hong Kong Foundation is a privately funded, non-profit, non-political organization, formed by leading Hong Kong business people to reinforce Hong Kong’s role as the leading regional, financial, shipping, trading, communication and technology center. The Foundation also serves to enhance greater international understanding between East and West by facilitating communications between Hong Kong, China and the international community.