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InnoTech Month 2011, with an exciting array of activities to promote a culture of innovation and technology in the community, was launched today (October 21).
Organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission, with the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation as campaign partners, InnoTech Month 2011 aims to offer members of the public, particularly the younger generation, an opportunity to see for themselves the achievements of innovation and technology in Hong Kong, and appreciate the importance of these achievements to our future development. By promoting and fostering interest in innovation and technology, it is hoped that more talent can be nurtured.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of InnoTech Month 2011 in Cityplaza at Taikoo Shing, Legislative Council member Mr Wong Ting-kwong said innovation and technology is one of the six industries in which Hong Kong enjoys a clear advantage, and it holds the key to the city's future development. Over the past decade, Hong Kong has doubled its expenditure on research and development (R&D).
Mr Wong said, "In complementing the National 12th Five-Year Plan, the Government and the industry will further enhance co-operation with the Mainland in promoting the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong. This will bring tremendous IT opportunities for our younger generation."
Mr Wong added, "To ensure sustainable and better development of innovation and technology, nurturing talent is an important issue. The Government should allocate sufficient resources for R&D and education, foster public interest in technology, expand the market for technological products and ensure sufficient manpower supply."
To promote a culture of innovation and technology, the Commission inaugurated the annual Innovation Festival in 2005. Starting from last year, the event was extended to last more than one month and renamed as InnoTech Month. The mega event has been well received by the public, students and industries, and attracted some 130 000 participants last year.
InnoTech Month 2011 will feature a wide range of activities, including roadshows, exhibitions, InnoTech workshops, seminars, a large-scale carnival, industry seminars and forums. The event aims to promote a culture of innovation and technology within the community and further develop a communication platform for the industry, which can drive Hong Kong forward as a regional innovation and technology hub.
InnoTech Month 2011 will feature a key event, InnoCarnival 2011, from November 5 to 13 in Hong Kong Science Park. The nine-day event will have three main themes: Health Science, Green and Quality Living, and Information and Communication Technology. For the first time, McMug, a popular cartoon icon, will be appointed as the ambassador of InnoCarnival.
Members of the public are welcome to join the activities at InnoCarnival 2011, all of which are free of charge. Some activities will require advance online registration. For details of the programmes and enrolment for the activities, please visit www.itm.gov.hk or contact the InnoCarnival partner, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (Tel: 2561 6149, email: itmonth@hkfyg.org.hk).
Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony included the President of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Dr Peter Tsoi, and the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Miss Janet Wong.
Ends/Friday, October 21, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:49
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