'We are now facing fierce competition from neighbouring countries and regions. While Hong Kong has made substantial progress in innovation, technology and design in recent years, other economies are moving in the same direction and some at a fast pace.

'If Hong Kong wants to enhance its competitiveness and to have sustainable long-term economic growth, it has to put extra effort in innovation, technology and design,' said Mr Chan.

Mr Chan has committed to listening to the relevant stakeholders on how government can facilitate technological innovation and promote the use of design. ITC will continue to work together with universities, industry support organisations, the commercial sectors and educational institutes to provide infrastructure and develop human capital, support applied R&D and technology ventures, pursue design excellence as well as foster an innovation and technology culture.

'We need to work very hard and I look forward to having the support from various sectors,' said Mr Chan.

Local researchers have recently been conferred Second Class Award under the State Science Award (SNSA) and State Scientific and Technological Progress Award (SSTPA) by the State Council of the People's Republic of China.

The State Science and Technology Awards are highly prestigious awards in the science and technology fields in China. With an aim to recognising citizens and organisations who have made outstanding contribution in scientific and technological progress, the Awards will accelerate the development of scientific and technological undertakings and enhance overall national strength. It is most encouraging to note that Hong Kong researchers have achieved good results in the Award scheme in recent years.

The Hong Kong, Guangdong and Shenzhen governments will jointly support eight applied research and development projects under a new category introduced last year under the Hong Kong/Guangdong Technology Co-operation Funding Scheme to enhance Hong Kong's technology collaboration with Guangdong and Shenzhen. A total of about $63.5 million (of which $38 million is from Hong Kong side) in funding has been requested by these eight projects.

'The new category of co-funded projects marks an important milestone in the co-operation of Hong Kong and Guangdong in undertaking applied research and development. Through closer co-operation and exchanges between the two sides, we hope to enhance the innovative and technological upgrading of Hong Kong and the Guangdong area more effectively,' a spokesman for the ITC said.

Out of the eight projects, four will be funded jointly by Hong Kong and Guangdong governments and four by Hong Kong and Shenzhen governments. The supported projects are under the technology areas of energy-saving and new energy vehicles; white LED core technologies with high power efficiency; core technologies for RFID; and integrated circuits.

The funding scheme, first launched in 2004 by the Hong Kong/Guangdong
Expert Group on Co-operation in Innovation and Technology, serves to
enhance the collaboration between R&D institutions and industry between
the two places, and upgrading of the technology level of the
industry in the Greater Pearl River Delta region. In the past
three years, the two governments have supported some
400 R&D projects with total funding of $1.15 billion.

For more details, please visit www.itf.gov.hk.

Professor Philip Chan, a lecturer of Electronics and Computer Engineering in the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), had in 2000 thought of developing a novel electronic packaging technology for use by various industries. He was quite sure that his idea would bring good business and what he needed was funding support to put his idea into practice.

ITC shared Professor Chan's vision and in 2000 provided funding support under the Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP) for his project entitled''Development and dissemination of low-cost flip-chip and wafer level packaging'. In 2003, ITC provided him with another round of funding support under Small Enterprise Research Assistance Programme (SERAP) for the company founded by him and his students at HKUST -- Advanced Packaging Technology Limited. They started by renting a small room in the Entrepreneurship Center at HKUST and worked on a multichip-based high-brightness light-emitting diode (HB-LED) modules successfully. With the first order received in October 2007, the company now has more than 40 employees in Hong Kong and the Mainland China.

'Looking back, the funding support from ITSP and SERAP have greatly facilitated us to turn a concept into a prototype and to start our business. It was only with a promising start could we be able to raise further funding from the private sector' said Professor Chan.

The competition aims to increase the students’ knowledge in science and technology, develop their creativity through innovative application, as well as inspire their interest in science and technology.

Apart from the ‘Investigation’ and ‘Invention’ type of competition for secondary students, a slogan competition will be introduced for primary and junior secondary students with a view to stimulating creativity and promoting interest in science. Some ‘Best Participation Awards’ will be offered for primary and secondary schools bringing the largest no. of students to see the works of other students.

Deadline for enrollment for the HKSSPC will be 26 January 2008. For details of the competition, please visit: www.hksspc.gov.hk or call Ms Lau Pui Shan of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (Tel: 2561 6149).

Jointly established by ITC and The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups in October 2006, the Youth Innovation Club (YIC) has made 2007 a memorable and fruitful year for its 250 members.

Kenneth Lui, currently a year one student with University of British Columbia was delighted with the opportunity to speak to Prof. Klaus von Klitzing in November 2006. The Nobel Laureate had assured him that with dedication, his wish to become a scientist would not be a mission impossible.

Mr Wong Chi Ho, currently a year one student of The HK University of Science and Technology enjoyed the exchange tour to Shenzhen. He said the visits to the technological enterprises there had opened up his eyes.

The key objective of YIC is to enrich young people’s knowledge and encourage them to pursue life-long interest in science and technology.

All its members are students of local secondary schools and universities who have won awards in major science and technology competitions.