The sixth meeting of the Steering Committee on Innovation and Technology, chaired by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Frederick Ma, was held on 13 March.

Set up in January 2004, the Steering Committee comprises members from the government, academia, industry, and innovation and technology organisations. It serves to advise on the formulation and implementation of innovation and technology policies and ensure effective co-ordination and synergy among different elements of the innovation and technology programme.

At the sixth meeting, members were delighted to note that there was a growing momentum of the business sector in undertaking R&D. Members also welcomed the plan to relax the application criteria for the Small Entrepreneur Research Assistance Programme in coming April, and the launch of a five-year programme to engage Hong Kong-owned enterprises in the Pearl River Delta region (PRD) to adopt cleaner production technologies and practices.

On future direction, members suggested that Hong Kong should enhance technological collaboration with the Mainland, particularly Guangdong Province and Shenzhen; and the five R&D Centres, established in April 2006, should strengthen their network on the Mainland and conduct more collaborative researches with research institutes and enterprises in the Greater PRD.

The 34th Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Industrial Science and Technology Working Group (ISTWG) Meeting was held on March 27 and 28 in Hong Kong. ITC represents Hong Kong, China in the APEC ISTWG.

The meeting, held at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, brought together some 60 government officials and experts in the science and technology field from 14 member economies. The objective of the ISTWG is to fulfill the APEC vision for the 21st century -- to be a dynamic and prosperous Asia-Pacific region built on the development and application of industrial science and technology that improves the quality of life while safeguarding the natural environment and achieving sustainable development.

Over the years, the ISTWG has been working on many projects to promote collaboration in and transfer of science and technology, including the APEC Youth Science Festival, APEC Climate Centre, training courses, workshops and seminars on R&D management and technology development.

These were among the questions raised by students of various universities, who might want to set up their own business after graduation, at an Experience Sharing Forum on the Small Entrepreneur Research Assistance Programme (SERAP) hosted by ITC at the Polytechnic University on 10 March.

Over 100 students turned up at the forum to learn more about the SERAP and get advice from a few recent graduates, who have outstanding achievements in their own business with SERAP funding. The four speakers at the forum came from Akos Advanced Technology Limited, Colisa Limited, EuAuto Technology Limited and Team and Concepts Limited respectively.

SERAP, one of the four funding programmes under the Innovation and Technology Fund set up by the government in 1999, aims to provide pre-venture capital funding to technology entrepreneurs and small technology-based companies to undertake projects that have innovative, technological content and business potential. As at March 2008, more than 260 companies have benefited from the scheme with funding support of over HK$270 million.

At present only companies with less than 20 employees can apply for SERAP funding. In order to encourage more enterprises to conduct research and development activities and develop innovative ideas, the application criteria for the scheme will be relaxed from 1 April this year, allowing technology companies with less than 100 employees to apply.

Another Forum targeting at small and medium enterprises will be held in May at Hong Kong Productivity Council. Interested parties please register via email: registration_serap@itc.gov.hk. For enquiry, please call SERAP Secretariat at 2737 2409.

Application for funding support for innovative applied R&D projects under Tier 3 of the Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP) is now open. Local universities, industry support organisations, trade and industry associations, professional bodies, research institutes and local companies are welcome to apply. The maximum amount of funding support for each project is HK$1 million and the maximum project duration is 18 months. The deadline of application is 30 April.

ITSP, one of the four funding programmes under the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF), aims at supporting midstream / downstream R&D projects. A three-tier funding model was introduced for ITSP in 2005. Tier 3 supports more forward-looking and innovative applied R&D projects. 82 projects under Tier 3 received a total funding of about HK$ 74 million in the past two years.

Details of the specific requirements and features of the current round of application are available at the ITF webpage.

The Standards and Calibration Laboratory (SCL) of ITC has recently extended its calibration services to cover audiometers, sound calibrators and sound level meters in accordance with international standards IEC60645, IEC60942 and IEC61672 respectively. These services, which have been accredited by the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS), are in full compliance with international standards.

Audiometers are clinical instruments used by audiologists to perform hearing assessments for patients. Sound calibrators and sound level meters are instruments widely used by construction companies, manufacturers and government departments for noise control, product testing, law enforcement as well as occupational health and safety.

To encourage the younger generation to develop their potential in innovation, technology and design, ITC is joining hands with Cyberport and Hong Kong New Generation Culture Association Science Innovation Centre to organise the 'Hong Kong Youth 3D Animation Competition 2008'.

With 'Space Games 2108' as the theme, the Competition is open to primary and secondary students. Primary participants are required to submit a graphic printout, while junior secondary (F.1 – F.3) and senior secondary (F.4-F.7) participants are required to submit a two-minute and a four-minute computer playable animation respectively.

Free usage of 3D animation software during the Competition and free training course on the application of the software will be provided for participants. The organisers will also line up in-depth training for winners of the competition, with a view to further fostering the interest and developing the potential of the youngsters.

The deadline for application is 9 May. Further details of the Competition will be available in ITC website ( Click here ) in April. For enquiry please call 2792 3639.

An Advisor Sharing Session was held on 23 February to provide the participating students an opportunity to seek guidance from 15 advisors who are university professors/lecturers. 180 participants from 33 schools attended the session and had a stimulating discussion with the advisors.

The sharing session served more than facilitating the students to proceed with their projects. The questions, suggestions and comments from advisors had helped broaden their vision and enriched their knowledge in science invention and investigation.

The next highlight of the Competition is the Initial Judging cum Project Exhibition scheduled for 10 May at InnoCentre. All are welcome to visit the exhibition to see students' projects. The Final Judging cum prize presentation will be held on 31 May.

Mr Eddy Chan, CIT, officiated at the 2007/08 Hong Kong FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Robotics Tournament on 1 March. The theme for this year's tournament is 'Power Puzzle', which serves to inspire students' interest and enhance their understanding in the use of energy in the world. A record high number of 65 teams participated in the event this year.

FLL Robotics Tournament, a well-established international robotic event, was first launched in Hong Kong by The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups in 2005. It aims to encourage students to work in a team and go through a problem-solving process, during which their creativity and critical thinking skills will be developed.