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The Authorities has ploughed monumental sources to expedite the transformation: over HK$150 billion was invested within the I&T improvement between 2017 and 2022. The affect is compelling: I&T start-ups within the metropolis have grown to round 4,000 from 1,000 in 2014; and the I&T sector’s workforce rose by 30 % to greater than 45,000.
The I&T Improvement Blueprint, introduced in December 2022, additionally outlines methods “to enlarge the I&T expertise pool”. Native universities are inspired to supply extra I&T-related programmes, resulting in extra undergraduates majoring in programmes centered on STEM (science, know-how, engineering and arithmetic).
Create an environment conducive to I&T studying
It is best to domesticate a ardour for I&T and STEAM at an early age. In his “Coverage Handle” 2022, Chief Government of HKSAR, John Lee, outlined extra measures to step up STEAM training (together with arts or humanities), such because the obligatory requirement of a STEAM coordinator in all colleges and enrichment of curriculum with extra I&T parts.
“The Training Bureau will step up promotion on STEAM “for all”, “for enjoyable”, and “for range” in main and secondary colleges to reinforce college students’ curiosity and capabilities in studying science and I&T, create an environment conducive to I&T studying and additional develop their creativity and innovation potential,” says Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Hong Kong Cyberport Administration Firm Restricted.
Ir Andrew Younger, Affiliate Director (Innovation) at Hong Kong Innovation Basis and Sino Group, thinks Hong Kong’s training sector is heading in the right direction. Main colleges encourage the STEAM curiosity in college students. At secondary colleges, college students be taught the ability units and the basics of STEAM. “They assimilate these ability units and data via engaged on initiatives in groups. There may be an emphasis on holistic improvement in order that college students analyse the outcomes, articulate the ideas in shows and improve abilities in teamwork,” he notes. “With a sound basis, some college students advance to increased training to completely unleash their potential. Undergraduates can pursue their STEAM pursuits in larger depth. Many can grow to be innovators.”
HKSF emphasises on holistic improvement
In help of nurturing younger native I&T expertise and cultivating their ability units, the Hong Kong Innovation Basis (HKIF) organises the annual Hong Kong Science Truthful (HKSF). This interactive platform encourages and evokes college students to make use of their empathy to watch and determine challenges within the society, then leverage their creativity and problem-solving abilities to develop revolutionary and human-centric gadgets/options to assist others overcome real-life challenges.
Mr Chan of Cyberport says, competitions, such because the HKSF, assist kids nurture their curiosity for science and curiosity in STEAM, in addition to revolutionary and enterprising spirit that are the best mindset for entrepreneurialism. “These competitions assist improve college students’ technical data and mushy abilities akin to creativity, crucial pondering, resilience and perseverance, all of which is able to higher equip them for his or her future profession improvement. They encourage and empower the following technology of I&T expertise.” Cyberport is likely one of the help organisations for HKSF.
By the ideation and execution of their I&T initiatives, the taking part college students endure multidimensional coaching. Mr Younger stated. “HKSF presents necessary alternatives for them to sharpen their analytical and presentation abilities, along with making use of STEAM data,” he says.
Elevated enthusiastic responses from colleges
HKSF is exclusive: it encourages absolute originality because it requires all entries haven’t been submitted to another competitions earlier than. There is no such thing as a particular theme for the entries in order that college students are capable of unlock their full creativity. Shortlisted groups are required to rework their artistic options into {hardware} prototypes by making use of the assimilated STEAM abilities acquired via numerous workshops held by the organiser in collaboration with strategic companions.
Constructing on the success of the inaugural HKSF, which attracted over 11,000 guests, HKSF 2022-2023 enjoys elevated enthusiastic responses from colleges in Hong Kong. Tons of of entries had been submitted. A complete of 120 entries have been shortlisted for the Main, Junior Secondary and Senior Secondary Divisions. They fall into 4 broad classes: Good Metropolis & Good Residence; Medical & Healthcare; Sustainability; and novel concepts.
The shortlisted entries mirror college students’ eager consciousness of points and challenges within the society, akin to illness prevention, environmental safety and vitality conservation. In the meantime, many entries share the aim to assist the much less lucky, together with the handicapped, aged who reside alone, and folks with continual illnesses, to beat their challenges and obtain full social integration.
Guests are inspired to interact with the scholars
HKSF goals to convey I&T to all by selling the I&T tradition and environment in the neighborhood. A two-day exhibition might be held on the Hong Kong Conference & Exhibition Centre on June 17 and 18,2023, Showcasing the 120 shortlisted entries, the taking part college students might be readily available to current their initiatives and reply questions from guests.
Guests are additionally invited to forged their votes for the “Most Common” Award. In the meantime, there might be 4 thrilling interactive zones for all.
Mr Younger says the organisers need to interact the general public and encourage the interplay between the guests and the scholars. “We had been glad to see households visiting HKSF collectively final yr. It helps them perceive the varied sensible purposes of I&T in our each day life. This elevated public curiosity in I&T exhibits the evolution of Hong Kong society.”
Mr Liu Man-cheong, an ICT trainer at Lai King Catholic Secondary College agrees. “With an enhanced understanding, hopefully extra dad and mom will encourage their youngsters to pursue STEAM examine.”
A cross part of execs visited HKSF and shared constructive strategies with the taking part groups, enabling some to reinforce their prototypes to make actual optimistic affect on the society.
Final yr’s Gold Award winner within the Senior Secondary Division, Raymond Lam Ka-ho of Heung To Center College, efficiently bought two patents for his undertaking “Gadget for decreasing potassium focus in meals” and enhanced the prototypes, based mostly on constructive suggestions from the judges and different consultants, together with Dr Lui Siu Fai of the Hong Kong Kidney Basis.
“Participation in HKSF helped speed up the event of my system,” Lam provides. His undertaking goals at enhancing the standard of life for sufferers affected by renal illness. By decreasing the focus of potassium in meals and drinks, the system permits sufferers to return to common eating regimen to a sure extent.
The Hong Kong Science Truthful 2022-2023
Time: 10am – 6pm
Venue: Corridor 3FG, Hong Kong Conference and Exhibition Centre
Web site : https://www.hksciencefair.org.hk
