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The Government was sparing no effort to create a favourable environment to promote a new knowledge-based economy in Hong Kong and enhance its competitiveness internationally, giving priority to the nurturing of adequate talent in innovation technology, Deputy Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Gordon Leung, said today (January 15).
Speaking at the opening ceremony of Dell Learning Centre at the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Lee Shau Kee Primary School in Tin Shui Wai, Mr Leung said provision of appropriate technological training and facilities and the wider adoption of information and communication technology remained the significant factors in nurturing talent.
Aiming to develop Hong Kong into a dynamic and knowledgeable community with a competitive edge, the Government introduced the Digital 21 Strategy. One of the important tasks is to promote the general application of information and communication technology to break the digital barrier.
Mr Leung said, "Government bureaus and departments, including the Education and Manpower Bureau and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, have been actively improving infrastructural facilities and upgrading technological support in schools and the community. They also set up the Task Force on Digital Inclusion at the end of 2008."
"The Government has also been working closely with the commercial sectors and non-governmental organisations in holding various digital inclusive activities. We hope to incorporate the strengths of all parties and bring out the synergy effect to overcome the digital divide through tripartite co-operation," he said.
Such co-operation patterns include the Pilot Scheme on Digital Cyber Centres launched by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer this year. Under this scheme, the Government works in partnership with the business sector, information and communication technology organisations, professional groups and community organisations. To help integrate young people from low-income families and other needy members of the community into the information world, district cyber centres equipped with computer and internet facilities were set up to enable access to information and communication technology and online services.
Ten district cyber centres with 250 computers and related information and communication technology facilities were established in the first stage.
Mr Leung said that today's opening of the Dell Learning Centre was another outstanding example of promoting digital inclusion through co-operation among commercial sector, academic and non government organisations.
"I hope Dell and the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups can establish more similar learning centres in Hong Kong in the future to offer support to needy students," he said.
This is the first Dell Learning Centre set up in Hong Kong. It is hoped that the user base can be expanded from primary students to parents, and that the centre can be open to the public on weekends and public holidays.
Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Executive Director of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Dr Rosanna Wong, Dell's Vice-President, Greater China, Mr Alex Yung, and Chief School Development Officer (Yuen Long) of the Education Bureau, Mr Lai Tung-chai.
Ends/Thursday, January 15, 2009
Issued at HKT 13:02
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