The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a tech firm to work together on training for information and communication technology (ICT), connecting industries and nurturing talent of high calibre, enhancing the quality and technical content of ICT talent training in Hong Kong.
The Chief Innovation Officer of HKPC stated that Hong Kong’s National 14th Five Year Plan will help the region become an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. The growing I&T industry demands global talent. Thus, in addition to admitting overseas talent, it is even more important to nurture local I&T talent. HKPC aims to communicate with local enterprises and educational institutions to strengthen the collaboration among the government, industry, academic and research sectors, to promote Hong Kong I&T education and cultivate technology talent in various aspects.
The tech firm has been an important partner in fostering the development of technology education (TechEd). Looking forward, the two will collaborate more closely to nurture I&T talent via training and competitions, leveraging HKPC’s experience and support in the I&T sector to lay the foundation for grooming talent for the Hong Kong I&T industry in the future.
The Managing Director of the tech firm’s Hong Kong Enterprise Business Group noted that the Chief Executive’s 2022 Policy Address highlighted that the Government will actively cultivate and retain local talent. Developing local ICT talent is a common goal and mission.
Under the collaboration, HKPC will become an Authorised Learning Partner (HALP) of the company one of the five centres in Hong Kong, organising ICT seminars and inviting participation from start-ups and tertiary students. Participants can choose from a variety of qualifications; training courses will be provided to prepare them for the examinations. In addition, HKPC will deepen its collaboration with the tech firm on the employment of I&T talent.
Occurring alongside the MOU Signing Ceremony, the Open Day of the firm’s ICT Competition 2022-2023 HKSAR (the firm’s ICT Competition) was held. The event celebrates the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) organised by the tech firm, fully supported by HKPC as one of the co-organisers, and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer of the HKSAR Government as the advisor.
The Deputy Government Chief Information Officer stated that in the past few years, several important smart city infrastructures have been launched. The Government aims to accelerate the digital transformation of public services to further improve the efficiency and qualities of public services.
Comprehensive e-government audits will be conducted over the next three years that enable bureaux and departments to leverage advanced technologies to expertise the development of a smart government. The aim is to transform all government services online in two years and provide one-stop digital services within three years.
The Competition was developed to identify Hong Kong ICT talent who are provided with the opportunity to network with technology leaders, enhance their technological skills, and stay well-informed on international trends. HKPC will soon also offer three months of complimentary Inno Space membership to the participants so that they can leverage the facilities and professional machines at HKPC to turn innovative ideas and designs into prototypes, with the guidance of technical staff.
The Hong Kong Productivity Council is at the forefront of innovation and digital inclusiveness in the nation. It has committed actively support the government’s ongoing efforts to develop Hong Kong into an international I&T hub and strengthen the collaboration among industry, academic and research sectors to promote the “1 to N” transformation of research and development (R&D) outcomes and the industry development, further enhance the local R&D ecosystem and industry chain, and press ahead with the reindustrialisation of Hong Kong and development of smart manufacturing.
Recently, the council welcomed the series of initiatives and recommendations to support the development of innovation and technology (I&T) in the 2022 Policy Address delivered by the region’s Chief Executive on 19 October 2022.
OpenGov Asia also reported on the launch of an open and transparent procurement platform called “TVP ePROQ” by the Innovation and Technology Commission and the Hong Kong Productivity Council. It will serve as a “one-stop shop” wherein applicants can conduct and manage procurement exercises as well as submit relevant documents. The platform was launched at the HKPC-co-organised TVP Tactic Day which also featured talks on the latest trends in digital transformation and tactics for TVP application with SMEs.
