Cyber Week '99 to promote the use of IT

June 21, 1999

A series of community-based programmes to enhance public understanding of the use of information technology will soon be kicked off.

The programmes, to be held between June 24 and 30, or known as the Cyber Week '99, include seminars, roving exhibitions, Universal Free Electronic Mail Service Scheme, E-community Ambassador, Community Cyber Point and a new Digital 21 web page.

Promotional activities will also be launched to encourage local industries to take advantage of the new way of doing business through E-commerce.

A spokesman for the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau (ITBB) said today (Monday) that the Cyber Week '99 was being organised as part of the Government's efforts to make Hong Kong a leading digital city in the globally connected world of the 21st century.

"One of the key initiatives under the Government's Digital 21 IT strategy is to raise the awareness, confidence and familiarity of the community in the use of IT in all spheres of their lives," the spokesman said.

"To this end, we have joined hands with other organisations and Government departments to promote the wider use of IT and the adoption of E-commerce," he added.

Activities in the Cyber Week '99 include :

Seminar (24 June)

This is the first of a series of six bi-monthly seminars on E-commerce targeted at the small and medium sized enterprises of different industries. The seminars are jointly organised by ITBB, the Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong IT Federation, and the Information Technology Services Department (ITSD).

E-community Ambassador (27 June)

The E-community Ambassador is a converted container vehicle equipped with computer and IT facilities. It will visit various housing estates and complexes and other public venues to promote the use of IT in the community. It is a project jointly launched by ITBB and the Pegasus Organisation.

ESD Roving Exhibition/Universal Free Electronic Mail Service Scheme (28 June)

Seven roving exhibitions will be held at selected MTR stations and shopping malls to publicise the Electronic Service Delivery (ESD) scheme with simulations for the public to gain hands-on experience. To encourage the use of electronic mail in the community, ITBB will also launch the Universal Free Electronic Mail Service Scheme whereby Internet Service Providers and other IT-related companies in Hong Kong will sponsor free electronic mail accounts for use by members of the public. The public are free to choose from the participating organisations and subscribe to their electronic mail services.

ITSD Forum (29 June)

The Information Technology Services Department will host a tripartite forum whereby IT researchers from six universities will meet with investment professionals and IT industry practitioners to promote the commercialisation of IT researches.

Community Cyber Point project (29 June)

In conjunction with the Home Affairs Department, ITBB and ITSD will set up Community Cyber Points in 20 community halls/centres in various districts. The launch of the project will be held at Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre. There will be exhibitions on the use of ESD and the Interactive Government Services Directory (IGSD) web site. Members of the public can make use of the community facilities at these Cyber Points to gain access to the IGSD and other information on the Internet.

Digital 21 Web Page (30 June)

ITBB and ITSD will launch a new dedicated web site for the dissemination of information on the Digital 21 IT strategy and its related projects (http://www.digital21.gov.hk).

Media Workshop (30 June)

The Hong Kong Post will hold a workshop to introduce the Public Key Infrastructure and Certification Authority services it provides.

A full schedule of the promotional activities during the Cyber Week '99 is available on the ITBB web page (http://www.info.gov.hk/itbb).

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