Speech by Ir Tony Wong, JP, Government Chief Information Officer, at the “Innovation to STEM Connect (I2SC) 2022 – 2023” Finale (with photo)

Joseph (Joseph KOC, Chairman, the STEM+E Consortium), Prof. HO (Professor, Department of Science and Environmental Studies, EduHK), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon! It is my great pleasure to join you all at the Innovation to STEM Connect 2022 - 2023 Finale today. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to STEM+E Consortium for organising this innovative programme to provide an excellent platform for the participating university students not only to experience the latest digital technologies but also for them to develop innovative education materials on different STEM areas in partnership with tech venture companies to help nurture our next generation of STEM talent more effectively.

Talent is an essential element in promoting innovation and technology development. The Government promulgated the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint last December to lay out the major directions and strategies for Hong Kong’s future I&T development in the coming five to ten years. One of the major strategies set out in the Blueprint is to enlarge the I&T talent pool to create strong impetus for growth. The Government has therefore been stepping up the promotion of STEAM education “for all”, “for fun” and “for diversity” in primary and secondary schools with a view to better equipping our students with the 21st century competencies and nurturing future I&T talent for our country and Hong Kong. To promote I&T learning for all, more I&T learning elements are being incorporated into the primary and secondary curricula. Schools are also required to organise diversified learning activities including out-of-classroom experiential learning activities to enrich the learning experiences for their students. In particular, all publicly-funded primary and secondary schools have designated coordinators to holistically plan STEAM education within and beyond the classroom.

Beyond the curriculum, the Government has also launched the “IT Innovation Lab in Secondary Schools” and the “Knowing More about IT” programmes to provide funding support for secondary and primary schools to organise IT-related extra-curricular activities, with the aim to cultivate young people’s interest in IT and enhance their innovative thinking. The programmes have been very well received since their launch in 2020/21 and 2021/22 school years respectively. Based on the results of a school survey, around 95% of school respondents agreed that the two programmes could help create an IT learning atmosphere in schools. The Government will continue to implement different measures to cultivate I&T talent and create opportunities for our young people, so as to motivate them to keep striving for a better future together in Hong Kong.

Last but not least, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the STEM+E Consortium again for organising this meaningful event, and express my gratitude to the participating tech venture companies and students from the Education University of Hong Kong. I wish you all the best in your future pursuits.

Thank you very much!

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