Inno Space "Summer TechEd Fest" Unveiled with Over 90 Workshops Enhancing Students' Interest in Scientific Research and Strengthening TechEd and Smart Campuses Development

(Hong Kong, 21 July 2023) The "Summer TechEd Fest", organised by Inno Space of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), and supported by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, the Innovation and Technology Commission, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, as well as the education, business, and innovation and technology (I&T) organisations, was officially launched. The two-day event, including Education Day on 21 July and Public Day on 22 July, held at the HKPC Building, offers over 90 TechEd workshops. The event aims to provide the education sector and the public with the opportunity to experience the latest TechEd solutions, while promoting TechEd and "Smart Campuses" development, and enlarging the I&T talent pool.

As a bridge among the Government, I&T and the education sectors, HKPC has spared no effort to advocate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) education and achieve diverse talent development through advanced technologies. This event attracted 36 STEAM education organisations and technology companies, with over 2,000 educators and the public registering for activities and workshops. This further reinforces the importance of TechEd development and the enthusiasm for innovative technology in the education and I&T sectors, as well as the public.

The event also introduced the "Gemini Programme", a joint collaboration among HKPC, the International Cooperation Center of China Aerospace of China National Space Administration and the LPC Aerospace Technology Education Centre. This programme allows young people in Hong Kong to learn about the advancement of the nation’s aerospace technology. It is also hoped that collaboration with the education sector can help promote aerospace technology education in every school while encouraging the youth in both regions to exchange views and enhance their aerospace knowledge, as well as broaden their horizons. In addition, an executive panel featuring "Integrating AI in Teaching & Learning" invited numerous industry leaders and scholars to share the current situation of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital literacy education in Hong Kong and globally, as well as the development of adopting AI in teaching, learning, and assessment, allowing the public to understand the impact of AI on future education.

Ms Lillian CHEONG, the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, said in her pre-recorded opening remarks at the ceremony, "Our country has attached high importance to I&T, and the 'National 14th Five-Year Plan' has indicated clear support for Hong Kong's development into an international I&T centre. The HKSAR Government promulgated the 'Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint' in December last year, which established a clear development path and formulated systematic strategic planning to chart Hong Kong in moving full steam towards the vision of an international I&T centre. One of the primary directions to promote I&T development is to enlarge the I&T talent pool to create a strong impetus for growth. Essential tasks in this regard include further promoting TechEd in primary and secondary schools, encouraging universities to offer more courses related to I&T, proactively attracting top-notch Mainland and overseas I&T talent, and stepping up efforts to attract Hong Kong graduates who study in the Mainland to return to Hong Kong for development. Looking forward, the HKSAR Government will continue strengthening cooperation with the I&T industry, tertiary institutions, primary and secondary schools, and professional organisations to optimise strategies for nurturing, attracting, and retaining I&T talent."

Mr Emil YU, Deputy Chairman of HKPC, said, "In response to the Government's 'Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint', HKPC has spared no effort in boosting TechEd and talent development. We have been actively cooperating with the education and I&T sectors, and STEAM educators to equip students with FutureSkills and prepare them for the infinite inspiration and opportunities brought about by the I&T development. In 2022/23, we organised 1,000 training activities, assisting 38,000 students in enhancing their competitiveness. Meanwhile, we also provided over a hundred TechEd-related courses to more than 5,000 students. Today, we are hosting 'Summer TechEd Fest' to provide students with a meaningful summer activity that combines learning with entertainment to enhance their interests in technology. In the future, HKPC will continue acting as a bridge among the education, I&T and business sectors, promoting local TechEd and nurturing technology talent in all aspects, enhancing knowledge and skills of the education sector and the public in I&T, preparing Hong Kong towards our vision of an international I&T centre, and nurturing more I&T talent for the nation."

Ms Karen FUNG, General Manager, InnoPreneur and FutureSkills of HKPC, said, "The talent shortage continues around the world. While recruiting overseas talent is essential, Hong Kong must also actively nurture and retain our local I&T talent. Apart from hosting more TechEd activities, Inno Space also collaborates with different sectors, such as organising the first 'Youth Aerospace TechEd Programme' with the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers to foster the national aerospace technology development, signing a collaborative framework agreement with the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education to enhance the interest of gifted students in I&T and cultivate more local I&T talent. Regarding the training for working professionals, HKPC Academy provides a series of AI and cloud technology certification courses, as well as professional engineering courses that are recognised by the Reindustrialization and Technology Training Programme (RTTP). These courses aim to assist enterprises comprehensively in cultivating talent to acquire FutureSkills. HKPC will continue organising various activities to boost FutureSkills, thereby expanding a diverse pool of talent and attracting future young leaders to engage in Hong Kong's I&T industry actively."

Held at the HKPC Building, "Summer TechEd Fest" offers over 90 TechEd-related workshops, including five STEM Fun experience zones, 38 workshops, 39 interactive booths, and 23 parenting seminars, etc., suitable for people of different ages to learn and use the latest technology. Some visitors expressed that the on-site activities were diversified. Not only were they able to participate in workshops on popular technologies such as metaverse and AI, create unique works using green technology and 3D printing, but also gain first-hand experience in drone piloting and virtual reality art, greatly enriching the experience. Additionally, some visitors reckoned that this learning-through-entertainment approach not only increased their I&T knowledge but also made learning more accessible and more enjoyable for students.

On the "Summer TechEd Fest" Public Day tomorrow (22 July), there will continue to be a wide range of TechEd-related activities available for everyone to participate in. A limited quota for each workshop will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, please visit our website.

Apart from the above activities, the Summer TechEd programmes organised by Inno Space are currently recruiting. For more details, please visit our website. For enquiries, please contact us at tel.: 2788 6118 or via email: innospace@hkpc.org.

- Ends -

Inno Space "Summer TechEd Fest" was unveiled in the presence of Mr Emil YU, Deputy Chairman of HKPC (second from right), Mr Kingsley WONG, Acting Deputy Government Chief Information Officer/Assistant Government Chief Information Officer (Industry Development) of the HKSAR Government (second from left), Mr Mohamed BUTT, Executive Director of HKPC (first from right) and Mr Simon CHAN, Director of HKFEW TechEd Centre (first from left), to promote TechEd development and enlarge the I&T talent pool.

Ms Lillian CHEONG, the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, delivered pre-recorded opening remarks at the ceremony, saying that the HKSAR Government will continue strengthening cooperation with the I&T industry, tertiary institutions, primary and secondary schools, and professional organisations to optimise strategies for nurturing, attracting, and retaining I&T talent.

At the event, Mr Emil YU, Deputy Chairman of HKPC, said that the “Summer TechEd Fest” provides students with a meaningful summer activity that combines learning with entertainment to enhance their interests in technology.

Over 90 TechEd workshops, interactive booths, experience zones and parenting seminars are available for the education sector and the public to join.