Working together to promote innovation and technology

The aim of the Hong Kong ICT Awards is to recognise the remarkable achievements of the local information and communications technology (ICT) sector. Since I took office two years ago, I have attended the awards presentation ceremony every year to cheer on our ICT industry and draw public attention to technology and innovation in Hong Kong.

Award of the Year

This year, I presented the Award of the Year, the highest accolade, to MiQ Ltd/Oursky Ltd. Its winning app "Jamn - The musician's multi-tool" is an innovative music tool that helps users learn and create music better and faster. According to the comments of the Judging Panel, the app has attracted a large number of downloads by users all over the world with its user interface tailored to the needs of the global community, and it may redefine the way to learn and create music.

The Hong Kong ICT Awards 2014 comprised 10 categories. One of the new award categories, the Best Student Invention Award, was set up to arouse students' interest and encourage creativity in ICT innovation.

Of all the awards, the Best Innovation Grand Award and Best Student Invention Grand Award attracted my attention most. The former was won by Insight Robotics Ltd with its Insight Computer Vision Wildfire Detection System, while the latter went to three students of Shun Tak Fraternal Association Yung Yau College for their Portable Air-quality and Weather Measuring System.

Best Innovation Grand Award		Best Student Invention Grand Award

The Insight Computer Vision Wildfire Detection System is designed to provide a total solution for long-distance 24-hour wildfire detection by applying thermal imaging sensors and advanced artificial intelligence vision technology. It can detect and locate a fire with an area as small as 2 metres by 1 metre within a radius of 5 kilometres, covering up to 78.5 square kilometres of forest area and living area. It provides accurate real-time images and locations to control centres for manual or computer analysis so that they can act promptly to stop the spread of fire.

The three students of Shun Tak Fraternal Association Yung Yau College receiving the Best Student Invention Grand Award invented the Portable Air-quality and Weather Measuring System in view of the deteriorating weather and air quality in the world and thus the importance of instant weather and air quality information. This system provides accurate weather and air quality information for people in need, particularly the elderly and the chronically ill, as a reference for their outdoor activities. As commented by the Judging Panel, the system is full of potential and can be further developed to measure the pollution levels of a region.

All these are highly ingenious and practical inventions that can vastly improve our lives. The creativity of the contestants, especially the young students, is truly amazing. Here in Hong Kong, there are neither coconuts on the trees nor oil reserves underground. We can only count on our people for our development. Indeed, creative people play a key role in driving the development of our society. The Government is actively planning to set up an Innovation and Technology Bureau to provide more focused support for the industry. I hope that the community will support the establishment of this policy bureau and work together with us to promote technology and innovation in Hong Kong.

April 10, 2014