The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, July 22, 2019 is 105.1 (same as last Saturday’s index).
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, July 20, 2019 was 105.1 (same as last Friday’s index). read more
In the first time Hong Kong representatives have participated in the International Biology Olympiad (IBO), the team, comprising four student members, achieved outstanding results, winning one gold medal, two silver medals and one bronze medal.
The IBO is an international competition for secondary school students. The purpose of the IBO is to enable students to apply analytical skills and creativity through tackling challenging problems in biology and conducting experiments. This year, the IBO was held from July 14 to 20 in Szeged, Hungary, and there were around 285 contestants from 73 countries/regions participating in the event.
Li Yung-chi (Diocesan Boys’ School) won a gold medal in the competition. The two silver medallists were Chow King-ngai (La Salle College) and Wong Chi-ngai (St Paul’s Co-educational College). Bruce Chum (Hoi Ping Chamber of Commerce Secondary School) received a bronze medal.
The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, congratulated the Hong Kong team today (July 22) on their remarkable performance. “The Education Bureau (EDB) supports a number of outstanding students every year to represent Hong Kong to take part in various significant national and international competitions. It is with great joy that the Hong Kong team has achieved good results in its first participation in the IBO. The IBO emphasises both theory and practice. It is believed that Hong Kong students can further broaden their horizons and pursue excellence through participating in these challenging learning activities.
“The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council in October last year approved an injection of $800 million into the Gifted Education Fund. Different organisations may apply for funding support to provide a variety of off-school advanced learning programmes for gifted students starting from the 2019/20 school year, including programmes with themes of ‘STEM Education’. The programmes aim to provide high quality learning opportunities for talented students so as to further develop their potential,” he added.
The members of the Hong Kong team achieved excellent results in the International Biology Olympiad – Hong Kong Contest, a territory-wide competition newly organised last year. They subsequently completed the biology enhancement programme provided by the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education. The outstanding students in the programme were then selected as contestants representing Hong Kong to participate in the IBO this year. The Hong Kong team was fully funded by the EDB to join this competition.
​The Centre of Excellence for Major Project Leaders (CoE), under the Development Bureau, was formally established today (July 22).
As the first of its kind in Asia, the CoE offers a high-level project management and leadership development programme to senior government officials. The aim is to equip them with a more innovative mentality and world-class leadership skills to enhance their project delivery capability, which will enhance project performance as a whole. The programme is also offered to construction leaders involved in public projects.
The inauguration ceremony was officiated by the Financial Secretary and the Honorary President of the CoE, Mr Paul Chan, and the Secretary for Development and the Chairman of the CoE, Mr Michael Wong.
Taking into account a considerable number of capital works projects in the pipeline, Mr Chan said, “It’s a huge investment in our future. We need to ensure our resources are used as smartly, effectively and efficiently as possible. The Government and the public will settle for nothing less”.
He also encouraged the participants to seize the opportunity to update themselves on state-of-art project management and leadership skills, and more importantly, their mindset, with a view to bringing the delivery of Hong Kong infrastructure to new heights and enhancing the livelihood of citizens.
The Saïd Business School of the University of Oxford was appointed as the Programme Director for the first programme under the CoE, namely the Major Projects Leadership Programme (MPLP). Starting from August this year, separate cohorts will attend the 12-month MPLP to enhance the participants’ capabilities to elevate the performance at major construction and public works projects. Around 150 major project leaders will complete the MPLP under the CoE in the coming three years. The Government anticipates that the CoE will substantially benefit the implementation of public works projects.
"Awakening Lion" by the Guangzhou Song and Dance Troupe will be staged in September as part of the Beyond Multi-arts Series presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. … read more
In line with the Government’s open data policy, the Town Planning Board today (July 22) released the digital planning data of statutory plans currently in force as open data for free public access. The digital planning data covers planning scheme areas, land use zonings, building height control and amendments to statutory plans.
The digital data is available in the Geographic Information System format for wider computer application. The data will be updated upon each gazettal of statutory plans. The publication of planning data in digital format will allow for data analysis and compilation, which can enable the preparation of planning applications and carrying out of research. A set of guidelines and a data dictionary are available for users’ reference.
The digital planning data of statutory plans together with the relevant Notes and Explanatory Statement are available at the Town Planning Board’s website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb) for free public download. Statutory plans and related information can also be browsed at the Board’s “Statutory Planning Portal 2” as before. read more