The Correctional Services Department (CSD) today (September 29) held an open day at the Staff Training Institute (STI) in Stanley with the theme "STI 60 Years and Beyond" to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the STI.

     The Chairman of the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications, Dr Alex Chan, and the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Lam Kwok-leung, officiated at the opening ceremony.
      
     Tertiary and secondary students, ethnic minority teenagers, non-governmental organisation members that co-operate with the CSD, CSD staff and their family members participated in the event and learned about the history and development of the STI and were given a demonstration of the professional training it provides.

     To showcase the STI's advancement in various fields of professional training throughout the past 60 years, an exhibition was held for visitors to gain a thorough understanding of the STI's important milestones through exhibition boards, hologram videos and interactive quizzes. Since its establishment in 1958, the STI has always strived to meet the Department's human resources needs by introducing and hosting relevant training and development courses, thus equipping staff with professional knowledge required to discharge their duties effectively.
      
     Today, the STI provides over 60 training and development courses annually ranging from recruitment training and professional development to tactical training and knowledge management. It aims to upgrade the skills and capabilities of the team members of the Correctional Services and enable them to meet public expectations and handle challenges at work.
      
     Virtual reality training, a guided scenario training facilities tour and adventure wall climbing were arranged for visitors to experience various types of professional training provided by the Institute. A flammable liquid detector, weapons and anti-riot equipment were also on display for visitors. Visitors were able to take photos while wearing simulated anti-riot gear or take part in a physical fitness test to gain an understanding of the entry requirements for Correctional Services staff.

     A foot drill performance was presented by members of the CSD Guard of Honour. Visitors could also enjoy performances by the Dog Unit and Tactical demonstrations by the Regional Response Team.
      
     Four serving and retired CSD staff members spoke to the media during the Open Day, including a father and his daughter. The father, a retired CSD Officer, said that he encouraged his daughter to join the Department so as to help enable the rehabilitation of offenders and their reintegration into society. In addition, two CSD staff members of Indian and Pakistani descent encouraged ethnic minority members who share the Department's values on safe custody and rehabilitation and are passionate about serving society to join the Department to enjoy good career prospects and serve the community.

     The eighth annual Hong Kong Cinema, presented by SFFILM in partnership with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, the United States, will showcase works by some of Hong Kong's emerging film talents. The festival opened this evening (September 28, San Francisco time) with "Tomorrow Is Another Day", the first feature film directed and written by screenwriter Chan Tai-lee. Of the seven movies in this year's line-up, five were directed by new directors and rising stars.

     At the opening night reception, the Acting Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, Mr Michael Yau, said he was pleased that SFFILM was taking notice of Hong Kong's up and coming film talents. One of these new directors, Jevons Au, also joined the reception. "Distinction", a social drama about Hong Kong's educational system is Au's feature debut. Other movies included in this series, "Vampire Cleanup Department", "Somewhere Beyond the Mist" and "The Brink" are all debut features, noted Mr Yau.

     "It's exciting to be celebrating such fresh talent in this year's programme," said SFFILM Senior Programmer Mr Rod Armstrong. "With a record number of debut features that delve into social realism, action-packed thrills, and other exiting arenas, the 2018 line-up not only demonstrates a regional shift of support for the next generation of filmmakers, but also an impressively broad range of subject matter."

     Mr Yau added that "Somewhere Beyond the Mist", a winning project under the First Feature Film Initiative launched in 2013 to nurture new film talents, and "Tomorrow is Another Day", were financed by the Film Development Fund (FDF). "Since its inception in 2007, the FDF has financed over 30 film projects involving funding of over US$11 million. These films have won nearly 100 awards at local and overseas film festivals," he said.

     The cast of the opening night film, "Tomorrow Is Another Day", includes a mixture of veterans and new actors whose acting skills have already been recognised. Ling Man-lung was named Best New Performer at the 37th Hong Kong Film Awards for his role as an autistic teenager, and Teresa Mo, who played his mother in the movie, won Best Actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards and the Asia-Pacific Film Festival. "I hope you will enjoy the movie this evening and the superb acting skills of the two generations," Mr Yau said.

     Other programme highlights of this three-day festival include a musical biopic, "House of the Rising Sons", and a documentary portrait of an artist, "I've got the Blues".

      

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has received confirmation from the Consulate General of Myanmar in Hong Kong that, with effect from October 1, 2018, HKSAR passport holders may apply for a tourist visa for a stay of 30 days upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, Mandalay International Airport or Nay Pyi Taw International Airport of Myanmar. HKSAR passport holders are advised to consult the Consulate General of Myanmar in Hong Kong for detailed information before traveling.

     Including Myanmar, 163 countries/territories have granted visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to HKSAR passport holders. Please visit the following website for details:
www.immd.gov.hk/eng/service/travel_document/visa_free_access.html or scan the attached code.
 

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     The fire danger situation today (September 29) is red and fire risk is extreme. The countryside is extremely vulnerable to fire. If you are planning to spend the day in the countryside, please take pre-cooked food for a picnic and take all measures to prevent hill fires. The penalty for lighting fires illegally in the countryside is $25,000 and a year's imprisonment.

     Three charities have been issued Public Subscription Permits to hold flag sales from 7am to 12.30pm today (September 29). They are, on Hong Kong Island, United Hearts Youth Foundation Limited; in Kowloon, Hong Kong Single Parents Association; and in the New Territories, the Yuen Yuen Institute, a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.

     Arrangements have been made with the charities to help people distinguish between the three flag-selling activities.

     Information on the three flag-selling organisations on September 29 is as follows:
 

     For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the Charitable Fund-raising Control Team at 2832 4311 during office hours. Information on the flag days of the month is available at the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_whatsnew). Permits for flag days containing contact information of the flag-selling organisations and information on the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_controlofc/sub_recentlyap). For enquiries about the detailed flag-selling arrangements, please contact the individual flag-selling organisations.

     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities covered by the Public Subscription Permit issued by the SWD have also been uploaded to the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/fundraising).
 
     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.