InnoCarnival 2018 showcases latest local scientific research achievements

     InnoCarnival 2018, organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission, is being held from today (November 3) to November 11 at the Hong Kong Science Park in Sha Tin. Under the theme "Innovate for a Smart Future", the event showcases an array of the latest local innovations and research achievements.
 
     Officiating at the opening ceremony of InnoCarnival 2018, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said that innovation and technology (I&T) is the major engine for pushing ahead economic development. The Government strives to promote I&T development. Over the past two years, the Government has committed resources of about $80 billion. Various projects have been rolled out progressively and quite a number of them have made good progress. They include establishing research clusters on healthcare technologies and on artificial intelligence and robotics technologies at the Hong Kong Science Park, developing suitable plans for a smart city, and introducing artificial intelligence and chatbot functions to the GovHK portal.
      
     As the highlight event of InnoTech Month 2018, InnoCarnival 2018 aims to raise public interest and knowledge about I&T, further promote an I&T culture in the community and thereby nurture more I&T talents.
      
     The campaign partners of InnoCarnival 2018, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, together with about 60 programme partners, including local universities, research and development centres, professional bodies and technology organisations, have set up booths or pavilions to display their local innovations and research achievements.
      
     Other highlights include the InnoFiesta stage performance, the InnoThon 10KM and the Vibrating Robot Car Race. More than 200 workshops, about 40 talks and nearly 200 guided tours will also be held during the InnoCarnival. Admission to all activities is free and all are welcome. For details and registration arrangements, please visit the campaign website (www.itm.gov.hk) or contact the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (Tel: 2561 6149; email: itmonth@hkfyg.org.hk).
      
     Other officiating guests at today's ceremony included the Acting Secretary for innovation and technology, Dr David Chung; the Permanent Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Ms Annie Choi; Legislative Council Members Mr Paul Tse, Mr Charles Mok, Dr Elizabeth Quat and Dr Lo Wai-kwok; the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Dr Sunny Chai; the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Albert Wong; the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Mr Andy Ho; and the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Mr Chua Hoi-wai.