The first STEM-Up HK Innovation and Technology Competition Award Presentation Ceremony held today (with photos)
The Award Presentation Ceremony of the first STEM-Up HK Innovation and Technology Competition organised by the Junior Police Call (JPC) was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (October 16). Tie in with the development of STEM education, this competition provides a platform for student engagement in experiential learning as a means of developing skills in problem solving and logical reasoning, as well as inspiring their creative thinking. In particular, students will put the concept of "Smart City" into practice by proposing innovative and feasible solutions.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee; the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Michelle Li; the Under Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Dr David Chung; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, Mr Willy Lin; and the Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong New Generation Cultural Association, Mr Yeung Hon-kuen, officiated at the ceremony. Over 90 awardees were presented with 75 awards.
Addressing at the ceremony, Mr Siu said that the JPC has been nurturing youngsters to become future leaders and promoting fight crime messages through diversified activities since its establishment in 1974. A new strategy was launched this year to rebrand and enhance JPC's image by using "IDEAS" to demonstrate the elements of JPC's activities, in which "I" stands for Innovation; "D" stands for Discipline; "E" stands for Exposure; "A" stands for Adventure and "S" stands for "Synergy". The competition is a flagship activity under the element, "Innovation".
Mr Siu added that the "Chief Executive's 2021 Policy Address" proposed a number of innovation and technology-related initiatives, including promoting research and development and attracting talents. The National 14th Five-Year Plan also indicated clear support for Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology hub, which fully affirmed the city’s important role in advancing the country's development in science and technology. The competition aims at unleashing young people's potential in innovation and technology and nurturing them to become social leaders.
He was pleased to note that among the entries, many of which could adopt the principles of creativity and functional design, with a number of them could even protect the safety of the public and facilitate policing work. He added that the Force has all along been keeping pace with the rapid development of society, and will continue to strive for innovation to enhance its works.
Echoing the theme, the ceremony today was incorporated with innovation and technology, including the march-in leading by robots and drone performance. In addition, the participants can have an opportunity to experience the fun of technology through taking part in the Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) games and the 5G real-time car racing game on site.
The supporting organisations of the competition included the Education Bureau, the Innovation and Technology Bureau, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the Hong Kong Productivity Council, the Hong Kong New Generation Cultural Association and the Hong Kong Extra-curricular Activities Masters' Association. An overwhelming response was received, with more than 1,000 students from 160 schools competing in five categories: Junior Primary (Creative Design Drawing), Junior Primary (Creative Proposal), Senior Primary, Junior Secondary and Senior Secondary. The full list of awardees has been uploaded onto the website of JPC (www.jpc.org.hk/stemup).
Part of the winning entries will be displayed from tomorrow (October 17) until October 29, from 10am to 10pm daily, at the Covered Piazza, Times Square, Causeway Bay. Admission is free. Souvenirs will be distributed on spots. Visitors can also take selfies with thematic displays on site, and participate in mini-quiz games to learn more about the new strategy of the JPC, "IDEAS@JPC".
