Symposium of the "Science in the Public Service" Campaign promotes technology application

The symposium of the "Science in the Public Service" Campaign was held at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Science Museum today (27 April). During the symposium, professionals from the civil service gave lectures on the application of science and technology in the provision of public service.

The symposium, organized in collaboration with the Hong Kong Institution of Science, is one of the activities under the "Science in the Public Service" Campaign. More than 300 participants, including academics and graduate students from tertiary institutes, secondary school teachers, professionals in the private sector and the civil service, as well as technical staff in relevant disciplines, attended the symposium.

At the opening ceremony of the symposium, Mr. Joseph Wong, Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, said, "A number of professionals in the civil service will share with you their experience during today's symposium. The lectures are informative and cover a wide range of topics. This demonstrates that the application of science and technology by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is very comprehensive and practically touches on every aspect of our daily life."

Professor Allen Chwang, President of the Hong Kong Institution of Science, remarked that apart from dedication in their respective universities or laboratories, scientists should also support the application of innovation and technology, and be actively involved in activities aimed at raising the scientific knowledge of the public. It was with these in mind that the Hong Kong Institution of Science gave full support to this symposium, with a view to encouraging the tertiary education sector to participate more in popular science activities.

The Chairman of the campaign's Organizing Committee and Assistant Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Dr. Lee Boon-ying, said that a number of government departments and tertiary institutes have already joined hands in research projects and in promoting science and technology education. The symposium offered a good opportunity for further sharing and exchange of ideas among civil servants, the education sector and professionals.

The year-long "Science in the Public Service" Campaign was launched in January this year. For details, please visit the website at http://www.science.gov.hk.

Figure 1.    Mr. Joseph Wong , Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, addressing the symposium's opening

Figure 2.   Organizing Committee Chairman, Dr. B.Y. Lee, presenting souvenir to symposium co-organizer, President of the Hong Kong Institution of Science, Prof. Allen Chwang

Figure 3.   The symposium was enthusiastically attended by more than 300 participants