Awards Presentation of the Essay Competition cum Commemoration of the 1st Anniversary of the 'Science in the Public Service' Campaign

The Awards Presentation of the Essay Competition cum Commemoration of the 1st Anniversary of the "Science in the Public Service" Campaign was held at the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) Headquarters today. The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, officiated at the event, and together with the Director of the HKO, Mr Chiu-Ying Lam, and CEO of the Hong Kong Education City Limited, Ms Jacqueline Cheng, presented awards to the winners of the essay competition.

Professor Tsui said in his speech, "To the general public, the word 'science' is quite distant and is generally related to things that are very difficult to understand. The 'Science in the Public Service' campaign provides a very good opportunity to let everybody know about the scientific work of the government, as well as the close relationship between the government's application of technology and people's daily life."

The "Science in the Public Service" campaign was inaugurated by the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Mr Donald Tsang, at the Exhibition Galleries of the Hong Kong Central Library on the 13 January 2006. This was followed by a series of activities including a joint exhibition, popular science talks, a symposium, visits to government facilities, talks and roving exhibition in schools, an essay competition and a radio programme. Because of the good response from the public, the partners after discussion agreed that the meaningful activities should continue. To enhance public awareness towards science and its implications to daily life, a major event would be organized every 2 to 3 years, together with a variety of other activities in the intervening years.

As one of the campaign initiators, Mr Chiu-Ying Lam, Director of HKO, said, "In the past year, more than 30 partner departments and collaborating organizations joined hands in a series of activities which had been very well received by the public. Ten more bureaux and departments have joined the campaign this year, making a total of over 40 partners. We believe the campaign will continue to flourish, and the idea of 'Advancing Science, Advancing Service' will become ever more popular among the public."

Please contact Dr David Lam, Scientific Officer of the Hong Kong Observatory, at 2926 8259 for media enquiries.