Industry Development - Hong Kong Affairs
 
Hong Kong International Computer Conference (HKICC) 2008

The Hong Kong International Computer Conference 2008 (HKICC 2008), an annual conference organised by the HKCS from the 25th - 26th September 2008. With its inspiring theme, "Innovation - Creating Hong Kong's Digital Future" and a heavyweight programme packed with internationally recognised speakers as well as local experts, the two-day conference has attracted the highest registration rate in the past five years.




Speakers at the opening ceremony included Guest of Honour, Mrs. Rita Lau Ng Wai-Lan, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong SAR Government, President of the Hong Kong Computer Society Mr. Sunny Lee, as well as HKICC2008 Organising Committee Chairperson The Hon. Bernard Chan and Programme Committee Chairperson Professor Ching Pak Chung.

The HKICC2008 featured presentations by distinguished leaders from the government, academia as well as Banking & Finance, Communications and Technology Applications sectors and more. This year's keynote speakers included:

- Mr. Jeremy Godfrey, Government Chief Information Officer, Office of the Government Chief Information Officer of the Hong Kong SAR Government
- Dr. Hon Hsiao Wuen, Managing Director, Microsoft Research Asia
- Mr. Gordon Leung Chung-tai, JP, Deputy Commissioner, Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong SAR Government
- Mr. Fred Sheu, Marketing Director, Technology Solutions Group, Hewlett-Packard HK SAR Limited
- Mr. James Ding, General Partner, GSR Ventures
- Prof. Cliff C K Chan, Chief Executive Officer, TeleEye Holdings Limited

Industry experts showcased IT opportunities and threats to Hong Kong's digital future in keynote sessions and broke out tracks during the first day of the conference. With the message, "21st Century challenges call for creative solutions." in mind, all audience comprising representatives from Hong Kong's information technology community, major industry sectors including financial services and senior government officials has a very keen discussion about "Integration of the ICT Industry in the PRD Region", "How ICT Innovation Drives Business" and "Finding Needles in Haystacks--The Power of Search in the Digital Age".

The dedication and hard work of the members of the Organising and Programme Committees as well as the staff members of Hong Kong Computer Society was highly appreciated. The HKCS would also like to thank the speakers and the panelists for their contributions, and sponsors for their generous and unfailing support.




 




 
The Hong Kong ICT Awards 2008 - Best Business Award

In 2008, HKCS organised the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2008: Best Business Award. The award scheme was divided into three main award streams in this category: Best Business (Application) Award, Best Business (Application-SME) Award and Best Business (Product) Award. The winner of Hong Kong ICT Awards 2008: Best Business Grand Award, Navicat for MySQL submitted by PremiumSoft CyberTech Limited, was selected as the winner of the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2008: Award of the Year, among 8 eight award categories.

The panel of judges, chaired by Prof. John Leong, OBE, JP, President, The Open University of Hong Kong, was well supported by Mr. Duncan Chiu, Chairperson of the Organising Committee (OC), Mrs. Agnes Mak, MH, JP, Honorary Advisor, Mr. K.T.Yung and Dr. C.K.Wong, Chief Assessors and a host of OC members, assessors and other support staff from the HKCS Secretariat. The HKCS wishes to express its sincere gratitude to all the afore-mentioned personnel especially the members of the Judging Panel as well as the many supporting and sponsoring organisations for their hard work and support to make this event a high caliber and successful one.




The Winners of Hong Kong ICT Awards 2008

 
 

 
 
HKCS Outstanding IT Achiever Awards 2008 (OITAA2008)

Hong Kong enjoys one of the most dynamic business environments in the world, driven by its ties to international markets and the region's rapid economic development. Information Technology (IT) professionals have played a pivotal role in the success of many Hong Kong companies and IT as a profession has thus become more challenging. To achieve the highest possible performance, IT professionals have to break through traditional ideas, "think beyond the box" and go the extra mile to respond to the increasingly sophisticated market.

To accentuate, recognise and honour the significant contributions of the IT professionals in the Hong Kong's IT industry, Hong Kong Computer Society (HKCS) had launched the first-ever HKCS Outstanding IT Achiever Awards 2008 (OITAA2008) to reward the much praised individuals in the IT field and to showcase the impact that they have made to the local IT industry and the community. The result of the Awards was formally announced on 26th March 2009 at the Hotel Nikko Hong Kong in an Award Presentation Ceremony & Dinner with over 200 guests attended.

Distinguished guests in the Ceremony included Guest of Honour Mrs. Rita Lau, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR, President Mr. Sunny Lee, OITAA2008 Chairperson Ir. Dr. Samson Tam, JP, and Mr. Daniel Lai, BBS, JP, Convener of the OITAA2008 Judging Panel. They were all thrilled with the outstanding achievements of the award winners and thankful to HKCS in organising this meaningful event.

"These awards recognise individuals for their strategic role in helping to drive competitiveness and place Hong Kong at the forefront of knowledge creation and IT innovation on a global scale," said President Lee. "Although this is the first year we have organised this competition, it has become a major event in Hong Kong's ICT calendar highlighting the achievements and contributions of IT Executives."

Our deserving award winners were selected by the assessment panels of highly experienced and knowledgeable individuals from the IT industry and a judging panel carried out by a panel of prominent business leaders and IT leaders in Hong Kong. The assessment process for the award winners was systematic and rigorous.

"The award is designed to encourage companies to grow through innovation and professionalism, raising the standards of people and projects. Accordingly the OITAA judging process is very stringent, making the award winners true showcases for Hong Kong's IT industry," said Lai, Convener of the Judging Panel.

Winners of the HKCS "Outstanding IT Achiever Awards 2008":

  • 2008 IT Lifetime Achievement Award:
    - Mr. Henry Wai Kwan CHOW, IBM Greater China Group

  • IT Leadership Award
    - Ir. Dr. Raymond Wai Man WONG, Hong Kong Immigration Department (Retired)

  • IT Professional Competency Award
    - Mr. Douglas Lap Tap CHAN, eBroker Company Limited
    - Dr. Andy Hon Wai CHUN, City University of Hong Kong
    - Ms. Denise Hwei Jen TUNG, IBM China/Hong Kong Limited

  • IT Project Management Award
    - Ms. Rosemary Lai Ngor CHAN, Morgan Stanley (Asia) Limited
    - Mr. Roy Sai Lit PUN, IBM China/Hong Kong Limited

  • IT Research Award
    - Dr. Andy Hon Wai CHUN, City University of Hong Kong
    - Mr. Thomas Yau Tat LEE, The University of Hong Kong
    - Prof. Jack Yiu Bun LEE, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

"Top-flight IT talent is vitally important for Hong Kong's economy and the winners of HKCS Outstanding IT Achiever Awards demonstrate the depth and capability of Hong Kong's IT talents to the rest of the world," said Chairperson Tam.

The HKCS would like to take this chance to express again its sincere gratitude to all the members of the Judging Panel, Assessment Panel, Organising Committee and Secretariat for their expertise, conscientious and dedicated hard work to make the Awards a prominent event in the profession. Heartfelt thanks also go to the supporting and sponsoring organisations for their generosity especially under this current financial turmoil.

More details about the OITAA2008 could be found at:
http://www.hkcs.org.hk/oitaa2008/.
 
8.14 Forum for Legislative Council Election IT Functional Constituency (ITFC) Candidates

The HKCS has been shouldering the responsibility to facilitate the communications among all the stakeholders in the ICT industry in Hong Kong. This was of utmost importance in 2008 as ICT professionals had to make a decision to elect the right Legco councilor to serve our industry in the next four years. The election date was set on the 7th September 2008 and when the date came closer, Industry Development and Policy Committee (IDPC) organised a forum to invite the two candidates. Ir. Dr. Samson Tam and Mr Charles Mok to explain to our members their election platforms, in particular on what and how they would do to help the industry grow. On the 14th August 2008, over 110 members attended the forum, which was the first of several others held by various associations before the election. Each candidate had a fair chance to express their views and had a constructive discussion with the audiences who were satisfied with the outcome.

 
Current State of Hong Kong IT Industry in the Midst of Global Economy

In October 2008, right after the release of the 2008-09 Policy Address by the Hon. Mr. Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of the HKSAR Government, the Industry Development and Policy Committee (IDPC) of the HKCS submitted a feedback and viewpoint paper to the government. IDPC also conducted a survey on !uCurrent state of Hong Kong IT Industry in the Midst of Global Economy!v with the members in December 2008.

2009 will be a year of challenge and opportunity. Hong Kong will be among many economies in the world being hit head on by the financial tsunami and the ICT industry is no exception. But there is no lack of positive news. The blue print for the Pearl River Delta development has been included in the country's national growth agenda for the first time and Hong Kong is being designated as the international center for finance, logistics, and high value added services. This provides tremendous opportunities for our industry. IDPC will capture this wave and will work with the industry to organise activities such as seminars, forums, and study tours, and to submit viewpoint papers when appropriate, to raise our members' awareness so that they are more equipped to take up these new challenges.
 
Welcome Luncheons and Cocktail Receptions

An array of welcome luncheons and cocktail receptions had been held in 2008 to stimulate and foster the development of ICT industry in Hong Kong, providing opportunities for the government officials, policy makers and ICT professionals to communicate and exchange ideas. As such, communication can be built up and strengthened with a more positive relationship among the three parties.


Welcome Luncheon for Mr Jermey Godfery, the Chief Information Officer (GCIO)

The new Government Chief Information Officer (GCIO), Mr Jeremy Godfrey had his first major meeting with IT industry representatives sharing his insight and perspective on IT development in Hong Kong and his new role at a luncheon co-organised by the Hong Kong Computer Society (HKCS) and other influential Hong Kong technology associations and organisations on 23rd April 2008.



Celebration Cocktail Reception for Mrs. Rita Lau, JP , the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development

Mrs. Rita Lau, JP as the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development was welcomed by IT professionals at the cocktail reception co-organised by the HKCS and 23 influential Hong Kong technology associations and organisations on 19th August 2008. Over 60 ICT executives and professionals participated in the event which turned out to be a delightful and memorable evening.
Welcome Luncheon for Mr Duncan Pescod, JP, the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
(Communications and Technology)

The HKCS celebrated the new appointment of Mr. Duncan Pescod, JP as the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology) with over 170 ICT executives and professionals at a luncheon on 10th September 2008. The memorable and enjoyable event was co-organised by the HKCS and 11 major Hong Kong ICT associations and organisations.
Cocktail Reception for Ir Dr Samson Tam, JP

Congratulating Ir Dr Samson Tam, JP on his election as the Member for the IT Functional Constituency of the 4th Legislative Council, a celebration cocktail reception was hosted by the HKCS and 24 major Hong Kong ICT associations and organisations on 6th October 2008. Participants comprising over 120 ICT executives and professionals had a joyful night.
Welcome Luncheon for Mr. Gregory So, JP, the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development

Over 80 ICT executives and professionals welcomed Mr. Gregory So, JP, the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development at a luncheon organised by the HKCS on the 20th November 2008. It was a delightful occasion to all participants.