People walk outside a commercial office building in the Central business district of Hong Kong on Sept 15, 2022. (ISAAC LAWRENCE / AFP)
Six outstanding scientists and innovators were honored at the inaugural BOC Hong Kong Technology and Innovation Awards ceremony held on Thursday at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.
Established by the Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation and sponsored by the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, the BOCHK STIP is a non-governmental merit-based award. The prize is aimed at facilitating the development of science and technology innovation in Hong Kong.
The prize is awarded in five categories: artificial intelligence and robotics; life and health; new materials and new energy; advanced manufacturing; and fintech.
With developed higher education, a strong science and technology foundation, and the convergence of high-quality scientific and technological talents, Hong Kong is an important force in the implementation of the country's innovation-driven development strategy and the construction of an innovative country.
Lu Xinning, Deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR
This year, six high-achieving sci-tech innovators were awarded from these five fields.
READ MORE: World-class talent drive crucial to Hong Kong’s future
A total of HK$10 million ($1.28 million), provided by BOCHK, will be divided among the winners (or winning groups) in each category in recognition of their efforts and achievements in the field. Each winner (or group) will receive a prize of HK$2 million, a certificate and a trophy.
The BOCHK STIP, launched for the first time this year, is designed to showcase the outstanding achievements of Hong Kong scientists and innovators to Hong Kong, the country and the world, said Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, president of the HKATI.
The central government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government have provided unprecedented support for the development of science and innovation, Lo said. He hopes that through this award, the awardees and other science and technology innovators will be encouraged to aim for the frontier of global science and technology, meet the major strategic needs of the country, and accelerate social, economic and livelihood development.
READ MORE: Summit welcomes international enterprises, talent back to HK
“With developed higher education, a strong science and technology foundation, and the convergence of high-quality scientific and technological talents, Hong Kong is an important force in the implementation of the country's innovation-driven development strategy and the construction of an innovative country,” said Lu Xinning, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR.
“The city is capable of making unique contributions to the country's achievement of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement,” she said.
She said she hopes that BOCHK STIP will discover more talent with unique insights, and expects more scientists to stand out and achieve more forward-looking research and original results to bring glory to Hong Kong and the nation.
ALSO READ: Time to rewrite HK's talent recruitment narrative
The five technology sectors of the BOCHK STIP are exactly those that the SAR government will focus on for development, with competitive advantages and strategic significance, said Sun Dong, secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry.
“Today's award ceremony once again proves that Hong Kong's scientific research strength is deeply rooted and that there are many talents in the innovation industry,” he said.
Sun Yu, vice chairman and chief executive of BOCHK, said that the development of technology and innovation is related to the future of Hong Kong, and is indispensable for enhancing development momentum and solving people's livelihood problems.
“The bank will strive to be a good practitioner of innovation and technology, to provide more service support for technology workers, and to continue to support the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong and to nurture more innovation and technology talents.”
suzihan@chinadailyhk.com