To celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Hong Kong Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (HKAAST) and the 25th anniversary of Guangdong – Hong Kong Association for the Promotion of Technology Enterprise (HK) Ltd. (GATE), the two associations co-hosted a series of activities on 30th March, 2015.

 

Visit to Chi Lin Nunnery

Participants firstly visited Chi Lin Nunnery, located at Diamond Hill, leading by Prof. Mannars T.C. CHAN, vice president of HKAAST, who explained the buildings’ characters here.  Chi Lin Nunnery is a wooden architecture, making Tang Dynasty arts from a model, surrounded by Hammer Hill Park and Nan Lian Garden.  These three architectures stand together to be large buildings featuring Tang Dynasty arts making them one of the most unique buildings and famous tourist attractions in Hong Kong.

The Cross Generations Smart City Seminar

Then participants attended the trans-generational smart city seminar took place at HKCEC, presided over by Prof. Ping-kong Alexander WAI, Senior Vice President of HKAAST. This seminar invited several important guests as speakers, they are Mr. Jian CHEN, Director of International Liaison of China Association for Science and Technology, Prof. Anthony YEH Gar-on, Chair Professor of Urban Planning and Geographic Information System of The University of Hong Kong, Mr. De-qi REN, Head of office, Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hongkong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen, Prof. Wu CHEN, Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Dr. Zeno LEUNG Chuen-suen, Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Mr. Alvin YIP, Director of Hong Kong Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.  Ir. Cammy CHAN, president of HKAAST, delivered the opening address at the conference.  Participants talked over how to make our cities smarter, well manage government and corporate data, and combine road signs with city planning and design.  This seminar provided an opportunity for people in different generations to brainstorm for creating ideal cities.

The 30th HKAAST and the 25th GATE Director Inauguration Ceremony CUM Anniversary Party

One of the most important activities of that day is The 30th HKAAST and the 25th GATE Director Inauguration Ceremony took place at HKCEC in the evening. Mr. Wei-hsiung YEUNG, member of the Executive Council, attended this ceremony as the officiating guest. Ir. Cammy CHAN, president of HKAAST, and Dr. TONG, president of GATE, delivered speeches at the ceremony. 

During her speech, Ir. Cammy CHAN said that she hopes these two associations will stick with the development of science and technology and give supports to business communities to make innovations for improving productivity in times of volatility by playing well an important role for stabilizing and reviving economy. She also expressed that HKAAST should intrigue teenagers’ interests in science and technology and equip them being the new force in developing and inheriting science and technology.  

Dr. TONG said in his speech that mainland China is now facing new challenges in economic transition and restructuring and we should be aware of that the innovation of science and technology can push forward upgrading traditional industries. He also said that geographical position and economic system make Guangdong Province be an important cooperative partner to Hong Kong, while we should effectively integrate resources of these two places to boost competiveness. And it is no doubt the best option making Guangdong Province to support Hong Kong transform their scientific and technological achievements.

Ir. Cammy CHAN and Dr. TONG took up their inauguration certificates from Mr. Wei-hsiung YEUNG, marking the inauguration of 2015 to 2016 of the new presidents for HKAAST and GATE.