ENG-2004 — Page 465

Communications, the Media and Information Technology ❘ 399

consistent navigation experience to surfers, the CLF aims to enhance the online brand image and improve the public's accessibility to information as well as improve the user-friendliness of government websites.

In 2004, Hong Kong continued to gain international recognition for its e-government efforts and the excellence of its IT industry. The Smart ID Card System won the renowned Card Technology Breakthrough Award in the Implementation Category by Card Technology Magazine in April, for its use of biometric technology, multiple application and coverage of the whole Hong Kong population. It also won the Gold Award in the Application Category of the 6th IT Excellence Awards organised by the Hong Kong Computer Society in August for its comprehensive functions, creativity and security, and the top prize in the e-Government & Service Category of the Asia Pacific Information and Communications Technology Awards (APICTA) in December. The ESDlife brand of the ESD Scheme gained the Super Brands Award and Web Care Award in May, and 'Policing Disease' won the Stockholm Challenge Award in the same month for its innovative application of the Police Force's IT system to track the chain of human transmission of SARS. Moreover, HKedCity's i-Classroom was awarded the Medal of Achievement of the Computerworld Honors Collection and Global Junior Challenge Award in November, with its comprehensive educational resources and interactive services enabling classes. beyond the classroom.

IT Manpower

The Government is committed to providing adequate and quality IT manpower to meet the demand in the community. The Government implemented a number of new initiatives in collaboration with the IT industry and academia during the year, including a sponsorship scheme for IT exchange programmes aimed at exposing our students to the digital world and encouraging tertiary institutions to organise IT-related exchange programmes with overseas or Mainland institutions; and an IT Internship Programme to give our young IT talent opportunities to learn about the advanced IT/telecom practices in countries with which the HKSAR has signed memoranda of understanding on information and communications technology, widen their international exposure and outlook, and sharpen their language, inter-personal and other job-related skills and capability.

The Government will continue to work with the academic sector and the IT industry on longer term measures to ensure that the IT workforce meets the local manpower needs and enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong in the globalised market. Where necessary, talented persons and professionals in IT from elsewhere, including the Mainland, may be admitted to Hong Kong to fill gaps or shortages in specific areas.

Building a Digitally Inclusive Society

The Government encourages citizens to embrace and use IT to enhance their quality of life. It will continue to organise various activities and initiatives to promote wider adoption and raise public awareness of IT in the community. The Digital Solidarity Fund was set up in December under the collaboration of the Government,

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