ENG-2019 — Page 152

6

Innovation and Technology

Commission supports the organisation of the Innovation and Technology Scholarship every year to raise undergraduates' interest in I&T and encourage them to pursue related careers.

To tackle social issues using I&T, the government supports I&T projects that benefit the public or specific groups, such as the elderly or disabled, through the $500 million Innovation and Technology Fund for Better Living.

The Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund encourages social entrepreneurs to create innovative ideas, products and services to tackle poverty, social exclusion and social cohesion, and to foster the well-being of the underprivileged. By supporting cross-sectoral collaboration, the fund aims to build an ecosystem which enables social entrepreneurs to thrive. As at end-2019, it had funded 200 projects comprising social ventures, capacity-building programmes and evidence-based research since its launch in 2013, benefiting around 180,000 people.

Digital inclusion measures to help needy groups include a web-based learning portal, enriched ICT training and an outreach programme that encourage the elderly and the disabled to apply ICT in their daily living, and the promotion of accessible website and mobile application designs.

Cooperation with Mainland

The HKSAR Government and the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government are jointly developing the Lok Ma Chau Loop into the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, which will become a key base for scientific research and host higher education, cultural, creative and other complementary facilities. Government representatives from both cities sit on the Joint Task Force on the Development of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Loop.

During the year, the HSITPL completed two studies on the master planning and the business model and business planning of the park, and began a technical feasibility study and an economic impact analysis study, so as to facilitate the development of the first batch of buildings. The HKSAR Government is undertaking advance works with the goal of delivering the first batch of land parcels by 2021.

The HKSAR Government, backed by the country's long-running staunch support of Hong Kong's I&T development, is participating actively in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into an international I&T hub. During the year, the Ministry of Science and Technology and Mainland provincial and municipal government agencies opened their R&D programmes to designated universities and scientific research institutions in Hong Kong for application. Approved funds were remitted across the boundary to Hong Kong to conduct R&D projects and set up a laboratory.

In April, the HKSAR's Innovation and Technology Commission launched the Mainland-Hong Kong Joint Funding Scheme with the ministry to encourage scientific research cooperation between Hong Kong and Mainland provinces. Over 100 applications were received during the year.

110