ENG-2020 — Page 142

6

Innovation and Technology

technology businesses and commercialising their R&D results. As at end-2020, over $200 million. had been provided for 293 start-ups.

Since 2018-19, the HKSTPC has been receiving government funding, which will total $10 billion over the next few years, about $7 billion of which is for supporting its tenants and incubatees.

Pooling and Nurturing Talent

The government aims to expand Hong Kong's I&T talent pool by nurturing, retaining and attracting talent. The Research Talent Hub funds each eligible organisation or R&D project to engage up to four graduates for R&D work. As at end-2020, about $2.37 billion had been used to fund about 6,800 positions.

The Re-industrialisation and Technology Training Programme subsidises local employees on a government-enterprise matching basis of 2:1 to receive training in advanced technologies, particularly Industry 4.0. By end-2020, it had provided over $25.5 million in funding for the training of over 3,400 people.

In June, the government launched a pilot internship scheme for students of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at local universities to encourage them to undertake short-term full-time internships related to I&T. As at end-2020, more than 1,600 students had joined the scheme.

The Technology Talent Admission Scheme provides fast-track admission to Hong Kong for R&D talent. In January, the scope of the scheme was extended to all companies undertaking R&D activities in 13 technology areas in Hong Kong.

Launched in December, the inaugural City I&T Grand Challenge invites anyone to propose innovative solutions to tackle livelihood issues. The winning proposals may be selected for trials in public sector organisations or specific communities with government support.

To promote science education and students' interest in 1&T, the government launched a three-year IT Innovation Lab in Secondary Schools programme in the 2020-21 academic year. Each publicly funded secondary school will receive up to $1 million for organising IT-related extra-curricular activities, as well as procuring necessary IT equipment and related professional services.

Smart City Development

The Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong focuses on six areas: 'Smart Mobility, 'Smart Living! 'Smart Environment', 'Smart People', 'Smart Government' and 'Smart Economy' Initiatives implemented in 2020 include further expansion of free public Wi-Fi services and the launch of the 'iAM Smart' platform to provide a single digital identity for all residents to login and access some 20 online government and public utilities services.

The Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong 2.0 was released in December, with over 130 initiatives to bring benefits and convenience to the public.

102