Information and Communications Technologies Research & Development Centre

Last month, the government reported the latest progress on the New Strategic Framework for Innovation and Technology Development. As I reported before, the administration plans to set up R&D centers under four technology areas which fall into tier one of the framework. They are automotive Parts and Accessory systems, logistics and supply chain management enabling technologies, nanotechnology and advanced materials.

After the administration invited those interested institutions in hosting R&D centers to submit detailed proposals, the government plans to set up an additional R&D Centre for Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) covering four technology focus areas including Communications Technologies, Consumers Electronics, IC design and Opto-electronics, run by ASTRI. In its proposal, ASTRI can apply at a maximum ITF funding of $1,700 million in the next 5 years for R&D activities.

Moreover, the government would also like to support a digital entertainment project, which is one of the focus themes under tier two of the new framework. In this 40-month project, an incubation-cum-training Center will be set up at Cyberport which aims to nurture up to 45 local digital entertainment companies. Total amount of fund sought is about $31million.

For more details of the implementation of the new strategic framework, please visit here.

Since the new framework will have far-reaching impact to our IT industry, especially the R&D center, I will keep my eyes on this issue and arise questions on the project proposals when the administration seeks funding approval on these projects from the Finance Committee in late-June. If you have any comments or questions on this issue, please feel free to email me at cksin@sinchungkai.org.hk and I am pleased to bring them to the administration.

CK Sin

MONitOR
New issue of my newsletter, MONitOR was released! Please visit here!

Panels

Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting
13 Jun 2005

Agenda

• Promoting the Development of the Digital Entertainment Industry in Hong Kong - Strategy and Measures
• Spamming arising from the use of Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) technology

Panel on Commerce and Industry
21 Jun 2005

Agenda

• Reports by Heads of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices

Council Question

8 Jun 2005

• Vehicle location technology

Motion debate

15 Jun 2005

• Nature conservation policy
• Deepening the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement

22 Jun 2005

• Enhancing the quality of early childhood education
• Timetable for universal suffrage

Survey

Professionals' Perspective on Information Security Development in HK

The purpose of this survey is to make our Government be aware of the information security (IS) challenges facing Hong Kong. We will use the results of this survey to lobby the Government for a more comprehensive policy and pragmatic initiatives in IS.

To participate this survey, please visit here. (best viewed by IE) The survey will be closed on 26 Jun.

Activities

On-Demand IT Infrastructure Seminar

Is managing risk, costs and infrastructure capacity some of the key stress points for your IT team?
The conference will offer attendees a special opportunity to examine the strategic issues connected with building and maintaining IT infrastructures ranging from server rooms to large data centers.

Date: June 17 , 2005
Time: 9:00-11:15am
Venue: JW Marriott Hotel - Salon 5, Level 3
Organizers: Hong Kong Computer Society and American Power Conversion
Enquiries: Ms Winnie Choi at 2834 5001

News

Two regulatory regimes for VOIP

The Government would introduce two regulatory regimes for the provision of Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephony services in Hong Kong.

Under the proposed framework, services that are similar to conventional telephone services would be required to have a higher level of consumer protection. They will be subject to essentially the same regulatory requirements as conventional telephone services. Regulatory requirements for other types of IP telephony service which aim to meet demands for certain niche markets will be more relaxed.

My Column @ Oriental Daily

Please visit my blog to read my recent articles:

• Regulating prepaid services
• A $28.8 story
• Who want old computers?
• Spyware
• "Digital" generation
• Information security policy in Singapore

For comments, please write to column@sinchungkai.org.hk

As an elected legislator, I always love to know your views. If you have anything would like to share with me, please email me or make an appointment for an office visit or home visit. Please leave your name, contact number, and discussion topic via email, and my office will follow up your request with phone calls accordingly.