Hong Kong Delegation Shines at APICTA Awards 2024, Winning Eight Top Honors in ICT Innovation

2024-12-08 23:58 Last Updated At：12-09 14:58

HKSAR delegation wins record-breaking eight Winners Awards at APICTA Awards 2024

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) delegation achieved remarkable results at the Asia Pacific Information and Communications Technology Alliance (APICTA) Awards 2024, held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei from December 4 to 7. The HKSAR delegation once again ranked first among the 15 participating economies, bagging a total of eight Winner Awards, four First Runner-up Awards, three Second Runner-up Awards and three Merit Awards.

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HKSAR delegation wins record-breaking eight Winners Awards at APICTA Awards 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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HKSAR delegation wins record-breaking eight Winners Awards at APICTA Awards 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

This annual awards programme serves as a platform for information and communications technology (ICT) talents from the 15 participating economies across the Asia-Pacific region to exchange innovative ideas and forge partnership. Led by the Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, the HKSAR delegation comprising 25 teams showcased their innovative products and applications in the event this year.

The following projects from the HKSAR shone at the competition and won awards among over 260 entries:

Winner Awards

Public transport ridership simulation - MTR to Keep Cities Moving - The Unprecedented Strategy and Intelligence in Railway Planning by MTR Corporation Limited / the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Business Data Analytics category)

Try.Eat! - Influencer Matching Platform by InnoLab Limited (Consumer category - Digital Marketing / Advertising)

CityGeni - Smart City App Specializing in Barrier-Free Navigation by Maphive Technology Limited (Consumer category - Tourism & Hospitality)

AI-Driven Sorting System by Green AI Technology Limited (Inclusions & Community Services category - Sustainability and Environment)

HKeToll by Transport Department, the Government of the HKSAR / Autotoll Limited / Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited (Public Sector and Government category - Government & Citizen Services)

A-EYE AI visual impaired shopping assistant by ELCHK Lutheran Secondary School (Senior Student category: Application)

From Romanised Nepali to Pure Nepali: AI Transliteration Using Transformer Architecure for Low-Resourced Languages by Hong Kong Baptist University (Tertiary Student category: Application)

SAFERIN by Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology at IVE (Tuen Mun) (Tertiary Student category: Solution)

First Runner-up Awards

"ChillStream®"AI chiller optimizer by Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, the Government of the HKSAR (Artificial Intelligence category)

Housing Authority Project Information Management and Analytics Platform by Hong Kong Housing Authority / Geosys Hong Kong Limited (Business Data Analytics category)

PhysioPlay gamified physical training & monitoring system by Medmind Technology Limited (Inclusions & Community Services category - Health & Wellbeing)

Housing Authority Project Information Management and Analytics Platform by Hong Kong Housing Authority / Geosys Hong Kong Limited (Public Sector and Government category – Digital Government)

Second Runner-up Awards

Medisafe by St. Paul's Co-educational College (Junior Student category)

Ball Type Rolling Robot for inspection and rescue by Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, the Government of the HKSAR (Public Sector and Government category - Government & Citizen Services)

Merit Awards

Occupational safety guard by Pui Ching Middle School (Junior Student category)

UMeta - Educational Metaverse by Diocesan Girls' School (Senior Student category: Application)

Green Recycling by Good Hope School (Senior Student category: Solution)

Mr Wong congratulated all winning teams. He said, "The outstanding performance of the HKSAR delegation highlights Hong Kong's innovative ideas and cutting-edge technology in the ICT field, enhancing Hong Kong's leadership position as an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. We will continue our efforts in fostering a more flourishing and vibrant I&T ecosystem, further promoting the I&T development in Hong Kong."

During the competition, the "Hong Kong Night" was also held in Bandar Seri Begawan on December 6. Mr Wong extended his sincere gratitude to Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Brunei, Mr Shi Rongke, for attending the event and cheering for the delegation from the Mainland and the HKSAR. Mr Wong also thanked the organisers – the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Computer Society, for providing this valuable opportunity that enabled the HKSAR delegation to share and exchange their innovative ideas and technology solutions with representatives from other participating economies.

The Digital Policy Office also sponsored 24 non-governmental organisations representatives and students to participate in the event this year to compete and interact with leading ICT talents from the Asia Pacific region, with a view to helping them extend their reach and move beyond local boundary.

The annual APICTA Awards is hosted in rotation by member economies, with the goal of identifying and recognising ICT innovations, promoting the development of ICT talents, products and solutions, as well as technology and knowledge sharing among the member economies. This prestigious annual event also provides valuable business matching and pitching opportunities, facilitates the in-depth collaboration between business and research and development, as well as promotes the joint development of the industry as a whole. Through the concerted support of the member economies, the APICTA Awards is highly regarded by the ICT industry in the Asia-Pacific region.

New Tobacco Law Prohibits Alternative Smoking Products in Public Starting Tomorrow

Prohibition on possession of specified alternative smoking products in public places to take effect tomorrow

The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) reminded the public that the provision under the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 prohibiting the possession of specified alternative smoking products (ASPs), such as e-cigarette capsules and heat sticks, in public places will take effect tomorrow (April 30).

Any person who possesses specified ASPs, including e-cigarette capsules, liquids, heat sticks and herbal cigarettes, in public places is liable to a fixed penalty of HK$3,000. If the quantity possessed exceeds the specified limit or involves commercial purposes, the maximum penalty is a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months. Details are as follows:

Offence

Penalty

Possession of a quantity of specified ASPs not exceeding the specified limit (i.e. not more than 5 units of capsules/5mL of substance or 100 units of heat sticks or 100 rolls of herbal cigarettes)

Fixed penalty of HK$3,000 (Note)

Possession of more than 5 units of capsules/5mL of substance or 100 units of heat sticks or 100 rolls of herbal cigarettes

To be prosecuted in all cases

Upon conviction, subject to a maximum fine at level 5 (i.e. HK$50,000) and imprisonment for six months.

The Government enacted comprehensive legislation four years ago (effective April 30, 2022), prohibiting the import, manufacture, promotion, sale and possession for commercial purposes of ASPs, in order to reduce the chance for tobacco companies to use ASPs to lure the public, especially the younger generation, into smoking addiction. In other words, for the past four years, there have been no legal channels to obtain such products, nor could they be brought into Hong Kong from overseas. ASPs purchased for personal use before the ban came into effect should have been largely consumed after a certain period of time. The new measures taking effect tomorrow further strengthen the overall regulation of ASPs, preventing harmful tobacco products from continuing to circulate locally and tackling the use of ASPs and harmful substances at its root.

To publicise the new tobacco control legislation, TACO has produced various publicity materials (including leaflets and posters) and is raising public awareness of the new regulations through TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest, hanging banners and posters in various premises, placing advertisements on public transport, at bus stops and MTR stations, as well as enhanced promotion on social media. TACO has uploaded relevant information and frequently asked questions on its website for public inspection, and produced promotional leaflets specially for tourists. TACO also launched a four-week publicity campaign prior to the commencement of the provision, carrying out promotional activities in high-traffic areas, boundary control points and tourist attractions. In collaboration with District Councils, TACO has conducted community outreach to promote the new legislation, and has also co-ordinated with airline companies to make in-flight announcements about the new measures, reminding members of the public and visitors to comply with tobacco control legislation.

TACO stressed that currently there is no evidence to show that heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes are less harmful or beneficial for smoking cessation. On the contrary, ASPs have been proven to emit numerous toxic substances that can lead to addiction, illness, or even death. In the case of heated tobacco products, the World Health Organization (WHO) has clearly stated that there is insufficient evidence to show that they are less harmful than conventional cigarettes. As for e-cigarettes, the WHO has pointed out that e-cigarettes contain and release a number of potentially toxic substances that can cause cancer and damage the nervous system or respiratory system. Prolonged use of e-cigarettes may increase the risk of various heart and lung diseases as well as cancer.

The Government urges smokers to quit smoking as soon as possible. Members of the public may call the DH Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline at 1833 183. The hotline is answered by registered nurses who provide professional counselling and referral to a wide range of free smoking cessation services.

Note: Or upon summary conviction, a maximum fine at level 3 (i.e. HK$10,000)

Hong Kong Delegation Shines at APICTA Awards 2024, Winning Eight Top Honors in ICT Innovation

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