ISITD Hosts Open Day, Engaging Over 2,500 Citizens on National Security Education and Awareness

National Security Education Day - Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development Open Day held today

To support National Security Education Day, the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development (ISITD) held an open day today (April 18), drawing the participation of over 2 500 citizens. Through activities such as exhibitions, guided tours of training facilities, interactive experiences and booth games, the open day aimed to showcase the Immigration Department (ImmD)'s unwavering commitment to fending off national security risks and firmly guarding the country's southern gateway, raise public awareness of national security, and strengthen public sense of national identity.

The open day featured a rich programme, with many thematic exhibitions and interactive booths set up to introduce the public to the technologies used by the ImmD in areas such as the detection of forged documents, counter-terrorism operations, management of detention centres and tactical equipment. The ISITD also opened training facilities, including the mock immigration clearance hall and the mock courtroom, so that members of the public could gain a deeper understanding of the ImmD's work in safeguarding national security.

In addition, the Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps (IDYL) set up a game booth with the theme "food security", one of the 20 major fields of national security. Apart from sharing the crops harvested during their earlier farming experiences in local farm and the Chaoshan region, IDYL members also illustrated in a fun and engaging manner to the public the important concept that "food is closely related to the fate of the country and the livelihood of the people", thereby enhancing public awareness of food security.

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, attended the open day. Accompanied by directorate officers of the ImmD, he toured the exhibition booths and interacted with the public. He also encouraged members of the Immigration Service to continue to uphold their mission and remain steadfast in safeguarding national security.

To support the National Security Education Day, the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development held an open day today (April 18). Photo shows members of the Immigration Service introducing to the public the Immigration Department's recruitment process. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

To support the National Security Education Day, the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development held an open day today (April 18). Photo shows members of the Immigration Service explaining to the public about the work of Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

To support the National Security Education Day, the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development held an open day today (April 18). Photo shows members of the Immigration Service introducing to the public the counter-terrorism and intelligence management work of the Immigration Department. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

To support the National Security Education Day, the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development held an open day today (April 18). Photo shows members of the public learning about the Holistic Approach to National Security through interactive games. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

To support the National Security Education Day, the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development held an open day today (April 18). Photo shows members of the public experiencing the "Contactless e-Channel" service in the mock immigration clearance hall. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

To support the National Security Education Day, the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development held an open day today (April 18). Photo shows members of the Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps illustrating to the public the important concept that "food is closely related to the fate of the country and the livelihood of the people" by sharing the crops harvested during their earlier farming experience in a local farm and the Chaoshan region. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

To support the National Security Education Day, the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development held an open day today (April 18). Photo shows members of the Immigration Service displaying tactical equipment of the Immigration Department to the public. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

To support the National Security Education Day, the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development held an open day today (April 18). Photo shows the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, accompanied by the Director of Immigration, Mr Kwok Joon-fung, Benson, visiting an exhibition booth and interacting with the public. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

To support the National Security Education Day, the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development held an open day today (April 18). Photo shows the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, accompanied by the Director of Immigration, Mr Kwok Joon-fung, Benson, visiting an exhibition booth. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

To support the National Security Education Day, the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development held an open day today (April 18). Photo shows the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki (centre), accompanied by directorate officers of the Immigration Department, taking a group photo with members of the Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps participating in the event. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government announces third batch of projects recommended for funding support under RAISe+ Scheme

The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) announced today (April 20) the third batch of 24 projects recommended by the Steering Committee of the Research, Academic, and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme for funding support (see Annex). The total Government funding commitment amounts to over $1 billion.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, expressed his gratitude to the Steering Committee for vetting the new round of applications and the recommendations made. He said, "The third batch of projects recommended for funding support covers a wide range of innovation and technology (I&T) areas, including health and medical sciences, new materials and new energy, AI and robotics, computer science/information technology, electrical and electronic engineering, and advanced manufacturing, etc. It is a clear testament to Hong Kong's research and development (R&D) capabilities and vibrant I&T ecosystem. The Government will continue to proactively promote the commercialisation of local R&D outcomes through the RAISe+ Scheme, with the aim to fostering effective collaboration among the Government, industry, academia and research sectors, injecting new momentum into local I&T development, and expediting the development of Hong Kong into an international I&T centre, thereby contributing tohigh-leveltechnological self-reliance of our country."

The ITC is following up with the universities concerned on the projects recommended for funding support for their smooth implementation, in order to nurture more I&T projects and start-ups with potential through the Scheme, thereby further driving Hong Kong's high-quality development.

With a funding allocation of $10 billion, the RAISe+ Scheme was launched in 2023 to fund, on a matching basis, research teams from the University Grants Committee-funded universities with good potential to become successful start-ups. Each approved project may receive funding support that ranges from $10 million to $100 million. Assessment criteria of the Scheme include the I&T component of the project, the commercial viability of project outcomes, the technical and management capability of the team, relevance of the project with Government policies or in the overall interest of the community, as well as the financial considerations of the project. In the first two rounds of applications, 49 projects were supported by the Scheme with the total Government funding commitment amounting to over $2 billion.

Details of the Scheme are available on its dedicated website (www.itf.gov.hk/en/raiseplus). For enquiries, please contact the Secretariat of the Scheme (Tel: 3543 5904; email: raiseplus@itc.gov.hk).

Source: AI-found images