The “Information Systems Symposium - IT Innovation in the Next Decade” staged by the Department of Information Systems provided informed insights into the potential developments in this field, including its anticipated impact on management, regional potential and the response of industry and commerce to the evolution of this rapidly-changing sector.

The symposium comprised a Research Stream Session at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) on 6 July, followed by the IT Industry Day held at the JW Marriott Hotel on 7 July, attended by government officers, business leaders, information technology executives, academics and selected students. Around 200 participants took part in the event that helped mark CityU's 25th Anniversary.

Among the officiating guests at the Industry Day were Mr Paul Chow man-yiu, Chief Executive, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; Mr Jeremy Godfrey, Government Chief Information Officer, HKSAR Government; Dr the Hon Samson Tam Wai-ho, Legislative Councillor; and from CityU, Professor Chan Chi-hou, Acting Provost; Professor Wei Kwok-kee, Dean, College of Business; Professor Leon Zhao, Head, Department of Information Systems, Professor Doug Vogel and Dr Louis Ma Chee-keung, Chair Professor and Associate Professor of the same department respectively.

The symposium provided a valuable opportunity for international academic exchange and interaction among scholars, information systems faculties and research students. It also enabled the Department of Information Systems to develop a network with local IT professionals, strengthen relationships with employers in the IT industry and gain an insight into their expectations of graduates.

In his welcoming address, Professor Chan stressed the importance of such collaboration. “While universities have a role in shaping the future developments of our society, academics and industry partners should work together to identify and develop innovative technology and applications, which are particularly important to enhance Hong Kong’s high value-added service economy,” he said.

“I am confident that with the vision and experience shared by the many experts and leaders in the symposium, more innovative initiatives will be identified and pursued for meeting the challenges ahead,” said Professor Chan.

Focusing on the prospects of Hong Kong developing into a world leading digital city, Mr Godfrey said the key variable was China’s continued emergence as both a consumer and source IT innovation. “As Hong Kong strives to develop as a hub of technology and development, it will rely upon its strengths in law, intellectual property rights and low tax regime in becoming the ideal place to process data for the mainland market,” he said.

Mr Godfrey commended the Department of Information Systems for organising the symposium and providing such a valuable platform for business leaders and academics to exchange views on IT innovation.

Dr Tam said IT was the starting point in establishing a competitive advantage and maintaining sustainable development of innovation capability and that this symposium would play a role in boosting Hong Kong’s competitiveness.

Among the many presentations made at the symposium by CityU speakers were Intelligent Enterprise Security Management and Applied Research in Financial Intelligence. Panel discussions and keynote speaker topics included IT Innovation and its Impact on Business; Government and IT Communities; Asia’s Role in the Future of Enterprise Software; and IT Innovation and its Impact on IS Education and Professional Development.