Professor Way Kuo, President of City University of Hong Kong (CityU), promoted innovation and research in science and technology in his address as the officiating guest at the prize presentation ceremony of the 2nd Hong Kong Student Innovative Invention Contest on 13 December.

The ceremony was attended by more than 200 secondary school students; around 70 primary school students who received awards; the principals, teachers, parents of the award-winners; Education Bureau representatives; Professor Kuo; Professor Horace Ip Ho-shing, CityU Vice-President (Student Affairs), who chaired the judges’ panel; Chairmen of Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations of a number of districts.

To emphasise there are many different solutions to a problem, Professor Kuo began his speech, which took place on a particularly wintery Hong Kong morning, by challenging the students to find ways to get warm. He also used the life experience of the inventor Thomas Edison to convey to the young audience that everyone can become an inventor. He encouraged the audience to be curious about the world and expand their knowledge, two strategies that could lead to research and innovation, he said.

“Jack Ma, founder of the Alibaba Group, has just become the richest man in Asia, edging out Li Ka-shing. The keys to his overwhelming success are innovation and inspirational ideas,” said Professor Kuo.

“Despite having achieving some of the highest IQ scores in the world, very few Hong Kong people engage in science and technology research. I hope Mr Ma’s success can show that science and technology research is not only rewarding, it can also make you rich!”

The 2nd Hong Kong Student Innovative Invention Contest, jointly organised by Yan Chai Hospital Lim Por Yen Secondary School and Yan Chai Hospital Lan Chi Pat Memorial Secondary School, gives young students a platform to learn and exchange ideas about innovation. The organising schools also hosted a Creativity Training Programme that teaches creative thinking.