In a display of its commitment to the advancement of teaching and research in the region, IBM China/Hong Kong Ltd has donated an e-business software package worth more than HK$14 million to CityU.

The package, comprising IBM's flagship products for e-commerce applications and Internet security management, will be used to support a number of e-business courses in the Department of Computer Science. The products, in support of applied research projects, will be installed in the department's E-Commerce System Development Laboratory and Internet Security & PKI Application Centre. The package will also provide an upgraded IT environment where students will be able to put e-business theory into practice. "

At CityU we are committed to producing a new generation of computing professionals," said Vice-President (Research) Professor P S Chung. "By signing up for the IBM e-generation @ CityU programme we are providing students with the opportunity to carry out laboratory work using state-of-the-art e-business software." IBM also shares the goal of cultivating a new generation of IT professionals. "We understand that making a success of e-business requires more than good software-it also requires great talent," said Mr Tony Tai, Director of Marketing, IBM Greater China Group.

Manpower surveys commissioned by the SAR Government show that the IT industry in Hong Kong will need a workforce of 106,000 in the year 2004, up from 61,000 in 2000. An annual entry of 8,000 to 11,000 IT professionals will be needed to keep pace with the upsurge in demand. It has been recommended that more than half of new entrants should hold degree-level qualifications.