Looking for a place to study, create and invent?

Spring started with Austria’s largest education fair BeSt from March 7 to 10 in Vienna. Jointly organised by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research and the Austrian Public Employment Service, 75 000 teens, twens, parents and anyone interested in study topics flocked to the fair. Many of them took the chance to visit HKETO Berlin’s booth to learn about the unique advantages of studying in Hong Kong and the valuable living and working experience offered through the Working Holiday Scheme between Hong Kong and Austria.

The Director of HKETO Berlin, Mr Bill Li, gave a presentation on March 9, introducing Hong Kong’s world-leading universities as well as scholarship opportunities, the Talent List of Hong Kong and the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme that facilitate immigration to Hong Kong for young talents. Mr Li added that “to experience Hong Kong first-hand, young people from Austria can also make use of the Working Holiday Scheme.” Under the Scheme, young people from Austria between the age of 18 and 30 can stay up to 12 months in Hong Kong and are allowed to take up short-term employment as well as enrol in study or training courses as an incidental part of their stay so as to acquire a better understanding of the cultural, economic and social developments of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is not only a place with outstanding study opportunities. Those young talents who finish their degree also find an excellent environment for research, innovation and invention. Evidence could be found at the biggest event in the world exclusively devoted to inventions: the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva. At its 47th edition that lasted from April 10 to 14, a strong delegation from Hong Kong entered the scene again. More than 100 participants brought along over 100 exhibition projects to show to the audience in Geneva. HKETO Berlin and the Hong Kong Federation of Invention and Innovation, hosted a reception on April 12 to celebrate this strong Hong Kong presence. Addressing the audience at the reception, Director Li reiterated the Government’s strong commitment to further transform Hong Kong into an innovation and technology (I&T) hub. The whole I&T sector will receive a huge share of more than HK$44 billion (US$5.6 billion) as outlined in Hong Kong’s current 2019-20 Budget (see Budget article in this newsletter).

These investments will surely yield a return as they already did in the past. One would only need to think of this year’s results at the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva. Hong Kong projects were awarded with a total of 57 gold medals, 51 silver medals, nine bronze medals and nine special awards. And Hong Kong has once again been awarded the top Grand Prize at the Exhibition.

And for those who want to use their brains and come up with something new but refrain from laboratories, experimental arrangements or basic research, the city still has a lot to offer. Get creative in Hong Kong! Known for its inexhaustible source of film talents, the city attracts young filmmakers and actors bringing inspirations and new ideas to enrich Hong Kong’s film industry. Some great samples of Hong Kong’s creative minds could be witnessed in Germany from April 30 to May 5 at the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS). The ITFS is one of the most outstanding events for animated film worldwide. The Festival presented a full, up-to-date spectrum of animated filmmaking and its intersections with visual effects, architecture, art, design, music and games. HKETO Berlin joined hands with the Hong Kong Art Centre (HKAC) to showcase the work of animators in Stuttgart who had their own “Focus Hong Kong” section. It featured a series of Hong Kong animations: comic and animation artist Kongkee together with animation artist Wong Ping presented some of their works as part of the In Persona section on May 2. Their session was followed by Moving Tales of Hong Kong Animations showcasing a collection by seven talented Hong Kong artists presenting a look of all aspects of daily life in Hong Kong in a 70-minutes tour. Bill Li, who spoke at the “Focus Hong Kong” Reception on May 2, highlighted the importance of the film industry for Hong Kong’s development into a value-added and diversified economy. “We will promote further development of the local film industry, and nurture more talents. We also welcome film production professionals from around the world including Germany to work in Hong Kong”, he said, making reference to the Talent List Hong Kong.