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VIEWPOINT SAMSON TAMPromoting Hong Kong R&DSamson Tam argues for Administrative Officers with “R&D mindsets”Tsearchand development at the June 22 meeting of the Taskthe government knows what policies and measures must be takenin order to deliver this particular promise.--other regions in technological R&D.One major reason: our technological research efforts are man-site“R&D mindset.” Therefore, I proposed three amendments tothe motion “Promoting research and development”—which wasI urged the government to improve the existing posting systemof AOs—the aim is to nurture a group of individuals who possessthe technological R&D mindset and can effectively implementlong-term technological research policies. The amendments werepassed and I believe they will drive the government to do more.Samson TamWai Ho is HongCouncilor forbe contactedBuilding skills adopting the AO system to appoint gov- understanding of technological research.Furthermore, they are subject to transferevery 2-3 years under the current post-time to get fully involved in technologicalresearch?To address this problem, I have putforward two proposals. Firstly, to transferAOs with tech potential to R&D-friendlyinstitutions, or even send them for overseastraining—to prepare them as technology professionals. Secondly,to appoint some technological experts to be policy-makers,appointment.There are other factors hindering growth of our R&D projects.We have eight top-ranked, international-standard universities inthis region, yet very little of our tech research reaches the commercializationstage.We have a fragmented approach to research and a lack of strategyand focus. The mainland has a “state key laboratory plan” thatresources only to technological projects demonstrating a competi-versitiesand mainland research institutions.Hong Kong lags behind other regions intechnological R&Dthe existing mechanism to help establish more “key partnershipernmentshould also assist related industries to participate in theformulation of national product standards.pendson the active participation of our industries. What should thegovernment do to attract these industries to take part?tiveway. It encourages local enterprises to conduct more research,and these incentives can also attract multinational companies tooperation platform to facilitate the integration of both local andoverseas R&D capabilities. For example, last year, the governmentsolar energy research center.Clear directiondirection, focus and specialization. With the creative industries, Ibelieve that the future trend is to develop content using digitizationand networking. Technologies such as cloud computing and IPV6form part of the critical infrastructure.Our government should allocate more resources to technologicalR&D. But the most important thing is that the government, as thefacilitator, must move with commitment and determination. www.cw.com.hkSept 2009 Computerworld Hong Kong 27