Hong Kong has great fundamentals to develop innovation technology and the industry will continue to progress along with an evolving mentality and atmosphere, according to Albert Wong, CEO of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation.

Innovation technology is crucial to Hong Kong as it delivers economic benefits, provides jobs, and creates more technology in the city, Wong said on the sidelines of a China Daily roundtable in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

Wong also referred to the Global Innovation Index 2016 Report, published by Cornell University, INSEAD and WIPO on Aug 15, in which Hong Kong ranked 14th while Singapore ranked sixth.

In 2013, Hong Kong ranked seventh in the Innovation Index; in 2014, 10th; in 2015, 11th. This shows the city is declining in terms of innovation. And despite ranking second globally in terms of "innovation input", which measures talents, government policy and infrastructure, when it comes to "innovation output", which measures creativity, innovation products and commercialization, Hong Kong ranks 25th.

Wong believes the report proves that Hong Kong has good fundamentals to develop innovation technology, while students and young people in Hong Kong are strong in studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

"But are they really dedicated to innovation technology? Maybe not; we need to help them," Wong said.

The mindset will change gradually, he said, adding that the fundamentals are there and the knowledge is there, while an innovation shift really starts with society, the culture, parents, and finally the general atmosphere.

Wong pointed out that the biggest thing for Science Park to do to boost the innovation technology industry is to build an ecosystem and encourage research and innovation development using Science Park or other areas as the venue.

"In Science Park we want people to come and interact and to work with each other. Currently we have 13,000 people and 610 companies working in the Science Park; we connect all these people, we let them collaborate and then we catalyze the innovation."

Wong said his advice to the younger generation is that they should just go after their dreams.

"What you think is best for you, you should just go after that. There are opportunities in the innovation and technology industry, and if this is something you like to do and it is your passion, go after it. I have seen many people going after their dream."

In terms of the government, Wong said it has done a lot of work in promoting innovation and technology. But he added there is always room to provide more opportunities for promoting new technologies, while keeping an open mind will further enable startups and small companies to develop such technologies.

sophiehe@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 09/15/2016 page14)