HONG KONG, 25 SEPTEMBER 2008 - Early this month, technology advocate Samson Tam Wai-ho was elected as one of the 60 members in the Hong Kong legislative council – to represent the IT functional constituency. Before starting his four-year term of office on October 1, 2008, Tam shared with MIS Asia his vision and plans to the concerns of local IT professionals.
Besides creating the centre stage for IT professionals, as laid down in your electoral platform, what concrete solutions would you propose to tackle the problem of shortage of IT talents in Hong Kong?
Tam: In order to attract more high quality students to take IT-related degrees as their learning subjects, I have made a number of proposals in my platform:
1. Urging the government to make itself a role model and actively promote IT professional Qualifications Framework (QF), so that IT workers could see a ladder of career path on a wider horizon and that their status could be enhanced in society.
2. Urge the government to take the lead in advertising and promoting IT industry, so as to attract more young talents to take IT courses.
3. Push the universities to make technology education courses as the prime considered subject when recruiting new students.
4. Urge the government to include ICT courses as subsidized subjects of the Continuing Education Fund.
What will be your first motion to put forward in the coming Legco meeting?
Tam: My planned first motion in the coming Legco session will probably be to urge the government to set up the Technology Development Council and formulate long-term development strategies for our ICT industry.
Your predecessor, Sin Chung-kai, has occupied the seat for many years, what are the strengths that you see in him?
Tam: Sin Chung-kai has been working in the legislative council for years, and is well familiar with the bill scrutiny and examination procedures. In addition, he has a wide political network. These are all his strengths.
Anything else you wish to speak to MIS Asia's CIO readers across the Asia?
Tam: The next 10 years is certainly Asia’s century, and there will be lots of opportunities for individuals, corporations as well as governments. IT will for sure bring in substantial beneficial changes for all of us, such as e-Government and digital lifestyle. I believe that “IT (will) Take the Lead” in the near coming future.
