Hong Kong Innovation Foundation and Sino Group Join Hands to Launch 'One Laptop' Programme to Provide Educational Support for Children from Less-resourced Families

HONG KONG,Aug. 12,2020 -- Hong Kong Innovation Foundation ('HKIF') joins hands with Sino Group in launching the 'One Laptop' Programme (the 'Programme') to provide educational support to children from less-resourced families in the new academic year.

Committed to nurturing younger generation and developing their strength in the field of innovation and technology,HKIF and Sino Group will donate 200 laptops with mobile data SIM cards through the Programme to students from Primary 4 to Secondary 3,who have difficulties in procuring a computer for online classes. The Programme has been made exceptionally meaningful following the Government's recent announcement of suspending face-to-face classes in the new academic year amid the severe COVID-19 situation.

In support of this meaningful cause,the laptops and local mobile data SIM cards have been made available at a special rate thanks to Google,Microsoft Hong Kong and 3 Hong Kong. Successful applicants will receive one laptop with 3 years warranty and two local mobile data SIM cards that are valid for 12 months. To apply for the Programme,applicants should be referred by school principals,teachers,registered social workers or representatives from non-governmental organisations. Application of the Programme will start on 17 August 2020.

With school activities and classroom learning temporarily replaced by online teaching,the Programme aims to ease the transition for students and parents to make online learning at home more accessible and effective. In addition to the hardware support,HKIF also works with Hong Kong Baptist University by offering job opportunities to university students as online learning support ambassadors. A series of training courses will be provided to enhance students' understanding of computers and internet use,as well as to respond to their daily learning needs. All enquiries related to online learning,including software usage and different e-learning platforms,can be consulted with support ambassadors to enhance students' learning efficiency.

Training workshops will also be introduced to generate students' interest in online learning,enhance self-directed learning and explore their potential in technology and innovation. Conducted by HKIF in conjunction with Google and Microsoft Hong Kong,the workshops will cover basic computer knowledge,online research techniques and other innovative experiences. A series of seminars and training courses designed for parents and teachers will also be held to explain and demonstrate knowledge about the internet and e-learning.

Mr Daryl Ng,Chairman of the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation and Deputy Chairman of Sino Group,remarks,'Continued learning is essential and critical to children's growth and development. With the support of like-minded partners,we hope to help students,parents and teachers adapt to the new learning arrangements and make good use of technology to learn at home amid the current situation.'

HKIF and Sino Group will donate 200 laptops with mobile data SIM cards through ‘One Laptop’ Programme to students from Primary 4 to Secondary 3,who have difficulties in procuring a computer for online classes.

The ‘One Laptop’ Programme helps children from less-resourced families conduct online learning anywhere and anytime.

About the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation

The Hong Kong Innovation Foundation (HKIF) is a non profit organisation founded by Sino Group in March 2018. We believe that innovation and technology will define our future. By nurturing young minds and accelerating innovative solutions to real-life challenges,HKIF is empowering today's innovators to transform Hong Kong into a global technology hub for tomorrow.

HKIF is a holistic innovation ecosystem committed to supporting innovation and technology,as well as building a smart and sustainable future together. We provide a variety of platforms to serve different sectors of the community.

http://www.hkif.org.hk

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