COMPUTERS seem capable of doing almost anything - but they can never replace human contact and communication, says the winner of a computer education scholarship. Manson Ng Kwing-fei, a Form Four student of Wah Yan College, Kowloon, said computers will most likely take on the role of language one day, but communication between humans was unique and nothing can substitute for it, not even man's 'cleverest invention'. 'Computers may help you to communicate with other people. But you still have to reach out directly to people if you want to build up a rapport with someone,' Kwing-fei said. Manson was one of 43 primary and secondary students who won over HK$3,000 in the Futurekids Computer Education Scholarship. The winners will be given a basic computer course at the computer learning centre Futurekids, which also organised the scholarship. Contestants had to write an essay on one of three topics. They were expected to draw on their experience of computers, and their imagination, in their compositions. Manson wrote about the relationship between his future profession and the computer. 'I want to join the legal profession. Computers can be a great help in recording and sorting out cases, and sifting data.' Michael Shang Sze-yung, 12, of Wah Yan College, Hong Kong, wrote an essay giving his reasons for wanting to study computers. 'I want to be a doctor some day, and computers will help me conduct medical checks and record medical information. With my knowledge of computers and medicine, I could make a contribution to society,' the Form Two student told Young Post. Christina Hsu Li-min of Rosaryhill School said she could not imagine a world without computers. 'What a mess it would be!' she said. The scholarship winners, ranging from six to 16 years, will start their computer classes at the centre next week.
