When using new software, most people will ignore the manual provided by the manufacturer. But for Clement Pang Ho-yan, the South China Morning Post Student Computer Scientist of the Year, it is the opposite.
'I like to read and study the manual when I use new software. Maybe because of this, I can learn a program very easily in a very short time,' said the St Paul's Co-educational College student.
The 17-year-old, who helped design his school's intranet system and student union website, will receive prizes including a $10,000 SCMP scholar-ship and a course worth $1,500 from the Art School, Hong Kong Arts Centre. He and his school will also receive a printer and scanner.
Clement thinks his ability to blend different aspects of computer science, such as programming and Web design, gives him an advantage.
'I'm quite interested in Web design as it involves not just programming but also design. And as a Web programmer, you need to take care of the visual and audio aspects,' he said.
Runner up Bruce Tang Yan-ho, 17, La Salle College will get a $3,000 scholarship.