Letters | Hong Kong’s low opinion of IT jobs is tripping up its tech ambitions

Readers discuss the impediment to nurturing IT professionals who drive innovation, progress on an MTR station near the expanding Science Park, and the expected redevelopment of Choi Hung Estate

Hong Kong economy

Letters

Published: 11:30am, 21 Nov 2023

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Hong Kong, a global financial hub, has long aspired to be a smart city, leveraging technology to enhance its urban infrastructure and improve the quality of life for its residents. However, recent system failures – such as the hiccups during the launch of the SmartPLAY sports venue booking system earlier this month, the cyberattack against the Consumer Council in September that led to a data leak, and the Hong Kong International Airport computer system breakdown in March – have cast a shadow over the city’s IT capabilities.

These incidents raise questions about Hong Kong’s IT development and bring attention to the factors hindering the city’s progress towards its smart-city goals.

One issue is the low prestige of IT professionals in Hong Kong, compared to professionals in sectors such as finance and law. The disparity in compensation and social status is rooted in the city’s sales-oriented IT culture, where revenue generation takes precedence over technological expertise. This mindset has led to a system where IT professionals are often relegated to a supporting role, tasked with firefighting when systems fail rather than proactively designing resilient and secure systems.

To truly embrace its smart-city aspirations, Hong Kong must undergo a paradigm shift in its approach to IT development. The city needs to elevate the status of IT professionals, recognising their importance in driving innovation and ensuring the seamless operation of critical infrastructure. This requires increasing their compensation to reflect their expertise and contribution, while also fostering a culture that values technological know-how and problem-solving abilities.

Moreover, Hong Kong must prioritise the development of a strong foundation in software engineering methodologies. While large language models like ChatGPT may introduce new possibilities, the fundamentals of software engineering remain essential for designing, building and maintaining robust and scalable systems. A focus on requirement gathering, design, debugging and testing will ensure that the city’s IT infrastructure is not only cutting-edge but also reliable and secure.

The path towards a truly smart Hong Kong demands a change in mindset, one that prioritises IT as a core pillar of urban development. By empowering IT professionals, investing in their training and development, and fostering a culture of innovation, Hong Kong can overcome its current IT challenges and pave the way for a future where technology seamlessly integrates with the city’s fabric, enhancing the lives of its residents and solidifying its position as a global leader in the smart-city landscape.

Stephen Cheng, data scientist, Caritas Institute of Higher Education

Progress update needed on Science Park MTR station

With the success of the talent scheme in attracting skilled workers to the city, the population in the Science Park area is poised for growth. This anticipated increase will exert pressure on public transport, a concern echoed by lawmakers who worry about the decade-long wait for the construction of a proposed MTR station in Pak Shek Kok.

According to the Development Bureau, MTR Corporation has concluded that the project is feasible and studies are under way to develop the station scheme and support statutory rezoning procedures. While public consultation will be carried out at the rezoning stage and railway scheme gazettal stage, the bureau held back on providing more information until after the studies are completed, so as to avoid potential misunderstanding.

While we agree with the need for careful study, we urge the government to at least clearly identify the project milestones, such as the commencement of public consultation, the environmental impact assessment, the completion of design schematics, land acquisition, and the start of construction. Timelines for achieving these milestones should be announced to provide the public with a clearer understanding of the project’s progress.

In response to our enquiries, the Home Affairs Department indicated that no data was available about the demand for public transport in the region. Considering the anticipated population growth, it seems prudent for the government to continuously monitor such demand and decide whether it is necessary to prioritise and expedite the construction of the Science Park MTR station.

We also urge the government to consider more frequent updates on population statistics in rapidly developing areas, which would support better planning and provision of public services.

Trista Cheung, Kathy Tsoi and Winky Wong, Kowloon Tong

Conservation can keep part of Choi Hung alive

I am sure many Hongkongers will be sad about the redevelopment of the Instagram-famous buildings of the Choi Hung Estate, but such work is necessary (“Hong Kong Instagram hotspot Choi Hung Estate set to be ‘redeveloped in stages’”, November 6).

Safety comes first. No matter how pretty the buildings are, residents’ safety and comfort must be the top priority. The estate was built more than 50 years ago, and its ageing facilities are in need of repair.

Some have suggested that the government preserve a part of Choi Hung Estate, like what was done with Mei Ho House in Sham Shui Po. Once part of the Shek Kip Mei estate that was Hong Kong’s first public housing estate, Mei Ho House has been turned into a youth hostel and museum, and is currently hosting an exhibition on life in old Hong Kong. A similar project for Choi Hung Estate will help keep the memories of its famous buildings alive for Hongkongers.

Laurie Leung, Kwai Fong