WTISD-HK 2026 Student Proposal Competition and ICT Open Day invite students to build community response solutions and digital support networks for a more resilient, connected world
The Student Proposal Competition invites students to pinpoint real challenges in their communities and design practical digital responses and support solutions. During the ICT Open Day, students will have the opportunity to learn directly from executives of leading local information and communications technology enterprises, gaining valuable insights into the industry and its future.
In celebration of this year’s World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) on Sunday, May 17, the Communications Association of Hong Kong (CAHK), with the full support of the Communications Authority and industry partners, organises two major public events designed to deepen understanding of how telecommunication and information technologies shape – and strengthen – our society.
These highly anticipated programmes, “ICT Open Day” and the “Student Proposal Competition”, are running from now to May. Both events align with the WTISD-HK 2026 theme, “Strengthening Resilience in a Connected World”, highlighting the vital role that digital connectivity plays in safeguarding communities and supporting daily life.
Together, these initiatives offer CAHK a meaningful opportunity to raise public awareness and inspire deeper engagement – especially among young people and the academic community – on why building resilience through technology matters more than ever in our increasingly interconnected world.
Student Proposal Competition
Innovation begins with imagination, and few possess it more boldly than today’s young minds. Free from convention and rich in curiosity, students are uniquely positioned to see challenges not as obstacles, but as opportunities for change. The Student Proposal Competition invites secondary students to step into this role as innovators and problem-solvers, applying telecommunications technology to real-world issues that affect everyday life.
This year’s theme, “Community Response Solution – Digital Support Network for Our Community”, challenges participants to think beyond the classroom and into the heart of their neighbourhoods. Students are encouraged to push creative boundaries and propose original, technology-driven ideas that strengthen community resilience, connection and care during times of disruption.
Hong Kong’s vibrant cityscape is shaped by its dense urban environment and dramatic terrain, but these same features also expose communities to recurring natural challenges. Each year, typhoons bring strong winds, heavy rain, flooding and storm surges, while intense rainstorms can trigger flash floods and landslides in low-lying and hillside areas. Prolonged summer heatwaves place additional strain on public health, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly among vulnerable groups.
Beyond weather-related hazards, unexpected power outages can disrupt daily life, affecting work, communication and essential services. For elderly residents and those who rely on medical support equipment, such disruptions can be especially critical. Fire hazards in densely populated buildings further highlight the importance of timely information, coordinated response and community preparedness.
In these moments, access to accurate information, clear communication and mutual support can make a life-saving difference. While official warning systems and emergency measures exist, there remains a vital role for community-based digital solutions that help residents stay informed, connected and supported when it matters most.
This competition invites students to design a digital tool, in the form of a practical technological solution or social media initiative, that responds to a specific challenge faced by their own community during emergencies or disruptions. Drawing on telecommunications technology, digital platforms, or social media tools, proposals should present a practical and realistic solution that enhances communication, preparedness or access to essential information.
Participants may focus on issues such as communication breakdowns during severe weather, barriers faced by elderly residents in receiving timely alerts, or maintaining safe and effective learning during school closures. The emphasis should be on simplicity, accessibility and real-world impact.
Through thoughtful analysis and creative design, students are encouraged to demonstrate how technology can empower communities to respond quickly, stay connected and support one another in times of need. This competition is not only about innovation, but about envisioning a safer, more resilient future shaped by the ideas of the next generation.
The submissions can be a Word or PowerPoint document:
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Written format (Chinese: 800-1200 words; English: 500-1000 words)
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Slide format (Chinese: 500 words or above with a maximum of 20 slides; English: 380 words or above with a maximum of 18 slides)
Participants are encouraged to provide visuals, charts or diagrams to support their proposals and effectively communicate their ideas. Each entry is required to include an AI Integration Statement. It is a brief, mandatory statement (approximately 100-word limit) describing how AI was used in the preparation of the proposal (e.g., for research, data analysis, brainstorming or drafting).
All entries will be evaluated by an expert panel from Hong Kong’s ICT sector, with judging based on content quality, critical thinking, coherence and overall impact. The competition features six award categories: Champion, 1st Runner-up, 2nd Runner-up, Outstanding Submission Awards, Outstanding Achievement School Award (calculated by summing the top three individual scores from each school, with the highest total winning) and Active Participation School Award (presented to schools with the three highest participation rates).
The prizes include Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 (Black), Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro 46mm (Titanium), Huawei Watch GT 6 46mm (Black), and Huawei FreeBuds 7i. Winners of the Outstanding Achievement School Award and Active Participation School Award will receive trophies and be featured in media reports. All participants will receive an e-certificate as recognition.
ICT Open Day
Visiting leading ICT firms during the annual flagship ICT Open Day gives students a rare, hands-on look at how the industry builds digital resilience – transforming abstract ideas into real systems, real tools and real impact. Through expert-led workshops, students shift from simply observing to actively engaging, asking questions, testing ideas and exploring how innovative technologies can support their own Community Response Solution and Digital Support Network proposals. It is an invaluable chance to see how practical skills bring theory to life.
This year, students can choose from eight immersive routes that pair live demos with unfiltered career stories straight from the people who run the networks. Routes include: Communications Authority, China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited, CITIC Telecom International Holdings Limited, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, HGC Global Communications Limited, HKT Limited, SmarTone Telecommunications Holdings Limited, and Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT).
Past participants consistently share enthusiastic feedback, noting how the event – and the opportunity to interact directly with technology leaders – expanded their understanding of the ICT sector. For many, the experience has played a meaningful role in guiding their future studies and career aspirations in technology.
Important dates and information
ICT Open Day
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Event Date: March 21, 2026 (Saturday morning)
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Deadline of application: March 14, 2026
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Eligibility: S4-S6 secondary students
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Fee: Free of charge
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For registration and more information on WTISD-HK 2026, please register here.
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For more information on WTISD-HK 2026, please visit their website here.
Student Proposal Competition
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Registration and Submission Period: January 15 – April 10, 2026
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Eligibility: S4-S6 secondary, university and college students
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Fee: Free of charge
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Competition submissions should be sent to [email protected]