On behalf of the Hong Kong Computer Society (HKCS), I would like to extend a warm welcome to all delegates attending the Hong Kong International Computer Conference 2015 (HKICC 2015). For 38 years in a row, HKCS has been hosting this flagship event to explore the opportunities that information technology has to offer, by providing a platform for both local and international ICT industry leaders, with representatives from public and private sectors, academia and government, to exchange their ideas and views.

It is beyond doubt that technology has become inseparable from and intertwined with our daily lives, business and industry developments, making it the primary driver for the increasingly rapid-pace of change. Acknowledging its wide spread impact on the global economy, the Conference theme this year will be on Digital Economy, its application and implication, and on encouraging innovation to sustain growth and thrive.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and gratitude to the members of the Organizing Committee, Programme Committee, and the staff members of the HKCS for their hard work towards the HKICC 2015. My heartfelt thanks must be paid to our speakers and panelists, for bringing us their personal insight and knowledge. To our sponsors, thanks for the generous support that has allowed us to make bolder steps towards our goal.

It is truly an honour to have been given the opportunity to serve as the Chairperson of HKICC 2015’s Organising Committee and to have been able to work closely with our respectable committee members. It has been an amazing and inspiring journey. However, our sole efforts would not have equated without the expertise and generosity of our speakers, colleagues, ICT professionals and corporate sponsors.

In the last several years, I have the opportunity in implementing different ‘digital economy’ projects in today real world business situations. Today businesses heavily rely on ICT and we see the immense impact technologies have on the business and global market. With new innovations and breakthroughs in technologies such as IoT and Big Data, it has reshaped the way in which businesses and organizations in different sectors operate including health, banking and transportation.

While such innovations have bought along convenience and speed to our daily operations, ICT professionals and practitioners in related fields have found themselves trying to keep up with new technologies, its accompanying skills and regulations. HKICC, over the years, have become a platform for decision makers and ICT enthusiasts from all over the world to gather and exchange new ideas, knowledge, trends and achievements offered by ICT to help their businesses and communities stay on top.

We sincerely hope that you find the presentations and discussion panels inspiring, informative and interesting.

As the Chairperson of the Programme Committee, I have great honour to be able to welcome you to the HKICC 2015. Since its inception in 1978, HKICC has become one of the highlight events of the ICT industry, with over 500 delegates attending last year, thanks to the dedicated efforts of previous committees. Furthermore, the Conference’s prominence and status in the industry can also be accredited to the continuing support and active participation of all HKICC speakers and attendees who have shared their valuable knowledge and best practices to spark insightful discussions.

We are now living in a digital era; how we conduct our everyday activities and businesses is not only highly dependent on the application of ICT but is also continually shaped and empowered by innovation and emerging technologies. In the modern economy, digital networking and communication infrastructures have provided a worldwide platform for which people and organizations can formulate strategies, interact, communicate and acquire information.

This year’s theme “#digital_economy – Powered by Innovation” aims at highlighting the key trends and issues in such a fascinating and fast-growing digital economy, one that has become so intertwined with the traditional economy that delineation is no longer possible. The topics will range from governance to startups and to powerful digital enablers. As in previous years, HKICC2015 has also placed a strong emphasis on extracting the embedded value of ICT to all levels of the market, from consumers to businesses to the greater market, government and the community locally, regionally and globally.

Our Programme Committee is looking forward to the exciting Conference and more importantly, to be able to interact with and be inspired by speakers and delegates of the event. Building on previous successes, we believe that HKICC2015 is going to be another great Conference!