Hong Kong’s Transport Minister, Lam Sai-hung, issued a call to action this week, urging young people to consider careers in the logistics industry. This follows the exciting conclusion of the 2024 Smart Logistics Datathon, a competition that brought together university and secondary school students for a 35-hour challenge.
The Datathon, held at Cyberport from April 1st to 4th, was the first project funded by the newly launched Logistics Promotion Funding Scheme. This initiative is part of a broader plan announced last October to revitalize and modernize Hong Kong’s logistics sector.
Minister Lam emphasized the importance of attracting young talent in his blog post on Saturday. He highlighted the current gap in secondary education, where transportation and logistics are not yet integrated into the curriculum. The Datathon, he said, provided an opportunity for high school students to explore this exciting field and gain insights into the cutting-edge technologies and high-value careers within logistics.
University Teams Showcase Smart Solutions:
The competition boasted participation from twenty university teams across Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and South Korea. These teams spent 35 consecutive hours analyzing real-world big data obtained from local logistics companies. The grueling marathon culminated in presentations where students pitched their innovative smart logistics solutions to a panel of judges.
Expanding Horizons for Secondary Schoolers:
This year’s Datathon marked a significant step forward with the introduction of a dedicated category for secondary school students. Ten teams from schools across Hong Kong rose to the challenge, including NT Heung Yee Kuk Yuen Long District Secondary School, Cheung Chuk Shan College, Pui Kiu College, and St. Paul’s Convent School.
By fostering a culture of innovation and attracting young minds to the field, Hong Kong is well-positioned to secure a strong future in the ever-evolving world of logistics.
