FHKI to Launch HK’s First Ever STEM Mark Certification to

Improve Quality Standards and Competitiveness of STEM Toys and Educational Products

 

 There is a wide variety of STEM educational products and toys in the market, with varying prices and quality.  However, there has always been a lack of objective and specific standards to assess the extent of STEM content these products and toys actually contain, and, more importantly, whether they are suitable for users' needs.  In light of this, the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) commissioned the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to conduct a one-and-a-half-year study in developing a framework specifically for STEM product certification.  This framework sets the foundation of FHKI's groundbreaking “STEM Mark Certification Program”, the first of its kind in Hong Kong.  The program aims to provide an objective, comprehensive, and higher product certification standard for both local and international STEM products.  FHKI today (23 May) announced the research report and the soon-to-be-launched “STEM Mark Certification Program” logo.  FHKI is honored to have Ms Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry as the officiating guest.

 This project is funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission's “Innovation and Technology Fund”, with a goal to help consumers, such as parents and educators, purchase high-quality STEM products and toys, thus encouraging young learners to be exposed to STEM education from an early age, inspiring and cultivating their interests and expertise, and ultimately nurturing more talent for Hong Kong's advanced industry and I&T sectors in the long run.  In particular, as the industry-leading chamber of commerce, FHKI believes that this will further enhance the quality, innovation capability and technological R&D level of Hong Kong STEM products, promote the manufacturing industry towards high-quality development, and inject new impetus towards Hong Kong’s new industrialisation.

 By being accredited with the STEM Mark certification for those relevant products, enterprises can gain consumer confidence and facilitate product recognition.  Although the “STEM Mark Certification Program” will be officially launched in Jan 2024, its pilot program will be launched at the “Q-MARK 45th Anniversary Licence Presentation Ceremony cum STEM MARK Launch Conference” on 16 June; more details will be announced at that occasion.

 During his welcome speech, FHKI Chairman Dr Sunny Chai expressed that, “Hong Kong has entered into a new golden age of innovation and new industrialisation.  With the estimated demand for innovation and technology talent at 200,000 in the next 10 to 15 years, it is clear that the thirst for talent is unquenchable!  To seize the opportunities arising from Mainland's development and international economic development trends, it is imperative to strengthen education and nurture our talents. I am confident that the “STEM Mark Certification Program” will not only enhance the hardware and software support of STEM education but will improve the quality of STEM education.”

Ms Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry stated that given the national strategic positioning, it is crucial to foster popular science, with a view to nurture talents for the I&T industry. She added that the “STEM Mark Certification Program” will contribute to the development of Hong Kong's new industrialisation. "As Hong Kong vigorously develops new industrialisation with the goal of becoming an international innovation and technology centre, the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has established the STEM product certification framework at this critical juncture. This timely framework enables the public to better classify STEM products and services, thereby improving product quality. This will undoubtedly benefit Hong Kong's new industrialisation and I&T development, for which I am grateful to FHKI and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University," she said.

 This year marks the 45th anniversary of the launch of Q-Mark. Mr Anthony Lam, FHKI Executive Deputy Chairman and Chairman of the Hong Kong Q-Mark Council, expressed that, "STEM Mark, like Q-Mark, serves to provide a comprehensive certification framework and a simple, easy-to-recognise premium logo for the market. We are confident that it can encourage more people to choose and use STEM products and toys for teaching, and, more importantly, inspiring students' interest in STEM education from an early age."

 Mr Peter Shum, FHKI General Committee member and Chairman of Education Technology Sub-committee, Innovation and Technology Development Committee, stated that, “The innovation and technology (I&T) landscape in Hong Kong is increasingly dynamic and robust. Hong Kong's innovation and technology ecosystem is experiencing a surge in vitality never before. 2022 marked a record high for the number of start-up companies and their employees. Additionally, the STEM toy market is expected to see a significant annual growth rate of 7.1% from 2021 to 2027. This reinforces the need to launch the “STEM Mark Certification Program” at such an opportune time.

Prof Winco Yung from the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, who led the research project, emphasised the importance of talent to the development of Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem.  “The STEM Mark certification framework is applicable to hardware and software products and will evaluate based on three major indicators, including STEM literacy, product features and general abilities. Manufacturers can also refer to this framework as early as the product design and development stage to launch better new STEM products” he said.

 Furthermore, FHKI held a seminar on framework development for STEM product certification today and invited STEM product and toy manufacturers and educators to attend.  During the seminar, Mr Steve Chuang, FHKI Executive Deputy Chairman said, "New industrialisation and the I&T industry require talented individuals with creativity, innovative thinking, collaborative and problem-solving abilities.  STEM education trains students to apply knowledge in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. FHKI believes that this certification framework research report will improve the quality of STEM products in Hong Kong, the production of local STEM teaching materials, in particular, meeting the unique characteristics and learning environment of Hong Kong and facilitating the development of STEM education going forward."

 

Photo 1 (from left to right): Mr Terrence Hui, Vice Chairman of Education Technology Sub-committee, Innovation and Technology Development Committee, FHKI; Prof Winco KC Yung, Professor of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Mr Anthony Lam, FHKI Executive Deputy Chairman and Chairman of the Hong Kong Q-Mark Council; Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of FHKI; Ms Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Mr Steve Chuang, Executive Deputy Chairman of FHKI; Mr Wong Chi Kwong, Government Chief Information Officer, Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau; Mr Peter Shum, FHKI General Committee member and Chairman of Education Technology Sub-committee, Innovation and Technology Development Committee; Mr Christopher Tse, Vice Chairman of Education Technology Sub-committee, Innovation and Technology Development Committee, FHKI

 

Photo 2: Ms Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry said she was grateful to FHKI and PolyU for launching the STEM mark, and believed that popular science education should be vigorously promoted.

 

Photo 3: Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of FHKI, said that he expressed confidence that STEM Mark will help strengthen the hardware and software elements of STEM education and thereby improve its quality.

 

Photo 4: Steve Chuang, Executive Deputy Chairman of FHKI, expressed FHKI’s hope for this certification framework research report to enhance the quality of STEM products in Hong Kong.

 

Photo 5: Anthony Lam hoped that promoting STEM products and toys for educational purposes will inspire students’ interest in STEM education at an early age.

 

Photo 6: According to Peter Shum, Chairman of Education Technology Sub-committee, Innovation and Technology Development Committee, FHKI, the STEM toy market is expected to experience a high annual growth rate of 7.1% from 2021 to 2027.

 

Photo 7: Prof Winco KC Yung, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, believed that promoting science and technology knowledge through STEM products can be accomplished by reaching out to secondary and even primary school students at an early age.

 

Photo 8: Ms Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, FHKI Leadership, educators and STEM products manufacturers witnessed the launch of STEM Mark.

 

Photo 9: STEM products and toy manufacturers showcased their STEM products to educators and participants.

 

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