Legislative amendments enabling submission and processing of applications for Hong Kong identity cards by automated means gazetted
The subsidiary legislation under the Registration of Persons Ordinance (ROP Ordinance) (Cap. 177), namely the Registration of Persons (Amendment) Regulation 2024, was gazetted today (October 18).
Corresponding to the above amendments, amendments to the Electronic Transactions (Exclusion) Order (Cap. 553B), viz. the Electronic Transactions (Exclusion) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2024, was also gazetted today.
The above legislative proposals aim to enable the submission and processing of applications for Hong Kong identity cards (HKICs) by automated means via the Personal Documentation Submission Kiosks (PDSKs) of the Immigration Department (ImmD). Eligible applicants can complete the streamlined application procedures at the PDSKs in a self-service manner without the need to meet a Registration Officer in person. The proposed amendment regulation and order will be tabled at the Legislative Council on October 23 for negative vetting.
A spokesman for the ImmD said, "The first batch of PDSKs is now set up at the Immigration Headquarters in Tseung Kwan O. It is anticipated that the PDSKs' function in handling HKICs applications will be introduced by the end of this year, once the amendments to the related subsidiary legislations have passed through the scrutiny period. Eligible applicants will be able to submit HKICs applications in a self-service manner, which will be more convenient and time-efficient. Regardless of the means used to submit applications, the eligibility criteria for HKICs applications remain unchanged."
The service arrangements and details regarding HKICs applications via PDSKs will be announced in due course prior to its introduction at the end of this year.
Research Grants Council to present public lecture: "To Healthy Life! Obesity Management and Application of Ultra-precision Machining Technology"
The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
In line with the Government's initiative to further strengthen the promotion of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) education in primary and secondary schools, and to take further steps to identify and nurture local STEAM elites, the Research Grants Council (RGC) will organise a series of public lectures from October to November, covering topics including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, economy, health, technology and innovation. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. All are welcome.
The lecture titled "To Healthy Life! Obesity Management and Application of Ultra-precision Machining Technology" will be held on October 26 (Saturday). The lecture will be conducted in Cantonese. Details are as follows:
Time: 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Venue: Lecture Hall, 1/F, Hong Kong Science Museum
Members of the public may also watch a live broadcast of the lecture through the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hkscm) or the YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/user/hksciencemuseum) of the Hong Kong Science Museum.
In the first session "Combating obesity: Our current understanding and challenges", Associate Professor of the School of Biological Sciences of the University of Hong Kong Professor Chan Chi-bun will talk about the causes and impact of obesity, and the latest research on preventive and therapeutic methods to combat obesity.
In the second session "Novel Ultra-Precision Machining Technology Enters Innovation, Technology and Life", Chair Professor of Ultra-precision Machining and Metrology of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and the Director of the State Key Laboratory of Ultra-precision Machining Technology of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Benny Cheung, will introduce the development and application of ultra-precision nano multi-ring machining technology in the development of a novel and high-efficacy nano multi-ring defocus incorporated spectacle lens for myopia control. He will also talk about how interdisciplinary research and industrial collaboration help improve human life.
The RGC has been regularly organising public lectures since 2009, featuring various distinguished scholars as speakers. These lectures aim to promote research knowledge of Hong Kong's tertiary institutions and to raise public awareness of the significance and value of local research work.
For enquiries, please call 2524 3987 or visit the University Grants Committee webpage (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/events/lectures/lectures.html). In addition, members of the public can register for the RGC's email subscription service atwww.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/subscribeto receive regular updates.
