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The Hong Kong Government’s T-contract framework defines a clear and structured pathway for IT professionals seeking to contribute to public sector innovation. Each role under this model is supported by rigorous qualification and experience requirements designed to ensure talent readiness, technical excellence, and project accountability.&nbsp;The FoundationThe bases of every T-contract role begin with formal education. For staff categories SPM to JP, candidates must hold at least a higher diploma or associate degree in information technology or a related field. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized Hong Kong institution—or from accredited universities in the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Australia—automatically satisfies the essential qualification standard. Overseas degrees from other regions may be considered if the applicant provides supporting documentation proving equivalence under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework. For entry-level positions in administrative or technical assistance streams (categories SITA &amp; ITA), the benchmark begins with Level 2 or above in five subjects, including both English and Chinese, under the HKDSE or its international equivalent.​&nbsp;Work ExperienceExperience remains a vital determinant of expertise. Depending on the category, roles require between two to eleven years of post-qualification experience. Junior programmers begin with foundational development exposure, while analysts and project managers must demonstrate advanced capabilities in system design, technical consultancy, and leadership. Senior categories (SPM and PM) explicitly emphasize project governance experience—reflecting the Government’s expectation for leadership, supervision, and strategic contribution in multi-team environments.​&nbsp;Other SkillsBeyond the essentials, the T-contract model also recognizes desirable qualifications that enhance operational versatility. Trilingual fluency in English, Cantonese, and Putonghua is beneficial, especially for roles demanding cross-departmental communication. Management-level staff are encouraged to pursue certifications that underscore structured methodology and disciplined system lifecycle management.​&nbsp;Every Service Request under the T-contract system triggers a competitive bidding process. Contractors like EDPS must accurately verify each candidate’s credentials before submission—including academic records, post-qualification experience, and any specified technical expertise. The Government reserves the right to define “essential specific requirements” within each bid—such as security management, web programming, networking, or data administration—ensuring that each engagement is filled with the most qualified expertise for its scope.​&nbsp;This rigorous alignment between credentials, verified experience, and project specialization underscores why the T-contract system is regarded as one of Hong Kong’s most consistent models for maintaining quality governance across its digital infrastructure. For professionals, meeting these standards is more than compliance—it is a gateway to impactful, future-ready public service.&nbsp;To explore more about T-Contract job opportunities, visit <a href="https://www.edps.com.hk/jobseekervacancy">https://www.edps.com.hk/jobseekervacancy</a>.&nbsp;

T-contract Qualifications Explained From Academic Credentials to Project Readiness

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The Hong Kong Government’s T-contract framework defines a comprehensive ladder of IT roles, aligning technical specialization with career advancement. From entry-level junior programmers to senior project managers, each category under the T26 contract sets clear responsibilities, experience standards, and pathways for professional growth across the public sector.&nbsp;At the foundation,&nbsp;Information Technology Assistants (Categories SITA &amp; ITA)&nbsp;manage daily system operations, network administration, and helpdesk support. Shift-based duties and equipment monitoring are often required to maintain continuity in mission-critical systems. These frontline roles provide essential exposure to government IT environments and serve as training grounds for further specialization.​&nbsp;Junior and Programmers (Categories JP - P)&nbsp;move into technical development tasks—writing programs, conducting testing, assisting in implementation, and supporting user acceptance. As experience expands,&nbsp;Analyst/Programmers (Category AP)&nbsp;bridge development and analysis, participating in system design, documentation, and technical feasibility studies, preparing for leadership-level roles.​&nbsp;At mid-level,&nbsp;Systems Analysts and Senior Systems Analysts (Categories SA - SSA)&nbsp;take responsibility for end-to-end project phases. Their duties span from system architecture and procurement planning to implementation and quality assurance. They perform critical oversight on backup procedures, data integrity, and operational scheduling—often supervising smaller teams or collaborating across departments for integrated solution delivery.​&nbsp;The top management tiers—Project Managers (Category&nbsp;PM)&nbsp;and&nbsp;Senior Project Managers (Category SPM)—embody leadership and strategic accountability. Their role evolves beyond development supervision into project direction, risk assessment, and business process re-engineering. These managers participate in feasibility analysis, resource allocation, and stakeholder consultation to ensure government digital initiatives meet both technical and public service objectives.​​&nbsp;For senior categories, mentorship and training responsibilities are explicitly defined—ensuring knowledge transfer and capability development within teams. These tiers not only guarantee operational excellence but also prepare leaders for future advancement within or beyond government service.&nbsp;Ultimately, the T-contract model establishes a structured balance of&nbsp;technical accountability, managerial growth, and skill progression, making it a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s evolving public technology ecosystem.&nbsp;To explore more job openings, please visit <a href="https://www.edps.com.hk/jobseekervacancy">https://www.edps.com.hk/jobseekervacancy</a>.&nbsp;

Inside the T-contract Ladder Duties and Career Growth in Government IT

Looking to future-proof an IT career in Hong Kong? The right certification not only opens doors but makes a candidate stand out in a fast-moving job market. With 83% of companies now considering AI a strategic priority, the need for advanced tech and leadership skills continues to surge.<ol><li>AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate With cloud adoption accelerating across Hong Kong’s banking and logistics sectors, this credential signals mastery in scalable, secure infrastructure. Nearly every major IT employer values cloud architecture skill, with AWS experience a key advantage. Recommended: "AWS Certified Solutions Architect Bootcamp" on Udemy. &nbsp;</li><li>Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) Containers and microservices power modern enterprise IT. The CKA validates practical skills for deploying and managing Kubernetes clusters—a must-have for DevOps and infrastructure engineers as hybrid architectures grow. Try Coursera’s “Kubernetes for Developers” specialization. &nbsp;</li><li>Project Management Professional (PMP) Project management talent is in high demand: 33% growth in project management roles is projected for 2025, and certified professionals in Hong Kong earn up to 40% more than their peers. The PMP demonstrates mastery in leading cross-functional teams and managing technology-driven projects. Udemy’s “PMP Exam Prep Course” or Coursera’s “Project Management Principles and Practices” are excellent choices. &nbsp;</li><li>Google Professional Cloud Architect The Google Professional Cloud Architect certification empowers IT professionals to design, develop, and manage robust cloud solutions on Google Cloud. In the booming AI and FinTech sector, the qualification can help validate expertise in scalable architectures, data-driven decision systems, and security compliance—key for cloud consultants and enterprise solution architects. &nbsp;</li><li>Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) For those aiming at management, CISM is a globally recognized standard in security governance and compliance. IT professionals with this badge often accelerate into leadership roles in large organizations. Udemy’s “CISM Certification Exam Prep” is updated for the latest standards.</li></ol>In a market where nearly 70% of Fortune 500 firms leverage Microsoft 365 Copilot, and 75% of local enterprises are exploring AI solutions, obtaining the right IT certifications is the most effective way to stand out, future-proof your career, and drive professional advancement.&nbsp;

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5 Cutting-Edge IT Certifications to Supercharge Your Career in Hong Kong

The TCON (Temporary Contract) model offers one of Hong Kong’s most dynamic gateways into impactful government IT careers. Through TCON roles, professionals can apply their expertise to diverse projects across government bureaux—serving the public while building a robust portfolio in the tech sector.What Makes TCON Unique?TCON jobs are contract-based IT positions supplied by external vendors under competitive bidding. Candidates who meet specific qualifications are proposed to the government, then supervised by their sponsoring company, ensuring governance and professional growth throughout their assignments.Staff Categories: A/B1/B2 to 6Opportunities span a well-structured hierarchy:<ul><li>A/B1/B2 (Information Technology Assistants):&nbsp;Ideal for operational IT specialists with two to five years’ hands-on experience. Duties include helpdesk support, network administration, system operations, and can require shift work.</li><li>Category 0 (Junior Programmer):&nbsp;Suited for candidates with basic programming knowledge (Java, C++, SQL) and experience with collaborative tools, making this role a good entry point for those beginning a development career.</li><li>Category 1 (Programmer):&nbsp;Requires two years’ experience in application development and technical support, extending responsibilities to networking and troubleshooting.</li><li>Category 2 (Analyst/Programmer):&nbsp;Needs three years’ relevant IT experience, contributing to system design, program writing, documentation, and technical analysis.</li><li>Category 3 (Systems Analyst):&nbsp;Four years of post-qualification experience and a background in system analysis and design, resource allocation, and project reporting are expected.</li><li>Category 4 (Senior Systems Analyst):&nbsp;Six years’ experience, usually in supervisory, quality control, and advanced project management roles.</li><li>Category 5 (Project Manager):&nbsp;Eight years in IT, including team leadership and full-lifecycle project control, supporting government digital transformation.</li><li>Category 6 (Senior Project Manager):&nbsp;The top tier, with eleven years’ experience and advanced strategic duties like business process re-engineering, technical consulting, and supervising large teams.</li></ul>Why Consider TCON Roles?The tech market in Hong Kong is thriving: 22% of employers plan to increase tech staff in 2025 and 16% are hiring specifically for digital transformation and AI integration. Most strikingly, 78% of organizations globally now use AI in at least one business function —making certifications in AI and cloud technologies vital for career progression. TCON jobs embed candidates into high-impact projects, offering visibility, practical experience, and clear advancement pathways in a booming, talent-hungry sector.Your Pathway ForwardExplore TCON careers to access dynamic roles within influential public sector projects. With well-defined categories and clear advancement paths, a TCON contract could be the stepping stone to a high-impact IT future in Hong Kong, to explore more job openings, please visit <a href="https://www.edps.com.hk/jobseekervacancy">https://www.edps.com.hk/jobseekervacancy</a>.

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Understanding TCON: Your Pathway to Impactful Government IT Careers

Online learning has transformed how IT professionals build new skills and advance their careers, with digital platforms offering on-demand, self-paced training developed by leading universities and technology companies.&nbsp;For those seeking growth or a career pivot in ICT, many online catalogues feature industry-recognized tracks aligned with emerging roles—often led by Coursera, as well as other platforms like Udacity and LinkedIn Learning, each providing distinct advantages and specialized courses in high-demand fields.&nbsp;&nbsp;1.Google Cybersecurity Professional CertificateThis beginner-friendly path introduces foundational cybersecurity topics like threat detection, network defence, and incident response. Interactive labs and real-world scenarios help learners prepare for entry-level roles tasked with safeguarding digital assets—a critical function in any modern organization.&nbsp;2. Machine Learning Specialization by StanfordCovering both theory and hands-on techniques, this program guides learners through supervised and unsupervised learning, model evaluation, and practical assignments. Ideal for IT professionals aiming to move into data-driven roles, it focuses on building, validating, and deploying machine learning solutions for real-world problems.&nbsp;3.Artificial Intelligence for EveryoneThis popular course demystifies artificial intelligence, focusing on concepts, use cases, and the broader strategic implications of AI adoption in business. No prior coding experience is necessary. It provides a solid grounding for professionals looking to leverage AI projects or collaborate with AI-focused teams.&nbsp;4.Introduction to Data Science Specialization by IBMWith a strong emphasis on applied learning, this specialization covers data mining, Python programming, visualization, and basic machine learning. Learners build a capstone project using real datasets, equipping them for roles in data analysis and business intelligence.&nbsp;5.Introduction to Cloud Computing by IBMThis course delves into the design, deployment, and management of cloud environments. Learners study core cloud principles, service models, infrastructure, and cloud security—key skills for IT practitioners involved in digital transformation projects.&nbsp;By pursuing these targeted training programs, employees gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, allowing them to strengthen security, enable smarter business decisions, and support the rapid evolution of technology across industries.&nbsp;EDPS Academy makes it possible for aspiring and current IT professionals to stay ahead in a constantly evolving tech landscape, build recognized expertise, and unlock new opportunities with confidence, and overall enabling smarter business decisions, and kept up to date on the rapid evolution of technology.

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Advancing IT Careers Five Practical Training Paths for IT Professionals (with course recommendations)

The IT landscape is evolving rapidly, and as we step into 2025, employers in Hong Kong and worldwide are seeking a new mix of technical and soft skills to drive digital transformation and innovation. The so-called “skills gap” extends beyond coding or system management—it's about how well professionals can adapt to ever-changing technologies and business demands.&nbsp;What do IT Employers Prioritize in 2025?<ul><li>AI and Automation Proficiency</li></ul>AI, machine learning, and automation increasingly underpin vital business functions. Many IT employers are expected to increase hiring for AI-related roles in 2025, valuing candidates with experience in designing or managing AI-driven solutions to streamline workflow and innovation. &nbsp;<ul><li>Cybersecurity Awareness</li></ul>Rising digital threats make cybersecurity expertise essential. Staff who know best practices, can spot vulnerabilities, and ensure compliance remain highly sought after, even if cybersecurity is not their primary focus. &nbsp;<ul><li>Cloud and Hybrid Infrastructure Skills</li></ul>As organizations migrate to cloud and hybrid environments, expertise in platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud is in demand. Skills in configuring, optimizing, and securing these environments are especially important.&nbsp;<ul><li>Adaptability and Continuous Learning</li></ul>The pace of tech change means employers look for candidates who are eager learners—able to keep up with emerging tools, languages, and methodologies.&nbsp;<ul><li>Collaborative Mindset</li></ul>Strong communication and teamwork abilities are fundamental cornerstones, as IT projects require close collaboration across disciplines and geographies.&nbsp;Why does this matter for your career?Jobseekers who invest in upskilling—through certifications, self-study, or hands-on projects—stand out in the talent market. Demonstrating a blend of current technical capabilities and a proactive approach to learning can open the door to new opportunities, richer roles, and leadership paths.&nbsp;Ready to take the next step?Staying ahead of the IT skills curve not only boosts your employability but empowers you to thrive as part of Hong Kong’s next generation of digital talent, getting hands on experience on projects will also set you apart from the competition. A great place to start would be EDPS’ job seeker, you can explore current openings and take your career forward by visiting<a href="https://www.edps.com.hk/jobseekervacancy">https://www.edps.com.hk/jobseekervacancy</a>.&nbsp;

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Navigating the Skills Gap: What IT Employers Want in 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing client-facing services in 2025, driving efficiency, personalization, and satisfaction across industries. As customer expectations rise, AI is now a key enabler of innovation and competitive advantage.AI’s Role in Customer Interactions<ul><li>AI is projected to handle up to 95% of customer interactions, spanning chat, voice, email, and social media.</li><li>Generative AI boosts customer experiences by automating responses and supporting agents.</li><li>Omnichannel AI tools ensure consistent, rapid support across all platforms.</li></ul>Key Benefits for Client-Facing ServicesHyper-Personalization<ul><li>AI analyses customer data in real time, delivering tailored recommendations and solutions.</li><li>Predictive analytics allow businesses to anticipate client needs and address issues proactively.</li></ul>Enhanced Efficiency<ul><li>AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants manage most routine inquiries, providing 24/7 support.</li><li>Automated workflows reduce response times and free human agents to handle complex cases.</li></ul>Empathy and Human-AI Collaboration<ul><li>Natural language processing and sentiment analysis enable AI to understand emotions and intent, creating more empathetic interactions.</li><li>AI augments staff by offering real-time suggestions and handling repetitive tasks, so agents can focus on nuanced support.</li></ul>Proactive and Predictive Service<ul><li>AI monitors interactions to spot emerging issues and knowledge gaps, preventing problems before they arise.</li><li>Predictive tools help organizations reach out to clients at the right moment with personalized support.</li></ul>Real-World Applications<ul><li>Financial Services:&nbsp;AI detects fraud and provides instant, tailored advice.</li><li>Healthcare:&nbsp;Virtual assistants manage scheduling and answer patient queries, streamlining care.</li><li>Retail:&nbsp;Recommendation engines suggest products based on customer history, enhancing the shopping experience.</li></ul>Trust, Privacy, and InnovationAs AI becomes integral to client services, organizations are prioritizing data privacy, transparency, and ethical use. AI governance platforms ensure compliance and build trust by making AI decisions explainable and auditable.ConclusionIn 2025, AI is a strategic partner in delivering faster, more personalized, and empathetic client-facing services. Businesses embracing AI report higher customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. For those seeking to work at the forefront of these innovations, roles like AI Technical Lead and System Analyst offer exciting opportunities. EDPS provides a range of such positions—explore current openings at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.edps.com.hk/jobseekervacancy">www.edps.com.hk/jobseekervacancy</a>.

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How AI Is Helping Client-Facing Services in 2025

The need for Analyst Programmers in Hong Kong has never been greater as digital transformation accelerates across the city, companies are investing in technology at an unprecedented pace—particularly within fintech, e-commerce, and ongoing smart city developments. Recent figures show Hong Kong’s IT market will exceed US$8.5 billion this year, with much of this growth tied to new digital platforms and AI solutions.&nbsp;Impact of AI, Roles in Fintech and Urban InnovationOver 60% of IT organizations in Asia-Pacific, including Hong Kong, now use AI-driven development platforms. These tools drive productivity, quality, and speed to market. Analyst Programmers are essential in this landscape, connecting business needs with technical implementation and embedding technologies such as generative AI, agentic AI, and predictive analytics into enterprise applications.Hong Kong’s globally recognized fintech industry relies heavily on Analyst Programmers to develop digital banking, payment, and regulatory compliance systems. Smart city projects and government investment in AI infrastructure have also created new opportunities, with Analyst Programmers leading the technical delivery for transformative public and private sector projects.&nbsp;Tackling Security and SustainabilityRising cyber threats and data privacy expectations mean Analyst Programmers are more crucial than ever as companies look for talent that can implement advanced security measures, it is also worth noting that Analyst Programmers now also help design energy-efficient data centres and green IT solutions to support sustainability targets set by local authorities.&nbsp;Surging Local DemandHundreds of Analyst Programmer roles appear on Hong Kong recruitment platforms every week, reflecting widespread demand. Surveys show digital skills shortages are a key concern for local employers, with technical roles among the hardest to fill.Those passionate about shaping Hong Kong’s digital future will find these roles both dynamic and rewarding. Analyst Programmers are not just writing code; they are shaping how businesses, institutions, and citizens interact with technology across the city.EDPS is proud to support Hong Kong’s digital transformation by offering a range of Analyst Programmer positions for innovative professionals. For current opportunities, visit <a href="http://www.edps.com.hk/jobseekervacancy">www.edps.com.hk/jobseekervacancy</a>

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Why Analyst Programmers Are in High Demand in Hong Kong and Global Markets

Generative AI has quickly become a cornerstone of modern software development and IT support. Unlike traditional AI systems, which require explicit programming for each task, generative AI models learn from vast datasets to produce human-like text, code, and design elements (e.g. UI/UX design, graphic design). This capability is driving a new wave of productivity and innovation across the IT industry.Accelerating Software DevelopmentDevelopers are increasingly relying on generative AI assistants to streamline their workflows. Tools like GitHub Copilot can suggest entire functions or debug code in real time, reducing development time and minimizing errors. This shift allows development teams to focus more on problem-solving and creative design rather than repetitive coding tasks.Generative AI also helps bridge knowledge gaps by generating documentation, explaining complex code, and providing instant answers to developer queries. This democratizes software development, enabling junior developers to contribute more effectively and accelerating the onboarding process for new team members.Enhancing Technical SupportIn the realm of IT support, generative AI powers intelligent chatbots and virtual assistants that provide 24/7 helpdesk services. These AI agents can understand natural language, troubleshoot common issues, and escalate complex problems to human experts when necessary. This not only improves response times but also reduces operational costs and enhances user satisfaction.Additionally, generative AI can analyse support tickets and user feedback to identify recurring problems and suggest proactive fixes. This predictive capability helps IT teams maintain system reliability and improve service quality.Challenges and Ethical ConsiderationsWhile generative AI offers tremendous benefits, it also presents challenges. Ensuring the accuracy and security of AI-generated code is critical to prevent vulnerabilities. There are also concerns about intellectual property rights and the ethical use of AI-generated content. Organizations must implement robust review processes and maintain transparency when deploying generative AI tools. Additionally, there are concerns about bias in AI outputs and the risk of over-reliance on AI-generated content.ConclusionThe rise of generative AI is reshaping software development and IT support, offering new levels of efficiency and innovation. By understanding and responsibly implementing these technologies, IT professionals and organizations can unlock new opportunities and deliver exceptional value in today’s digital world.

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Rise of Generative AI in Software Development and Support

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The IT industry is experiencing a transformative era, thanks to rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. As we move through 2025, AI is not just an auxiliary tool—it’s at the heart of innovation, reshaping how organizations operate, secure their data, and interact with technology. Here are the top five AI-driven innovations currently making waves in the IT sector.&nbsp;1. Generative AI for Code and Content CreationGenerative AI models, such as OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Microsoft’s Copilot, are revolutionizing software development. These tools can write code snippets, generate documentation, and even create test cases, significantly boosting developer productivity. Beyond coding, generative AI is also used to automate report generation, create technical content, and assist in knowledge management, making it a versatile asset for IT teams.&nbsp;2. AI-Enhanced CybersecurityWith cyber threats growing more sophisticated, AI-powered security systems have become critical. These systems use machine learning to detect anomalies, predict attacks, and respond to threats in real time. AI-driven threat intelligence platforms analyze massive datasets to identify vulnerabilities and recommend proactive defences, helping organizations stay ahead of cybercriminals.&nbsp;3. AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things)AIoT differs from traditional IoT by incorporating artificial intelligence to enable local decision-making and edge computing. This allows for more efficient and autonomous operations in smart manufacturing and network management. AI algorithms process data at the edge, allowing devices to make decisions locally without relying on cloud connectivity. This reduces latency and improves efficiency in applications ranging from smart manufacturing to intelligent network management.&nbsp;4. AI-Powered IT Operations (AIOps)AIOps platforms leverage AI and big data analytics to automate and enhance IT operations. They help monitor system performance, predict outages, and optimize resource allocation. By automating routine tasks like incident management and root cause analysis, AIOps frees IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives and innovation.&nbsp;5. Quantum Computing and AI SynergyWhile still in its early stages, the combination of quantum computing and AI is opening new possibilities for solving complex problems that are beyond the reach of classical computers. In 2025, early quantum AI applications are being explored for optimizing logistics, drug discovery, and cryptography, signalling a new frontier for IT innovation. While quantum computing offers tremendous potential, it also faces limitations such as hardware constraints and the need for error correction. These challenges must be addressed to fully realize its benefits.&nbsp;ConclusionAI-driven innovations are transforming the IT landscape in 2025, offering unprecedented opportunities for efficiency, security, and growth. By embracing these technologies, organizations can stay competitive and prepare for the future of digital transformation.&nbsp;

Top 5 AI-Driven Innovations in IT for 2025

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Virtual Avatar Modelling & Animation in AR

The world has witnessed pandemics such as the 1918 Influenza [1], Ebola [2], SARS [3], H1N1 [4], MERS [3] etc. The COVID–19 pandemic is another pandemic we are witnessing, and it has infected millions of people all over the world. Millions of lives have been lost. As of 17 March 2024, the United States tops coronavirus cases with records of 103,436,209, including 1,182,424 deaths. On mortality count, Americas and Europe have accounted for 75.1% while there are only 6.0% of total deaths in Western Pacific containing China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore [5]. The initial cases of this epidemic were discovered at a seafood market in Wuhan, China in late 2019, but there is no consensus about its origin. It quickly broke out into other parts of the world in early 2020 and then escalated to a pandemic. COVID–19 has interrupted civilization [6] for nearly three years. It has caused the most severe effects to the international society in comparison to the previous epidemics. Mask mandate was enforced. Social distancing was imposed. Large gathering was outlawed. Travel ban was imposed. Airports were deserted because planes were restricted to fly. Cruises were abandoned due to the fear of concentrated infection. Attractions lacked tourists because "unurgent and unnecessary" exits to foreign countries were restricted [7]. Classrooms were closed so students could only learn their classes online. Conference meetings were moved online. Cars were fewer on the roads. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and health QR codes [7] turned into mandatory prerequisite for residents to go outdoors. No one was free from the wrath of COVID–19 [6]. Successful containment strategies deployed in various countries have demonstrated the pivotal role of data analysis, scientific evidence, expert opinions, and depoliticization. For instance, Singapore implemented stringent "circuit breaker" [8] measures in 2020, but swiftly lifted restrictions in 2021 [9], because it cited a death rate of 0.2% [10], the lowest worldwide then. Meanwhile, China, in accordance with Zhong Nanshan et al.'s suggestions in 2020, enforced a rigorous lockdown in Wuhan [7, 11]. It was applied to other major cities across the nation to stop the virus from spreading farther as soon as possible. Despite its side effects on economy, tourism, education, international trade, and daily lifestyles, the zero–COVID–19 policy between 2020 and 2021 successfully limited mortality in China and made it a rare country with infrequent confirmed COVID cases. When Wuhan reopened on April 8, the lockdown was hailed as demonstration of "institutional advantage" by the government [12], especially compared to Western countries with massive deaths caused by their inaction [13]. However, the city–wide lockdown encountered its shortcomings during the Omicron outbreak in 2022 despite its success in 2020 [11]. Due to the complex administrative structure in China, the urgency of zero–COVID policy was exaggerated by junior officials, securities, and volunteers. Thus, they often implemented excessive epidemic prevention. For example, citizens were forced to take PCR tests in every 48 hours, sometimes in even 24 hours, to keep their QR codes green, otherwise they would be rejected from many buildings or communities by security. As all three doses of the vaccine were sufficient to saved lives from danger, many citizens complained that it was inconvenient and meaningless to maintain such strict policies while the virus has changed.This dichotomy has highlighted the importance for flexible policymaking levels to enhance epidemic response in large, multi–tiered governance systems. Countries like Singapore minimized the side effects of its epidemic prevention successfully and consistently since its decisions were made with respect of an advanced machine leaning model and precise data analysis evaluation. Scientists have carried out different studies to assist stakeholders in understanding the situation. The authors in [14] trained linear and polynomial models to predict case fatality rate of COVID–19 in Nigeria. In another study, scientists [15] discovered spatiotemporal transmission patterns of the epidemic in Hong Kong via deep learning. While classifying fatality rate serves as a basis for effective disease control in Singapore, it seems that machine learning articles on this task is in a paucity. Therefore, this study aims to design, develop, and evaluate a classification of COVID–19 fatality rate using learning algorithms. The proposed model will classify case fatality rate at national level into low, moderate, or high. &nbsp;2.Methodology 2.1. Data There are two datasets collected form WHO coronavirus (COVID–19) dashboard [5] and Our World in Data (OWID) [16] respectively. Features of both involves new cases, cumulative cases, new deaths, and cumulative deaths. The numbers of confirmed COVID–19 cases and deaths in the world are updated weekly by WHO [5]. For this study, only records from ten industrial countries are selected, as they contain only one missing value and one noisy value that can be handled well afterwards. These countries are China, Singapore, Korea, Japan, the USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, and Russia. The data from OWID comprises daily cases and deaths in the USA, and it also provides their smoothed values. We select data between January 2020 to March 2023 for our objectives. Redundant and irrelevant features are removed during the data cleaning phase. We aimed to calculate and classify the case fatality rate using five learning algorithms. 2.2.Preprocessing. a. Interpolating Missing Values Given that our datasets contain both incremental and cumulative fields, a missing value can be easily estimated by values in adjacent rows and columns. b. Smoothing Noisy Values<img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/Screenshot_2025_06_30_171347_71ea74212d.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-06-30 171347.png"><img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/Screenshot_2025_06_30_171429_b13a7fe086.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-06-30 171429.png"><img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/Screenshot_2025_06_30_171502_6de75edb41.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-06-30 171502.png"><img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/Screenshot_2025_06_30_171529_ac1e4ed055.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-06-30 171529.png"><img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/Screenshot_2025_06_30_171614_c3a404d850.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-06-30 171614.png"><img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/Screenshot_2025_06_30_170627_984d04cb07.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-06-30 170627.png"><img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/Screenshot_2025_06_30_170710_2df89824a8.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-06-30 170710.png"><img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/Screenshot_2025_06_30_170743_f8e7d6a989.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-06-30 170743.png"><img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/Screenshot_2025_06_30_170812_6467dd3022.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-06-30 170812.png">5.Conclusion COVID–19 pandemic has resulted in major distraction to the society for nearly 4 years. It has infected millions of people and taken millions of lives. Aggressive containment strategies were vital when the virus performed high fatality rate, but they gradually brought major inconvenience to the society without being relaxed as the fatality rate dropped. Countries and regions such as Singapore have successfully implemented effective disease control by observing the case fatality rate within borders and categorize it for taking different measures. Therefore, in this study, we have designed, developed, and evaluated a COVID–19 fatality rate classifier, with datasets from World Health Organization and Our World in Data. Classification is based on low, moderate, or high. Imbalanced classes are equalized with SMOTE. a.In WHO's data, RFA and KNN perform the best for weekly and cumulative CFR levels respectively, while LRA and SVM predict suboptimal results. b.In OWID's data, CART and Bagging perform in a full accuracy for the cumulative label. The highest accuracies for the monthly and smoothed labels are evaluated from RFA and LRA. c.Combining oversampling with ensemble learning algorithms proved to be an effective strategy. However, it requires a large data size to get optimal performance. d.The high accuracy, F1–score and precision of the RFA and KNN models suggests that they have the capability of separately classifying weekly and cumulative COVID-19 fatality rates into low, moderate, or high.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Machine Learning for Case Fatality Rate Classification

Project Background In the present era, public spaces play a major role in daily life especially in crowded areas like Hong Kong where maintaining public health through hygienic practices is vital. The various public digital terminals such as fast-food restaurant, ticket machines, and public transport navigation systems are used by thousands on a daily basis.&nbsp;These terminals are high-touch surfaces which means the risk of disease transmission is very high— more so with the current global health issues such as COVID-19always looming large.&nbsp;This project brings in a state-of-the-art touch-free user interaction system using gesture recognition technology to make these interfaces free from any physical contact requirements. This would greatly promote public health and safety by eliminating the need for people to touch these surfaces at all levels. The need for this technology is highlighted by the growing attention and alarm about cleanliness in communal spaces. Touchscreens, buttons— these relics from a bygone era can serve as breeding grounds for bacteria that might spiral into epidemics threatening public health all because of a simple touch. With this project aiming to introduce a contactless system, the endeavor hopes to present an innovative, secure, effective, and hygienic means where people can easily transact with digital terminal without any physical contact.&nbsp;Project Objectives • Innovate Interaction: The initiative aims to create a universally fitting, touchless interaction module which can easily be fitted into current systems and easily designed into new ones, thus promoting innovation in public health safety. • Enhance Public Health Safety: The core objective of this health concern is minimizing the public’s exposure to disease-causing pathogens due to shared surfaces. This module goes a long way in curbing the spread of both viral and bacterial infections through touch points within public spaces. • Boost Accessibility and Ease of Use: By creating an interface that operates through intuitive gestures, the module caters to a broad spectrum of the population. • Seamless Integration: In terms of integration, the design guarantees that the module can easily blend with different digital infrastructures. As a result, upgrades can be done without complications and many people can adopt it widely without interfering with how their current systems operate. Technologies Employed • ESP32 Microcontroller: This powerful microcontroller is at the heart of the module, handling all data processing and connectivity. Its robust performance ensures the system operates efficiently under various conditions. • PAJ7620 Gesture Recognition Sensor: Utilizing this advanced sensor, the module can detect a wide array of user gestures—such as swipes and selections—which are then translated into commands for the digital terminal. The sensor’s ability to accurately interpret gestures ensures a smooth user experience.• Customizable Software Interface: The software interface is designed to be adaptable, allowing users and administrators to personalize gesture-command mappings to fit different environmental and operational needs. This flexibility enhances the module’s utility across diverse settings. • Reliable Communication Protocols: A novel handshake protocol, inspired by proven HTTP communication techniques, is employed to ensure secure and stable connections between the touchfree module and host devices. This protocol guarantees that the interactions are not only seamless but also secure from interruptions.&nbsp;Detailed Functionality and Features • Advanced Gesture Recognition: The system allows users to interact with menus, make selections, and navigate through options using straightforward hand movements. Recognizable gestures include swiping in various directions and air tapping, facilitating an interaction that feels natural and is easy to adopt. • Handshake Algorithm: Essential for secure communication, the handshake algorithm operates through several stages: 1. Initialization: Automatically detects when the ESP32 module is connected to a host device. 2. Signal Exchange: Engages in a robust exchange of predefined signals to establish a secure connection. 3. Confirmation: Confirms a successful handshake before activating the module to receive and interpret gesture inputs. • Modular Design: The module’s design is inherently modular, allowing for easy installation on a wide range of terminal types—from small ticket machines to large informational kiosks—without the need for extensive modifications. • Customizable User Profiles: The system supports the creation of multiple user profiles, enabling individual users to save and switch between different configurations of gesture controls. This feature significantly enhances personalization and ease of use. • Reliable Case Manufacturing: The module is encased in a robust, custom-designed enclosure that includes an innovative angle adjustment mechanism. This feature allows the device to be optimally positioned based on the terminal’s installation height and angle, enhancing usability and user comfort across various public terminals. ConclusionIn conclusion, this project will change the way people interact with public digital systems in Hong Kong forever.&nbsp;Not only does it promote public health safety but it also aligns itself with the digital transformation goals of EDPS Fund. With support from the fund, the project will further refine its technology offerings— leading towards a more secure, accessible and hygienic public digital infrastructure. The launch of this touch-free module is a significant stride in ensuring safety and efficiency of public interactions— even as we face present and future health challenges.

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Touch-Free Interaction for Public Terminals

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This project aims to develop an integrated approach to control and predict blood glucose levels in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) by combining an insulin delivery method with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. The project consists of two main parts: (1) the implementation of an insulin delivery system using a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, and (2) the utilization of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data and AI algorithms for predicting future blood glucose levels, a capability beyond the scope of the PID controller. This combined system offers personalized treatment and with prediction capability it can give early warning to medical staff to manage T1D patients more effectively.&nbsp;&nbsp;Introduction:&nbsp;Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic condition characterized by insufficient insulin production, leading to unstable blood glucose levels. Maintaining optimal blood glucose control is crucial for T1D patients to prevent complications and ensure a&nbsp;healthy lifestyle. This project aims to address this challenge by integrating an insulin delivery method and AI-based glucose level prediction.&nbsp;&nbsp;Insulin Delivery System with PID Control:&nbsp;In the first part of the project, an innovative insulin delivery system is introduced. A virtual patient model is employed to simulate real patients’ blood glucose levels. The system utilizes a PID controller to regulate the amount of insulin delivered and achieve optimal blood glucose control. The PID controller is carefully tuned to prioritize the prevention of low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia) while maintaining a balance to avoid high glucose levels (hyperglycemia), ensuring patient safety.&nbsp;The following graphs show the main concept and result of the first part of the project.&nbsp; <img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/sample1_e35ba963e3.jpg" alt="sample1.jpg"> AI Prediction Model with CGM Data:&nbsp;The second part of the project focuses on leveraging CGM data and advanced AI algorithms to predict patients’ future blood glucose levels. By using continuous and extensive data provided by CGM, a recurrent neural network (RNN) model is trained to offer alternative predictions and personalized treatment plans for T1D patients. To mitigate the impact of error accumulation over time, the AI model is designed to predict glucose levels within a specific near-future timeframe of approximately 5 to 15 minutes. This narrower prediction window enhances accuracy and reliability, enabling healthcare professionals to make timely interventions and adjustments.&nbsp;The following graphs show the main concept and result of the second part of the project.&nbsp; <img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/sample1_2_ca24cb4944.png" alt="sample1.2.png"> Advantages and Implications:&nbsp;The combination of the insulin delivery system with PID control and the AI prediction model provides several significant advantages. Firstly, it facilitates personalized treatment by considering individual variations in insulin requirements and metabolic responses. This approach ensures better glucose control to each patient’s specific needs. Secondly, the system offers early warning signs of high and low blood glucose episodes, enabling medical staff to intervene promptly and prevent potential complications.&nbsp;Conclusion:&nbsp;The Glucose Control Systems with PID Control and AI Prediction project presents an integrated approach to manage blood glucose levels in patients with T1D. By combining an insulin delivery system with PID control and AI prediction using CGM data, the project offers personalized treatment and early warning capabilities, ultimately contributing to improved glucose control and enhanced patient well-being.&nbsp;

Glucose Control Systems with PID Control and AI Prediction Abstract: 

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In the realm of art and design, the color of images holds great significance. Its purposefulness is multi-faceted, being paramount for attracting viewers and users in a variety of applications such as flat media, advertisements, and wallpapers. Often, the colors need to be deliberately changed to align with specific design themes or to achieve targeted visual goals. This project introduces a novel multi-modal image re-coloring pipeline, dynamically adjusting colors in images based on natural text, precise user clicks or reference images. By using Vision Transformers, semantic hints are effectively propagated across image and Sub-Pixel Convolution is utilized for real-time inference. The project aims to bring improvement in existing field of image re-colorization while giving end-users a semiautomated process of image re-colorization without specific needs for domain knowledge.&nbsp;&nbsp;Keywords — Interactive Colorization, Vision Transformer,&nbsp;Computational Photography, Image Manipulation, Neural&nbsp;Networks&nbsp;&nbsp;I.&nbsp;INTRODUCTION This project introduces a multi-modal interactive colorization pipeline with real time inference. Its key contributions are:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>Multi-modal (text, clicks and exemplar image) conditional image colorization using hint points as intermediate representation.&nbsp;</li><li>Vision Transformer with Sub-Pixel convolution achieving real time inference without requiring extensive computational resources.&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;II.&nbsp;METHODOLOGY&nbsp;<ol><li>A.&nbsp;User Hint Generation&nbsp;</li></ol>In the first step, our model converts different types of user input to hint point masks which acts as an input alongside the image for colorization operation. The model supports three types of input. For textual input, we use&nbsp; a special pipeline utilizing CLIP [1] to convert&nbsp; to hint points. For reference image, we use warping and deep learning based [2] operation to generate hint points. Lastly, users can also manually select their preferred points and desired color through precise clicks and color selection through color gamut.&nbsp;<ol><li>B.&nbsp;Colorization Operation&nbsp;</li></ol>As seen in Figure 1, Once Hint points are generated, patches of input image are created which is encoded in a positional layer and passed into a Vision Transformer [3] backbone.&nbsp;This backbone effectively propagates the user hint points respecting semantic context. Once the features are generated the image is up sampled using a sub-pixel convolution&nbsp;technique, which reshapes channel dimension to increase&nbsp;spatial resolution. However, for larger ratio, artefacts can be produced. Because of this, an additional Stabilizing layer (which is a modified Convolutional Neural Network) isadded to group and scale neighboring pixels to achieve&nbsp;smoother upscaling. This allows our model to achieve real time inference without requiring extensive computational resources.&nbsp; &nbsp;<img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/sample2_c06a5160bd.jpg" alt="sample2_.jpg"> Fig. 1. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The model takes as input an image and user hint (generated through text, reference image or precise clicks), and passes it into a vision transformer encoder and performs stabilized sub-pixel convolution to generate precise color with rich semantic understanding.&nbsp;&nbsp;III.&nbsp;METHODOLOGY&nbsp;TABLE&nbsp;I&nbsp;:&nbsp;INFERENCE SPEED OF CAPSTONE MODEL AGAINST OTHER BASE LINE MODELS. <img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/sample2_2_f862551426.png" alt="sample2.2.png"> Table 1 highlights, Capstone model’s efficient inference, particularly enabled by its sub-pixel convolution, which is significantly faster than traditional decoder based models.&nbsp; IV.&nbsp;CONCLUSION&nbsp; In conclusion, our interactive multi-modal image recolorization pipeline marks a good advancement in art and&nbsp;design applications, blending user input with cutting-edge AI to deliver real-time, semantically aware colorization.&nbsp; REFERENCES&nbsp;<ol><li>A. Radford et al., “Learning Transferable Visual Models From Natural Language Supervision,” CVPR, pp. 8748–8763, Jul. 2021.&nbsp;</li><li>B. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Zhang et al.,&nbsp;“Deep Exemplar-Based Video Colorization,” Conference &nbsp;on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, Jun. 2019, doi: 10.1109/cvpr.2019.00824.&nbsp;</li><li>Z. Huang, N. Zhao, and J. Liao, “UniColor: A Unified Framework for&nbsp;</li></ol>Multi-Modal &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Colorization &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; with &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Transformer,” arXiv &nbsp;&nbsp; (Cornell University), Jan. 2022, doi: 10.48550/arxiv.2209.11223.&nbsp; <img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/sample2_3_741f93d728.jpg" alt="sample2.3.jpg"><img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/sample2_4_777e8efa5b.jpg" alt="sample2.4.jpg"> &nbsp;&nbsp;

Image Re-Colorization for Art & Design 

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Abstract:&nbsp;The project presents a high performance online flash order (Seckill) system – OrderFusion. It is built with intelligent design, queuing and caching techniques. The test result shows the solution of Queue + Cache outperformed the tradition MySQL solution, especially under high concurrency situation. The project is through 7 mouths, with the best final result of 77% decrease in delay of access, 3 times throughput and 99% decrease in denial of service incidents, comparing with tradition solution.&nbsp;Keywords:&nbsp;Seckill, Springboot, Redis, High-Performance, Online Order System&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>I.INTRODUCTION</h3>With the popularity of online Seckill campaigns, order platforms are under tremendous operational pressure. The full solution, named with OrderFusion, is targeted to solve this problem.&nbsp;OrderFusion&nbsp;aims to work as a high performance/ concurrency online Seckill ordering system with Ultra high availability, which leverages strategies along with intelligent design, queuing, caching mechanisms and advanced security measures. Additionally, the system contains a lot of add on solution, like Chatbot powered by GPT4, automated workflows, blockchain logging function and single point authentication (SSO).&nbsp;The key challenges involve processing heavy traffic loads effectively, handling inventory discrepancies, resolving order processing issues during peak periods, and preventing performance declines ensuring security and reliability.&nbsp;In the evaluating with Apache JMeter, the result shows the solution of Queue + Cache outperformed the tradition&nbsp;MySQL solution, especially under high concurrency situation.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>II. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/IMPLEMENTATION</h3>The core of OrderFusion revolves around Seckill Component, which represents high concurrency. This module follows on first-come-first-serve basis, where users join Seckill events and are put into waiting lists.&nbsp; The system uses RabbitMQ, an open-source message broker, to manage the high volume of Seckill requests by queuing them for asynchronous handling.&nbsp;Redis plays a role in caching data such, as Seckill outcomes and event specifics, which helps reduce server load and ensures rapid data retrieval. The Seckill process comprises user involvement tracking, inventory validation and updating, database transactions and user input. Notable features include inventory monitoring and locking mechanisms.&nbsp; <img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/SAMPLE_3_1_36b41f7d0f.png" alt="SAMPLE3.1.png"> Figure: Entire process of Seckill in OrderFusion<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>III.EVALAUATION AND RESULTS</h3>The report evaluates the performance of the OrderFusion system using traditional MySQL and Queue + Cache architectures. Apache JMeter was used for stress testing, providing various result views.&nbsp;Throughput, measured as requests processed per unit time, was tested under different concurrent client thread scenarios. The Queue + Cache approach consistently outperformed MySQL, especially when concurrent threads exceeded 500. However, throughput initially decreased with an increase in threads, then increased before decreasing again due to limitations in Redis Cache Pool, RabbitMQ Queue, and Docker container specifications. As concurrent threads increased beyond a certain point, the Queue + Cache's parallel processing capabilities led to a rise in throughput.&nbsp; <img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/SAMPLE_3_2_35ebf0e081.png" alt="SAMPLE3.2.png"> Figure: Throughput Testing Result&nbsp; The Queue + Cache approach also showed better service guarantees in high concurrency scenarios, making it suitable for high-performance online systems like OrderFusion. IV.CONCLUSION The OrderFusion project, a seven-month software engineering endeavor, successfully incorporated advanced technologies like Redis, JWT, and RabbitMQ queues, achieving enhanced performance and security. It significantly improved system efficiency with a 77% reduction in access latency, a threefold increase in throughput, and a 99% reduction in denial of service.&nbsp;This accomplishment illustrates the importance of strategic planning, innovation, and diligent execution in software development, providing insights for future projects.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>Highlight Preview&nbsp;</h3>The main task of this project is the development work. For the developers, it was&nbsp;<ul><li>A complete software engineering journey lasting 7 months.</li><li>A comprehensive experience utilizing the knowledge &amp; skills of PolyU undergraduate learning.</li></ul><img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/SAMPLE_3_3_ad8b5a0d3d.png" alt="SAMPLE3.3.png">Figure: OrderFusion Technology Ecology&nbsp; Named OrderFusion, the solution integrates cutting-edge technologies and patterns from the online ordering industry, such as Redis, JWT, RabbitMQ queues, and more, like Figure 2. The public service is available now, for public evaluation, at&nbsp;<a href="https://orderfusion.hirsun.tech/">https://orderfusion.hirsun.tech.</a>&nbsp; <img src="https://strapi.edps.com.hk/uploads/SAMPLE_3_4_050bd6ef23.png" alt="SAMPLE3.4.png"> Figure: OrderFusion UI Design&nbsp;

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