The "IT Awareness Program for the Elderly" was jointly organized by the Information Technology Services Department and the Social Welfare Department.

The program provides free IT awareness courses with hands-on experience on basic computer operations and surfing on the Internet to elders aged 60 or above.

It is estimated that more than 3,000 elders will benefit from the courses.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Lau Kam-hung, director of information technology services, said, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government is committed to promoting the wider use of IT by enhancing the public's awareness and knowledge of IT."

"I am glad to see that, in the past year, many elders have taken their own initiative to learn the use of IT through different channels to achieve life-long education and to enjoy the convenience and interest in daily lives that are brought by the use of IT.

"The major objective of implementing this program is to enable more of our elders to have the opportunities of knowing and using IT so as to keep pace with the world development," said Lau.

(Xinhua 11/10/2000)