Grooming talent: Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Rita Lau visits Carmel Pak U Secondary School to see how it nurtures an innovative culture among students.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Rita Lau has encouraged youths with talent and an interest in innovation and technology to focus on their development in the field.

During her visit to Carmel Pak U Secondary School in Tai Po today Mrs Lau said as Hong Kong moves towards the development of high-value-added and high-technology industries there is a need to widen the city's talent pool.

"Hong Kong possesses first-rate teaching staff and support facilities. The Government also attaches great importance to the nurturing of R&D talent," she said.

"The Innovation & Technology Fund under the Innovation & Technology Commission provides funding to universities in carrying out R&D work conducive to the development of the industry."

Meeting the school principal Tam Ming-fai and students, Mrs Lau was told a Form 7 student at the school, Chu Hoi-ming, had won the title of Little Scientist of Tomorrow in the 2009 National Little Scientist of Tomorrow Reward Scheme.

The winning project, on the production of alcohol for electricity generation through glucose extracted from domestic rubbish, ranked first among 520 applications.

Mrs Lau encouraged Mr Chu and the students to continue their good work with a view to contributing to the future development of Hong Kong.