Young people in Hong Kong and Macao will soon participate in a national underwater robotics competition, with the event also celebrating the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

Participants of a training session for the Hong Kong and Macao qualifying tournament of the national IYUSC Smart Ocean challenge pose for a group photo at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum in Hong Kong, March 16, 2024. [Photo courtesy of HKSPSFA]

The Hong Kong and Macao qualifying tournament for the International Youngster Unmanned Systems Competition (IYUSC) Smart Ocean challenge kicked off on March 16 at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum. 

The event began with a referee and coach training session, marking the start of a monthslong process. The training session brought together over 60 professionals from the education and technology sectors in Hong Kong and Macao to collectively explore the development of marine sci-tech education in the region. Through themed lectures, experience sharing and practical exercises, referees and coaches were provided with comprehensive professional knowledge and skills training for the competition.

Further training sessions for instructors and teams will follow in April, with competitions scheduled for July at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Winners from Hong Kong and Macao will advance to the national finals in August. Concurrently, a youth exchange competition in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will take place, inviting teams to Hong Kong to participate in exchange activities and celebrate the 27th anniversary.

This marks the first time that Hong Kong and Macao will join the national competition, which is currently in its fourth edition. The competition is being held in partnership with SeaPerch, an innovative underwater robotics program that prepares students to build remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for underwater exploration.

Participation in the event also represents a significant step forward for Hong Kong and Macao in the field of marine sci-tech education. Chen Liuqi, vice secretary-general of the Science Popularization Education Committee of the China Science Writers Association (CSWA) and founder of the Hong Kong Science Popularization and Science Fiction Academy (HKSPSFA), explained that the theme of this training session, "Caring for the Ocean, Science and Innovation to Safeguard Our Blue Home," highlights the crucial role of marine science and technology in global environmental protection and sustainable development.

Chen explained that the event aims to promote science popularization in the two special administrative regions, facilitate exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong, Macao and the mainland, and develop the next generation of specialists in unmanned systems and smart marine technology. 

In line with the central government's strategy to advance China as a maritime, technology and talent powerhouse, the IYUSC Smart Ocean challenge is organized by the China Institute of Electronics and the Chinese Society for Oceanography, and guided by the National Communication Center for Science and Technology. 

The tournament is still welcoming registrations from students at local primary and secondary schools until March 28.

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