The Innovation and Technology Commission today (January 28) launched the Partnership Research Programme (PRP) to support research and development (R&D) projects undertaken by private companies in collaboration with local universities and public research institutions. Applications for the PRP are open all year round.

     To achieve synergy and enhance flexibility, the PRP consolidates the University-Industry Collaboration Programme (UICP) and the collaborative stream of the Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP) under a single programme. The PRP will continue to provide matching funding support for approved projects. The maximum project duration is three years.

     The Commission is also inviting funding applications for platform and seed projects under the ITSP from today until April 26. Platform projects refer to applied R&D projects that are industry-oriented and have potential for commercialisation, while seed projects refer to exploratory and forward-looking projects. From this year onwards, applications for the ITSP will be invited once a year.

     Further information on the PRP and ITSP is available on the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) website (www.itf.gov.hk). For enquiries, please contact the ITF Secretariat (Tel: 3655 5678; email: enquiry@itf.gov.hk).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rate in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.

     Firing practice will take place at two military sites, namely the San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range and the Tsing Shan Firing Range, next month (February).
 
     Red flags or red lamps will be hoisted at the firing areas before and during firing practice. For their safety, people are advised not to enter the firing area.
 
     Following are the dates and times for the firing practice sessions in February 2019:
 
San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range
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Tsing Shan Firing Range
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     The Land Registry (LR) today (January 28) announced that with immediate effect, the e-Alert service for property owners has been renamed as Property Alert, with enhanced services.

     A spokesman for the LR said the Property Alert service is a smart tool which gives property owners an easy way to remain vigilant of their properties. During the subscription period, subscribers will receive notifications by email from the LR when instruments affecting their properties have been lodged for registration, as well as when the instruments have been registered. The Property Alert service helps property owners detect unexpected or suspicious instruments delivered for registration against their properties early to enable them to take prompt follow-up actions and/or seek legal advice.

     In addition to the existing two-year subscription period of $250, the LR has introduced a new one-off subscription option at $580, which remains valid until a change of property ownership. This subscription option will obviate the need for property owners to renew subscription. Apart from submitting applications in person at the LR offices, from now on property owners may also send them in by post. These service enhancements give assistance to property owners, particularly those staying outside Hong Kong for extended periods of time.

     Members of the public who wish to subscribe to the Property Alert service can download the application form from the LR's website (www.landreg.gov.hk) or obtain the application form at following LR's offices. The completed form should be mailed or submitted to any one of the offices.

* The LR's Customer Centre (19/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong)
* Tai Po Search Office (4/F, Tai Po Complex, 8 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po)
* Tsuen Wan Search Office (11/F, Tsuen Wan Multi-storey Carpark Building, 174-208 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan)
* Yuen Long Search Office (7/F, Yuen Long Government Offices and Tai Kiu Market, 2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long)

     For details of the Property Alert service, please visit the LR's website or call the Customer Service Hotline at 3105 0000.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (January 28) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.