Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, HKSAR Government, China wins at GovMedia Conference & Awards 2026
The EMSD introduced Witty Bear and KnowBot to make E&M topics interactive and engaging for children.
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), HKSAR Government, China won the Hong Kong Outreach Project of the Year - Youth category at the GovMedia Conference & Awards 2026 for the EMSD Witty Bear Youth Outreach Programme - Exploring the E&M World.
The initiative introduced Witty Bear and KnowBot as mascots to promote electrical and mechanical (E&M) safety, energy efficiency, innovation and industry awareness amongst young learners and their families.
The programme addressed a gap in youth engagement. Whilst earlier youth initiatives mainly targeted tertiary and senior secondary students, younger children often viewed E&M topics as technical or distant. To make these topics easier to understand, the EMSD introduced mascot-led activities, visual materials, games, workshops, and public events tailored for kindergarten, primary, and junior secondary students, as well as their parents.
The outreach campaign began with a mobile promotion truck that delivered content on E&M safety, energy efficiency and technology to schools and communities. Witty Bear and KnowBot served as friendly guides for games and trivia boards, allowing children to learn through experiential participation rather than formal instruction.
Building on this momentum, the EMSD expanded the programme through a school-based STEM tour. Students joined workshops where they developed E&M-related ideas for homes, schools, and communities. The activities also featured school talks, workplace visits, and a project showcase, giving young participants exposure to engineers, technicians, and practical applications of E&M knowledge.
The programme subsequently extended its footprint into broader public settings. A shopping mall exhibition featured interactive game booths, STEAM workshops, and a VR driving experience. At the Hong Kong Book Fair, the EMSD launched its first children’s picture book, complemented by dedicated game zones focusing on E&M safety, energy conservation, and innovative technology.
The initiative successfully strengthened the EMSD’s ties with schools, parents, and students. Feedback from educators highlighted the programme’s links with school learning, its hands-on format, and its value in encouraging students to apply creativity to E&M topics. The outreach also solidified the EMSD’s long-term youth engagement efforts, inspiring the next generation to explore future pathways in the E&M sector.
GovMedia Conference & Awards gives recognition to the trends and best practices that transform the public sector in the Asia Pacific. The awards programme promotes excellence and provides a platform for exemplary government initiatives.
The GovMedia Conference & Awards is presented by GovMedia Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2027 awards programme and be recognised for your organisation's government projects and initiatives, please contact Marni Marco at +(65) 3158 1386 and [email protected].
