The objective of this annual event was to present findings of research conducted at SFC to the public and further promote collaborative research amongst the industry, government and academia. The forum received an estimated 3,300 visitors during the two-day event.
The theme of this year's forum was "Gardens for Ingenuity". The theme was based on the rationale that knowledge and ingenuity generated at SFC will turn into research gardens, which any visitor can see and feel. As such many visitors who came to the forum enjoyed touching stereoscopic objects displayed at the "ORF Garden" near the entrance.
Talk sessions held at large and small sites totaled twenty three in number during the event. In addition, there were more than 130 displays and demonstrations that introduced various research findings to the visitors. Presenters and visitors actively exchanged their views on a variety of topics. It was also a place for researchers to cross-fertilize their ideas.
A new feature of ORF 2009 was the introduction of "Twitter" as a communication tool. "Twitter" was used as a means to promote the forum before it started. It was also useful in collecting and transmitting oral information and comments by visitors during the event.
