Chief Executive John Lee meets UGC members to advance Hong Kong as international education hub

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu met members of the University Grants Committee (UGC) on Wednesday (2 Sep) to discuss strategies for strengthening Hong Kong’s position as an international education hub.

Also attending were Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki, Secretary for Education Dr Christine Choi Yuk-lin, Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Lillian Cheong Man-lei, Head of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit Dr Stephen Wong Yuen-shan, and Permanent Secretary for Education May Chan.

Discussions focused on strengthening industry-academia-research collaboration through the Northern Metropolis University Town, expanding national and global partnerships, and enhancing Hong Kong higher education’s leadership in research, teaching and learning in the digital era.

Lee highlighted Hong Kong’s strong international standing in higher education, noting that five UGC-funded universities rank among the world’s top 100, including two in the top 20. He said the outlook for the sector remains highly promising.

He briefed members on the government’s plans for the Northern Metropolis ahead of the announcement of Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan. The plan will accelerate development of the Northern Metropolis, build an international innovation and technology centre, and establish Hong Kong as a hub for high-calibre talent, aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan.

The government intends to develop the Northern Metropolis University Town under a “university town area” concept that integrates education, technology, talent, industry and urban development. This approach aims to foster closer collaboration between universities and industry and promote the integrated development of industry, academia and research.

Lee said digital transformation, deeper industry-academia-research cooperation and international collaboration would further consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a leading international education hub, support the pursuit of research excellence and help nurture talent ready for future challenges.

UGC Chairman Tim Lui Tim-leung briefed Lee on the committee’s latest strategic initiatives to reinforce Hong Kong’s role as an international post-secondary education hub. These include organising high-profile summits and forums for forward-looking exchanges with global stakeholders and academic leaders, while aligning higher education development with national priorities and Hong Kong’s strategic objectives.

Lui said the efforts would showcase Hong Kong’s strengths in research, teaching and learning and promote the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. He added that the UGC would continue supporting local institutions in nurturing home-grown talent and attracting talent from around the world.

Lee thanked UGC members from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas for their advice on higher education development and their contributions to the internationalisation and diversification of UGC-funded universities.