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High stakes in Hong Kong's dream to be Asia's education hub

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Is Hong Kong destined to become Asia's 'world education hub' or only one among many? Despite the exam-oriented rote learning and little innovative teaching, few would dispute the fact that Asian education is on the rise.

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As its economies come to dominate the world, it could justify whatever kind of education it chooses. Already, schoolchildren in Singapore and Hong Kong almost lead the world in maths and science achievement. Those in Japan and South Korea are also near the top of the international rankings, and mainland China is rising quickly.

Moreover, mass higher education is becoming the norm. (South Korea has already moved to universal higher education.) Many Asian institutions of higher learning will join the ranks of world-class universities as Japan's Doyama Plan, South Korea's BK21, and China's 211 and 985 initiatives kick in.

Asian students overwhelmingly populate prestigious graduate schools of science and engineering at leading American universities, and western institutions like Nottingham University and the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business are already setting up shop in East Asia.

In short, the schools of East Asia have already demonstrated the potential to challenge the best anywhere. With time, the rest of the neighbourhood will go down the same path.

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For Hong Kong the stakes are high if it aims to become Asia's world education hub, but the messages are contradictory, as these South China Morning Post headlines printed in little over a month reveal: 'Hong Kong among the world's best school systems', 'Report says teachers, training are key to success', 'HK slips down the competitive chart', 'World Business Survey cites city schools, red tape' and 'Premier tells Tsang to foster talent, clear the air, and educate and innovate more'.

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