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Hong Kong is making great strides towards its vision of becoming a global tertiary education hub. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu made clear in his
recent policy address that the goal is not merely aspirational; it is backed by concrete policies and the government’s dedication in attracting international talent to the city.
The city’s potential as a global hub is highlighted by the Times Higher Education
World University rankings. Hong Kong’s City University topped the list of the world’s most international universities, compiled using the metrics collected for the 2024 rankings. These are universities with a high proportion of international students and staff and which collaborate on research with scholars from across the world.
In terms of overall excellence, City University ranks 15th in the 2024 Asia top 20 list, which also incudes the University of Hong Kong (6th), the Chinese University of Hong Kong (10th), the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (12th) and Hong Kong Polytechnic University (19th). This highlights the calibre of Hong Kong’s universities, which should dispel pessimistic narratives about our city’s future.
The government’s proactive approach is commendable. It has
made available HK$30 million (US$3.9 million) through the University Grants Committee to drive the internationalisation of Hong Kong universities. It has pledged to heavily promote its “Study in Hong Kong” brand. By
removing restrictions on part-time work for non-local undergraduates, it will entice even more talented youth to come.
Additionally, a sizeable piece of land has been set aside for the development of a
Northern Metropolis University Town. This large-scale project will enhance Hong Kong’s standing as a centre for science and technology. The government is already setting up a microelectronics research and development institute to spearhead collaboration on third-generation semiconductors among universities, R&D centres and the industry.
