Pan Sutong Shanghai-Hong Kong Economic Policy Research Institute of Lingnan University, in collaboration with the Silk Road Institute, the Hong Kong Higher Education Convergence, and the Office of Legislative Council Member Dr. CHOW Man-kong, jointly released the research report titled the "Research Report on Policy Recommendations for the development of Hong Kong as an International Education Hub" on August 29. Professor HO Lok-sang, Director of the Pan Sutong Shanghai-Hong Kong Economic Policy Research Institute of Lingnan University, Dr. CHOW Man-kong, Member of Legislative Council, the Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement) of the Education University of Hong Kong, Dr. LAM Sum, Council Member of Hong Kong Higher Education Convergence and Associate Vice President of HKCT, Mr. WANG Hao, Research Director of the Silk Road Institute, along with representatives from the education sector, attended the press conference and provided multifaceted recommendations for building Hong Kong as an international education hub.
From left to right: Professor HO Lok-sang, Dr. LAM Sum, Dr. CHOW Man-kong, and Mr. WANG Hao
Dr. LAM Sum noted that in recent years, Hong Kong has been impacted by a declining population, resulting in a gradual decrease in educational demand. Many primary and secondary schools are facing closures, and the Self-financing Post-secondary Institutions are experiencing a severe shortage of student admissions. Promoting the development of Hong Kong as an international education hub allows for the efficient utilization of vacant seats in self-financing institutions and primary/secondary schools and helps address the talent gap in Hong Kong. Furthermore, it can attract talented individuals from the mainland and overseas to Hong Kong for career development, ultimately enhancing Hong Kong's international competitiveness.
Dr. LAM Sum, Council Member of Hong Kong Higher Education Convergence and Associate Vice President of HKCT
Professor HO Lok-sang pointed out that the education industries in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore are all in leading positions globally or within their respective regions. In recent years, even Macau has succeeded in internationalizing its education industries. International students bring substantial direct or indirect economic contributions to the host countries, effectively filling local talent and skill gaps. For instance, in the 2020-21 academic year, the total revenue of higher education institutions in the United Kingdom exceeded £40 billion, with the majority coming from tuition fees paid by overseas students. During the same period, the education industry contributed over AUD 29 billion to the Australian economy.
He mentioned that it becomes evident that these countries and regions share common characteristics in their pursuit of internationalizing the education industry. These include formulating development plans for the internationalization of the education sector, establishing organizations or agencies to facilitate external promotion, providing convenient entry and employment visas, offering diverse student scholarships and financial aid, as well as comprehensive support measures in areas such as accommodation, learning, daily life, and health. These factors provide valuable insights and references for developing Hong Kong as an international education hub.
Professor HO Lok-sang, Director of the Pan Sutong Shanghai-Hong Kong Economic Policy Research Institute
Mr. WANG Hao, Research Director of the Silk Road Institute, stated that Hong Kong faces four significant demographic challenges: population outmigration, declining birth rates, an aging population, and mismatches in the labor force. Building an international education hub not only facilitates the cultivation and reserve of talent for Hong Kong's future development but also helps broaden the international perspectives of local students. It contributes to enhancing the external soft power.
Mr. Wang Hao, Research Director of the Silk Road Institute
Regarding recommendations for building an international education hub, Dr. CHOW Man-kong suggested that the government adopt a multi-pronged approach. This approach should include strengthening the promotion of Hong Kong's education overseas and unlocking the vitality of educational resources.
Dr. CHOW Man-kong, Member of Legislative Council, the Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement) of the Education University of Hong Kong
In the higher education sector, he recommended a comprehensive removal of enrollment restrictions for non-local students in government-funded institutions (20%) and self-financing institutions (10%), and it would actively attract non-local students to bolster Hong Kong's higher education competitiveness and development momentum. Additionally, he advised expediting negotiations with the mainland to update the "Mainland and Hong Kong on Mutual Recognition of Academic Degrees in Higher Education (the Memorandum)." It would allow more local self-financing institutions to admit non-local students, especially those from the mainland. Moreover, it could revise the recognized degree levels to enable broader admissions by Hong Kong's subsidized and self-financing institutions for students in specific high-demand applied disciplines, starting from Hong Kong's associate degrees or mainland college degrees. Furthermore, administrative procedures should be simplified while maintaining the standards and credibility of academic and vocational qualifications assessment bureaus and the Education Bureau's approval process for self-financed institution course offerings. It would harness the flexibility and diversity of institutions, promoting diversified development in higher education.
Dr. LAM Sum believes fundamental education (primary and secondary schools) is pivotal in transforming Hong Kong into an international education hub. He recommended easing entry restrictions for students from mainland China, Macau, Taiwan, and select Asian countries who wish to study in Hong Kong's primary and secondary schools. It could involve establishing self-financing programs in public primary and secondary schools to facilitate the Full self-financing enrollment of non-local students in Hong Kong's primary and secondary education. Additionally, he proposed providing time-limited accompanying study visas for immediate family members of underage students coming to Hong Kong.
During the press conference, a reporter raised concerns about the potential resource competition with local students if restrictions on non-local student admissions were lifted. Dr. CHOW Man-kong used Singapore as an example, where the ratio of non-local student admissions is 1.8 times higher than in Hong Kong. He emphasized that Hong Kong needs to be sufficiently internationalized, and the worry about resource competition is unwarranted. Professor HO Lok-sang added that even after easing restrictions, admissions of non-local students would still be based on established standards to ensure that resources are well-spent. He also pointed out that the current critical issue is the shortage of student enrollment.
Professor HO Lok-sang addressed the reporter's questions.
Research Report
Summary of Policy Recommendations for the Development of Hong Kong as an International Education Hub
Research Report of Policy Recommendations for the Development of Hong Kong as an International Education Hub