Detractors often pour cold water on the initiative to internationalise university education in Hong Kong. They argue that we don't have the expertise, the money or the will to do it. But I believe success is attainable as long as we - like paddlers in a dragon boat race - set our sights on the finish line and don't worry about getting a bit wet.
Providing an internationalised education is vital to Hong Kong's survival. It is a strategic move. We need future leaders who have an international outlook and have been exposed to foreign cultures. They must be confident enough to promote our status as China's financial and trading centre.
We need the support of four constituents to accelerate the process of internationalisation: the government, university administrations, wealthy businessmen and students. If any of the constituents isn't gung-ho, or they paddle in different directions, the proverbial dragon boat can never reach the finish line.
The government should be lauded for planning a high-level steering committee, headed by Chief Secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan, to promote Hong Kong's education services overseas and on the mainland. I hope it will formulate policies to ease restrictions in immigration, employment and other areas, to make it more attractive for foreign and mainland students to study and work in Hong Kong. These students will help internationalise our university campuses. To show it means business, the government should consider relaxing the intake of non-local students to 20 per cent, from the current 10 per cent.
University administrations would be well advised to provide unique programmes to attract foreign and mainland students, design scholarship schemes to lure the brightest students worldwide to study here, and set a good mix of foreign and mainland students. I think half and half sounds right: currently, 90 per cent of the 4,300 non-local students come from the mainland. University administrators should also devise plans to help foreign and mainland students mingle with local students.
Wealthy businessmen can play an important role in helping internationalise our education by providing scholarships to foreign and mainland students, and by funding local students to participate in exchange programmes. Sending local students overseas for half a year or so can expose them to exotic cultures, improve their language abilities and help them become more independent. The experiences they gain will enable them to help Hong Kong stay competitive in future. Currently, about 10 per cent of local students have the opportunity to go on such trips.
