Exclusive | Hong Kong to boost non-local student quota at universities to a maximum of 50%
Source says policy address will include increase as part of aim to boost global education hub status, with 15,000 local places unaffected
A source close to the matter said Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu would announce an increase in the non-local student quota to no more than 50 per cent, emphasising that locals would not be affected as their annual 15,000 places would remain the same.
“The non-local students are not necessarily from mainland China; they can be from the belt and road countries and the United States,” the insider said.
“Some US students find the city a suitable place to study, given the current political environment in their country.
“Having said that, local students will not be affected, as the annual quota of 15,000 will remain the same.”
The source added the move aimed to align with Lee’s vision to transform the city into an international education hub and strengthen the “Study in Hong Kong” brand, as outlined in the policy blueprint last year. This included measures to develop the city into a world-class tertiary education hub through scholarships and other incentives.