‘Study in Hong Kong' brand boosted by rise in world rankings
It is also encouraging that UK-based education information firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) credited a new 'Study in Hong Kong' brand for putting the city on track to draw more global talent and cement its academic reputation.
The latest QS world rankings released last Thursday saw the University of Hong Kong (HKU) climb to 11th place, up from 17th last year and 26th in 2023. It was the best showing for the city's oldest institution since the league table launched in 2004. HKU was just one spot behind the California Institute of Technology in the US. It was also second in Asia, after the National University of Singapore.
University president Xiang Zhang said the achievement affirmed HKU's 'emergence as a global elite institution' that 'actively promotes Hong Kong as a premier hub for global talent'.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) rose four spots to 32nd for its best placing since 2010. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) jumped three places to 44th, while Polytechnic University (PolyU) bettered its score from 57th to 54th.
Institutions further down the list also fared better, with Baptist University jumping from 252nd to 244th. Lingnan University improved from the 711th to 720th range to the 701st to 710th range.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
30 minutes ago
- South China Morning Post
As China defuses its time bomb of debt, US hears the ticking intensify
Concerns over China's local-level debt have long loomed large in international discourse, with a mountain of 'hidden' debt viewed as a 'ticking time bomb' that threatens to trigger a cascade of defaults while posing a risk to financial stability. Advertisement But some experts now contend that, after a sweeping debt-restructuring campaign, the outlook for China is shifting. And they say that, by comparison, the debt challenges facing the United States are causing considerable alarm. 'After years of effort, the overall debt risks of local governments in China have been brought under control and are gradually being resolved,' said Zhao Xijun, a finance professor at Renmin University in Beijing. He added that China's debt is largely held by local governments, giving the central government room to step in and assist with repayment. In the US, by contrast, the burden sits at the federal level – a situation he called 'more concerning'. Late last year, China rolled out a 12 trillion yuan (US$1.67 trillion) debt swap – a move that significantly eased repayment pressure on local authorities, with the Ministry of Finance identifying 14.3 trillion yuan in hidden local government debt by the end of 2023, much of it accumulated through local government financing vehicles (LGFVs). Advertisement The swap has enabled local governments to extend repayments, with the weighted average maturity of bond issuance lengthening by 3.18 years, year on year, to 15.88 years in the first half of 2025, Beijing-based China Chengxin International Credit Rating (CCXI) said in a note last month.
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Over half of Hong Kong residents plan to work past 65 due to retirement savings shortfall
More than half of Hong Kong residents do not plan to retire at the typical retirement age of 65, with many feeling that they cannot reach the average HK$5 million (US$637,000) savings target necessary for a comfortable post-work life, according to the T. Rowe Price Hong Kong Retirement Survey released on Thursday. About 52 per cent of respondents indicated they would not retire at age 65. Among them, about 80 per cent preferred not to retire at all or opted instead for a 'micro-retirement', which involves taking a break for several months to a few years before returning to work. The survey, the first of its kind by the US financial firm, polled 600 Hong Kong residents over the age of 30 in May. 'Financial pressure is certainly one factor, especially in a high-cost city like Hong Kong,' said Shen Wenting, global investment solutions strategist and portfolio manager at T. Rowe Price, which manages US$1.56 trillion in assets. About 60 per cent of respondents had a retirement savings target between HK$2 million and HK$10 million, with the average being HK$5 million, considered enough for them to feel secure in completely stopping work. For those considering a micro-retirement, the average savings target was HK$2 million. The average retirement savings target of 60 per cent of the respondents was HK$5 million. Photo: Nora Tam However, one-third of respondents felt they could not achieve their goals, and 40 per cent reported not having any retirement savings target at all. This may explain why 62 per cent cited the need to maintain an income as their reason for not retiring at age 65.
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Forget long-term leases. Here's how Hong Kong can reinvent retail
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@ or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification Hong Kong's business environment is undergoing a profound transformation. Once defined by its buzzy street life and guaranteed foot traffic, the city now faces a new reality shaped by digital disruption and altered consumer behaviour. Given the convenience of online shopping and the quality of customer service on the mainland , foot traffic to physical retail and dining outlets in Hong Kong has declined. The city must come up with new business models. For businesses to remain viable, flexibility and innovation must become the new norm. The traditional reliance on long-term leases and static storefronts is proving unsustainable. The Hong Kong government can play a pivotal role in converting retail spaces in high-traffic areas into dynamic zones for rotating pop-up stores. Such a set-up would allow brands to test products, respond to seasonal trends and engage consumers without the burden of a permanent commitment. To support this shift, the government might consider offering incentives to landlords – such as tax breaks, streamlined licences for short-term tenants or co-investment in infrastructure upgrades. Landlords, in turn, can curate clusters of complementary businesses – such as wellness, fashion and tech – to create synergy and attract diverse consumers.
