New university subsidy rules will benefit those committed to Hong Kong

South China Morning Post

a day ago

Hong Kong is not known as a land of opportunity for nothing. The vibrant economy and good career prospects continue to draw many from overseas, as evidenced by the enthusiastic response to the talent admission scheme introduced in late 2022. But while the measure can improve the city's competitiveness and demographics, it also creates room for abuse.
In a belated move, the authorities have rightly
tightened rules to prevent the children of non-local talent from enjoying university education subsidies without settling in the city. Under the new arrangement, they need to stay for a minimum of two years to be eligible for subsidised tertiary education places – currently at a favourable annual fee of HK$44,500 (US$5,700) – or pay three times higher as non-local students.
The adjustments came in response to claims that some people and intermediaries arranged for talent from the mainland who had no intention of settling in Hong Kong to apply for various admission schemes to obtain dependent visas for their children's tertiary education in the city. Some successful applicants also reportedly arranged for their children to continue living on the mainland and prepare for the city's university entrance exams.
As of May, about 142,000 children were approved for entry as dependants under various talent admission schemes. They will add to future manpower and economic productivity, giving a needed boost to the city, with its low birth rate and ageing population.
But there is a difference between those who just take advantage of the benefits of the scheme and those who have come and made Hong Kong their home. The number of dependants admitted to the annual 15,000 government-funded first-year first-degree places may be small. But the rising trend, up from 62 in 2022-23 to 68 in 2023-24 and 185 in 2024-25, clearly warrants attention.