Latest news with #UGC-funded
RTHK
27-05-2025
- Politics
- RTHK
Doors 'wide open' for affected Harvard students: CE
Doors 'wide open' for affected Harvard students: CE Hong Kong's doors are "wide open" for those potentially affected by the US government's efforts to block Harvard University from enrolling foreign students, according to the SAR's leader who called the policy "discriminatory and unfair". Chief Executive John Lee also said on Tuesday that he would consider further raising the ceiling for non-local student intake at the city's eight higher education institutions funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC). The Trump administration sought to revoke the Massachusetts-based Ivy League school's ability to enrol international students, which was later blocked temporarily by a judge after the university sued to stop the decision. "Hong Kong will welcome any students who have been discriminated by the US policy, who face difficulty to study or continue their studies in US universities," Lee told reporters ahead of an Executive Council meeting. "The Hong Kong SAR government, together with the eight UGC-subsidised universities, will do all our best to facilitate and assist any students who suffered from this discriminatory and unfair treatment, so that they will find a way to study in Hong Kong." The chief executive announced in his 2023 Policy Address that public universities would be allowed to double the number of non-local undergraduate admissions, raising the enrolment ceiling from 20 percent to 40 percent. "We have room in this quota to accept students who have problems studying in the US to come to these eight UGC-funded universities. If there's the need, I will consider further raising this ceiling," Lee said.
RTHK
26-04-2025
- Business
- RTHK
No let-up in 'study in HK' push as enrolment soars
No let-up in 'study in HK' push as enrolment soars Christine Choi said that Hong Kong universities have seen a significant surge in non-local students. Photo: Courtesy of Commercial Radio Secretary for Education Christine Choi said Hong Kong must continue to consolidate its academic strengths and step up global promotional efforts after six of the city's universities were ranked in the top 50 of the latest Asian tertiary institution rankings – a testament to the high quality of higher education in the SAR. Speaking on a Commercial Radio programme on Saturday, Choi said Hong Kong universities have seen a significant surge in student intakes of non-locals following the government's decision to double their enrollment ceiling to 40 percent, reflecting strong demand for studying in the city. "We are committed to actively promoting Hong Kong's achievements on the global stage, which includes bringing our universities to joint overseas recruitment drives and participating in international higher education conferences and exhibitions to elevate the 'Study in Hong Kong' brand," she said. "Regarding resources, the University Grants Committee has allocated over HK$20 million to a dedicated promotion task force under the city's eight UGC-funded universities, empowering them to strengthen Hong Kong's global presence in higher education." But she urged institutions to adopt a gradual approach to expanding enrollment, warning that rapid increases could strain campus infrastructure and undermine the quality of student experiences. Choi also added that authorities plan to boost student accommodation availability over the coming years, ensuring resources keep pace with the growing influx of non-local students. The education chief also noted that recent US visa restrictions on international students have created instability, prompting parents to explore alternative options for their children's education in other locations. "Hong Kong holds strong appeal for overseas non-local students thanks to a combination of factors," Choi said. "Our universities offer numerous high-quality programs, including several that are ranked within the global top 10, which significantly attract students to choose the SAR," she said. "Additionally, recent US restrictions on student visas have introduced uncertainties for those planning to study abroad. "Parents and students are understandably cautious, as sudden visa denials can disrupt years of academic planning. This has led many to explore alternative destinations."
South China Morning Post
05-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's 8 public universities amass nearly HK$140 billion in reserves
The financial reserves of Hong Kong's eight public universities rose to nearly HK$140 billion (US$18 billion) in the last academic year, an 11 per cent increase from 2022-23, according to funding authorities. The Post obtained the figures from the University Grants Committee (UGC) on Tuesday, two days after Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said higher education institutions could make better use of their reserves. Chan is expected to announce public spending cuts in his budget later this month. Total reserves were about HK$139.3 billion, according to the UGC, which allocates funding to the public universities. The combined reserves equal six academic years of recurrent funding for the eight universities, given the allocation for those institutions stood at around HK$63.2 billion from 2022 to 2025. The latest reserves figure marked a 11 per cent jump from the HK$125.9 billion recorded during the 2022-23 academic year. 'According to the universities' financial reports, HK$17.6 billion was UGC-funded reserves and HK$121.7 billion was non-UGC-funded reserves,' the committee said. Universities were allowed to use their reserves for long-term development or other designated purposes, and some used the funds for enhancing campus facilities and new projects, according to a Legislative Council document.
