Chief Executive Carrie Lam today met University Grants Committee (UGC) members in a video conference to discuss the latest developments of the higher education sector.

Committee chairman Carlson Tong briefed Mrs Lam on the concerted efforts by the UGC and the universities to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and adapt to the new normal with an online teaching and learning environment when most face-to-face classes are suspended.

The Chief Executive thanked Mr Tong and all UGC members for their tremendous efforts during an unprecedented challenging environment brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mrs Lam was pleased to note the sterling progress made on each and every initiative announced in her previous Policy Addresses to promote Hong Kong’s higher education sector. She was particularly grateful to the research and expert support given to the Government by UGC-funded institutions in the enduring battle against the pandemic.

She said significant developments would take place in 2021, including discussions between the UGC and the Government on the 2022-25 triennium funding and the outcome of the Research Assessment Exercise 2020.

The Chief Executive also briefed UGC members on the Global STEM Professorship Scheme announced in the 2020 Policy Address and looked to members for their support, in particular overseas members, in identifying suitable talents to teach and conduct research in UGC-funded institutions.

Mrs Lam remarked that the city’s quality universities represented Hong Kong’s strengths in national, regional and global contexts.

She also appreciated the vision and commitment of some institutions planning to set up a new campus in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, adding that the Government would continue to render support to such endeavours.