The Committee on Education, Technology & Talents (CETT), led by Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki met the presidents of eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities today to exchange views on the work of promoting integrated development of education, technology and talent.

At the meeting, Mr Chan introduced the CETT's work plan to the university presidents.

He noted that the Government attracts quality talent from around the world and nurtures local talent through various measures, such as scholarship programmes and increasing the non-local student quota.

Starting from the 2024-25 academic year (AY), the non-local student quota for UGC-funded institutions has been doubled from 20% to 40%, while non-local undergraduate enrolment has increased from 19.9% in 2023-24 AY to 23.2% in 2024-25 AY.

In light of the sudden policy changes regarding higher education overseas, Mr Chan thanked the UGC-funded universities for providing comprehensive support measures for affected students in a holistic approach as well as seizing the opportunity to attract more top talent to pursue their studies in Hong Kong so as to give full play to Hong Kong's role as an international post-secondary education hub.

Mr Chan stressed that the Government will do its utmost to provide assistance and convenience for overseas talent interested in studying or conducting research in Hong Kong's higher education institutions, including striving to further expand the non-local student quota based on actual needs.

As at the date of the meeting, the UGC-funded universities have received about 850 transfer enquiries related to the sudden policy changes regarding higher education overseas. In addition, many UGC-funded universities have recorded a double-digit year-on-year increase in the number of applications from non-local students for the new AY.

The meeting also introduced to the presidents the scheme - which will be officially launched in mid-July - jointly implemented by the Education Bureau and the Development Bureau to facilitate the market to increase the supply of student hostels on a self-financing and privately-funded basis.

The presidents of the eight UGC-funded universities expressed their continued full support for the CETT's work, and will work closely with the Government to attract talent from all over the world and nurture local talent to build a quality talent pool for the future development of Hong Kong and the country.

Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong and Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun also attended the meeting.