Chief Executive John Lee met University Grants Committee (UGC) members today to exchange views on the latest developments in higher education in Hong Kong.

UGC Chairman Tim Lui briefed Mr Lee on the various initiatives being advanced by the UGC, particularly the strategic development directions under the Planning Exercise 2025-28 and the importance of institutional governance. The UGC will continue to collaborate with UGC-funded universities to nurture local talent and attract elites from around the world, promoting the "Study in Hong Kong" brand and actively contributing to establishing Hong Kong as an international hub for higher education.

Mr Lee noted that Hong Kong is the only city in the world with five universities ranked among the global top 100, and that the Government and the UGC have been working together to nurture talent, enhance research and knowledge transfer, and support the development of Hong Kong as an international hub for education and high-calibre talent.

Highlighting the Government's efforts towards the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town, Mr Lee expressed his aspiration that the UGC will continue to encourage local universities to collaborate with overseas and Mainland institutions, leveraging Hong Kong's unique advantages of being backed by the motherland and connected to the world.

He added that through flexible and innovative development models, more research collaborations and exchange programmes can be established, enhancing the international influence of Hong Kong's academic and research endeavours and promoting the development of Hong Kong's new quality productive forces.

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong also joined the meeting.