Chief Executive John Lee revealed in his 2025 Policy Address that Hong Kong will enhance the building of an international education hub by measures such as increasing the number of places for non-local students to study in the city on a self-financing basis and the provision of student hostels.

Starting from the 2026-27 academic year, the enrolment ceiling for self‑financing non‑local students of each funded post‑secondary institution will be raised from the level currently equivalent to 40% of local student places to 50%, while the over‑enrolment ceiling of self‑financing places of funded research postgraduate programmes will be increased from 100% to 120%.

On increasing student hostel supply, the Government launched the Hostels in the City Scheme in July to facilitate the market in converting existing commercial buildings into student hostels by obviating the need for rezoning and allowing excessive plot ratio be retained. 

Effective today, cases involving redevelopment of original commercial buildings into new student hostels can also enjoy the facilitation measures under the scheme. 

The Government will also earmark new sites this year for building new hostels and will invite the market to submit expressions of interest.

To attract more international teaching and research talents and students, Mr Lee said the Education Bureau (EDB) will establish the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong, bringing together the University Grants Committee (UGC), the Innovation, Technology & Industry Bureau, the Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), post‑secondary institutions, Economic & Trade Offices, the Mainland Offices etc. to step up the promotion of higher education in Hong Kong. 

Relevant measures include rolling out the “Hong Kong: Your World‑class Campus” large‑scale publicity campaign to promote Hong Kong’s quality resources in areas such as academic studies, scientific research and international co‑operation.

The UGC will provide funding support of $40 million for the eight funded universities to enhance publicity, as well as teacher and student recruitment overseas and in the Mainland. 

Meanwhile, the EDB will take the lead in encouraging post‑secondary institutions to organise more summer study tours to attract non‑local senior secondary school students.

It will also encourage post‑secondary institutions to roll out more high value‑added “Study Tour in Hong Kong” activities to promote the “Study Tour in Hong Kong” brand.

In addition, the Government will advance the development of universities of applied sciences to deepen collaboration with leading enterprises in the Mainland and overseas, fostering industry‑education collaboration and joint promotion. 

Separately, the Government will continue exploring with Mainland authorities the implementation of the mutual recognition of sub‑degree level qualifications between Hong Kong and the Mainland, which aims to facilitate cross‑boundary job‑seeking and the pursuit of further studies by graduates of vocational and professional programmes in both places.

The EDB will, on a trial basis, allow schools under the Direct Subsidy Scheme to apply for increasing the number and size of classes, expanding their intake of non‑local students with student visas to study on a self‑financing mode.

The Government will also promote the international recognition of The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (DSE).

The EDB will strengthen efforts to crack down on the unauthorised provision of DSE programmes or the operation of “shell schools”. 

Apart from setting up a reporting mechanism, the bureau also conducted unannounced inspections, and further clarified the registration arrangements for private candidates taking the DSE in the coming year. 

It will also formulate the Code of Practice for Private Schools and publish the Private School List within this year, with a view to improving the standards of school operation.

Mr Lee added that the Government will support the development of international schools and continually enhance the professional standards of teachers and the quality of programmes.

The EDB has set aside $2 billion in the Quality Education Fund to support digital education in primary and secondary schools and will release the Blueprint for Digital Education in Primary and Secondary Schools in 2026. 

Regarding nurturing talents, Mr Lee highlighted that the Government attaches great importance to youth development.

He added that the Government will enhance the talent policy to attract technical professionals with specified skills to Hong Kong, promote the flow of talents between the industry and academic sectors, and strengthen the HKTE’s efforts in talent attraction and support.

This will help build Hong Kong into an international hub for high‑calibre talents, he said.

A Young Talent Training Programme will be launched to provide more opportunities for young people to participate in the internships of international organisations and attend international conferences. 

Mr Lee also revealed that the Youth Post hostel will officially open this year. Along with providing affordable accommodation for young people from the Mainland and overseas, the Youth Post plans to organise about 100 youth activities of different types encompassing culture, arts, sports and other elements in its five‑year operation period, promoting exchanges between young visitors and Hong Kong youth.

On developing a talent pool, the Chief Executive said over 230,000 people have come to Hong Kong for work and development since the implementation of an array of new talent admission policies by the current‑term Government.

Among the various schemes, the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) has recorded an application rate as high as 55% for extension of stay. 

He pointed out that the TTPS talents granted an extension of stay are of high‑calibre. They are mainly employed in the innovation and technology, as well as financial sectors in Hong Kong, and 95% receive a monthly income higher than the local median income. 

Mr Lee explained that the TTPS contributes about $34 billion a year to the local economy, equivalent to approximately 1.2% of the city’s gross domestic product.

On top of that, the Government will launch the Innovation & Technology Talents Exchange Scheme for Industry & Academic Sectors, encouraging university professors to engage in corporate research and development activities for a better grasp of industry needs. 

Senior management of technology enterprises and technical experts will be invited to teach and help develop curriculum, strengthening the collaborative development of Hong Kong’s industry, academic and research sectors.