The Working Group on Planning & Construction of the University Town (WG), set up under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis and led by Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, convened its first working meeting today.

The meeting focused on discussing the overall development strategy and specific implementation plan for the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT). WG members discussed the preliminary planning directions of the NMUT’s Hung Shui Kiu site, which endeavours to integrate with nearby, high-end professional services as well as vocational and professional education and training facilities, for joint development.

A research taskforce will be established to conduct field trips to study the successful models of university towns elsewhere, and seek views from experts and academics, in order to ensure that the NMUT’s planning is both forward-looking and practical.

The Chief Secretary emphasised that the development of the NMUT will break away from traditional models, achieving synergistic and integrated development between education and industry, holding immense strategic significance for Hong Kong’s growth.

He pointed out that the NMUT will not only provide development room for the post-secondary education sector, but will also serve as a key engine to advance the integrated development of Hong Kong’s academic excellence and industry.

It will also realise the promotion of industrial development through education, he added.

Furthermore, Mr Chan said the WG will adopt innovative thinking to formulate suggestions for the Northern Metropolis University Town Development Conceptual Framework, the university town’s development model, and the construction of facilities. It will also study the strategies for attracting leading universities and research institutes to establish a base in Hong Kong in order to attract world-class scholars and outstanding students, with a view to facilitating Hong Kong’s development into an international education hub.

The WG will later report its work plan to the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis.