Fruitful meeting: Professor Arthur Li exchanges views with university students during a meeting on education expenditure.

University students have called off class boycotts after a five-hour meeting with Secretary for Education & Manpower Professor Arthur Li today.

Welcoming their decision, Professor Li promised to achieve a balance between expenditure cuts and education quality.

Describing the meeting as meaningful and constructive, Professor Li said both parties exchanged views on how to improve education quality. The students have offered a lot of innovative ideas, he said, adding that he will study their suggestions carefully.

Noting the students were caring and rational, Professor Li said they agreed that all sectors have a responsibility to help the Financial Secretary tackle the fiscal deficit.

He also told the students that the discussion on the education budget for 2005-08 is still continuing and no final decision has yet been made.

Professor Li asked the principals of all institutions to review the use of resources. He will discuss the issue with them soon.