The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is in the process of developing a proposal to establish an international campus within Hong Kong's new academic town, located near the border with mainland China. This initiative aligns with the government's plan to attract renowned overseas institutions to establish local branches. The university aims to collaborate with overseas partners to offer joint programs and increase the enrollment of non-local students in the hub. The academic town, part of the Northern Metropolis development, will cover a substantial area in the New Territories, with the university town occupying approximately 60 hectares.
One of the proposals for the academic town is to establish an internationalized university campus operating in a self-financing mode, focusing on providing joint programs with prestigious overseas institutions for both local and international students. HKU is currently refining its proposal to support the government's vision for the international postsecondary education hub.
The Undersecretary for Education, Jeff Sze Chun-fai, emphasized the benefits of the proposed international campus, dubbed "i-campus," which would provide students with exposure to an international and globalized study environment. The proportion of non-local students admitted to the proposed international tertiary hub would exceed the current intake level allowed for publicly funded institutions, with a planned quota increase to 40 percent.
The primary objective of the new university town is to attract influential and prestigious institutions to establish operations, contributing to Hong Kong's development as an international tertiary education hub. The government will assess proposals submitted by institutions to ensure they align with these objectives and avoid duplicating efforts with branches in mainland China. Sze highlighted the importance of utilizing land resources effectively and focusing on vocational and professional education, supporting the city's development goals, aligning with national development strategies, and fostering collaboration with industries in the metropolis.
