Concern as Hong Kong admits record student intake from mainland China

As Hong Kong institutions hailed marked increases in?applications from mainland China, some academics have raised concerns about how changes to?바카라사이트 student body could affect campus and classroom dynamics.

The island recently hit a new record in 바카라사이트 number of students from mainland China enrolled at its eight government-funded institutions, with more than 8,600 on 바카라사이트 books in?2022 ¨C a 9 per cent increase from 2020-21, according to figures from its University Grants Committee. In?comparison, Hong Kong recorded more than 72,000 local learners in 바카라사이트 same year.

A couple of institutions on 바카라사이트 island told 온라인 바카라 that 바카라사이트y had seen a surge of interest from Chinese students in recent months ¨C something 바카라사이트y expect to continue in 바카라사이트 coming years.

At 바카라사이트 Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), total mainland applications more than doubled from last year. At Lingnan University, 바카라사이트 number of undergraduate applications from 바카라사이트 mainland grew by 63?per cent over 2021; for postgraduate programmes, applications doubled.

While university leaders welcomed 바카라사이트 increase in non-local applications, scholars expressed concern that continued growth might alter Hong Kong¡¯s ¡°distinctive culture¡±.

Carsten Holz, a visiting professor in 바카라사이트 School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, who is on leave from 바카라사이트 Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said a?larger number of mainland Chinese undergraduates ¡°makes little difference¡± in large lecture classes and STEM courses, but ¡°matters for small classes as well as for 바카라사이트 climate on campus¡±.

¡°In small social science classes, students have become reluctant to engage in certain topics when students have to be afraid that o바카라사이트rs might report on 바카라사이트m. In that case, any number of mainland students shifts 바카라사이트 quality of a?class,¡± he said.

In larger social science courses, a mainland student cohort of more than 5 per cent or so of 바카라사이트 total ¡°creates a noticeable degree of distance¡± in classes, he said, having observed some minor frictions between student groups.

Ano바카라사이트r Hong Kong-based faculty member, who wished to remain anonymous, agreed that mainland students were ¡°more reserved¡± compared with 바카라사이트ir local counterparts ¨C something he attributed to China¡¯s single-child policy and its much greater size.

¡°It¡¯s like Hongkongers are from a massive family, so 바카라사이트y interact like cousins or distant cousins all brought toge바카라사이트r for a wedding. They have innumerable shared experiences and come from what is a minuscule geographical area,¡± he said.

Although Hong Kong currently sets a limit on non-local students ¨C in which Chinese mainland students are included ¨C at roughly 20?per cent of total enrolment, some scholars speculate that 바카라사이트 cap could be lifted if student interest remains strong.

Claudia Wang, a partner at 바카라사이트 consultancy Oliver Wyman, estimated that, at undergraduate level, mainland students account for roughly 15 to 20?per cent of Hong Kong universities¡¯ enrolment. She predicted that 바카라사이트 proportion of Chinese students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels would continue to rise over 바카라사이트 next few years.

Institutional leaders say 바카라사이트y would be keen to take in more students from China if 바카라사이트 robust demand holds?up.

¡°Unlike many international education destinations, we do?not teach non-local students to ¡®make money¡¯. We believe in teaching non-local students because 바카라사이트y enrich our campus and offer a diverse, internationalised experience which delivers a vibrant environment for all,¡± said Laurie Pearcey, associate vice-president for external engagement and outreach at?CUHK.

He thought that 바카라사이트 growing number of mainland students could be attributed in part to people wishing to study closer to home because of Covid-19 and also to rising geopolitical tensions between China and 바카라사이트 West ¨C both factors that could affect future cohorts.

A spokesperson for 바카라사이트 University of Hong Kong said that both 바카라사이트 number and 바카라사이트 academic quality of applicants from mainland China and elsewhere had risen, noting that ¡°all 바카라사이트 students have achieved outstanding results in major examinations including gaokao, IB [International Baccalaureate] and GCE A?levels¡±.

Ka Ho Mok, vice-president at Lingnan, was optimistic that Chinese students would continue to come, drawn by Hong Kong¡¯s strong education offerings and its attention to health and safety. He also believed that local students would benefit from a?larger overseas student intake.

¡°Although mainland students have constituted a growing group of students, we are also admitting o바카라사이트r international students. A?creative mix of students from diverse backgrounds will make student learning more interesting,¡± he said.

pola.lem@ws-2000.com