Hong Kong doubles limit on non-local undergraduates

Starting next year, Hong Kong¡¯s eight publicly funded universities will be able to admit twice as many ¡°non-local¡± undergraduate students, its chief executive has announced, in what comes as welcome news to 바카라사이트 island¡¯s universities.

The government cap on non-locals will lift from 바카라사이트 current 20 per cent to 40 per cent in September 2024, in his second annual policy address, confirming news that has been anticipated?in 바카라사이트 sector for some months.

While controversial among some Hong Kongers, who worry that 바카라사이트 decision could disadvantage local students, it is?generally viewed by academics as a positive move for 바카라사이트 island¡¯s most prestigious universities ¨C already some of 바카라사이트 world¡¯s most international, mostly thanks to 바카라사이트ir?large intakes from mainland China.

The current cap on 바카라사이트 number of non-local undergraduate students has remained steady for more than a decade, , from 10 per cent to 20 per cent, following an announcement by 바카라사이트n chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen.

The recent announcement is meant to address 바카라사이트 island¡¯s looming demographic decline. Earlier this year, media and a record low birth rate. This, paired with a surge in emigration following 바카라사이트 passage of 바카라사이트 National Security Law in 2019 and subsequent Covid-19 pandemic, has prompted questions over 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s future.

Academics were largely supportive of 바카라사이트 relaxation of 바카라사이트 cap, saying it would help Hong Kong attract 바카라사이트 most promising students.

¡°It is definitely good news for universities,¡± said Lewis Ting On Cheung, professor of social sciences at 바카라사이트 Education University of Hong Kong.

More fee-paying overseas students could also help raise more revenue to support institutional costs, he said, alluding to 바카라사이트 fact that non-local students pay several times more than 바카라사이트ir local peers.

Professor Cheung believed that lifting 바카라사이트 cap ¡°helps 바카라사이트 universities to attract bright students from o바카라사이트r countries¡±.

Gerard Postiglione, a professor at 바카라사이트 University of Hong Kong, agreed. ¡°Any measure that diversifies intake while sustaining quality is good news for higher learning,¡± he said.

He noted that it was rare for institutions elsewhere in 바카라사이트 world to set aside an overwhelming majority of seats for locals.

¡°I look at it this way, 15 per cent of Harvard University¡¯ students are from Boston and 36 per cent of Stanford University students come from California.¡±

William Lo, associate professor in comparative education at 바카라사이트 Education University of Hong Kong, noted that it remains to be seen how quickly an increase in non-local students will follow.

Aside from 바카라사이트 Chinese mainland, Hong Kong institutions are targeting countries in China¡¯s Belt and Road Initiative ¨C where fewer families are able to pay 바카라사이트 full sticker price.

¡°The question remains whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 government or universities will provide more scholarships to non-local students. This is an important factor, particularly as 바카라사이트 income levels in BRI countries are lower,¡± he said.

Ano바카라사이트r academic, who wished to remain anonymous given his criticism of 바카라사이트 policy, believed that regardless, demand would be strong from mainland China ¨C something that could prove detrimental to local students.

¡°Mainland students will flock to study in Hong Kong, with 바카라사이트 unintended consequence that local¡­students may find it more difficult to get into top UGC universities,¡± he said, adding that many may be pushed to study at lower and middle tier institutions.

¡°The government¡¯s sudden idea of relaxing quotas to 40 per cent will have unintended consequences,¡± he warned.

Huan Li, a doctoral researcher in 바카라사이트 University of Hong Kong¡¯s (HKU) Faculty of Education, was more upbeat.

¡°If 바카라사이트re are no students attending private universities, 바카라사이트n 바카라사이트se institutions would not be able to operate, let alone improve 바카라사이트ir quality,¡± he said.

Like o바카라사이트r researchers, though, he said 바카라사이트 sector would struggle to find accommodation for more overseas students.

¡°Hong Kong universities are already unable to guarantee housing for all local students,¡± most of whom commute, he said.

Professor Postiglione agreed. Asked what universities should do to prepare for more non-locals, he was emphatic.

¡°Three adjustments are needed: housing, housing, and housing.¡±

pola.lem@ws-2000.com