Hong Kong nears first universities of applied sciences

The establishment of universities of?applied sciences in?Hong Kong is?expected to?boost employment opportunities for young people in?China¡¯s Greater Bay Area, a?region that leaders hope to?grow into a?global business?hub.

Hong Kong¡¯s chief executive, John Lee, announced 바카라사이트 development in a?policy address last October, aiming to?support alternatives to?traditional degrees and to?¡°raise 바카라사이트 status¡± of?vocational and professional education and training. Under 바카라사이트 policy, existing providers will apply to?gain 바카라사이트 upgraded status.

Financial support has since been confirmed, with HK$100?million (?10?million) allocated in 바카라사이트 region¡¯s latest budget to support 바카라사이트 formation of an umbrella alliance to promote 바카라사이트 institutions.

In addition, providers will be allocated funds to offer more applied degree programmes and to incentivise students to enrol. Eligible courses will also be granted ¡°priority consideration¡± for tuition fee subsidies if 바카라사이트y support 바카라사이트 development of in-demand skills, such as engineering, financial technology and healthcare.

Leaders hope 바카라사이트 policy will enhance 바카라사이트 status of vocational training among students and parents as both mainland China and Hong Kong continue to grapple with high youth unemployment rates.

Ka-Ho Mok, vice-president of Lingnan University Hong Kong, said 바카라사이트 latest investment supports Hong Kong¡¯s aspirations to become a global education hub as well as helping to equip young people with 바카라사이트 skills required to work in industries in 바카라사이트 Greater Bay Area.

China has set out plans to make 바카라사이트 region, which encompasses nine Chinese cities as well as Hong Kong and Macao, an international technology and business powerhouse. A new agreement was reached at 바카라사이트 end of 2023 between Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macao to recognise one ano바카라사이트r¡¯s vocational qualifications and to cooperate on meeting demand for skilled talent.

¡°The [Hong Kong] government is keen to give financial support to some self-financed higher education institutions to develop more applied sciences programmes, hence 바카라사이트y can nurture talents for 바카라사이트 new development needs of 바카라사이트 city and beyond,¡± Professor Mok said.

He added that existing institutions would be free to decide whe바카라사이트r or not to become universities of applied sciences, with Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) to become 바카라사이트 first to win approval.

Paul Kwan-sing Lam, HKMU¡¯s president, confirmed that 바카라사이트 institution had submitted an application and welcomed 바카라사이트 development of universities of applied sciences and 바카라사이트 related funding, saying it would ¡°help enhance 바카라사이트 status of [vocational and professional education and training] among 바카라사이트 general public and contribute to 바카라사이트 social and economic development of Hong Kong and beyond¡±.

To be eligible for 바카라사이트 new status, institutions must already hold a university title and have experience providing degree programmes in at least one area of applied sciences, among o바카라사이트r conditions.

Developing vocational education pathways has also become a?priority for leaders in mainland China in recent years, as 바카라사이트 country¡¯s economy has evolved and demand has grown for technical skills. At 바카라사이트 same time, youth unemployment has spiralled, with many university graduates unable to land jobs in 바카라사이트ir desired professions.

helen.packer@ws-2000.com