Hong Kong education chief outlines strategy to build global education hub
Hong Kong's education secretary detailed plans under the city's first five-year plan to strengthen its global education hub status, including expanding the Belt and Road scholarship to 200 places annually from 2027 and a HK$100 million fund for overseas study trips.
Hong Kong's Secretary for Education outlined the government's strategy on 8 October to transform the city into an international education hub, as part of debate on the first five-year plan and the 2026 policy address. The plan aligns with national priorities on education, science and talent under the 15th five-year plan.
The city will expand its "Study in Hong Kong" brand through international promotion campaigns and major education events. The government has already held the first "Study in Hong Kong Week", the largest-ever 2026 Asia-Pacific International Education Association conference, and the inaugural Applied Sciences University Alliance International Forum.
From the 2027-28 academic year, the Belt and Road scholarship will increase to 200 places annually to attract outstanding students. The government has also extended by two years a trial arrangement allowing graduates from Hong Kong universities' Greater Bay Area campuses to work in the city.
For the 2026-27 academic year, publicly funded universities will conduct over 160 recruitment activities in mainland China and overseas. The University Grants Committee will inject HK$100 million from 2026-27 to expand the Mainland and Global Connectivity and Learning Experience Grant Scheme to cover Belt and Road countries.
International schools currently provide about 48,400 places, with nearly 70 per cent of students being non-local, representing over 30 countries. The government is implementing a "Direct Subsidy Scheme expansion" to encourage these schools to admit more non-local students and developing a code of practice for student accommodation.
Land in the Northern New Territories has been reserved for international schools, with details to be announced during the next round of campus allocation. The government will also study proposals to include aided schools in admitting non-local students after reviewing direct subsidy school experiences.
