Hong Kong education chief touts city's growing global higher education influence
Hong Kong's education chief says the city is strengthening its position as an international higher education hub, citing five local universities in the top 10 in Asia and a new university city project to support national planning.
Hong Kong’s Secretary for Education, Christine Choi, said the city’s standing as an international higher education hub continues to strengthen, with its influence and strategic position in the global higher education sector becoming increasingly prominent.
Speaking at the World Top Universities Presidents’ Forum 2026 on 5 November, Choi said the event, which brought together more than a third of the presidents and leaders from the world’s top 50 universities, affirmed Hong Kong’s status as an international education hub and significantly boosted the city’s voice in global education.
Choi attributed Hong Kong’s institutional advantages to its academic excellence, strong support from the nation, and an open, connected environment. Citing the latest QS World University Rankings: Asia 2027, she noted that five of Hong Kong’s universities are among the top 10 in Asia, continuing to lead the region. She described Hong Kong as a key bridge between East and West, offering an international and diverse education ecosystem that attracts global talent to tackle global challenges.
Choi said top universities have an irreplaceable role in shaping the future, and Hong Kong’s future in higher education is being realised through the construction of the Northern Delta University City. Located at a gateway to mainland China, the university city will deepen collaboration between industry, academia and research, linking academic research with industrial capabilities to serve the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan.