Hong Kong's Secretary for Education, Choi Yuk-lin, emphasized the urgent need to attract young global talent and expand applied science education during a press briefing on Tuesday (April 29), addressing the city's shrinking school-age population and growing demand for skilled professionals.
Talent Influx to Offset Demographic Shifts
Choi acknowledged that Hong Kong's declining birth rate has led to more school places than local students, assuring families that admission opportunities for residents remain unaffected. However, she warned that the city faces a critical shortage of applied technology workers, with annual graduates in related fields failing to offset retiring professionals. "We must leverage talent schemes to attract overseas youth," she stated, highlighting Hong Kong's universities, many ranked within the global top 50, as key draws due to their international faculty and research excellence.
Boosting Vocational Education
To bridge the skills gap, the government has elevated vocational training to university-degree levels, establishing two applied science universities in 2023 and forming an Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences to align with national and global standards. "Vocational-professional education is no longer a second-tier path but a vital engine for innovation," Choi said.
Future Focus: Cross-Disciplinary "University Town"
Choi unveiled plans for a Northern Metropolis University Town, integrating institutions near the San Tin Technopole and Lok Ma Chau Loop in the Northern Metropolis. The hub will prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration, such as blending engineering with AI, to accelerate market-ready research. "This ecosystem will attract top global minds and turn cutting-edge ideas into real-world solutions," she added.
The initiative aligns with Hong Kong's strategy to become a "talent highland" amid geopolitical and tech competition, leveraging its role as a gateway between mainland China and the world.
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