The trade delegation led by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive John Lee officially began its visit to Kazakhstan on June 1, promoting HK's strengths while exploring opportunities for cooperation across various sectors.
Benefiting from five universities ranked among the world's top 100, a highly welcoming post-graduation stay policy, and extensive international career opportunities, HK has built a strong "Study in Hong Kong" brand in Central Asia. Several Kazakh parents and students interviewed by Wen Wei Po said that amid geopolitical uncertainties in many parts of the world, HK's social stability and high academic standards make it their preferred destination for higher education.
One student praised the city, saying: "Although the US and Europe offer excellent educational environments, HK feels exceptionally dynamic and future-oriented to me, while also serving as a unique gateway to Asia."
According to available information, the number of students from Central Asian countries studying at HK's eight publicly funded universities has increased by more than 20% this academic year to 575, with nearly 500 coming from Kazakhstan.
According to data from HK's University Grants Committee, 473 students from Central Asian countries were enrolled in publicly funded programmes at the city's eight publicly funded universities during the previous academic year. Kazakhstan accounted for the largest share, with 357 students, while Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan together accounted for 371 students.
To strengthen educational cooperation with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, the HKSAR Government introduced the Belt and Road Scholarship in the 2016/17 academic year. The scholarship is awarded to students from designated countries and regions along the Belt and Road.
Parent highlights HK's five QS top-100 universities
During a visit to Astana, reporters from DotDotNews interviewed local resident Baurzhan Utev. His eldest son, currently 16 years old, is expected to enter university in two years and has already placed HK among his top study-abroad destinations.
Utev said he had previously visited HK with his family and was impressed by the city's international character, safety, and cultural atmosphere. Academically, he places particular value on the quality of HK's higher education, especially its strong English-language teaching environment and internationally recognized academic standards.
"I noticed that HK has five universities ranked among the QS Top 100, and I believe my child has the ability to gain admission to one of them," he said.
Utev also noted HK's geographical proximity to Central Asia and relatively convenient transportation links.
"We still prefer our child to stay closer to home. From Kazakhstan, we can fly to Guangzhou and then take a high-speed train to HK. Geographically, that is more convenient than travelling to Singapore or some European countries," he said.
Another parent, Baurzhan Zhanguzhin, who has two sons and one daughter, said his eldest son Amir recently completed eighth grade in Astana.
"His school uses English as the medium of instruction and follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, which gives Amir a significant advantage when applying to universities in HK," he said.
Both Zhanguzhin and his wife studied abroad and hope to provide similar international exposure for their children. HK is their first choice.
"For our family, HK is a unique place because of its history, economic development, natural environment, and status as one of the world's leading financial centres. We also have relatives living and working there, and through them we have learned about the many government and university scholarship programmes available to Central Asian students."
"With China now the world's second-largest economy, we believe HK also has strong development prospects, making it a highly attractive option for us," Zhanguzhin told Wen Wei Po.
Student praises HK's blend of Eastern and Western cultures
Amir said that among the various overseas study destinations he has considered, HK's greatest appeal lies in its successful integration of Eastern and Western cultures. He also described it as one of the world's most modern and fastest-growing cities.
"Although the US and Europe offer excellent educational environments, HK feels exceptionally dynamic and future-oriented to me, while also serving as a unique gateway to Asia," he said.
Beyond experiencing HK's distinctive blend of cultures, Amir hopes that living in the city will help him develop greater independence and strengthen his ability to communicate effectively with people from different countries and regions.
(Source: Wen Wei Po)
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