Hong Kong should look beyond its universities and build a comprehensive education ecosystem for the families of global talent if the city is to strengthen its position as a globally influential education centre, said Professor Charles Ng Wang-wai, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).
Speaking to DotDotNews after the panel discussion on "Hong Kong as Asia's Leading Education Hub" at the Global Youth Powerhouse Summit 2026, Prof. Ng said HK's unique advantage lies in its international outlook as well as the strong support it receives from the Chinese mainland.
"I think the major advantage of HK is that HK is the most international city in China, and we have the benefits of being international, but also supported by the Chinese mainland in all aspects," he said.
The third edition of the Global Youth Powerhouse Summit, organized by the Hong Kong Youth Professional Global Advocacy, brought together political and business leaders, corporate representatives and young professionals to discuss emerging opportunities for HK in areas including artificial intelligence, geopolitics, education, capital markets, life and health technology, and startup financing.
On the "Education Hub Panel", Prof. Ng highlighted the potential of closer integration between HK and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
He said the GBA could provide HK with resources including space, industries, scientific data, biological data, climate data and investment funds, creating new opportunities for collaboration in education, research and innovation.
At the same time, Prof. Ng stressed that HK has its own strengths, including the ability to train top talent and researchers and attract students and professionals from around the world.
He noted that HK should continue to bring more international students to the city and provide them with opportunities to study, develop, and build connections.
Whether these students eventually stay in HK, move to the mainland or return to their home countries, he said, their experience in HK can help extend the city's influence globally.
"If they want to stay in HK, that's great. But if they don't want to stay in HK, they can go to the mainland or even return to their country," Prof. Ng said.
"Why? Because that means our influence is spreading across the globe."
However, attracting international talent requires more than world-class universities and research facilities, he said.
Prof. Ng identified education for the children of international academics and professionals as a key factor in creating an environment where talent can put down roots in HK.
"Normally, those top talents, they have their families, they have their children. To me, I think the number one is how to take care of their children," he said.
He called for a "one-stop" education pathway covering primary, secondary and university education, arguing that such a system would help HK build a more comprehensive ecosystem for international talent and their families.
"We need to create an ecosystem for them to make them feel that HK is a part of their home," he said.
Prof. Ng noted that many international academics and professionals coming to HK may be considering staying for the long term. Providing suitable education opportunities for their children, therefore, could become an important part of HK's efforts to attract and retain global talent.
He also welcomed the government's efforts to encourage local schools to recruit international students, describing the move as a positive step towards strengthening HK's role as an international education hub.
"If we follow the government's first five-year plan to establish a globally influential education center, HK can play a major role in this respect," he said.
(Reported by Zoey SUN, Ian LAU)
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