In his annual Policy Address last year, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu outlined his plan to make Hong Kong an international hub for university students, and this year, he delivered the goods.

In his 2024 Policy Address delivered on Wednesday, Lee said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government is committed to developing Hong Kong into an international hub for postsecondary education. He said this would include a raft of measures to complete a comprehensive program to draw more professionals to Hong Kong.

His remarks came hot on the heels of the release of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, which placed the City University of Hong Kong as the world’s most international university. The University of Hong Kong was placed sixth; the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology ninth; and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University 10th. That’s another nail in the coffin of Hong Kong’s doomsayers.

Other Hong Kong universities include the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Lingnan University, and Education University of Hong Kong, all funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC). There are also three self-funded universities: Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Hang Seng University, and Saint Francis University.

READ MORE: Five Hong Kong universities listed among world’s top 100

To keep the trajectory skyrocketing upward, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has launched a HK$30 million ($3.86 million) “Study in Hong Kong” brand to be used by local universities to attract foreign students to Hong Kong. The website (https://www.studyinhongkong.edu.hk/en/hong-kong-education) covers everything possible about Hong Kong and university life, including funding, accommodation, and an insight into the various universities.

It even invites international students to remain in Hong Kong after graduation with hints and links to various employment agencies looking for top-notch professionals.

This falls in line with Hong Kong’s rapid development as a science and technology hub. The Northern Metropolis development, focusing on education and technology, will undoubtedly create a surge in demand for student talent. More than 60 hectares of land in the four areas of Hung Shui Kiu / Ha Tsuen New Development Area, Ngau Tam Mei, and the New Territories North New Town, has been reserved by the government for postsecondary-education development.

“The government has earmarked over 80 hectares of land in the Northern Metropolis for the Northern Metropolis University Town and will encourage local postsecondary institutions to introduce more branded programs, research collaboration and exchange projects with renowned mainland and overseas institutions in a flexible and innovative manner. We will retain flexibility in the planning process to facilitate the development of student hostels. We plan to publish the Northern Metropolis University Town Development Conceptual Framework in the first half of 2026,” the chief executive said in his Policy Address.

The government-operated UGC says that for the 2023-24 academic year, 100,786 students will be enrolled in UGC-funded programs. Of these, 23,097 students will be enrolled as nonlocal; 17,822 will be from the Chinese mainland, 4,410 from Asia, and 823 from other countries. Science (6,368 enrolments by nonlocal students) and engineering and technology (5,802 nonlocal enrolments) are the most popular subjects.

In his address last year, Lee said that part-time job restrictions imposed on nonlocal students will be lifted, as part of the city’s measures to entice professional talent and encourage more to stay on. He also announced several longer-term projects for cross-boundary university collaboration with the mainland, including a microelectronic academy to be set up to study third-generation semiconductors and research projects between Hong Kong and neighboring Shenzhen.

Currently, just 1 percent of overseas graduates from Hong Kong’s universities are staying on at a time when the city is vying with Asian countries to attract top graduates. The lifting of part-time work restrictions is being implemented on a trial basis for two years, during which more than 35,000 students are expected to benefit.

In this year’s address, Lee elaborated on this program. He said that in creating the “Study in Hong Kong” brand, the government will strive to host international education conferences and exhibitions. It will also encourage local postsecondary institutions to enhance collaboration and exchange with their counterparts around the world in promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand on a global scale, and to attract more overseas students, especially those from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and other countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, to study in Hong Kong through the provision of scholarships and other incentives.

The housing of graduates has been of continual concern to the government and the universities, with property agents claiming that the private student housing market can only accommodate 0.4 percent of the total enrolled population. They say that in the next four years, postsecondary university hostels in Hong Kong will create additional spillover demand of 22,300 bed spaces into the private accommodation market.

READ MORE: 4 HK varsities climb up in Asia University Rankings 2023

Lee said in his address that to improve hostel facilities, the government will launch a pilot program to streamline the processing of applications about planning, land, and building plans to encourage the market to convert hotels and other commercial buildings into student hostels on a self-financing and privately funded basis, thus increasing the supply of student hostels.

“The government will also make available suitable sites for the private sector to build new hostels, having regard to market demand. The Development Projects Facilitation Office under the Development Bureau will provide one-stop advisory and facilitation services for these projects,” he said.

Overall, Lee’s Policy Address was very bullish, blending plans to attract more talent to the city as it transforms itself into a world-leading high-technology hub.

The author is a former chief information officer of the Hong Kong government, a public-relations and media consultant, and veteran journalist.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.