As Hong Kong grapples with a rising financial deficit, policymakers are turning their attention to potential cost-cutting measures. The upcoming budget, set to be unveiled on February 26, is expected to include significant reductions in funding for higher education over the next three years.

In an exclusive interview with Times Higher Education, Professor Joshua Mok Ka-ho, Provost and Vice-President (Academic and Research) and Dean of the Graduate School, shared insights on the potential impact of these cuts. "Whether university operations will be affected significantly by the proposed funding cut depends very much on the level of cut," he explained. "If the proposed cut is a modest one, say two to three per cent, I think all eight universities will be able to make use of their reserves to cover the cut."

The government has already dismissed the idea of increasing international tuition fees as a means to improve university finances, arguing that such a move could undermine Hong Kong's competitiveness as an international education hub. This decision has raised eyebrows among some observers.

"Comparing Hong Kong universities' non-local [and] international tuition fees with other major university systems in the UK and Australia, for instance, Hong Kong universities' fee charges are relatively lower than international student fees in the UK and Australia," noted Mok.

Mok also highlighted the potential benefits of increasing the number of mainland Chinese students at Hong Kong' s universities. "The gradual increase of non-local students from the mainland, together with international students choosing Hong Kong as a destination for higher education, will facilitate universities in Hong Kong to generate additional funding to sustain the future development of higher education institutions," he said.

Media report:

Times Higher Education | Hong Kong universities to dip into reserves as budget cuts loom | 12/02/25