Efforts to internationalise Hong Kong's higher education sector appear to be paying off, with universities reporting rapidly growing interest from the US and elsewhere.

Professor Mok Ka-Ho, Provost and Vice-President (Academic and Research) and Dean  of Graduate School of The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, told Times Higher Education "We're seeing growing interest not only from the US but from many parts of the world. Taking my university as an example, non-local and international applications to our academic programmes have increased by 50 to 60 per cent in the last two to three years. We've also attracted academics and faculty members from the UK, the US, as well as across Asia, Africa, and Europe during the same period."

Hong Kong's shift toward greater internationalisation aligns with its broader government strategy – with a cap on non-local students lifted from 20 per cent to 40 per cent last year. For scholars, visa and research funding schemes have been streamlined. Although the city's universities have always been seen as highly internationalised, this is mainly as a result of taking large proportions of students from mainland China. Its challenge has been to diversify recruitment beyond its near neighbours.

"The Greater Bay Area offers a wonderful research platform, as well as new opportunities for international collaborations," said Professor Mok. But he said more work needed to be done to ensure more international scholars are encouraged to come. "Attracting talent to work and stay in Hong Kong is not only related to university governance and policy," Professor Mok noted. "Different sectors and stakeholders should work together to create an ecosystem conductive to attracting talent."

Media Report:

Times Higher Education  |  Hong Kong university applications surge amid US uncertainty  |  25/07/25