Professor Mok Ka-Ho Shares Views on Hong Kong's Development as an International Education Hub

29 Oct 2024

In response to the Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address to position Hong Kong as an international hub for post-secondary education, the Legislative Council (LegCo) has launched a study to explore this initiative further. The research will primarily focus on strategies adopted by the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia, both have well recognised for their success in attracting international students and building diverse education services. Professor Ka Ho Mok, Provost and Vice President (Academic and Research), Dean of Graduate School at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, believes that while the experiences of the UK and Australia are valuable, Singapore's experience should not be overlooked. He pointed out that "Singapore's societal context and challenges are more similar to Hong Kong's," making it a relevant reference. "Over the past 20 years, Singapore has become a regional education hub, facing issues like declining birth rates and aiming to retain graduates for the local workforce, challenges that Hong Kong shares," Professor Mok noted.

He stressed that these similarities could provide important lessons for Hong Kong"s efforts to attract and retain talent.

Recently on 22 October, Professor Mok was interviewed by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), where he shared further commentary on the Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address regarding the establishment of the 'Study in Hong Kong' brand. He pointed out that "this policy provides an opportunity for higher education institutions in Hong Kong to collaborate with both domestic and international institutions, allowing students to broaden their knowledge." At the same time, Professor Mok emphasized that Hong Kong's tertiary education institutions can showcase their academic research achievements by hosting various international conferences and symposiums. "This not only highlights the quality of academic and research development in Hong Kong but also emphasizes the internationalization of tertiary education, reflecting a commitment to collaborating with scholars and researchers worldwide," Professor Mok noted.

On October 29, Professor Mok shared his insights on this year's Policy Address about the establishment of Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies (SSAS) during an interview with Ming Pao. He emphasized that this scheme offers a valuable opportunity for local students to pursue advanced studies in Hong Kong. Professor Mok also highlighted that the industry has previously expressed concerns about the limited funding available for postgraduate programmes in cultural and social sciences. He urged the authorities not to focus solely on high-tech courses, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and should provide greater support for the arts and social sciences. He believes that the "Eight Centers" also need talent in areas like the arts, culture, and management. Additionally, he noted that tuition fees for postgraduate programmes in Hong Kong can exceed HK$ 100,000 and expressed hope that the government would consider increasing scholarship amounts.

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