University Grants Committee welcomes "The Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address"

The Chairman of the University Grants Committee (UGC), Mr Tim Lui, said today (September 17) that he welcomed the Chief Executive's announcement of measures in the 2025 Policy Address on further developing Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education, which demonstrate the integrated development of education, technology and talent. The UGC will collaborate closely with the eight UGC-funded universities to take forward various relevant initiatives.

Mr Lui said, "UGC-funded universities are widely recognised in the global academic community, underscoring the success of the Government's sustained investment in higher education and academic research over the years. This also reflects our solid foundation and unique strengths in becoming a premier international hub for post-secondary education. The initiatives set out in the Policy Address will further attract top talent from around the globe and broaden students' global outlook."

As announced in the Policy Address, the enrolment ceiling for self-financing non-local students in taught programmes, namely, undergraduate degrees, sub-degrees and taught postgraduate degrees, at UGC-funded universities will be further raised from the current level equivalent to 40 per cent of local student places to 50 per cent, effective from the 2026/27 academic year. Universities may progressively increase their intake of non-local students based on their individual circumstances.

The Chief Executive has also announced that starting from the 2026/27 academic year, the over-enrolment ceiling of UGC-funded research postgraduate programmes will be further increased from 100 per cent to 120 per cent.

Mr Lui said he believes that these two initiatives will help attract more talented students to pursue their studies and research in Hong Kong, thereby building Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent and strengthening the city's research capabilities. Drawing together high-calibre talent will empower Hong Kong's universities to drive innovation and contribute more substantially to the country's development and the global academic landscape.

Mr Lui also expressed appreciation for the Government's establishment of the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong as part of the continued efforts to promote the "Study in Hong Kong" brand. He highlighted key initiatives such as rolling out "Study Tour in Hong Kong" activities, increasing the supply of student hostels, and providing funding for universities to enhance promotional efforts in other regions. These measures will play a vital role in attracting more high-calibre faculty and students from around the globe. Such initiatives not only strengthen Hong Kong's global visibility as a destination for quality higher education but also foster cross-cultural exchanges, enrich the academic environment, and support the city's long-term development as an international education hub.

Mr Lui continued, "The Research Grants Council will organise its first Research Summit by the end of 2025. In addition, Hong Kong will be hosting the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition in 2026. We are excited for the opportunity to gather talent across the globe and solidify Hong Kong's role as a global education hub. Looking forward, our higher education sector shall continue to attract quality talent from around the world and nurture local talent through various measures to leverage Hong Kong's strengths to serve the country's needs. Together with the UGC-funded universities, we shall grasp the development opportunities offered by the country to push forward with Hong Kong's education development and deepen global academic and cultural exchanges."