Hong Kong has officially inaugurated a high-level government task force dedicated to strengthening the city’s position as a premier international destination for education. Convening its first meeting on November 10, 2025, the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong—an initiative previously introduced in the recent Policy Address—aims to coordinate comprehensive strategies to attract top global students and academic talent, capitalizing on the city’s elite higher education ecosystem.
Spearheading Global Academic Outreach
Chaired by Secretary for Education Dr. Choi Yuk-lin, the new body is responsible for executing the city’s ambitious promotional campaign, titled “Hong Kong: Your World-class Campus.” This initiative is designed to internationally highlight the unparalleled quality and competitive advantages of Hong Kong’s universities. A central pillar of this strategy lies in the city’s distinguished academic standing, specifically its unique status as the only major global metropolitan area hosting five universities ranked among the world’s top 100 institutions.
The task force’s mandate includes developing targeted promotional materials and strategies that effectively showcase local academic resources, advanced research capabilities, and robust international collaboration pathways available to prospective students.
Focus on Key Recruitment Regions
To achieve its talent attraction goals, the task force emphasizes enhancing outreach and recruitment efforts by local post-secondary institutions. Specific attention is being directed toward increasing student recruitment from countries within the Belt and Road Initiative and the ASEAN region.
Key operational objectives for the task force include:
- Facilitating and expanding student exchange agreements with reputable international institutions worldwide.
- Encouraging institutions to broaden learning opportunities and practical experiences that extend beyond the physical boundaries of Hong Kong.
- Engaging with representatives from the post-secondary sector to provide essential support for strategic objectives.
The composition of the task force ensures broad cross-governmental cooperation, drawing members from various government bureaus, agencies like the University Grants Committee, authorities overseeing innovation and technology, and the network of overseas Economic and Trade Offices.
Building a Pipeline of International Talent
The efforts to attract global talent are not confined to the higher education level. Concurrently, the government is extending its international education branding to the primary and secondary echelons. Initiatives branded as “Study in Hong Kong” and “Study Tour in Hong Kong” aim to position the city as a comprehensive educational hub from early stages up through postgraduate studies.
Ultimately, by coordinating promotional campaigns, strengthening institutional partnerships, and prioritizing key international markets, Hong Kong seeks to solidify its reputation not only as an international education center but also as a critical meeting point for global intellectual and professional talent, ensuring a long-term competitive edge in the global knowledge economy. These integrated efforts are expected to enhance the diversity and dynamism of the local academic landscape.