Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has underscored enhancing the international influence of the city’s academic and research endeavors and promoting the development of the special administrative region’s new quality productive forces.

The CE made the call when he met members of the University Grants Committee (UGC) on Friday to exchange views on the latest developments in higher education in Hong Kong.

UGC Chairman Tim Lui briefed Lee on the various initiatives being advanced by the UGC, particularly the strategic development directions under the Planning Exercise 2025-28 and the importance of institutional governance, according to a government news release.

Acknowledging the UGC's contributions to promoting the internationalization and diversification of UGC-funded universities, the CE said during the meeting that Hong Kong is the only city in the world with five universities ranked among the global top 100.

READ MORE: HK doubling down on new productive forces, says Chan

The SAR government and the UGC have been working together to nurture talent, enhance research and knowledge transfer, and support the development of Hong Kong as an international hub for education and high-caliber talent, he added.

Highlighting the SAR government's efforts towards the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town, Lee expressed his aspiration that the UGC will continue to encourage local universities to collaborate with overseas and mainland institutions, leveraging Hong Kong's unique advantages of being backed by the motherland and connected to the world.

Through flexible and innovative development models, more research collaborations and exchange programs can be established, he added.

ALSO READ: Financial, manufacturing advantages to fuel HK’s new quality productive forces

The UGC will continue to collaborate with UGC-funded universities to nurture local talent and attract elites from around the world, promoting the "Study in Hong Kong" brand and actively contributing to establishing Hong Kong as an international hub for higher education.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Prof Sun Dong, Head of the Chief Executive's Policy Unit Dr Stephen Wong Yuen-shan, and Permanent Secretary for Education May Chan Wing-shiu also joined the meeting.