This file photo dated June 23, 2022 shows an aerial view of residential buildings in the Tin Shui Wai district in the New Territories. (PHOTO / AFP)

Hong Kong will strive to build an international hub for postsecondary education, with the first university of applied sciences expected to be set up next year, and a university town to be developed in the Northern Metropolis to boost cooperation with Chinese mainland and overseas institutions.

According to Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s 2023 Policy Address on Wednesday, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will support appropriate self-financing institutions to develop into universities of applied science (UAS) by providing financial and related support.

This aims to raise the status of vocational and professional education and training in the city to attain qualifications at university degree level, providing an alternative path for young people who aspire to pursue careers in the technical professions.

The SAR government will set up a startup fund to support potential postsecondary institutions to form an Alliance of Universities in Applied Sciences to undertake joint promotional activities

It also strives to elevate the standing of vocational and professional education within society, as well as among parents and students.

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 The curriculum at UASs emphasizes industry relevance, aligning with industry demands to cultivate work-ready graduates. UASs will collaborate closely with technical professions and offer programs with more internship and practical learning opportunities.

The HKSAR government will consider giving priority to the inclusion of eligible UAS programs in the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors.

According to a government source, it is hoped that the first UAS in Hong Kong will emerge next year.

The SAR government will set up a startup fund to support potential postsecondary institutions to form an Alliance of Universities in Applied Sciences to undertake joint promotional activities.

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A university town will also be established in the Northern Metropolis, a new development engine in the northern part of the New Territories proposed in the 2021 Policy Address, according to Lee.

The university town will offer land for universities to develop, which the Development Bureau will reserve before opening applications to schools.

In 2024, the government will launch a new round of the Land Grant Scheme and Start-up Loan Scheme to support self-financing postsecondary institutions in developing and enhancing their campuses.

Apart from development in academic disciplines and campuses, this year’s Policy Address also announced a series of measures on the provision of high-quality education services, in a bid to facilitate the self-development of students and teachers.

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A range of new learning resources, materials and courses will be provided to non-Chinese speaking students, helping them learn Chinese to integrate into society. The Education Bureau will also increase the number of schools providing school-based life planning services for NCS students.

A new curriculum framework and a supporting program of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education in primary and secondary schools will be announced and launched in the coming school years.

In terms of training for teachers, the SAR government will introduce new awards under the Chief Executive’s Award for Teaching Excellence to recognize teachers who are bold at innovation.

The EDB will continue to support teachers in refining their professionalism, for example, from 2024, the bureau will subsidize all serving and prospective teachers in primary and secondary schools in taking the “National Putonghua Proficiency Test”.

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In addition, cooperation with the mainland’s education sector will continue. The SAR government will establish the first training and exchanging base in collaboration with mainland education authorities and institutions in Guangdong province. From the current school year, promoted teachers are required to take part in study tours to mainland cities.