Hong Kong’s vision as an international education hub under the national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30)

As we embark on the journey of the national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region stands at a pivotal juncture. The HKSAR government is aligning its strategies to transform our city into an international hub for high-caliber talent. Education is the bedrock of this vision. Our mission is clear: to leverage our unique advantages under “one country, two systems” to nurture the innovators and leaders of tomorrow.

To consolidate our status as an international education hub, we have launched the “Study in Hong Kong” brand and introduced various scholarship programs to attract the brightest minds. Our recent promotional efforts have yielded concrete outcomes. By engaging with international partners, in particular those participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, and hosting flagship education conference, we are showcasing Hong Kong’s world-class postsecondary institutions to a global audience.

From our meetings with counterparts, we gather that students are seeking a safe, vibrant, multicultural environment that bridges East and West. Despite complex global geopolitics, Hong Kong’s educational brand remains resilient. We are expanding our promotions to cover our robust secondary-school sector to attract young talent and their families.

The Northern Metropolis University Town is the crown jewel of our future education landscape. This is not merely a collection of campuses; it is a visionary “campus-city integration” model designed to achieve a seamless blend of teaching, research, and industry.

Three sites in the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area have been earmarked for applications, backed by a loan of HK$10 billion ($1.28 billion).

To attract top institutions from the mainland and overseas, we are exploring flexible collaboration models, including joint programs, shared research facilities, and multilevel collaborations. This will leverage Hong Kong’s international environment alongside national strengths.

To stay ahead in the artificial-intelligence era, the Education Bureau has set aside significant resources for digital education initiatives. We have earmarked HK$2 billion under the Quality Education Fund for strategic measures, and will release the Blueprint for Digital Education in Primary and Secondary Schools this year. This will encompass such strategies as setting out an “AI literacy” learning framework, optimizing the curricula with incorporation of AI in learning and teaching, enhancing AI professional training for teachers, and strengthening the collaboration with key stakeholders.

Our focus also extends to driving industry-education collaboration. By aligning with Hong Kong’s “10 centers” vision — including finance, innovation and technology, and international trade — we are ensuring that our graduates are not just job-seekers, but job-creators. This synergy between academia and our most advantageous sectors is essential for retaining the high-caliber talent necessary for high-quality development.

The bond between Hong Kong and the mainland in education and research is stronger than ever. Substantial work has been done to facilitate and encourage higher education cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland with a view to complementing each other’s advantages, especially in scientific research cooperation, student exchanges, talent nurturing and education services. A number of Hong Kong’s higher education institutions have established campuses in various mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

We will actively assist Hong Kong higher education institutions in exploring more flexible and innovative operation models to promote closer collaboration with their Greater Bay Area campuses, so as to facilitate the flow of faculty members and students with a view to nurturing outstanding talent needed for the country’s development and synergizing the complementary academic structures and facilities of the Hong Kong and mainland campuses.

Developing new quality productive forces requires a robust system of vocational and professional education and training. We have achieved significant progress in developing universities of applied sciences, which foster cross-sector collaboration and prepare graduates for specific high-demand trades.

In conclusion, Hong Kong’s education strategy is not just about building schools — it’s about building futures. By aligning with national goals, embracing innovation, and fostering global partnerships, we are laying the foundation for a dynamic, talent-driven economy that will serve Hong Kong and the nation for decades to come.

The views don’t necessarily represent those of China Daily.

The author is secretary for education of the HKSAR government.