University towns to drive synergistic development

Chief Executive John Lee pledged on Wednesday to accelerate the construction of three university towns in Hong Kong's Northern Metropolis, aiming to foster collaborative growth between businesses, educational institutions, and research facilities. The NMUT encompasses over a thousand hectares, encompassing San Tin, Hung Shui Kiu, and Ta Kwu Ling.

During the presentation of the city's inaugural five-year plan at the Legislative Council, Lee announced that the government would offer financial support, including land premium exemptions and loans, for universities to establish campuses in these towns. Lee elaborated on the multi-faceted financial approach, stating that post-secondary institutions would supplement the funding through reserves and flexible funding mechanisms such as bond issuance to attract market and social capital.

Each university town would be dedicated to one of the five education pillars: technology, industry, talent, and urban development. The San Tin University Town will concentrate on medicine, life and health technology, AI, robotics, microelectronics, and emerging industries, acting as the epicenter for future innovation and technological progress in Hong Kong.

The Hung Shui Kiu University Town aims to serve as a nucleus for smart manufacturing, applied post-secondary education, and international talent development. Meanwhile, Ta Kwu Ling University Town will integrate elements of arts and green infrastructure, reserving space for future expansion. Lee affirmed that the administration would prioritize the development of San Tin and Hung Shui Kiu university towns, with site allocation for the latter commencing this year, and institutions expected to commence operations between 2027 and 2028.

The blueprint also sets a goal of boosting full-time non-local post-secondary enrollment by 25 percent over the next five years, increasing the student population from 79,800 in the 2024/25 academic year to 100,000 by 2029/30.