University calls for government funds for shared sites in Northern Metropolis
Hong Kong authorities should shoulder a larger share of the cost of facilities jointly used by institutions at the Northern Metropolis university towns, a varsity president has said, while calling for dedicated research funding to encourage collaboration among campuses. Professor Stephen Cheung Yan-leung, president of the private Saint Francis University, said that while individual institutions…
A university president has urged the Hong Kong government to contribute more funds towards shared facilities and research centers in the upcoming university towns of the Northern Metropolis. Professor Stephen Cheung Yan-leung, president of Saint Francis University, made this appeal during an interview on a radio program. He argued that while individual universities could finance their own campuses, the government should play a larger role in funding shared infrastructure, including research and student entrepreneurship centers.
Cheung's comments came after the government announced that institutions applying for sites in the three planned university towns would receive preferential treatment if they did not need to take out public loans to build their campuses. Education Minister Christine Choi Yuk-lin stated that institutions could apply for government loans, but priority would be given to those without loans or with competitive repayment plans.
Institutions seeking sites in the three towns - Hung Shui Kiu, San Tin, and Ta Kwu Ling - would cover 26, 100, and 180 hectares respectively, making up a significant portion of the government's plan to transform the Northern Metropolis into an education and innovation hub.
Cheung suggested that the government establish joint research funds that universities could apply for together, fostering collaboration between institutions, students, and technology companies. He believed that bringing these parties together could spark new ideas and transform academic research into marketable products. Moreover, Cheung urged authorities to streamline regulations and approval procedures, emphasizing that excessive bureaucracy and lengthy waits for approvals could impede collaboration and development in the university towns.
Saint Francis University, a self-funding institution, indicated it would struggle to finance another campus in the Northern Metropolis as it prepares to build a second campus in Tai Wai early next year. However, the university expressed willingness to utilize and manage shared facilities in the new towns, including entrepreneurship and research centers where students could collaborate with technology companies.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post - Hong Kong's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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