What can Cambridge teach Hong Kong about building university towns?
Strong government-industry partnership and interdisciplinary education are what make a university town financially viable and successful, the head of a University of Cambridge college has said, sharing the UK’s experience as Hong Kong develops its Northern Metropolis plan. In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Professor Girish Menon, president of Lucy Cavendish College, said Hong…
Professor Girish Menon, president of Lucy Cavendish College at the University of Cambridge, has shared insights on what makes a university town financially viable and successful, drawing parallels between the UK and Hong Kong's development plans. He emphasized that a strong government-industry partnership and interdisciplinary education are key factors in a successful university town.
Hong Kong's cosmopolitan nature, he noted, places it in an ideal position to prioritize young people's needs, fostering a strong pastoral community, recreation, and opportunities for engagement with various sectors. The Global University Presidents and Leaders Summit in Hong Kong saw Menon speaking on global knowledge and social sustainability, highlighting the city's potential as a premier university town.
The Northern Metropolis plan in Hong Kong, a government-academia-industry partnership, mirrors Cambridge's own approach, focusing on fostering synergy among industry, academia, and research to integrate education, technology, and talent. The project, spanning 1,000 hectares in San Tin, Hung Shui Kiu, and Ta Kwu Ling, aims to be self-financing through low-interest loans and nominal land premiums.
Menon cautioned against an exclusive focus on science and technology, stressing the importance of soft skills such as human relations, legal frameworks, and governance in managing university town ecosystems. He also pointed to Cambridge's organic growth over 800 years, where local businesses and industry, such as AstraZeneca, have thrived, creating a symbiotic relationship.
Ensuring surrounding communities do not get left behind is crucial, and Menon highlighted that Cambridge's colleges run reading programs and libraries for those lacking access to higher education, addressing the "town and gown" divide. Sustainable architecture, he added, is a valuable lesson for Hong Kong, as historic buildings require ongoing investment in retrofitting with energy-efficient solutions to future-proof the town.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Litigants will not be entitled to refund of court fees if disputes get settled out of court after commencement of trial, rules Madras High Court thehindu.com
- High Court demands answers on safe return of displaced Palestinian Bedouin community jpost.com
- What can Cambridge teach Hong Kong about building university towns? scmp.com
- Hong Kong records warmest October since records begin news.rthk.hk
