Choi to seek additional funding for university towns

Education Secretary Christine Choi announced on Friday that her bureau intends to seek extra funding for the creation of university towns within the Northern Metropolis. An interview with a local news outlet revealed that universities would need substantially more support from the financial secretary than the HK$10 billion loan set aside for them to build campuses in the region.

Choi emphasized the necessity for the government to prioritize public funding allocation. The development of the three university towns – situated in San Tin, Hung Shui Kiu, and Ta Kwu Ling – would unfold incrementally. Choi expressed confidence that the institutions would not require significant debt during this process. The government has been accepting applications for the three sites designated for the Hung Shui Kiu University Town, spanning roughly 26 hectares, since September.

Choi advised institutions against rushing to compete for these sites, as they constitute less than 10 percent of the 300-hectare Northern Metropolis university town area. Choi was questioned regarding the involvement of universities from outside the Special Administrative Region (SAR) in the project. She believed that they would likely collaborate with local institutions in establishing joint laboratories and research centers, considering their financial constraints and the geopolitical climate.

Choi highlighted that the SAR’s university town plan is distinct from those on the mainland due to its compounding advantages, placing Hong Kong in a unique position. The city's international diversity, globally recognized academic and research reputation, and ability to attract top talent, along with advantageous policies and the legal system, set Hong Kong apart. Choi also noted that Hong Kong would complement other university towns on the mainland.