The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met members of the University Grants Committee (UGC) at Government House today (January 10) to exchange views on the latest developments of the higher education sector, including the nurturing of talents, support for research activities as well as the challenges ahead. The UGC Chairman, Mr Carlson Tong, also briefed Mrs Lam on the universities' measures to ensure the safety and readiness of campuses for the start of the second semester.
 
     Mrs Lam expressed her gratitude to some 20 overseas and local members of the UGC under the leadership of Mr Tong, for their valuable advice to the Government on the allocation of funding to the funded universities and the strategic development of higher education in Hong Kong. She was pleased to note the progress made in various initiatives to enhance the research capacity of Hong Kong launched by this term of Government over the past two years, such as an injection into the Research Endowment Fund, the launch of the Research Matching Grant Scheme and the establishment of three new research fellowship schemes. A number of overseas members said that despite the social unrest in Hong Kong in the past seven months, the research work generally remained normal, reflecting the strength of the universities. Some local members also expressed concern about the recruitment of local and non-local staff and students in the future following the social events. 
 
     Mr Tong thanked the Chief Executive for her tremendous support for the UGC-funded sector over the past few years. The UGC will continue to spare no efforts in performing its role as a bridge between the Government and the universities, and providing expert advice to the Government on the funding and strategic development of higher education in Hong Kong.

Ends/Friday, January 10, 2020
Issued at HKT 18:25

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