Responses from University Grants Committee on 2026-27 Budget
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The 2026-27 Budget outlines financial measures related to higher education, including earmarking $10 billion for providing loans to University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities and universities of applied sciences for campus development in the Northern Metropolis University Town, as well as supporting on a matching basis, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in developing the third medical school.
The chairman of the UGC, Mr Tim Lui, said yesterday (February 25), "The UGC supported relevant measures. The Northern Metropolis University Town and the third medical school would not only provide development room for the whole post-secondary education sector to expand capacity and enhance quality, but would also serve as a key engine to advance the deeply integrated development of Hong Kong's academic excellence and industry. The UGC Secretariat will continue to support relevant work."
At the same time, with the advent of artificial intelligence, innovative and breakthrough technology in the new era, the UGC-funded universities are utilising resources effectively during the 2025-28 triennium, and introduced 27 undergraduate programmes relevant to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics). The new programmes would foster innovation and technology (I&T), nurture more high calibre talent to support Hong Kong's development into an international I&T hub, and inject impetus into future development.
He added, "The UGC also appreciates the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's strong support to promote internationalisation of higher education, including the establishment of the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong and the organisation of 'Study in Hong Kong' Week. The Asia-Pacific Association for International Education 2026 Conference and Exhibition, currently underway, has received a very encouraging and overwhelming audience, attracting over 3 200 global education experts from more than 70 countries and regions. As a hub for attracting global talent and facilitating academic exchange, Hong Kong's international reputation and appeal would be further enhanced. The UGC will continue to work closely with each university to deepen international partnership, and will further enrich Hong Kong's diverse and vibrant higher education environment."
Ends/Thursday, February 26, 2026
Issued at HKT 0:46
Issued at HKT 0:46
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