The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (April 17) chaired the second meeting of the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong, to summarise with the Task Force members the achievements of the Study in Hong Kong Week and discuss the work in promoting the internationalisation of basic education.

     To further consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international education hub, and promote Hong Kong's higher education and the "Study in Hong Kong" brand globally, the Government has designated from February 23 to March 1 this year as Study in Hong Kong Week. As a flagship event of Study in Hong Kong Week, the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education 2026 Conference and Exhibition showcased Hong Kong's unique strengths as an international post-secondary education hub with the largest scale and highest number of participants since the association's establishment in 2004. Moreover, the first International Symposium of the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) has been successfully held. Serving as an important platform for scholars from around the world, the Symposium explored how the UAS can foster cross-sector collaboration in driving innovation and nurturing talent, and highlighted Hong Kong's strengths in vocational and professional education and training.

     Dr Choi said, "Establishing Hong Kong as an international hub for high-calibre talent has long been the target of the Education Bureau (EDB). We are committed to strengthening the supporting role of education in science, technology and talent development. While consolidating Hong Kong's 'golden reputation' of education, we are also actively participating in the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town, continuously promoting the 'Study in Hong Kong' brand, facilitating the expansion and quality enhancement of educational institutions, and driving the high-quality development of Hong Kong's education sector."

     Dr Choi continued, "We would like to express our gratitude to the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, for his recent message to Hong Kong's higher education institutions, in which he urged them to fully leverage the strengths of Hong Kong's education brand advantages and its international characteristics. The Government will proactively algin with the National 15th Five-Year Plan to continuously invest in education, and support the development of the post-secondary education sector in Hong Kong in a holistic manner. Accordingly, the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong, through its extensive global network, will help institutions further strengthen collaboration and synergistic elements to attract more outstanding students and scholars to study or conduct research in Hong Kong, thereby contributing to the innovation and optimisation of the higher education sector and the development of world-class disciplines."

     Building on the robust development of internationalisation in post-secondary education in Hong Kong, the Government is further expanding basic education to advance the development of Hong Kong as an international education hub, extending the "Study in Hong Kong" brand to primary and secondary schools. The meeting reviewed the Study in Hong Kong: Southeast Asia Education Tour in March, which was the first tour organised by the Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Schools Council, and noted the work of the delegation in promoting the strengths of Hong Kong's basic education and the unique characteristics of Hong Kong's Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools to international audiences through holding seminars and meetings with education officials overseas.

     Moreover, the members of the Task Force introduced their workplan for 2026 at the meeting and exchanged views on the workplan and ways to enhance the promotion of the unique strengths of Hong Kong's post-secondary and basic education.

     This meeting was conducted online. Dr Choi thanked all the Task Force members, including various overseas Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices and Mainland Offices, for proactively promoting the "Study in Hong Kong" and "Study Tour in Hong Kong" brands as well as the Belt and Road Scholarship on different occasions such as thematic exhibitions, education forums and Lunar New Year celebratory events to guests worldwide during the Study in Hong Kong Week. The EDB will continue to maintain close communication and co-operation with the Task Force members and will invite other stakeholders, such as representatives from post-secondary institutions, to participate in the Task Force meeting as needed with a view to formulating strategies for building Hong Kong as an international education hub. 

Ends/Friday, April 17, 2026
Issued at HKT 21:55

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