Welcoming top overseas universities establishing a presence in Hong Kong

Yesterday afternoon, I met with the President of the University of Chicago, Professor Robert J Zimmer. At the meeting, I welcomed the opening of the Hong Kong Campus of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in August this year. The establishment of a presence here by this top-notch business school fully underlines the city's status as a regional education hub and an international financial centre.

I always attach great importance to education, and firmly believe that Hong Kong, having the dual advantages of "One Country" and "Two Systems", is very attractive to top overseas universities. By setting up branches here, these universities can capitalise on Hong Kong's position as a gateway to the Mainland of China and enjoy the benefits brought about by the openness of this world city and our biliterate and trilingual population.

Hong Kong's higher education sector should pursue internationalisation and diversification. Apart from local publicly funded and self-financing institutions, we should have more top overseas universities, such as the University of Chicago, setting up teaching units in Hong Kong to promote exchanges between local and overseas institutions and students.

December 19, 2014