At least five Hong Kong universities have backed the government's proposal for study tours targeting non-local secondary students, with programs featuring topics such as AI. The initiative seeks to make better use of campus resources during summer breaks and encourage participants to pursue higher education in the city. The University of Hong Kong plans to offer up to 35 such programs this summer, providing full scholarships to outstanding non-local students.
In this year’s government budget, Hong Kong education authorities expressed hope that tertiary institutions would organize more short-term study tours, particularly during summer breaks when campus resources are underused, to encourage non-local students to pursue studies in the city. At least five universities have backed the proposal, including the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Lingnan University.
HKU, the city’s oldest tertiary institution, said it would offer up to 35 programs this summer, giving outstanding non-local students a chance to earn full scholarships. A source said universities had already been running study tours, but the government now wanted them upgraded to a “high level” to attract more students from outside the city and encourage them to remain in Hong Kong for higher education. The tours could focus on themes ranging from technology and innovation to arts, culture, and creativity, with AI as a key topic.
The source noted that in the United States and the United Kingdom, some universities offer similar summer programs for high school students as pathways to full undergraduate degrees, although admission is not guaranteed. This initiative aims to better utilize campus facilities during the summer while serving as an entry point for future undergraduate enrollment.
The effort underscores Hong Kong's higher education institutions' push to attract international talent, particularly in fields like AI.