The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (October 31) attended the 25th China Annual Conference & Expo for International Education (CACIE) in Beijing to share Hong Kong's experiences in promoting internationalisation and diversification of higher education, and promote the "Study in Hong Kong" Brand.
CACIE is a high-level and comprehensive platform for global educators to engage in dialogue and practical co-operation. Under the theme "Education for All, the Unknown and the Future", this year's Conference aims to forge a consensus on global education development and reform. Thousands of people from different countries and regions attended.
In her keynote speech at the plenary session of CACIE on Hong Kong's efforts in promoting internationalisation and diversification in the higher education sector, Dr Choi said that Hong Kong has five universities funded by the University Grants Committee which are ranked among the world's top 100. Coupled with a sound education infrastructure, outstanding research talent and strong research capabilities, Hong Kong's reputable brand name of quality education is widely recognised and acknowledged both locally and globally.
"The Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address" announced the establishment of the Committee on Education, Technology and Talents to take forward the work of invigorating the country through science and education, and accelerate the building of an innovative talent pool. At the same time, the Government launched a number of key initiatives, including supporting capacity expansion and quality enhancement of local institutions; stepping up overseas publicity to attract more non-local students to study in Hong Kong; strengthening collaboration with universities from all over the world to broaden students' international horizons; promoting synergistic development of higher education in Hong Kong and on the Mainland to complement each other's strengths; and nurturing cross-disciplinary talent, and pressing ahead with the development of universities of applied sciences to create multiple pathways for young people.
She said that the Government has been actively supporting the establishment of alliances between higher education institutions in Hong Kong and on the Mainland to gather high-quality teaching and research resources, and to achieve mutual benefits through deepening co-operation among member institutions in areas such as scientific innovation and talent exchanges, thereby enhancing the level and standard of regional co-operation, and developments on different fronts.
During the Conference, Dr Choi exchanged views on the latest trends and developments in global education with other guests, including Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress Mr Ding Zhongli; the Governor of Victoria, Australia, Professor Margaret Gardner; Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovations of Uzbekistan Mr Otabek Mahkamov; the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of International Education in the United States, Dr Allan Goodman; and the Ambassador of France to China, Mr Bertrand Lortholary.
In addition, Dr Choi met representatives of Hong Kong post-secondary education institutions participating in the Expo to learn about the promotional efforts of publicly funded and self-financing institutions in expanding their international network and recruiting students from around the world to study in Hong Kong.　
Dr Choi will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon.
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