Immigrating to Hong Kong requires attention to Hong Kong education: On the 8th, the Secretary for Education of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Kevin Yeung, stated that non-local students, including mainland and foreign students, must apply for government-funded bachelor's degree programs through non-JUPAS (direct application to individual funded institutions). They are primarily admitted beyond the approved quotas of funded institutions and will not compete with local Hong Kong students for the government-funded approved quotas.
While responding to questions from Legislative Council members, Yeung introduced that JUPAS (Joint University Programmes Admissions System) is the main platform to assist candidates of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education in applying for government-funded bachelor's degree programs. The proportion of local Hong Kong students admitted to government-funded three-year bachelor's degree programs through JUPAS has remained stable over the past three years, ranging between 81.1% and 82.1%. It is expected that the relevant proportion for the 2013/14 academic year will remain at a similar level.
Yeung stated that the total number of non-local students admitted by Hong Kong institutions must not exceed 20% of the overall approved quotas. The overall proportion of non-local students admitted to government-funded bachelor's degree programs from the 2010/11 to 2012/13 academic years increased from 12.7% to 14%.
Regarding the admission of mainland students by Hong Kong institutions, Professor Peter Mathieson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong, has stated that the quality of mainland students admitted to HKU is high. Mainland students are diligent and have a solid academic foundation, while local Hong Kong students are adaptable. The joint learning of students from both regions can complement each other's strengths and promote mutual progress. While introducing talent to Hong Kong, the admission of mainland students can also enhance HKU's internationalization level and broaden educational perspectives, benefiting HKU in becoming a top global university.
