City's universities 'less attractive'
By Teddy Ng (HK Edition)

Hong Kong's universities lag behind its Asian peers in attracting mainland students, despite its geographic proximity and close cultural links, a survey has found.

Only 3.8 percent of high school students on the mainland would choose Hong Kong as their favorite overseas study destination, according to a survey conducted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong's (CUHK) Department of Educational Administration and Policy, which interviewed 12,962 mainland students.

Of those interviewed, 6.7 percent chose Singapore and Japan, and 6.3 percent preferred to study in South Korea.

The United States topped mainland students' favorite destination with 17.7 percent choosing it for overseas studies, followed by France (12.4 percent), United Kingdom (11.2 percent), Canada (8.6 percent), and Australia (8 percent).

Lack of promotion has been cited as the reason for attracting less number of mainland students.

The CUHK's educational administration and policy assistant professor Hung Fan-sing said Hong Kong universities have qualities, but promotional efforts to lure students should be stepped up.

"It is necessary to set up a semi-governmental or independent body to systematically promote Hong Kong," he said.

Leslie Lo Nai-kwai, from CUHK's Hong Kong Institute of Educational Research, said overseas countries and regions had systematically promoted campaign on the mainland through independent bodies, such as Alliance Francaise and British Council. Activities promoting French culture were held in the French Year in 2004.

"Hong Kong needs to take up as many measures as possible if it is determined to develop as an educational hub," he said.

Lo also said some mainland students would not consider studying in Hong Kong as pursuing overseas education as the SAR was part of the nation.

The university's education administration and policy professor, Chung Yue-ping said scholarship should be provided to attract more students.

Non-local students need to pay between HK$60,000 and HK$100,000 tuition fees a year.

Passion for overseas study

The mainland students' passion for overseas study is apparently high.

The survey revealed that more than 80 percent of mainland students would like to study in universities abroad if tuition fees were paid by scholarship.

More than 80 percent of students agreed that studying overseas would enable them to broaden their mindset, gain cross-cultural experience, enjoy wider choice of subjects, and acquire up-to-date knowledge.

(HK Edition 06/26/2007 page6)