Secretary for Education Leads Delegation to Visit Switzerland to Explore Development Strategies and Collaboration Opportunities

SED visits Switzerland with delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, together with the delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis and representatives from the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS Alliance), visited Switzerland yesterday (May 21, Zurich time). The delegation conducted on-site visits to local higher education and innovation and technology infrastructure, with a view to providing solid references for the planning and development of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT).

The delegation first visited the University of Basel, the oldest university in Switzerland, which was founded in 1460. The delegation toured Biozentrum, the flagship research centre of the university, to gain an in-depth understanding of its successful experience in conducting frontier scientific research and promoting the integration of industry, academia, and research. Leveraging its unique geographical advantage, Biozentrum has established exceptionally close partnerships with local multinational pharmaceutical corporations and leading innovation and technology companies in Basel, where the biomedicine and life sciences industries are highly developed.

The delegation met with the President of the Government of the Canton of Basel-Stadt, Mr Conradin Cramer, and the President of the University of Basel, Professor Andrea Schenker-Wicki, to learn how the University of Basel has successfully transformed fundamental research into practical medical and industrial applications through its excellent interdisciplinary research.

Dr Choi said that the Ngau Tam Mei site in the NMUT is also reserved for the development of life and health technology and related innovation. The development model of the University of Basel perfectly demonstrates how a top-tier higher education institution and frontier scientific research centre can drive deep integration of peripheral industries and create a powerful synergy. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government hopes to draw on the successful experience of the university and make reference to its practice in long-term fundamental research, promoting close collaboration with industries and leveraging geographical advantages, thereby optimising the industry-academia-research layout in the NMUT and the Ngau Tam Mei site.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited ETH Zurich, a globally acclaimed institution for nurturing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) talent and fostering industry-academia integration. The delegation met with the university management to learn more about the university's campus development layout and spatial planning strategies. ETH Zurich created an organically connected research ecosystem through the high-level integration of cutting-edge research facilities, teaching spaces, as well as industry collaboration areas.

Dr Choi said that the layout of research facilities planned by the university enables researchers from different disciplines to conduct cross-disciplinary collaborations in a highly fluid space, and attracts industry partners by utilising the campus' open spaces. This planning concept allows the teaching area, research area, and industry-academia collaboration area to complement each other, and has a high reference value for Hong Kong's planning and construction of a modern university town in the Northern Metropolis that combines educational functions with industry driving force.

The UAS Alliance was established in 2024 to promote collaboration between Hong Kong's universities of applied sciences, industries and stakeholders, with a view to driving the development of vocational and professional education and training while supporting Hong Kong's development into an international post-secondary education hub. The Alliance comprises four post-secondary institutions as founding members, with Hong Kong Metropolitan University and Saint Francis University as full members, and Tung Wah College and the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong as associate members.

On May 20 (Bern time), Dr Choi proceeded to Bern upon arrival in Switzerland and met with the President of École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Professor Anna Fontcuberta i Morral, to learn about EPFL's experience in teaching and research.

EPFL is committed to promoting interdisciplinary research, particularly in key areas such as data science, biomedical engineering, robotics and advanced manufacturing, and cultivates students' technical capability by adopting a "learning-by-doing" approach. It also fosters collaboration between researchers and industries by promoting knowledge and technology transfer.

Afterwards, Dr Choi met with the Head of International Relations Division of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, Mr Jacques Ducrest, to exchange views on the latest trends in different fields of international education and explore further co-operation between Hong Kong and Switzerland in education.

Dr Choi also paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to Switzerland, Mr Qian Minjian, and briefed him on the development of the NMUT in Hong Kong.

Dr Choi and the delegation will continue their visit to Zurich on May 22 (Zurich time).

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (left), paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to Switzerland, Mr Qian Minjian (right), in Bern, Switzerland, on May 20 (Bern time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, met with the Head of International Relations Division of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, Mr Jacques Ducrest in Bern, Switzerland, on May 20 (Bern time). Photo shows Dr Choi (left) and Mr Ducrest (right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, met with the President of École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Professor Anna Fontcuberta i Morral, in Bern, Switzerland, on May 20 (Bern time). Photo shows Dr Choi (left) and Professor Fontcuberta i Morral (right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, together with the delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis, and representatives from the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences, visited Switzerland yesterday (May 21, Zurich time). Photo shows Dr Choi and the delegation touring ETH Zurich to see the campus facilities. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, together with the delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis, and representatives from the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences, visited Switzerland yesterday (May 21, Zurich time). Photo shows Dr Choi (right) visiting ETH Zurich and being briefed on spatial planning strategies and the construction of a new teaching and research facility. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, together with the delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis, and representatives from the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences, visited Switzerland yesterday (May 21, Zurich time). Photo shows Dr Choi (second left) and the delegation visiting ETH Zurich and being briefed on the campus development layout. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, together with the delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis, and representatives from the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences, visited Switzerland yesterday (May 21, Zurich time). Photo shows Dr Choi (first left) introducing "Study in Hong Kong" to the President of the Government of the Canton of Basel-Stadt, Mr Conradin Cramer (first right), and the President of the University of Basel, Professor Andrea Schenker-Wicki (second right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, together with the delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis, and representatives from the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences, visited Switzerland yesterday (May 21, Zurich time). Photo shows Dr Choi (first right) and the delegation meeting with the President of the Government of the Canton of Basel-Stadt, Mr Conradin Cramer (first left), and the President of the University of Basel, Professor Andrea Schenker-Wicki (second left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, together with the delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis, and representatives from the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences, visited Switzerland yesterday (May 21, Zurich time). Photo shows Dr Choi (third right) and the delegation touring facilities of the University of Basel. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, together with the delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis, and representatives from the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences, visited Switzerland yesterday (May 21, Zurich time). Photo shows Dr Choi (first right) and the delegation visiting Biozentrum, the flagship research centre of the University of Basel, and being briefed on the research work. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Update on mosquito-borne diseases, dengue fever and chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 22) announced the latest situation regarding dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF). As temperatures rise and humidity increases, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding, members of the public are reminded to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.

Dengue fever

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From May 15 to yesterday (May 21), the CHP recorded two imported DF cases. During the incubation periods, one of the patients had travelled to Malaysia, while the other patient had been to multiple countries, namely Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.

Hong Kong has recorded 19 DF cases so far this year, including 18 imported cases and one local case. A total of 59 DF cases were recorded last year (2025), all of which were imported cases. In 2024, 161 DF cases were recorded, including 156 imported cases and five local cases.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2024, the WHO recorded over 14 million cases, which was a record number. From January to July 2025, over 4 million cases and over 3 000 DF-related deaths were reported in 97 countries/territories.

DF is prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations. In 2025, Indonesia, India and Vietnam each recorded over 120 000 cases; Malaysia and Thailand each recorded over 50 000 cases; and Singapore recorded over 4 000 cases. Meanwhile, as of May 10, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 97 cases in Guangdong Province this year, including eight locally infected cases. Guangdong Province recorded over 3 500 locally infected cases in 2025.

Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP's website.

Chikungunya fever

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From May 15 to yesterday, no new cases of CF had been recorded. Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed CF cases so far this year, both of which were imported cases. Hong Kong recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Meanwhile, as of May 10, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention recorded four cases in Guangdong Province this year, including one locally infected case.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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According to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the average temperature and rainfall recorded in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year.With the increase in rainfall in May, the gravidtrap indexes are expected to rise further. Therefore, the CHP reminded members of the public to maintain good environmental hygiene, and to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.

Mosquito-borne diseases such as DF and CF are endemic in various countries worldwide. The risk of importation persists. Members of the public should check the situation at their destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, whether travelling or not, members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

• read the label instructions carefully first;

• apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;

• apply on exposed skin and clothing;

• use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic, and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);

• apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;

• reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and

• in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page, Instagram Account and YouTube Channel, and also the Mosquito Prevention and Control dedicated page of the FEHD.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP), Photo source: reference image