UGC Hosts University Leadership Forum to Discuss Higher Education's Future Role in Hong Kong's Development and National Strategy

University Grants Committee holds University Leadership Forum 2026

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:

The University Grants Committee (UGC) held the University Leadership Forum2026 today (June 22)to introduce its latest initiatives to council members and senior management of the eight UGC-funded universities, and to facilitate an exchange of views with representatives of university councils on the development of higher education in Hong Kong.

In his welcoming remarks, the Chairman of the UGC, Mr Tim Lui, said, "Today offers a timely opportunity to explore how we may better integrate into and contribute to national development in alignment with the 15th Five-Year Plan and Hong Kong's Five-Year Plan, in particular the strategic goal of building China into a leading powerhouse of global education. Our national strategy highlights integrated development in education, science, technology, and talent, while nurturing new quality productive forces. Hong Kong's role as a hub for top talent and innovation is therefore highly important. The Government's strong commitment to providing stable and generous funding for our higher education system while preserving academic freedom and institutional autonomy is an important factor for the success of our universities. At the same time, we do expect good governance and close collaboration between the UGC and the universities in response to the expectation of the wider public and our national aspiration."

At the Forum, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, delivered a keynote speech on Hong Kong's Five-Year Plan. She noted that the consultation document for Hong Kong's Five-Year Plan explicitly lists "advancing the integrated development of education, technology, and talent" as the core strategy for constructing an international hub for high-calibre talent. Higher education in Hong Kong serves precisely as the key vehicle to translate the strategic positioning of "invigorating the country through science and education" into concrete actions. By converging top global talent via an internationalised educational environment, and utilising the Northern Metropolis University Town as a strategic fulcrum to drive the deep integration of industry, academia, and research, the city can serve national strategic goals with high-quality higher education.

Dr Choi said that the eight UGC-funded universities have achieved outstanding performance in the 2027 World University Rankings recently released by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). She said she firmly believed that on this basis, the leaders of all institutions will seize the opportunities presented by the Five-Year Plan to deeply align their institutional development plans with national strategies and Hong Kong's future development. By leveraging Hong Kong's advantages to serve the country's needs, the international standing of Hong Kong's higher education can be elevated to better integrate into and serve the overall development of the nation.

The Council Chairman of City University of Hong Kong, Professor Michael Ngai; the Council Chairman of Hong Kong Baptist University, Dr Kennedy Wong; the Council Chairman of Lingnan University, Andrew Yao; and the Council Chairman of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor John Chai, participated in a panel discussion moderated by Mr Lui on building Hong Kong into an international education hub through international and national collaboration.

The Council Chairman of the Education University of Hong Kong, Dr David Wong; the Deputy Council Chairman of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Dr Daniel Yip; the Council Chairman of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Professor Harry Shum; and Council member of the University of Hong Kong Mr Jimmy Ng participated in another panel discussion moderated by the Chairman of the Research Grants Council, Professor Timothy W. Tong, on preparing Hong Kong's higher education for global leadership in the digital era.

The Forum enabled university councils and senior management to gain deeper insights into key issues relating to the development of the higher education sector in Hong Kong. The UGC expressed its sincere gratitude to the more than 160 leaders from the higher education sector who attended the Forum and contributed to its success.

The University Grants Committee (UGC) held the University Leadership Forum 2026 today (June 22) to introduce its latest initiatives to council members and senior management of the eight UGC-funded universities, and to facilitate an exchange of views with representatives of university councils on the development of higher education in Hong Kong. Photo shows (from left) the Council Chairman of City University of Hong Kong, Professor Michael Ngai; the Council Chairman of Hong Kong Baptist University, Dr Kennedy Wong; the Chairman of the UGC, Mr Tim Lui; the Council Chairman of Lingnan University, Mr Andrew Yao; and the Council Chairman of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor John Chai, participating in a panel discussion. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The University Grants Committee (UGC) held the University Leadership Forum 2026 today (June 22) to introduce its latest initiatives to council members and senior management of the eight UGC-funded universities, and to facilitate an exchange of views with representatives of university councils on the development of higher education in Hong Kong. Photo shows (from left) the Council Chairman of the Education University of Hong Kong, Dr David Wong; the Deputy Council Chairman of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Dr Daniel Yip; the Chairman of the Research Grants Council, Professor Timothy W. Tong; the Council Chairman of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Professor Harry Shum; and Council member of the University of Hong Kong Mr Jimmy Ng, participating in a panel discussion. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The University Grants Committee (UGC) held the University Leadership Forum 2026 today (June 22) to introduce its latest initiatives to council members and senior management of the eight UGC-funded universities, and to facilitate an exchange of views with representatives of university councils on the development of higher education in Hong Kong. Photo shows the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (front row, seventh right); the Chairman of the UGC, Mr Tim Lui (front row, seventh left); the Chairman of the Research Grants Council, Professor Timothy W. Tong (front row, fifth right); the Chairman of the Quality Assurance Council, Mr Dieter Yih (front row, sixth left); the Secretary-General of the UGC, Professor James Tang (front row, sixth right), and the Council Chairmen and the Heads of the eight UGC-funded universities or their representatives. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The University Grants Committee (UGC) held the University Leadership Forum 2026 today (June 22) to introduce its latest initiatives to council members and senior management of the eight UGC-funded universities, and to facilitate an exchange of views with representatives of university councils on the development of higher education in Hong Kong. Photo shows the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, delivering a keynote speech on Hong Kong's Five-Year Plan at the Forum. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The University Grants Committee (UGC) held the University Leadership Forum 2026 today (June 22) to introduce its latest initiatives to council members and senior management of the eight UGC-funded universities, and to facilitate an exchange of views with representatives of university councils on the development of higher education in Hong Kong. Photo shows the Chairman of the UGC, Mr Tim Lui, delivering his welcoming remarks at the forum. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja and cellist Sol Gabetta to make their duo debut in Hong Kong in November

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)'s "Great Music 2026" has invited Grammy Award-winning violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja and cellist Sol Gabetta, laureate of the OPUS Klassik Award, to present a recital on November 2 (Monday), marking their duo debut in Hong Kong. Celebrating over two decades of partnership, the virtuosos will showcase their exceptional artistry and profound musical synergy in this exclusive, one-night-only performance that music lovers cannot miss.

This performance will cover two 20th-century duo masterpieces including Ravel's "Sonata for Violin and Cello" and Kodály's "Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7", alongside selected short pieces from the Baroque period, such as Leclair's "Tambourin in C" and Bach's "Prelude in G, BWV 860". The programme will also include duo works by various contemporary composers, including Widmann, Xenakis, Ligeti, and Coll, and will feature a selection from Kopatchinskaja's own "Ghiribizzi", outlining a string dialogue that spans classical tradition and contemporary creativity.

Cellist Gabetta has served as a focus artist of the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich for the 2025/26 season, and has been honoured with the European Cultural Prize, the Herbert von Karajan Prize, and more.

Violinist Kopatchinskaja was featured in an "Artist Portrait" with the London Symphony Orchestra for 2025/26 season, and her recording of "Les Plaisirs Illuminés" with Gabetta and the Camerata Bern was honoured with a BBC Music Magazine award.

The recital will be staged at 8pm on November 2 (Monday) at the Concert Hall of Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $280, $420, $550 and $680 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Discount schemes are available for the programmes under the "Great Music 2026". For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1953.html.

A pre-concert talk entitled "Kindred Voices: A String Conversation" (in Cantonese) will be held at 6.45pm on November 2 at the Committee Room North, 7/F, High Block, Hong Kong City Hall. The speaker will be cellist Letty Poon. Admission is free, with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The "Great Music 2026", presented by the LCSD, brings a world-renowned orchestra and musicians to Hong Kong from June to December, offering music lovers a stellar line-up of performances. For more details, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1946.html.

"Duo Recital by Sol Gabetta (Cello) & Patricia Kopatchinskaja (Violin)" is one of the programmes of the fourth edition of the Asia+ Festival.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has invited cellist Sol Gabetta and violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja to make their duo debut in Hong Kong in November. Photo shows Kopatchinskaja. (Photo source: Marco Borggreve) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has invited cellist Sol Gabetta and violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja to make their duo debut in Hong Kong in November. Photo shows Gabetta. (Photo source: Kaupo Kikkas) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has invited cellist Sol Gabetta and violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja to make their duo debut in Hong Kong in November. Photo shows Gabetta (left) and Kopatchinskaja (right). (Photo source: Marco Borggreve) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases