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

Vetting Committee supports another application under New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme

The Innovation and Technology Commission announced today (June 23) that the New Industrialisation Vetting Committee (the Vetting Committee) under the Innovation and Technology Fund has supported in principle an application submitted by Eutron Fab Limited under the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme (NIAS). The project plans to set up micro-electro-mechanical systems wafer production lines which are under the advanced manufacturing technology sector. The estimated total investment amount is over $600 million, and the expected NIAS funding amount will be around $200 million.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government actively promotes development of the semiconductor and microelectronics industries in Hong Kong, with a view to advancing new industrialisation on all fronts. We are glad to see one more enterprise from the microelectronics-related sector participating in the NIAS to establish new advanced production facilities in Hong Kong. This not only injects new impetus into the local microelectronics industry, but also helps strengthen Hong Kong's microelectronics ecosystem. The HKSAR Government will continue to support relevant industries, enhance the industry chain, and drive economic growth."

The NIAS aims to provide funding support on a 1 (Government): 2(enterprise) matching basis for enterprises engaging in industries of strategic importance (i.e. life and health technology, AI and data science, advanced manufacturing and new energy technologies), and contributing no less than $100 million to set up new smart production facilities in Hong Kong. Each enterprise can receive up to $200 million of funding under the NIAS. In addition, the Government also provides additional funding for relevant enterprises to engage research talent and/or technical personnel.

The NIAS is open for applications throughout the year. Details are available on the website of the Innovation and Technology Fund (www.itf.gov.hk). For enquiries, please contact the Secretariat of the scheme (Tel: 3543 5904; email: enquiry@itf.gov.hk).

Source: AI-found images