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

CFS urges public not to consume batch of imported spread product suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (August 18) urged the public not to consume a batch of spread product imported from France due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The trade should stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.

The Centre for Food Safety, Photo source: reference image

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Ktipiti Extra Red Pepper & Feta Cheese Spread

Brand: L'atelier Blini

Place of origin: France

Net weight: 175 grams

Batch number: 12262661

Use-by date: August 30, 2026

Importer: City Super Limited

Ktipiti Extra Red Pepper & Feta Cheese Spread, Photo source: online image

"The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted a notification from the Rappel Conso of France that the above-mentioned product is being recalled as it might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes due to suspected issue with the cold chain. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted local importers to follow up. A preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batch of the product concerned," a spokesman for the CFS said.

As a precautionary measure, the importer concerned has stopped sales and removed from shelves the affected batch of the product and has initiated a recall according to the CFS's instructions. Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 2736 3866 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

"Listeria monocytogenes can be easily destroyed by cooking but can survive and multiply at refrigerator temperatures. Most healthy individuals do not develop symptoms or only have mild symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, headache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea when infected. However, severe complications such as septicaemia, meningitis or even death may occur in newborns, the elderly and those with a weaker immune system. Although infected pregnant women may just experience mild symptoms generally, the infection of Listeria monocytogenes may cause miscarriage, infant death, preterm birth, or severe infection in newborns," the spokesman added.

"In order to reduce the risk of listeriosis, susceptible populations such as pregnant women should consume freshly prepared hot food where possible, reheat chilled food until it is hot all the way through, and avoid high-risk foods, including ready-to-eat food such as cold cuts, cold smoked seafood, soft cheeses, salads, etc, or cook them thoroughly before consumption, even if they are presented as part of a dish."

The spokesman advised members of the public to stop consuming the affected batch of the product and seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming the product concerned.

The CFS has contacted the French authority over the incident and will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. The investigation is ongoing.

Spread product, Photo source: online image