President of the Education University of Hong Kong- To build an international post-secondary education hub, soft and diverse indicators must be added

The “2024 Top University Presidents Forum” took place in Hong Kong on October 9, uniting leaders from ten prestigious higher education institutions to explore ways to position Hong Kong as a global hub for education. Li Zijian, the president of the Education University of Hong Kong, stressed the importance of incorporating diverse soft indicators in building this educational landscape.

In his remarks at the forum, Li pointed out that the transformation of Hong Kong into a global education center fundamentally hinges on the stability of its institutional frameworks. “When education is viewed as an industry, it’s essential to have not only leading universities but also a variety of multi-tiered and diverse institutions,” he commented.

Li raised concerns about the inflexibility of the current funding mechanisms provided by the Hong Kong University Grants Committee. He proposed that these funding methods require revision, calling for a shift away from rigid key performance indicators (KPIs). Instead, he urged both the government and the community to adopt a broader perspective on the various university models. “We need to create a larger market, and we must not ignore the Greater Bay Area,” he emphasized, highlighting the need for improved interactions and connectivity among cities in that region.

When addressing the challenges facing higher education in Hong Kong, Li noted that the pressing question of what type of talent Hong Kong and the country should cultivate has become critical, especially in the age of artificial intelligence. He also pointed out that Hong Kong’s higher education sector needs to consolidate diverse ideas and work diligently to attract talent, even with limited resources.