Hong Kong’s eight publicly funded universities have thrown their support behind the 2026 Policy Address, welcoming measures aimed at expanding higher education, accelerating technology research and strengthening the city’s position as an international education centre.
The universities said they were ready to work with the government on initiatives linking education, innovation and talent development. Their responses also point to a broader shift in Hong Kong’s university sector, with institutions increasing investment in artificial intelligence, medical technology, aerospace research and international education.
The Policy Address sets a target of 100,000 non local students enrolled in full time post secondary programmes by the 2029/30 academic year. Several universities said they had already seen strong demand from overseas students, while others outlined plans to expand research capacity and connect their work with major development projects across the city and the Greater Bay Area.
HKU sees opportunities in low altitude economy and aerospace research
University of Hong Kong President Zhang Xiang said the government’s plans to develop Hong Kong as a low altitude innovation hub and advance aerospace technology could create new opportunities for frontier research.
HKU has already established a low altitude economy research institute as it builds expertise in an emerging sector that could cover areas such as logistics, mobility and related technologies.
Zhang also said the university was exploring cross boundary logistics networks in the Greater Bay Area. Such research could examine how new forms of low altitude transport and logistics could connect Hong Kong with neighbouring cities and support wider economic activity.
The university’s response places research at the centre of the government’s technology ambitions. Rather than limiting the low altitude economy to commercial applications, HKU is positioning the field as an area where academic research could contribute to new systems, technologies and services.
The development of aerospace technology could similarly broaden opportunities for university researchers, particularly in fields requiring advanced engineering, data analysis and specialist expertise.
HKUST prepares for new medical school and AI Foundry
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology President Nancy Ip said the university was continuing preparations for its third medical school.
The planned expansion comes as the university also prepares to establish an AI Foundry platform focused on several areas where artificial intelligence is increasingly being applied to healthcare and advanced technology.
These include medical AI, robotics, advanced sensing and digital health solutions.
The combination of medical education and artificial intelligence reflects the growing overlap between healthcare and technology research. Universities are increasingly expected to train students who can work across traditional academic disciplines rather than remain within a single field.
For HKUST, the proposed AI Foundry could provide a platform for research and development across these areas, while the medical school would expand the university’s contribution to healthcare education.
The university’s plans also fit closely with the government’s wider effort to build an economy based on research, technology and highly trained professionals.
Polytechnic University welcomes new teaching and research facilities
Hong Kong Polytechnic University President Jin Guang Teng welcomed government support for a new teaching and research building.
The planned facility is expected to provide additional space for education and research, supporting the university as it expands its academic and research activities.
New university infrastructure has become an important part of Hong Kong’s effort to increase research capacity. Teaching and research buildings can provide laboratories, specialist facilities and learning spaces needed by programmes that rely on advanced equipment and technology.
PolyU’s support for the Policy Address therefore centres not only on policy direction but also on the physical resources required to turn academic plans into long term programmes.
City University records near decade high in international enrolment
City University of Hong Kong reported that it has enrolled more than 1,000 international students during the current academic year.
The figure represents a near decade high for the university and comes as the government seeks to increase the number of non local students studying in Hong Kong.
The city’s target is to reach 100,000 non local students in full time post secondary programmes by the 2029/30 academic year. Universities will play a central role in meeting that goal, particularly as Hong Kong seeks to attract students from a wider range of international markets.
International enrolment also brings implications beyond university campuses. Students who study in Hong Kong contribute to the city’s international profile and may develop professional and academic connections that continue after graduation.
For universities, attracting overseas students can strengthen international links and broaden the mix of students participating in their programmes.
Baptist University reports record non local undergraduate intake
Hong Kong Baptist University President Alexander Wai said the university’s non local undergraduate intake for the 2026/27 academic year had reached a record high.
The increase comes as the government places greater emphasis on Hong Kong’s role as an international education hub.
For Baptist University, the rise in non local undergraduate enrolment suggests that international recruitment is becoming a larger part of its student strategy. It also gives the institution an expanding role in the government’s effort to bring more overseas students to Hong Kong.
The Policy Address target of 100,000 non local students will require sustained recruitment and sufficient capacity across the city’s higher education institutions.
Universities will also need to provide programmes and research opportunities capable of attracting students who have choices across major education centres in Asia and beyond.
Lingnan University welcomes more research postgraduate places
Lingnan University President Joe Qin welcomed plans to expand research postgraduate places and doctoral scholarships.
The move would give more students an opportunity to pursue advanced research in Hong Kong while increasing the pool of researchers working within the city’s universities.
Doctoral students are an important part of university research systems. They contribute to projects, work with academic supervisors and develop specialist knowledge that can feed into research institutions, businesses and public services.
Lingnan University’s support for additional postgraduate places therefore connects the Policy Address to a longer term effort to strengthen Hong Kong’s research talent base.
Additional doctoral scholarships could also help make Hong Kong more attractive to students considering advanced study overseas.
Education University looks to Northern Metropolis
The Education University of Hong Kong said it would use opportunities created by the development of the Northern Metropolis to support education, culture, sports and tourism.
The Northern Metropolis is one of Hong Kong’s major development projects, and the university sees potential for its expertise to contribute to activities linked to the area.
Education, culture, sports and tourism cover a wide range of academic and professional fields. The university’s plans suggest that its role could extend beyond conventional teacher training and into broader community and regional development initiatives.
The institution’s response also reflects the growing expectation that universities should connect their teaching and research work with major infrastructure and development plans.
Universities align with wider education and technology strategy
Taken together, the responses from Hong Kong’s eight publicly funded universities show institutions preparing for a combination of higher international enrolment, expanded research activity and new technology driven programmes.
The government’s 100,000 student target provides a clear benchmark for international education. At the same time, plans involving artificial intelligence, medical technology, aerospace research and the low altitude economy point to a push for universities to play a larger role in Hong Kong’s technology ambitions.
The universities are approaching that agenda from different directions.
HKU is developing research capacity around the low altitude economy and aerospace technology. HKUST is preparing for a new medical school and an AI platform. PolyU is expanding its teaching and research facilities, while City University and Baptist University are reporting strong international student recruitment.
Lingnan University is focusing on postgraduate research and doctoral scholarships, while the Education University is looking towards opportunities linked to the Northern Metropolis.
The common thread is a closer connection between higher education and the city’s economic and development priorities.
With the 2029/30 target now set, the next phase will depend on how universities translate these commitments into additional places, research projects, international recruitment and specialist programmes.
How do you think Hong Kong’s universities should balance international student growth with investment in research, technology and local talent?