Hong Kong universities lag behind in creativity and risk-taking, rankings compiler says
Times Higher Education editor says balance of power is now shifting from the West to Asia because of political will and high levels of investment
The lack of creativity and a risk-taking attitude is stopping Asian universities, including those in Hong Kong, from competing with the likes of Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a compiler of global university rankings has said.
At the same time, the president of a top local university called for a new mindset and more to be invested in research and development.
The remarks come despite Asian educational institutions making strides in their reputations and leading the world in literacy and numeracy rankings in recent years.
A total of 18 universities in Asia were on the recently released Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings 2016, a jump from 10 last year. Three are from Hong Kong.
Traditionally, talented academics in the East would travel to the West to benefit from the best resources, but Phil Baty, editor of the Times Higher Education, who has 20 years of experience working in the global higher education sector, noted the balance of power was shifting.
Baty explained the shift was the consequence of political will and “extraordinary levels of investment” in the East, while significant funding cuts and economic problems were hitting the West.
