Hong Kong University of Science and Technology aims to boost non-local undergraduate intake by 20%, amid city’s call for expanded quota
- HKUST also says increase in non-local undergraduate intake will be gradual after city leader calls for government-funded varsities to double admission quotas
- ‘We’ll adopt a phased approach to ensure we provide high-quality education including support in scholarship, housing, teaching and student services,’ admission head says
![The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology says it is especially keen to bring in students from belt and road countries. Photo: May Tse](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2023/10/26/1560191a-24e1-4976-9900-35a995c3e46c_a1fb252f.jpg?itok=1I9xBDWB&v=1698312374)
One of Hong Kong’s top universities aims to expand its intake of non-local undergraduate students by 20 per cent to 600 in the next academic year, with the institution keen to bring in candidates from belt and road countries.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) on Thursday said the decision was the first step in meeting Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s call for all “government-funded postsecondary institutions” to double their admission quotas for non-local students to 40 per cent as part of his policy address on Wednesday.
“We welcome relaxation of non-local student admission cap. We’ll adopt a phased approach to ensure we provide high-quality education, including support in scholarship, housing, teaching and student services,” said Professor Emily Nason, director of the university’s undergraduate admissions department.
The university had the highest proportion of international undergraduates among its government-funded counterparts and in recent years had annually enrolled more than 500 non-local students, half of which had come from overseas, she added.
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