Head of Hong Kong’s fourth private university suggests easing cap on non-locals, subsidies for postgrad students
- Journey to upgrade postsecondary college to St Francis University began in 2011, head Kim Mak says
- University has secured new site to expand and intends to offer more interdisciplinary programmes
The head of Hong Kong’s new private university has called for self-financing institutions to be allowed to accept more students from elsewhere, in line with public universities, to help establish the city as an international centre for higher education.
Dr Kim Mak Kin-wah, the president of Saint Francis University, said he hoped private institutions could increase the proportion of students from mainland China, Macau and Taiwan from the present 10 to 20 per cent to 40 per cent.
Although most of Saint Francis University’s students are Hongkongers, Mak said private universities should be allowed to take in the same proportion of students from elsewhere as public universities.
“Let’s wait and see if we can attract non-local students after obtaining university status,” he added.
He also appealed to the government to offer financial support to people who studied for postgraduate qualifications at private institutions to upgrade their knowledge or switch careers.
The university, formerly the Caritas Institute of Higher Education, founded in 1985 as Caritas Francis Hsu College, obtained approval this month to become the city’s first Catholic university and the fourth private university.
