Higher education in Hong Kong : investment in science and technology during the time of political and economic change
Kin Bing Wu | Population and Human Resources Department
This paper examines the development of higher education in Hong Kong within the context of the impending transfer of sovereignty over the territory from Britain to China, Hong Kong's economic integration with Chinese economy, and increasing international competition. The paper argues that: (a) the development of higher education is intimately linked to economic and political structures; and (b) the role of government is critical to setting the direction of economic development and, hence, the direction of higher education development. Hong Kong's laissez-faire policy, while successful in fostering economic growth in the past, has also masked the lack of governmental leadership in charting the course for long-term development, and that the past policy of restricting higher education expansion has led to a severe shortage of highly trained locals. This shortage of highly educated locals and a weakness of technological capability are likely to be major constraints to future growth. To ensure its autonomy and prosperity in the future, Hong Kong must overcome these constraints, and be a window of investment and technology into and out of China. Whether a rapid expansion of the higher education sector can compensate for past neglect remains to be seen in the years to come.
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