Hong Kong ‘university town’ can be lesson in planning
- As many as 19 Hong Kong education institutions are interested in joining an ambitious mega development, the Northern Metropolis, on land close to the border with mainland China
Education is the key to a good future, be it for an individual or a city. As Hong Kong explores opportunities with an ambitious mega development plan in the New Territories, it makes sense for the government to incorporate tertiary institutes into the blueprint and help them further unleash their potential.
This will not just strengthen the city as a quality education hub in the region, but also as a knowledge-based society.
It is encouraging to learn that as many as 19 education institutions are keen to tap into the proposed “university town” under the Northern Metropolis, a government initiative to upgrade the 30,000 hectares (74,000 acres) near the border into a new centre for innovation and technology, development of modern industry, as well as culture and leisure.
Under the plan, about 60 hectares in total at Hung Shui Kiu, Ngau Tam Mei and New Territories North have been designated for academic use after 2030.
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Among ideas floated by universities are international links to provide self-financed joint programmes with top overseas institutions.
Some plan to set up satellite campuses to offer more academic and research space for developing innovative programmes, or migrating current programmes related to areas under the national 14th five-year plan.
Other proposals include one university relocating its entire campus to the new site, while another wants to promote more collaborative exchanges with its mainland campuses for synergy.
Several institutions are hoping to set up more shared resources, such as animal centres, databases, student hostels, sports facilities and libraries.
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Understandably, the Education Bureau has not made any promises at this stage, but matters related to land use will be followed up with relevant bureaus or departments.
But, given the relatively long time required for discussions and planning, progress should be made as soon as possible.
At stake is not only the development of individual universities, but also the government’s attempt to promote the “Study in Hong Kong” brand.
With good planning and support, the university town project will help boost the city’s reputation as a quality education hub.
