Stance:
Against (HKU should not lower its current quota in accepting International Students)
Reasoning:
Although having a significant percentage of International students in the University might
possibly restrict the quota the University has for local students, the University needs to strike
a balance between providing a Global environment to groom generations of global citizens, as
well as the pressing and practical issue of funding.
Many scholars have expressed that in current society, being equipped with knowledge from
textbooks is not longer sufficient in this Globalized world. Young generations like us would
need to equip ourselves with a global mind and understandings of various cultures. Having
more International students in HKU would provide our students to meet people across the
globe and equip ourselves with knowledge we can’t get from the books. This would give them
the opportunity to gain knowledge from their peers (cultural exchange) through their daily
interactions here in school.
There are an increasing number of students applying for Exchange programs here and HKU.
This is an indirect reflection of students wanting to broaden their horizons and learn more of
other cultures. Having a decent number of International Students in HKU will not only add
dynamics to our student body, it will also allow local students whom are unable to go on
exchange gain knowledge about others’ culture. Therefore, lowering the intake of
International students might rob off this benefit, for local students not going on exchange, to
gain other culture understandings.
To fully realize the benefits mentioned above, I feel that HKU should have a better spread of
International students. HKU should aim to balance its International intake to ensure a good
mix of International students, instead of having a dominant group of students coming from
the same country/ethnicity.
Having less International students would not only rob the opportunity mentioned above, it
might also increase the financial burden on local students since the University would have to
make up for the loss income through the decrease in International students’ school fees, in
which is 3 times of the local students.
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