We might observe that the number of non-local students around us in campus is rising, at the
same time, voices regarding local students’ difficulties in entering local universities were
heard. The proportion of local and non-local students in universities has become a major
concern of many people. According to the stipulated government policy, institutions can admit
non-local students up to 20% of their total intake-quota. When looking at the actual statistics
of HKU, the admission number of non-local applicants, which include mainland students and
overseas non-JUPAS intake, shows a marked rising trend from around 3% to around 16% in
the recent ten years.
It has been argued that the maximum intake of non-local applicants to HKU should be
reduced. I think such argument does not stand.
First of all, university, being an academic platform to nurture community leaders, is essential
to embrace different cultures. Academic knowledge is of no boundaries, so is a university.
By keeping the current maximum intake of non-local applicants, HKU shows its open-
mindedness and tolerance towards worldwide cultures, converging worldwide academic
knowledge. Conversely, if HKU lowers the maximum intake of non-local students, it
adversely affects the prestige of HKU, causes indirect negative impacts on its students.
Secondly, by setting this maximum intake of non-local applicants, it encourages capable non-
local students to enroll in the university, enriching the learning environment in the school.
Through interacting with international students, knowledge, cultural and experiential
exchange can be attained. Apart from academic interaction, non-local students also add
color to other aspects of campus life. Non-local Ex-co is common in clubs and societies like
AIESEC-LC-HK, HKUSU and China Study Society, HKUSU. Non-local residents are also
common in residential halls. Through working and living with students of different
nationalities, students can certainly gain a unique experience, which can be helpful in their
adaption to working in this globalized city. Hence, it can be concluded that intake of non-
local applicants can create a better campus atmosphere. Whereas keeping the maximum
intake of non-local applicants can help encourage more non-local people to apply, hence,
allowing the school to admit more qualified students.
Some might argue that the intake of non-local applicants might occupy available university
places for local applicants, lowering their competitiveness. This is in fact true. Therefore, in
my opinion, priorities shall be given to local applicants given that both applicants are
equally capable. This will then probably result in a win-win situation in which competent
students can be admitted.
To sum up, the maximum intake of non-local applicants to HKU shall be kept. It can promote
the goodwill of HKU, at the same time encourages competent non-local students to enroll in
the university, hence, enriching campus environment. To alleviate the problem of the limited
university places for local students, measures shall be applied to ensure local students can
be given a priority to a university degree.
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