The proportion of non-local students’ intake has long been a debate among our university.
Since 1997, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has been admitting overseas students with
the first mainland student entering HKU in 1999. According to official figures, the number of
non-local students has risen from 1% out of total number of students in 1999 to 16% in
2013. With HKU being an international university in Asia region, such increase seems to be
reasonable and acceptable. Yet, is this really the truth?
Of course, being an university which strives for better reputation in the world, international
students do contribute to the ranking of HKU, reflected on the fact that our university scoring
nearly 100% for international students. In fact, enrolling international students brings quite a
lot of benefits to the university – facilitate cultural exchange between local and non-local
students, equip students with global mindsets, encourage research and information
collaboration with other universities around the globe, strengthen the position of Hong Kong
as a leader in tertiary education in South East Asia and so on. The HKU senate had agreed
that admissions of international students are conducive to the university and they have
actually taken measures to attract non-local students. For example the donation by Rosita
King Ho International Charitable Foundation to HKU in 2004 aimed to catch more overseas
students attentions to come to HKU.
No one denies the advantages brought by enrolling international students. The question lies
on whether it is fair to our local students. According to official statistics, there has been a
decrease in number of JUPAS(Band A) applicants being admitted between 1997 and 2013.
With the increase in number of non-local students being admitted within the same period, it
is believed that local students not only are facing fierce competition for university seats, but
also for resources, job and internship opportunities, accommodations, facilitates etc.
At the end of the day, we are still a university in Hong Kong. Local students’ interests shall
definitely be one of the most important considering factors when making decisions. With the
maximum intake quota of non-local students being 20% of the total intake-quota, there
should be rooms for discussions and amendments.
All in all, a balance should be stroke between the maintenance of benefits brought by the
enrolment of international students and the interests of local students. Thus, the maximum
intake of non-local applicants to HKU should be reduced
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