Hong Kong will consider expanding support for students affected by US President Donald Trump’s recent restrictions on international enrolments at Harvard University, the Education Bureau said, reaffirming the city’s commitment to safeguarding student rights and attracting global talent.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s Ministry of Education said its six universities stand ready to support affected students if they face disruptions in the United States, ensuring continuity in their education.
“We are pleased to see local universities responding proactively and closely monitoring the situation,” the bureau told The Standard.
It noted that the city’s higher education sector is well-positioned to absorb affected students due to its internationally competitive system.
The EDB has urged institutions to adjust admissions policies for eligible students and is collaborating with the Harvard Club of Hong Kong to assist admitted scholars.
Five Hong Kong universities rank among the world’s top 100, with several recognized for their global outlook and research excellence.
The government has expanded initiatives to bolster enrollment capacity, including doubling the non-local student quota at publicly funded institutions to 40 percent, increasing scholarships, and scaling up the Hong Kong PhD fellowship scheme.
The bureau reiterated Hong Kong’s role as an international education hub, aligning with national strategies to advance innovation and talent development.
“We will continue to keep a close eye on the needs of students affected by the shifting global education landscape,” the bureau said, vowing to “holistically” strengthen Hong Kong’s role as an education hub.
The moves come as geopolitical tensions and stricter US visa policies drive Chinese students to seek alternatives.
Education consultant Fanny Chan noted that Hong Kong, with its blend of Western-style education and proximity to mainland China, has emerged as a preferred destination amid rising uncertainties in America.
Since 2017, when the Trump administration escalated trade tensions with China, US applications from Chinese students have steadily declined.
Stricter visa scrutiny, particularly for STEM9 – science, technology, engineering, and math – fields, has led to delays, rejections, and shorter visa validity periods, compounding costs and instability.
The Institute of International Education reported a 10 percent drop in new US enrollments from 2019 to 2020, while the 2023 Open Doors Report noted an 8.6 percent decline in Chinese student numbers in 2022-23.
Early 2024 data suggests a further 5 percent to 10 percent decrease.
Chan said US restrictions on “sensitive majors” and rising tuition have pushed students toward alternatives like Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Singapore and Hong Kong.
In addition to government-funded institutions, the authorities will also gradually increase the enrollment quota for mainland students at self-financing post-secondary colleges to 40 percent starting from the 2025/26 academic year.
(Staff reporter)
