Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin, leading representatives of the University Grants Committee (UGC) and UGC-funded universities, attended the European Association for International Education (EAIE) Conference & Exhibition in Toulouse, France, to promote Hong Kong’s advantages as an international post-secondary education hub.

In her speech themed “Study in Hong Kong”, Ms Choi said the city, with five publicly funded universities within the world’s top 100, is a cradle for future talent.

She told the audience that with the support of national policies, Hong Kong’s higher education sector is committed to bolstering development of the “eight centres”.

Enjoying the dual advantage of being in close proximity to the motherland and strongly connected to the world, Hong Kong offers a multitude of opportunities to academics and students from abroad, Ms Choi added.

She also visited the Hong Kong Pavilion at the event, as well as attended a seminar on higher education co-operation and exchanges between Hong Kong and France.

The education chief met representatives from universities in France and shared Hong Kong’s latest developments in post-secondary education, welcoming students in France to pursue studies or conduct exchanges in Hong Kong.

At the Study in Hong Kong dinner organised by the Heads of Universities Committee Standing Committee on Internationalisation, she introduced to overseas education experts Hong Kong’s unique competitive edge in developing into a global post-secondary education hub, and encouraged more exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and the rest of the world on higher education development.

Earlier today, Ms Choi met leaders of the EAIE.

A valuable platform for engagement with European partners, the EAIE Conference & Exhibition has attracted some 6,700 higher education professionals from all over the world. Ms Choi believes that the eight publicly funded universities in Hong Kong will strengthen their co-operation and build partnerships with various European universities through participation in the event, and bring a range of exchange and learning opportunities for students.

Separately, Ms Choi visited a vocational and professional education and training (VPET) school in Lyon where she chatted with teachers and students to understand the VPET programmes and internships offered by the school, and VPET development pathways for local students.

She also toured a technical university in Lyon, toured its VPET facilities and learnt about how the university strengthened co-operation with enterprises to provide VPET opportunities that blend theory and practice for students.

Ms Choi later paid a courtesy call on Acting Chinese Consul General in Lyon Li Zhenping to introduce Hong Kong’s latest education policies and initiatives.

The education chief will return to Hong Kong tomorrow.