Private universities plan draws interest
At least two of Hong Kong's tertiary education institutions have expressed an interest in operating private universities in the city.
This came as Undersecretary for Education Kenneth Chen Wei-on told an RTHK phone-in programme that the government expected two sites in urban areas reserved for private universities to draw interest from local and overseas education institutions.
Speaking on Talkabout yesterday, Mr Chen said that the development of private universities was crucial for the further development of higher education in Hong Kong.
The initiative is part of the government's efforts to develop six knowledge-based industries: education; medical services; environmental industries; innovation and technology; cultural and creative industries; and food safety and product testing.
Each of the sites reserved for private universities will provide a floor area of 200,000 sq ft to accommodate at least 2,000 students.
Lee Chack-fan, director of the University of Hong Kong's School of Professional and Continuing Education, said the college would study the application details for the two sites when they became available later this year.
It would then decide whether to make a bid.
Reggie Kwan, president of Caritas Francis Hsu College in Mid-Levels, said his college was interested in applying for a site in Tseung Kwan O, which is next to the site Caritas Bianchi College of Careers is scheduled to move to in September.
