Exemption for overseas talent
Overseas academics without doctorates will be eligible to join a new government scheme to lure talent and help boost the economy, legislators were told.
Although the basic rules required a doctorate, Secretary for Education and Manpower Joseph Wong Wing-ping said applications would be dealt with flexibly.
'If a talented person does not have a doctoral degree, but in other areas equals the standard of other talented persons, the Director of Immigration will decide on acceptance after consultation with the selection committee,' he said.
Under the Admission of Talent Scheme announced last month, up to 2,000 specialists from the mainland and overseas will be allowed to work in Hong Kong.
They must have excellent research and publication records, and have graduated from a list of around 200 universities on the mainland or abroad.
Legislators had doubts whether the selection process would be fair and open.
Non-affiliated unionist Lee Kai-ming asked why local professionals would not be given a fair chance to compete under the scheme.
Mr Wong said selection would not only be based on qualifications but on the needs of the economy.
