New access to national university admission system gives choice of youngsters from 17 provinces
Hong Kong universities are planning to recruit more of the mainland's brightest students after being invited to take part in the national university admission system.
The Beijing Ministry of Education has given permission for the territory's eight universities to use the National Joint Colleges and Universities Enrolment System, which allocates places to seven million students.
The universities will be allowed to recruit students from 17 provinces and cities this year - up from 10 last year. This will give them access to four million students.
Full scholarships will be offered to at least 75 mainland students at each university by the Education and Manpower Bureau under a $45 million scheme inspired by the success of a scholarship programme that was run by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The scheme aims to provide scholarships for 150 students in the current and coming academic years on a matched-funding basis, with universities expected to meet half the cost.
