Consider this riddle: more Hong Kong students than ever before are expected to embark on overseas university courses this autumn, but the number that actually leave the city at the start of the academic year may be the lowest for some years.
The explanation is that while tens of thousands of youngsters still head for countries such as Britain, the United States, Australia and Canada, more are taking advantage of more than 1,000 courses run by overseas institutions in Hong Kong.
The number of undergraduate students from Hong Kong in Britain fell from 7,895 in 2004/2005 to 6,930 the following year, its first fall after eight years of growth. The decline wasn't because British universities are any less popular, but rather because more of them are bringing their courses here.
Britain has the largest share of the transnational education market, accounting for more than 57 per cent of courses offered by overseas institutions in Hong Kong, according to Katherine Forestier, education director at the British Council.
As Ms Forestier pointed out, however, while such courses offered significant cost savings as well as a standard of teaching equal to that of the home university, there were some aspects of an overseas education that they could never quite replace.
'One of the most valuable things aside from the academic qualification is the rich cultural experience that British education can offer. It is also one of the best ways for students to develop their independence and a broader, more international perspective,' she said.
