Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Jonathan Stuart Lamport and a written reply by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, in the Legislative Council today (April 22):
Question:
A study by a local university has indicated that amid significant changes in the flow of international students against the background of geopolitical tensions and tightening visa policies in a number of countries, Hong Kong performs strongly in attracting and retaining top PhD students from across the globe due to its flexible talent admission policies (e.g. the Top Talent Pass Scheme and the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates) and stable environment. There are views that by seizing the opportunity arising from the United States and European countries shutting the door on research talents, Hong Kong can proactively attract such high-calibre research talents and transform them into a new engine driving Hong Kong’s economic transformation. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it will co-ordinate the admission strategies and procedures of local universities, and target an upgraded “Study in Hong Kong” brand at top overseas research and academic talents affected by geopolitics, thus ensuring that Hong Kong can attract a pool of PhD students with a high degree of international diversity;
(2) of the specific policies and incentives in place to encourage and assist PhD students in Hong Kong to commercialise their research outcomes in the territory upon graduation, with a view to directly empowering the local business sector; whether it will improve the Research Talent Hub for Technology Companies Conducting R&D (research and development) Activities in Hong Kong by further relaxing the eligibility criteria for applicant companies and increasing the subsidy amounts for research talents, so as to assist local enterprises in technological upgrading; and
(3) given that a study has pointed out that cost and stability of living are key factors for PhD students to consider in deciding whether to stay in Hong Kong, and that such high-calibre talents are mostly at an age to get married or start a family, whether the Government will, in addition to the visa facilitation already in place and as part of its long-term planning, enhance support measures for their spouses’ employment in Hong Kong and their children’s educational progression, so that these talents can put down roots in Hong Kong without worries?
Reply:
President,
(2) The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) launched the Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU) in 2014 to support participating local universities (including their faculty members, alumni and students) to establish technology start-ups for commercialising their research and development outcomes. Each start-up may receive an annual subsidy of up to $1.5 million for no more than six years. So far, the TSSSU has provided funding to over 620 start-ups. As of 2024-25, the subsidised start-ups have generated over 2 700 intellectual property rights and rolled out a total of over 800 products or services in the market; around 80 per cent of them have successfully received capital injections, with total investment over $2.7 billion, of which around $2.1 billion (about 78 per cent) was private investment.
(3) LWB stated that, the Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) has been providing one-stop support services on living and working in Hong Kong for incoming talents and their accompanying dependents. Regarding employment and entrepreneurship, HKTE’s online platform provides comprehensive and relevant information, and features over 5 000 real-time quality job opportunities daily for talents to apply. Talents can also make enquiries and requests for support services relating to entrepreneurial and employment matters on the platform for follow-up by designated working partners or by relevant bureaux/departments through referral. Besides, HKTE co-organises online and offline job fairs with industry and employer organisations to directly match job-seeking talents with employers, organises themed seminars on topics of entrepreneurship, tips on unlocking the job market, etc. to help talents understand the job markets in Hong Kong, as well as liaises with recruitment platforms and working partners to give talents suggestions and techniques for applying for jobs and setting up business. HKTE also collaborates with school sponsoring bodies and school associations to organise seminars to provide comprehensive information on local education. The Government welcomes talents’ spouses to join these events.
To facilitate parents to find and compare school information, EDB has launched a new thematic website to provide in-depth information on international schools and other schools offering non-local curricula in Hong Kong. EDB has also been working closely with HKTE to provide a series of support services to assist talents who are interested in coming to Hong Kong and those who have arrived in obtaining information about education in Hong Kong.