Leaders from universities around the world attending a conference in Hong Kong on Wednesday said they believe the Northern Metropolis project will foster closer collaboration among institutions.

On the sidelines of the World Class University Presidents Forum, Mark Scott, vice chancellor and president of the University of Sydney, recognised Hong Kong’s leading position in education, which has five institutions ranked in the world’s top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2027.

“There isn’t another city in the world that is achieving so remarkably at such scale, and so we have much to learn from Hong Kong,” he said.

“One of the things I think we can learn is the commitment of leadership that sees investment in higher education, in research and in learning – as a key to economic growth and prosperity, and a richer and fairer society.”

Scott also said the University of Sydney is very excited about what the mega project has to offer.

“We are very impressed by the level of financial commitment and long-term engagement from government and leadership here, and we are keen to find a way to be productive partners.”

Ebrahim Al Hajri, president of Khalifa University of Science and Technology in the United Arab Emirates, said the institution looks forward to playing a part in the development of the Northern Metropolis by collaborating with other institutions to “create local and global impact”.

“This is actually physical research without borders – connecting both sides to technology, development, research, talent cultivation,” he said. “Not only that, but the translation of research into commercial opportunities to benefit society and economy at large.”

The Worldwide Universities Network – a leading global higher education network that comprises of 23 research-intensive universities – said the hub represents a “significant moment” for institutions to rethink global collaboration.

“It’s not just about the scale and concentration for Hong Kong,” its executive director Dawn Freshwater said.

“It’s actually about a beacon of excellence globally for ways in which we might partner, collaborate and truly focus on how we are going to solve the issues now facing civilisation – and that is substantial.”

Fudan University president Jin Li, for his part, believes the Northern Metropolis can further help Hong Kong connect to the world.

The mega hub is also crucial for the SAR to contribute to the nation’s development, he added.


Edited by Edmond Fong