PolyU fully supports “Study in Hong Kong” Week, strengthening Hong Kong’s position as international education hub

In support of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s “Study in Hong Kong” Week, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has rolled out a series of international education activities this week, including co-hosting the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2026 Conference and Exhibition with the seven other University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities. Through these efforts, PolyU is helping to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international hub for post-secondary education, expand the global academic network, and showcase to the world the strengths and excellence of Hong Kong’s higher education sector.

Themed “Asia-Pacific Partnerships for the Global Good”, this year’s APAIE conference was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the opening ceremony officiated by Dr CHOI Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China; Mr Tim LUI, Chairman of the UGC; Dr David WONG, Chairman of the Education Commission; Prof. James TANG, Secretary-General of the UGC; Prof. Venky SHANKARARAMAN, President of APAIE; together with Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, and representatives from the other UGC-funded universities on 24 February. The gala event attracted a record-breaking attendance of more than 3,000 global education leaders from over 70 countries and regions, demonstrating Hong Kong’s unique status as a venue for international educational exchange.

A highlight of APAIE 2026, the Presidents’ Dialogue featured a panel discussion moderated by Prof. Jin-Guang Teng. Focusing on building partnerships for the global good, Prof. Teng, together with presidents and representatives from leading universities worldwide explored how higher education institutions can respond to challenges arising in this fast-changing era by fostering new frameworks for win-win international collaborations. He also shared valuable insights into driving the long-term development of education and research through innovation. The Dialogue brought together global education and industry leaders for forward-looking discussions on key issues in higher education, further consolidating Hong Kong’s leadership on the global higher education stage.

In a seminar on supporting international students, Prof. Ben YOUNG, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) of PolyU, introduced PolyU’s comprehensive support services tailored for international students, highlighting efforts to foster interaction among students from diverse backgrounds, help international students adapt smoothly to a new learning and living environment, and enhance these students’ sense of belonging to the University. Prof. Young also discussed with representatives from local universities how Hong Kong can leverage its many advantages in higher education to attract top students from around the world.

During “Study in Hong Kong” Week, PolyU also hosted the PolyU Partners Day, a major event that welcomed over 180 representatives from its partner institutions across 37 countries and regions. The University management team introduced latest PolyU’s remarkable achievements over the years, its latest developments, academic and research strengths, and internationalisation strategies, while campus tours and networking sessions with faculty and students were held to deepen the partnerships.

In addition, the PolyU Chinese Language Centre, together with the Confucius Institute of Hong Kong, organised a series of cultural activities for the Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival, featuring calligraphy, paper cutting, traditional Chinese costume experiences and festive foods. These activities helped foster a culturally inclusive atmosphere on campus and provided international students with the opportunity to experience the charm of Chinese culture firsthand, showcasing Hong Kong’s appeal as a top study destination.

To support the Government’s efforts to build the “Study in Hong Kong” brand, PolyU will continue to expand its global recruitment network, with a particular focus on outreach to emerging markets in Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa and South America.  The University will offer a wide range of scholarships and comprehensive support to attract international students from diverse cultural backgrounds to pursue their studies in Hong Kong. At the same time, PolyU will leverage its unique academic strengths and international influence to actively promote high-level international academic exchange and collaboration and maintain close partnerships with world-leading institutions such as the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. By further advancing research collaboration and academic engagement, the University will enhance the appeal of the “Study in Hong Kong” initiative.

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