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Education/Traning- Hong Kong

Education/Training

Hong Kong

Overview

x	2004	2005	2006 (estimated)
Total Student Visas Issued in HK (US, Australia, and Canada)	14294	14458	15100
Total Expenditures Abroad by HK Students (US$ million)	304	310	332
Total Students in the US	7180	7849	8634
Total Expenditures in teh US by HK Students (US$ million)	172	188	207

All figures are in US$ million, and they are unofficial estimates.

Education is of great public interest and concern in Hong Kong. The capacity of local universities is not adequate to accommodate applicants. Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city, and most high-paying jobs require proficiency in English. English language proficiency is a highly regarded skill so many students seek opportunities overseas for their higher education. There is also a perception that the quality of locally educated university students is declining. Many parents feel that it is important for their children’s future to send them abroad for secondary, tertiary, and higher education. According to the Hong Kong Education Department, nearly 16,000 Hong Kong students studied overseas in 2005. The top four destinations were – the U.S., Australia, Canada, and Britain. In order to keep its market position, U.S. universities need to promote their educational programs more actively to keep pace with schools from these other countries.

Due to the business community’s complaints about declining English language capability of Hong Kong students and the increased concern about a weakening education system from parents of Hong Kong students, there are significant opportunities for American institutes of higher education. In 2005, the number of students from Hong Kong studying in the U.S. increased by 9% to 7,849. Hong Kong is the 12th leading place of origin (up from #15). We estimate that each Hong Kong student spends about US$24,000 each year and a Hong Kong student population of 7,849 generates an “export” of USD188 million in education and related services. Hong Kong students are inclined to study in the U.S. because they perceive American institutions to have the best programs in business, tourism and hospitality management (the fastest growing industries in Hong Kong), engineering, computer science, and information technology in the world. In addition to this, the business community in Hong Kong prefers U.S. degrees, because of the strong business relationships between U.S, Hong Kong and China, which make U.S. education even more attractive. Preferred states are California, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, and Michigan.

Many U.S. Educational institutions (both secondary and tertiary) are active in recruiting Hong Kong students. Strong competition exists, however, from schools in Australia, Canada and the U.K. Nevertheless, industry experts predicted that Hong Kong students study overseas to be increased 10% for next year.

The most cost-effective way to recruit Hong Kong students is to hire a local representative because parents and students often depend on these agencies for information and assistance, admission and student visa application processing, overseas boarding recommendations and travel arrangements. Another way to disseminate information to Hong Kong students is by sending promotional materials to Hong Kong high schools or public libraries. Taking part in education fairs is also a good way to reach Hong Kong students.

Best Products/Services

Boarding School; Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Social Sciences and Life Science; MBA and EMBA

Resources

Trade Associations:

The Institute of International Education

Room 601, General Commercial Building,

156 - 164 Des Voeux Road,

Central, Hong Kong.

Tel: (852) 2603 5771

Fax: (852) 2603 5765

Website: www.iiehongkong.org

E-mail: iiehk@N0SPAM.cuhk.edu.hk