CityUHK signs MoU with DSSSC to attract non-local students to "Study in Hong Kong"
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) has been an active supporter of the promotion of the “Study in Hong Kong” brand by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government. The University recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council (DSSSC) to attract more outstanding students from around the world to pursue their studies in Hong Kong, thereby strengthening the city’s development as an international education hub.
Under the HKSAR Government’s policy direction, local Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools will expand the admission of non-local students with student visas starting this September. To align with this policy and to establish a seamless international talent pipeline from secondary to tertiary education, this collaboration will leverage CityUHK’s global network and the flexible curriculum offered by DSS schools to enhance Hong Kong’s appeal in the global education market.
Under the MoU framework, CityUHK will explore the establishment of a dedicated School Principal’s Nomination Scheme for non-local DSS students and offer comprehensive support for non-local students entering undergraduate studies, including academic guidance, campus life support and cultural integration services. The DSSSC will be invited to participate in CityUHK’s recruitment and outreach activities in ASEAN, the Middle East and Central Asia. The two parties will also consider organising summer programmes to attract more high potential overseas students to receive quality secondary and tertiary education in Hong Kong.
Professor Lee Chun-sing, Provost and Deputy President of CityUHK, said that this MoU with the DSSSC is a vital component of the University’s global talent ecosystem. He noted that for outstanding non-local students entering via DSSSC member schools, the University will explore scholarship support and innovative academic collaboration models to strengthen Hong Kong’s international standing.
Sister Margaret Wong, Chairman of the DSSSC, remarked that DSS schools are renowned for their curriculum flexibility and autonomy, making them ideal for attracting global talent. Through this MoU, DSS schools will collaborate closely with CityUHK to support students from Central Asia, the Middle East and ASEAN in building a solid academic foundation. This one-stop talent development model will help Hong Kong’s education sector further integrate into the global landscape.
CityUHK has been ranked the “Most International University in the World” by Times Higher Education (THE) for three consecutive years (2024, 2025 and 2026), underscoring the University’s achievements and leadership in fostering internationalised teaching, attracting global talent and cultivating a diverse academic environment.
The University has actively expanded its global partnerships, expanding its reach in recent years to “Belt and Road” countries, including Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Kuwait and Azerbaijan, further enriching the depth and diversity of the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. Notably, CityUHK and Satbayev University jointly established the CityUHK Institute for Research and Innovation. The institute is dedicated to interdisciplinary research and aims to combine the research strengths of both institutions to develop innovative solutions to global challenges.
Looking ahead, CityUHK will continue to expand its global collaboration network, strengthening international recruitment, cross-cultural support and academic innovation. The University remains committed to providing students from around the world with diverse and competitive learning opportunities, supporting the development of the “Study in Hong Kong” brand and contributing to Hong Kong’s positioning as a leading international education hub.
