Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) welcomes the Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address to further develop Hong Kong as an international hub for post-secondary education and high-calibre talents. HKMU will fully support the HKSAR Government's initiatives to nurture more high-quality talent for Hong Kong.

As Hong Kong's first university of applied sciences (UAS), HKMU has long promoted collaboration with leading polytechnic universities in the region and engaged in exchanges with institutions in Guangdong. The University has been exploring in depth ways to strengthen the synergistic effects of vocational education across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao to cultivate talent for the Greater Bay Area (GBA), advance the connections between the industry, academic, and research sectors, and foster international collaboration.

Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing, HKMU President, said, “The University is deepening ties with like-minded institutions and organisations in the Greater Bay Area. Together we planned to establish a Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Alliance, to leverage synergies and advance the development of vocational and professional education and training.”

Regarding the Policy Address's mention of accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis, including the establishment of a Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town, HKMU supports these measures. The University believes this will help Hong Kong leverage its academic strengths, integrating them with industry, and contribute to the economic development of both Hong Kong and the country.

Prof. Lam expressed hope that the Northern Metropolis would attract enterprises from around the world to establish operations in Hong Kong and build close partnerships with universities to jointly drive innovation-led industries—an area in which the universities of applied sciences can play a pivotal role.

HKMU hopes that the Northern Metropolis University Town initiative will allocate more land for the development of self-financing universities and consider providing certain central facilities. This would enable different institutions to generate synergies within the education city.

Regarding exploring with Mainland authorities the implementation of the mutual recognition of sub-degree level qualifications between Hong Kong and the Mainland, HKMU believes this will provide more study and employment options for students in both regions. This will help UASs in Hong Kong cultivate more professionals with the skills needed for today's industries and benefit the long-term development of Hong Kong.