More high school graduates are considering attending university
in Hong Kong.They feel that attractive scholarships, the high
quality of education and a chance to experience a different culture
presents a good opportunity.
At Fudan University's Handan campus, nearly 800 local high
school graduates have attended an admission interview for Hong Kong
University since Monday.
Candidates have already passed the national college entrance
exam and a HKU written test. HKU applicants in the mainland
exceeded 10,000 students this year, more than double last year's
4,848 applicants. The university's admission quota rose 40 students
to 300, HKU officials said.
"Most of the applicants are elite high school graduates with
outstanding performance in the national college exam," Cui Jijia,
an official with HKU's Shanghai office, said via telephone
yesterday.
Elite freshman from the mainland will be awarded a scholarship
ranging from HK$30,000 (US$3,862) to HK$100,000 this year, as HKU
has set aside a total scholarship budget of HK$55 million for first
year students.
Besides HKU, Hong Kong Baptist University is holding admission
interviews for students from Shanghai, Guangdong and neighboring
Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces. Hong Kong University of Science and
Technology will also start interview sessions in Shanghai
today.
One HKU applicant, who identified himself as Tang, said it was a
good opportunity that may provide access to jobs in Hong Kong in
the future.
"I'll choose HKU if I receive an offer from both a local school
or HKU," Tang said.
The eight universities in Hong Kong are expected to enroll more
than 1,300 mainland students, officials said.
Xiong Bingqi, professor of Jiao Tong University, said the loss
of top university students could hurt schools.
"To a large extent, a university's success in scientific
research relies on the contribution of high-quality students," said
Xiong.
(Shanghai Daily July 5, 2006)