Overview
|
|
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 (estimated) |
|
Total Student Visas Issued in HK (US, Australia, and Canada) |
14,294 |
14,458 |
15,100 |
15,402 |
|
Total Expenditures Abroad by HK Students (USD million) |
304 |
310 |
332 |
345 |
|
Total Students in the US |
7,180 |
7,849 |
8,241 |
8488 |
|
Total Expenditures in the US by HK Students (USD million) |
172 |
188 |
198 |
210 |
These figures 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 2006. 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 2007, the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong issued 7,000 student visas (over 99% approval rate) for Hong Kong students to study in the U.S. Hong Kong was the 12th leading place of origin in 2006 (up from #15 in 2005). We estimate that each Hong Kong student spends about USD24,000 each year and a Hong Kong student population of 8,488 generates an “export” of USD210 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 sectors 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.
Best Products/Services
Since the service sector in Hong Kong has grown rapidly over the last several years, business, management in tourism and hospitality, service training for cruise and convention and exhibition, engineering, computer science, and information technology have become extremely popular fields of study in the U.S. institutes. Other popular fields are mathematics, fine arts, social sciences, humanities, and health science. MBAs and EMBAs are also very popular given Hong Kong’s as an importance international business center in Asia.
Opportunities
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.
Resources
Trade Shows:
The Education & Careers Expo, 2008
Date: February 21-24, 2008 (annual)
Venue: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center
1 Harbor Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Organizer: Mr. Kevin Ho, Marketing Officer
Hong Kong Trade Development Council Unit 13, Expo Galleria
Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Plaza, Wanchai, Hong
Kong
Tel: (852) 2240-4358; Fax: (852) 2169-9610
Email: Kevin.ch.ho@tdc.org.hk
Website: www.tdctrade.com
2008 U.S. Higher Education Fair
Date: October, 2008 (annual)
Venue: To be confirmed
Organizer: Ms. Maria Luk, Program Officer
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
Email: mluk@iiehongkong.org
Website: www.iiehongkong.org
2008 North American Boarding Schools Fair in Hong
Kong
Date: November (to be confirmed), 2008 (annual)
Venue: To be Confirmed
Organizer: Ms. Maria Luk, Program Officer
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
Email: mluk@iiehongkong.org
Website: www.iiehongkong.org
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
Email: iiehk@cuhk.edu.hk
Website: www.iiehongkong.org
Education and Manpower Bureau
Room 1815, Landmark North
39 Lung Sum Avenue, Shung Shui, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2639-4774; Fax: (852) 2391-0470
Email: enquiry_ncr@emb.gov.hk
Website: www.emb.gov.hk
Hong Kong Commercial Specialist’s Contact:
Rose Mak
Tel: (852) 2521-7173; Fax: (852) 2845-9800
Email: rose.mak@mail.doc.gov