The Legislative Council (LegCo) Subcommittee on Promoting the Development of Hong Kong into an International Education Hub, under the Panel on Education, visited Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) today (23 April). This marks the first official LegCo delegation visit since HKMU was designated as Hong Kong's first university of applied sciences (UAS) last year.

The delegation was led by Subcommittee Chairman Hon Tang Fei and included members Hon Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, Hon Lam Chun-sing, and Hon Edmund Wong Chun-sek (an HKMU alumnus), along with Dr Jeff Sze Chun-fai, Under Secretary for Education, and Mr Kasper Ng Siu-kei, Principal Assistant Secretary (Further Education). During the visit, the group toured several laboratories and teaching facilities and engaged with non-local students to gain insights into their study experience in Hong Kong.

The delegation began their tour at HKMU's School of Science and Technology, where they visited the Chemical and Microbiological Testing and Certification Laboratories and the Physical and Mechanical Testing Laboratories. They were particularly interested in how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming testing technologies and tools and how industry is increasingly leveraging AI to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

The delegation also visited the advanced educational facilities of HKMU's School of Nursing and Health Sciences, including the Digital Virtual Dissection System and the Clinical Simulation Education Units. They were impressed by HKMU's significant contribution to healthcare education by training a large number of nursing and healthcare professionals every year.

In addition, the legislators took the opportunity to interact with five non-local students from the Mainland and Kazakhstan. The students discussed their motivations for choosing HKMU and their overall study experience in Hong Kong. The students also shared their perspectives on learning at HKMU and their impressions of life in the city.

Prof. Alan Au Kai-ming, HKMU Vice President (Strategic Initiatives), who hosted the delegation, emphasised that HKMU hopes to contribute Hong Kong's development as an international education hub. “HKMU is dedicated to advancing applied research that fosters deeper integration of industry, academia and the research community. Through these initiatives, we aim to cultivate professional talent that can contribute to the future of Hong Kong and the broader region, thereby fulfilling our mission and enhancing our social impact as a UAS,” he said.