Strategies and policies for Hong Kong's higher education in Asian markets : lessons from the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore

• Published in: International journal of educational management 2011-01, Vol.25 (2), p.144-163
• Main Authors: Cheung, Alan C. K, Yuen, Timothy W. W, Yuen, Celeste Y. M, Cheng, Yin Cheong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Australia; Colleges & universities; Competition; Cross cultural studies; Economic development; Economic Impact; Education; Education policy; Educational Finance; Educational marketing; Educational markets; Educational Policy; Educational services; Enrollments; Exports; Foreign Countries; Foreign Students; Global Approach; Globalization; Government Role; Government School Relationship; Higher Education; Hong Kong; India; Indonesia (Jakarta); International Education; International students; International Trade; Interviews; Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur); Planning; Public Policy; Singapore; Strategic planning; Student Recruitment; Systems Approach; United Kingdom; Universities
• ISSN: 0951-354X; 1758-6518
• DOI: 10.1108/09513541111107579

This paper: examines and compares the current strategies and policies that are employed by the UK, Australia and Singapore; and recommends appropriate strategies and policies to higher education institutions and the Hong Kong government and elsewhere that are interested in expanding their efforts in recruiting the growing number of students from other countries who are planning to study overseas. The data for this project were obtained primarily from documents and in-depth interviews. Documents include government reports, policy addresses, official statistics, etc. The in-depth interviews were conducted in Hong Kong as well as in the four studied cities - Mumbai, New Delhi, Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur. Interviewees included government officials, academics, higher education institutions' representatives, consultant generals, and officials from policy bodies. It is clear from the findings of this present study that a set of favourable policies and strategies at the national level was behind the success of these competitors. Such policies are not confined to educational policies but are extended to population and employment policies. Though the study examined policies and strategies employed by three countries, findings from the study may generate useful information to countries that may be interested in exporting their higher education to Asian markets. The paper suggests that if Hong Kong is to attain success in becoming an international exporter of education services, it may need to adopt favourable policies at institute and system level, and in so doing it can definitely benefit by carefully studying the strategies and policies employed by these three competitors. [Author abstract, ed]