Hong Kong may further increase its non-local student admissions quota to accommodate international students impacted by recent US restrictions targeting Harvard University’s overseas enrollments, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday.

The move follows the decision by US President Donald Trump’s administration on Thursday to revoke Harvard’s eligibility to admit international students.

Speaking to the media ahead of the Executive Council meeting, Lee said the non-local student admissions cap for University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities has already been raised from 20 percent to 40 percent, with further adjustments under consideration to meet the demand.

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“I want this message to go out to the students who have been affected, so that they know Hong Kong’s doors are wide open,” he added.

Lee said that Hong Kong will welcome any students who have been “discriminated against by the US policy” and who are facing difficulties in continuing with their studies.

He said that the Hong Kong government, together with the eight UGC-funded universities, will do their best to facilitate and assist students suffering “this discrimination and unfair treatment”, and that they are reaching out to the Harvard Alumni Association to help the students.

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Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin on Friday urged all local universities to implement expedited admissions procedures and logistical aid, and highlighted Hong Kong’s commitment to academic inclusivity.

A number of Hong Kong universities have proactively extended offers to Harvard students affected by US policy shifts. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has pledged unconditional admission to qualified Harvard international students. The Chinese University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University have similarly issued open invitations.  

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Many Hong Kong universities have adopted a flexible approach to the transfer of studies. For example, the University of Hong Kong, in a move prior to the US administration’s ban on Harvard’s international student admissions, said it would accept transfer applications from students attending top-50 globally ranked institutions with competitive GPAs.

Contact the writers at stephyzhang@chinadailyhk.com