THEi Sees Rising Enrolment Amid Downturn, Eyes Upgrade to Applied Science University
On.cc · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong's Technological and Higher Education Institute (THEi) has defied the broader downturn in university admissions, with both local and non-local student numbers rising even as the eight publicly funded universities and Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) recorded their lowest admission rates in recent years . THEi President Lau Kin-tak announced on September 9 that the institution is now preparing its application to become an applied science university, a status that would place it alongside HKMU and Hong Kong Shue Yan University .
Key Points
- President Lau Kin-tak revealed that despite three years of concern about declining enrolment, THEi has seen consecutive year-on-year increases in student numbers, which he attributed to the institute's precise positioning and strong graduate employment prospects that have gradually won over parents .
- THEi is actively applying for upgrade to applied science university status, with the "Computer Science and Information Technology" programme review expected to be completed within the year, a key step toward achieving this goal .
- The institute has secured corporate funding to launch new programmes in emerging fields including new energy vehicles, music technology, and logistics technology, aimed at meeting substantial talent demand projected over the next three to five years .
- THEi mandates three to six months of full-time internship for all students, resulting in a 95% graduate employment rate, with some students receiving multiple job offers during their internship period before graduation .
- President Lau addressed the stigma surrounding vocational and professional education, acknowledging that over half of secondary students view it as a fallback for poor academic performers, but noted that Hong Kong has lacked a vocational education concept for 30 years, making public perception change a gradual process .
Why It Matters
THEi's successful model offers a viable alternative pathway for Hong Kong's tertiary education landscape at a time when traditional university places are becoming increasingly competitive. Its emphasis on corporate-backed applied research and practical training directly addresses the city's pressing need for industry-ready talent in emerging sectors like AI and new energy vehicles, potentially reshaping how employers and families value vocational-oriented higher education .
THEi's successful model offers a viable alternative pathway for Hong Kong's tertiary education landscape at a time when traditional university places are becoming increasingly competitive. Its emphasis on corporate-backed applied research and practical training directly addresses the city's pressing need for industry-ready talent in emerging sectors like AI and new energy vehicles, potentially reshaping how employers and families value vocational-oriented higher education .