The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong is interested in a site for creative arts and culture in the Northern Metropolis university town, but any application depends on the government opening the process. President Professor Joshua Mok Ka-ho said the university would consider applying for a site in Ta Kwu Ling if it could find a suitable way to take part.
Mok said the university’s subjects lean towards humanities and management sciences. The Ta Kwu Ling campus area is intended for creative arts and cultural development, while other university-town areas are focused on technology and scientific research.
He also urged the government to increase the HK$10 billion loan allocation for university-town campus construction. Mok gave no figure for the increase he was seeking. He said the privately funded university had more limited financial reserves than public universities and might not be able to develop using its own funds alone. It was inclined to work with the government, businesses and overseas institutions, while saving for possible projects.
Student accommodation is another constraint. The university currently provides 1,200 to 1,300 beds, which Mok said do not meet its development needs. It is working with a hotel group to refurbish some rooms for student accommodation.
The university is working with a developer and expects a new property to be converted into student accommodation and learning space in 2027, providing more than 300 beds.
Students from mainland China, Macau and Taiwan make up less than 30% of the university’s total enrolment, below the government’s 40% cap, Mok said. The university plans to keep their share in the 2027/28 academic year at the same level as in the current academic year, and to increase non-local recruitment gradually as accommodation becomes available.