A policy review of internationalization of higher education in Hong Kong: motivation, advancement and development

Owing to Hong Kong’s unique cultural and geographical position, it acts as the bridge between East and West, and the gateway to China. In the recent two decades, cross-border collaborations have been sought by the universities in Hong Kong, aiming to develop innovative education programs, and research enterprises with Asian and Western perspectives. As a result, the landscape of higher education has evolved in an unprecedented degree, making it important for publicly-funded institutions in Hong Kong to take this trend, its causes and consequences into consideration to help them do their job better. Despite all the dynamics in Hong Kong’s higher education sector in these recent two decades very few studies have been undertaken to examine the trajectory of internationalization during the aforesaid period within a Hong-Kong-specific context. This research offers an all-rounded historical review investigating the development of internationalization in respect of the city’s higher education sector in the recent two decades. The findings are of high value to scholars and administrators who have a role in higher education because it offers an up-to-date exposition of the latest processes, policies and development of internationalization, which may help address specific institutional needs both in Hong Kong and overseas.