The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) hosted a booth at the Austrian education fair BeSt Vienna to inform around 75 000 participants from Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and the Slovak Republic about the exciting study opportunities that Hong Kong has to offer. The fair, jointly organised by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research and the Austrian Public Employment Service, was held from March 2 to 5 (Vienna time). The Director of HKETO Berlin, Ms Jenny Szeto, gave a presentation on March 2 (Vienna time) about the unique and valuable studying and living experiences offered through various programmes.

     In her presentation, Ms Szeto introduced Hong Kong’s world-class universities as well as scholarship opportunities and other advantages of studying in Hong Kong. Her presentation also touched on further opportunities for staying and working in Hong Kong, such as the Working Holiday Scheme, Talent List and various talent admission schemes that enable immigration to Hong Kong for young talents, including the recently launched Top Talent Pass Scheme.

     Hong Kong’s high-quality programmes are taught in English, and the universities adopt international standards in curriculum design as well as quality assurance. Among the 22 degree-awarding higher education institutions in Hong Kong, three are among the world’s top 50 by the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings 2023 and Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023. To attract outstanding non-local students to study in Hong Kong, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) offers various scholarships, including the HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund, the Self-financing Post-secondary Education Fund and the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme.

     For postgraduate students, there are also abundant research opportunities in Hong Kong’s international-calibre institutions. To further support academic research in the higher education sector, the HKSAR Government has earmarked in its 2023-24 Budget HK$9 billion (around 1.1 billion Euros) for universities and research institutes to enhance research in life and health technology and other frontier technology fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology.

     In the coming three years, the HKSAR Government plans to admit at least 35 000 talents annually through the various talent admission schemes. Ms Szeto took the opportunity to recruit quality immigrants from all over the world to the city. More details about the diversified admission schemes are available at www.hkengage.gov.hk/en/.

About HKETO Berlin

     HKETO Berlin is the official HKSAR Government representative in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Austria as well as the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.

     ​The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) gathered friends and partners of Hong Kong to welcome the Year of the Rabbit with a reception held in Berlin, Germany on February 13 (Berlin time). Key contacts from government, political, business and cultural sectors came together and learned about Hong Kong’s return to the economic world stage and the city’s openness to business travellers, investors and tourists alike.
      
     In her opening speech at the reception, the Director of HKETO Berlin, Ms Jenny Szeto shared the positive developments of easing all remaining pandemic restrictions in Hong Kong. “As we entered into the Year of the Rabbit, I’m proud to say that Hong Kong is already embracing the liveliness of the Rabbit, as we open up ourselves once again after three full years of pandemic restrictions.  Having lifted all travel restrictions, Hong Kong is now back to business with a fresh start, ” Ms Szeto said.
      
     Hong Kong resumed its seamless connection to Mainland China, which brings advantages across all business sectors. “The good news is that Mainland China is also resuming its economic activities and connection with the rest of the world. China’s return to the world map will not only benefit Hong Kong’s exports and tourism, but also drive up consumption and investment in the region. As Hong Kong regains its momentum and strengths as an international financial, trade and logistics centre, our economy is expected to see a visible rebound this year, ” Ms Szeto emphasised.
      
     In closing her speech, Ms Szeto invited the guests to visit Hong Kong and experience the unique East-meets-West culture and seize opportunities under the “one country, two systems” principle.
      
     While Warsaw and Berlin enjoyed the privilege to be among the first cities in Central and Eastern Europe where HKETO Berlin celebrated the Chinese New Year with the government, business and cultural communities, more receptions will be held in Budapest, Zurich, Ljubljana, Bratislava, Vienna and Prague in the weeks ahead. Hong Kong music talents from the Ponte Orchestra & Singers were invited to perform classical and modern pieces at the receptions, showcasing Hong Kong’s diverse music scene.
      
About HKETO Berlin
 
     HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.