The number of Mainland high school graduates seeking post-secondary education in Hong Kong is continuing
to rise. This year in June, the University of Hong Kong scheduled interviews with more than 3,000 students
from the Mainland — doubling the number of the
previous year. And the trend isn't limited to the University of Hong Kong. Most educational institutions
in Hong Kong are processing more applications from Chinese students than ever before. In fact, the six leading universities processed more than 30,000 applications from Chinese students last summer.

The spike in popularity hasn't occurred by chance. To attract more Mainland students, Hong Kong universities have recently increased their advertising campaigns in China's biggest cities. Now many of the best students are considering universities and colleges in Hong Kong, instead of traditional choices like the prestigious Beijing University and Qinghua University.

The financial incentives offered by Hong Kong universities make studying in Hong Kong an attractive option. For instance, one Mainland student declined offers from four top-ranked universities in China to study Computer Science at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Her decision wasn't difficult to make — HKUST offered her a scholarship worth HK$390,000 per year.

Responding to the loss of this talented student — and many more like her — the Head of Beijing University points out that although Chinese universities are unable to compete with Hong Kong universities in the arena of scholarships and other financial incentives, the quality of education offered by well-established Chinese universities is unrivalled. He adds that gaining admittance to one of these institutions is still regarded as an exceptional achievement for students.

However, not everyone shares the Head's optimism. Many analysts believe that the increasing flow of Chinese students to Hong Kong proves one thing — that Mainland universities are falling behind. The vice president of Shanghai's Fudan University agrees. He explains that as the globalisation of education increases, talented students will continue to look elsewhere for better education. 'The exodus to Hong Kong might be just the first step.'

The problem of China's 'brain drain' recently topped the list of discussion topics at the third annual Chinese-Foreign University Presidents Forum. They blame China's current university system, with its problems like cheating, outdated teaching methods and inappropriate grading system. The good news is that the presidents are now focused on coming up with ways to improve China's higher education system.

China's Vice Education Minister Zhang Xinsheng is also aware of the need for improvement — and promises that the country will deliver it. The first stage of the reform is to 'enhance liberal arts programmes at undergraduate level to train our students into problem-solvers with innovative thoughts, who also possess high ethical standards and leadership qualities,' he says.

For China's 23 million university and college students, the country's plans for reform are promising, but for the moment, unfortunately, that is all they are — plans. Until they are put in place, and China's universities and colleges are able to meet the standards set by post-secondary institutions in Hong Kong and throughout the world, many students will continue to pursue higher education beyond the borders of their homeland.

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