The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) will bid for one of the first three sites in the Northern Metropolis University Town located in Hung Shui Kiu, according to Vice-Chancellor Professor Dennis Lo. However, Lo warns that the government's staggered tendering process and high construction costs present significant challenges. In an interview with Ming Pao, Lo highlighted the potential of the university town project for Hong Kong's eight universities, noting that it could allow for expanded campuses, thereby increasing their impact on society. Lo explained that scale is crucial for universities to produce groundbreaking research, as it affects the number of researchers, patents, and publications. He also predicted that CUHK might prioritize setting up research institutes instead of full campuses due to land constraints and the different tendering schedules for the three sites. CUHK faces uncertainties in financing, with a government-provided loan of HK$10 billion being insufficient for extensive development, prompting a call for increased funding support.
Lo further emphasized that the government's plan to tender the three campuses (in Hung Shui Kiu, San Tin, and Ta Kwu Ling) at different times would make planning and collaboration among universities more challenging. He stated, "For the first ones, you dare not not bid, because each time is an opportunity," highlighting the urgency and competition involved in securing these valuable sites. Meanwhile, CUHK is considering future collaborations with overseas institutions and industries in the Hung Shui Kiu university town but is restricted by competitive bidding.
While CUHK has already established an InnoHub for New Quality Industries near Hung Shui Kiu, Lo acknowledged the need for more substantial and collaborative efforts within the university town to address space constraints and boost research capabilities. The timing and financial aspects of this ambitious project underscore the complexities facing Hong Kong's higher education institutions as they strive to expand and improve their global standing.