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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) participated in the Austrian education fair BeSt in Vienna, organised by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Education and Women; the Austrian Federal Ministry for Science, Research and Economy; and the Austrian Employment Service from March 3 to 6. Around 78,000 visitors from all over Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and the Slovak Republic gathered over a period of four days to get information about education and job opportunities. HKETO Berlin hosted a booth with comprehensive information about studying in Hong Kong as well as talents admission and working holiday schemes. The Director of HKETO Berlin, Ms Betty Ho, gave a presentation on March 5 about the unique opportunities Hong Kong offers to students and talents from around the world.
"Hong Kong welcomes non-local students to study, to do research, and to take part in exchange activities," Ms Ho said. "Hong Kong's post-secondary education institutions offer a variety of high-quality programmes ranging from Bachelor degrees to Doctorates, all taught in English.¡±
Hong Kong adopts international standards in curriculum design as well as quality assurance. Qualifications granted by post-secondary education institutions in Hong Kong are internationally recognised. According to Financial Times surveys in 2013, Hong Kong universities also host some of the world¡¯s best business administration and executive business management programmes. Of the 20 local degree-awarding institutions in Hong Kong, four are ranked in the world's top 60 and Asia's top 10 by the Quacquarelli Symonds University Rankings 2015-16.
In addition, under the working holiday scheme between Austria and Hong Kong, which has entered into force in March 2015, young people from both places, aged between 18 and 30, can experience first-hand the other place's culture for up to six months. During their stay, young Austrians may take up employment or study.
"Hong Kong is a unique place where East meets West," Ms Ho added. "Hong Kong offers a unique environment where young people can gain the experience of studying or working in an Asian and Chinese environment, while at the same time continue to enjoy a western lifestyle."
Ms Ho also gave an overview on the different government-funded universities and highlighted scholarship opportunities. "To attract both outstanding local and non-local students to study in Hong Kong, the HK$1billion HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund was founded in 2008," Ms Ho said. Every year, the Government distributes a sum of money to the nine publicly-funded universities. The scholarship is HK$80,000 per year for non-local students.
The HKETO Berlin will also participate in the international education fair Study World 2016, to be held from 22 to 23 April in Berlin. For details on studying in Hong Kong, please visit studyinhongkong.edu.hk.
About HKETO Berlin
HKETO Berlin is the official Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 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.
Ends/Monday, March 7, 2016
Issued at HKT 23:57
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