The Federation of Self-financing Tertiary Institutions (FSTE) hosted the FSTE Summit 2024 on 22 November 2024, at New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel. The Summit, themed "Self-financing Higher Education in a Global Context", celebrated FSTE's 30th Anniversary and brought together industry leaders, academics, and policymakers to discuss the future of higher education.
The event commenced with welcoming remarks by Prof Ronald Chung, Chairman of FSTE, followed by an opening address by Dr Christine Choi, JP, Secretary for Education (SED) of the Education Bureau (EDB). Professor Keiko Ikeda, Vice Director of the Institute for Innovative Global Education at Kansai University in Japan, and Dr. Timothy Chan, Vice Provost of the Singapore Institute of Management, then delivered compelling keynote speeches. Prof Ikeda shared her expertise on the evolving landscape of international education, emphasising the importance of fostering global partnerships and cultivating future-ready talents. Dr Chan provided valuable insights into the Singapore Institute of Management's successful model of self-financing higher education, highlighting the institution's commitment to academic excellence and industry relevance.
During the Summit, Dr Christine Choi, JP, SED, presented the FSTE Teaching Excellence Awards to a group of educators from FSTE Member Institutions in recognition of their outstanding teaching performance.
A highlight of the Summit was a panel discussion facilitated by Mr Albert Chow, Executive Director of HKCAAVQ. Distinguished panelists, including Mr Esmond Lee, JP, Deputy Secretary for Education (1) of EDB, Mr Victor Kwok, Head of Education & Youth of Our Hong Kong Foundation, Prof Reggie Kwan, Provost of Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Prof Keiko Ikeda, and Dr Timothy Chan, engaged in a thought-provoking discussion on “Developing Hong Kong into an International Education Hub”. The panelists shared their perspectives on public policies, international experiences, and strategies to enhance Hong Kong's position as an international education hub. Mr Chow, representing HKCAAVQ, offered valuable insights into quality assurance.
The FSTE Summit 2024 provided a valuable platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and strategic discussions. The event underscored the importance of self-financing higher education in Hong Kong and its potential to contribute to the city's global competitiveness.