'World unis to step up collaboration over NM'

Leaders from universities around the world attending a conference in Hong Kong on Wednesday said they believe the Northern Metropolis project will foster closer collaboration among institutions. On the sidelines of the World Class University Presidents Forum, Mark Scott, vice chancellor and president of the University of Sydney, recognised Hong Kong’s leading position in education, which has five institutions ranked in the world’s top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2027. “There isn’t another city in the world that is achieving so remarkably at such scale, and so we have much to learn from Hong Kong,” he said. “One of the things I think we can learn is the commitment of leadership that sees investment in higher education, in research and in learning – as a key to economic growth and prosperity, and a richer and fairer society.” Scott also said the University of Sydney is very excited about what the mega project has to offer. “We are very impressed by the level of financial commitment and long-term engagement from government and leadership here, and we are keen to find a way to be productive partners.” Ebrahim Al Hajri, president of Khalifa University of Science and Technology in the United Arab Emirates, said the institution...