On 3 August 2026, Dr Ewan Wright from the Department of Education Policy and Leadership took part in the International Research Symposium on Internationalization, Higher Education Hub and Talent Management, hosted by the School of Transdisciplinary Studies at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong. The symposium brought together researchers and higher education leaders from Hong Kong and beyond to discuss a timely question: how can universities attract talented people from around the world, help them thrive, and create lasting benefits for society? Dr Wright presented his paper, “Building a Higher Education Hub through Doctoral Talent: Insights from PhD Students in Hong Kong.” Drawing on a survey of non-local HKPFS students and interviews with current students and graduates across Hong Kong’s eight publicly funded universities, the research explored how doctoral students experience Hong Kong as a place to study, work and build a future. The findings show that Hong Kong is attracting talented students from around the world and providing outstanding research training. At the same time, Dr Wright’s presentation highlighted an important message: building a higher education hub is not only about attracting talent but also about helping talented people feel connected, supported, and able to contribute over the longer term, including through domestic job opportunities.
