Three universities in Hong Kong made it into the top 10 in the latest Asia rankings published by UK education company Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) on Thursday.

Heavyweights from the education sector said the rankings recognize the progress made by the city in higher education, advising local universities to enhance overseas promotion under the “Study in Hong Kong” campaign and attract more top-caliber talent from the rest of the world.

The University of Hong Kong ranked highest among the city’s tertiary education institutions, coming second overall after Peking University.

Jumping four spots, the Chinese University of Hong Kong secured sixth place.

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For the first time, City University of Hong Kong was ranked among Asia’s top 10 universities, moving up from 17th to 10th.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Hong Kong Baptist University respectively ranked 11th, 17th and 71st.

Lingnan University obtained 188th place and the Education University of Hong Kong, which was included in the rankings for the first time, were 212th.

Twenty-two Chinese mainland universities were ranked among the top 100, with four in the top 10.

QS hailed Hong Kong as one of the fastest-developing education hubs in Asia by securing three seats in the top 10, second only to the Chinese mainland.

The company also suggested the city should further leverage the “Study in Hong Kong” campaign to attract global talent, while enhancing universities’ research capacity – as only two Hong Kong universities were ranked among the top 100 in Asia in this category.

HKU said that its excellent performance in the latest ranking can help the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government promote the “Study in Hong Kong” campaign and build the city into an international higher education hub.

CUHK said the ranking confirmed its leading position in the international higher education sector, adding that it will continue to strive for greater contributions to the benefit of Hong Kong, the country and the world.

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CityU President Freddy Boey Yin Chiang said being included among Asia’s top 10 universities is testament to the progress CityU has made in academic research. The university will continue to strive for innovation and excellence, and to attract outstanding talent from around the world, he added.

Lawmaker and veteran educator Tang Fei said universities that feature in the rankings should tell those beyond the city about their achievement to inform more students and parents about their unique features.

Tang recommends that local universities organize more overseas promotional activities under the “Study in Hong Kong” campaign.

He said the Global Education Expo — an education exhibition providing Hong Kong students with information on study opportunities overseas — is a good example to follow. This year, the expo featured over 100 representatives of local and overseas institutions from countries and regions such as the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia, attracting more than 5,000 participants.

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Chu Kwok-keung, a lawmaker representing the education sector and vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, urged Hong Kong universities to broaden enrollment channels, accept more international students and to enhance facilities such as dormitories to improve the experience for students.

Local universities should collaborate closely with industries and academia, allowing the city to leverage its strengths as an international education hub, drive diversified economic growth and develop new quality productive forces, Chu added.

In the QS world rankings published in June, Peking University ranked 14th while HKU secured the 17th spot.

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CUHK was ranked 36th, followed by HKUST (47th), PolyU (57th), CityU (62nd), Hong Kong Baptist University (252nd), and Lingnan University (711-720th).

Contact the writer at fangxue@chinadailyhk.com