26 July 2025 

The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) released the “Life Satisfaction Survey of Quality Migrant Admission Scheme Dependants” findings at the “Hong Kong New Vision for Integration – Future Education and Talent” Principals’ Forum, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Council of Early Childhood Education and Services; Learning Outside School Limited; and the Hong Kong Council for Educational Administration, on 24 July 2025.

Professor Joshua Mok, Provost and Vice-President (Academic and Research), led a team of postgraduate researchers to conduct an interdisciplinary study surveying 1,000 dependants of the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS). The research delved into the dependents’ challenges and aspirations in academic integration, language proficiency, social inclusion, and cultural adaptation, offering vital data to enhance local education and policies framework. The survey unearthed three insights:

Widespread dissatisfaction – nearly 70% of spouses and 85% children express discontent with life in Hong Kong, with 30% of children reporting extreme dissatisfaction, underscoring profound adaptation struggles.

Educational misalignment – While education is a top priority for dependants, over 70% regret choosing to study in Hong Kong, highlighting gaps in academic support and integration.

Language as a barrier – Cantonese proficiency is a critical stumbling block, with over one-third of respondents unable to speak the language and only 15% of spouses and 5% of children fluent. The linguistic divide was cited as the primary obstacle for social integration and life satisfaction.

The research team proposed actionable solutions: strengthening family emotional support and expanding social networks to ease adaptation; enhancing school and community services, such as academic tutoring and practical life assistance; and improving information channels to provide comprehensive and accurate details on Hong Kong’s culture and policies. They urged greater investment in Cantonese and English training, with higher-quality programmes to bolster communication skills, and also recommended that District Care Teams collaborate with NGOs and institutions to offer Cantonese courses and cultural exchange opportunities for new arrivals, fostering smoother integration.

The Principals’ Forum featured a lineup of local primary and secondary school principals, education experts and AI industry leaders, who explored two critical themes: “Future Education and Talent Needs” and “Integration of New Hong Kong Families with Schools”. The discussions highlighted how Hong Kong can leverage inclusivity to address educational opportunities and challenges presented by QMAS families.

Professor Mok emphasised inclusivity  for Hong Kong’s ascent as a global education hub, particularly in the Greater Bay Area and ASEAN regions, and called for robust multicultural integration and equal educational access to forge regional partnerships and build sustainable talent ecosystems. He also highlighted Hong Kong’s established success in attracting diverse students across all academic stages but urged intensified cross-border educational exchanges to ignite the knowledge economy and drive innovation. Through strategic policy reforms and dynamic practices, Professor Mok believes that Hong Kong can magnify its regional clout, while spear-heading sustainable development and shaping tomorrow’s global leaders.