Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council and Lingnan University to build seamless pathway for non-local students

The Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council Limited (DSSSC) and Lingnan University officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 19th May 2026. The two parties announced they will work together to provide systematic advancement support for non-local students in Direct Subsidy Scheme schools. This collaboration marks Lingnan as the sixth local university to sign an MoU with the DSSSC, showcasing the DSSSC’s fruitful achievements in driving close cooperation with local tertiary institutions. By establishing strategic admission channels and comprehensive transitional support, both parties aim to actively support and promote the government's "Study in Hong Kong" brand, jointly nurturing outstanding talents and enhancing Hong Kong's attractiveness as an international education hub.
By

Lingnan University

From left: Sister Margaret Wong, Chairman of the Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council, Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost of Lingnan University.

Lingnan University

This partnership aligns closely with the government's promotion of the "Study in Hong Kong" brand and the policy allowing DSS schools to officially admit non-local students starting September 2026. According to the MoU, both parties will engage in deep cooperation in the following distinct areas:

 

 

  • Establishment of a Principal Nomination Scheme: The Parties will establish a DSS School Principal Nomination Scheme for non-local students, providing a direct pathway to higher education.

  • Scholarships for Non-local Students: Non-local students from DSSSC Schools are eligible, on a competitive basis, for the scholarships established by Lingnan for non-local students to support their academic pursuits.

  • Joint International Outreach: The Parties will explore joint international outreach activities to strengthen strategic admissions and promote Hong Kong's education sector overseas.

  • Early Identification and Direct Engagement: The Parties will explore collaborative projects and initiatives aimed at the early identification and direct engagement of non-local students to support their progression to higher education.

  • Provision of Transitional Support: Lingnan University will provide dedicated transitional support for non-local DSSSC students admitted to Lingnan, helping them smoothly adapt to university learning and campus life.

  • Pre-University Programmes and Summer Activities: Lingnan University will invite prospective and current non-local students of DSSSC to join the Pre-University programmes or activities offered by Lingnan, and collaborate with DSSSC in organising a summer programme for non-local students.

 

 

Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost of Lingnan University, stated: "Lingnan University has established a partnership with the DSSSC to create a seamless, supportive academic pathway for outstanding non-local talent. In recent years, Lingnan has been actively leveraging its unique strengths in ‘Liberal Arts education + technology’ and international talent development in the digital era. This year, the University also launched the ‘Samuel C.C. Ting Elite Class’, named after Nobel Prize laureate in Physics Professor Samuel C. C. Ting, to recruit outstanding students from around the world and nurture innovative global talents with strengths in both the arts and sciences. Building on the solid secondary education foundation provided by DSS schools, this collaboration will help enrich our campus diversity and also actively build the high-quality talent pipeline that Hong Kong needs to thrive as a global city in the digital era."

 

 

Sister Margaret Wong, Chairman of the Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council, stated: "We are grateful for Lingnan's trust in our DSS schools. This partnership aligns with Chief Executive Mr. John Lee's 2025 Policy Address to develop Hong Kong into an international education hub. By recruiting high-quality foreign students into our senior secondary curriculum, we help them overcome academic and cultural challenges before university. This one-stop cultivation model ensures foreign students build deep friendships locally, they will ultimately choose Hong Kong as their home after graduation — retaining talent and safeguarding this 'Pearl of the Orient'."

 

 

The signing of this MoU demonstrates the recognition of the quality of DSS education by local universities. Both parties will work in close coordination to contribute to the development of Hong Kong as an international education hub.