Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has underscored the pivotal role of the University Town project within the Northern Metropolis development framework. He described it as a critical engine for regional growth, emphasizing that its significance extends beyond shaping a single generation's education to fostering continuous learning that elevates the overall quality of the population and serves as a cornerstone for improving community well-being.

Lee highlighted Hong Kong's internationally competitive education sector—anchored by five world-renowned universities and a highly globalized faculty and curriculum—as a key magnet for attracting elite talent from around the world. Positioning the University Town in the Northern Metropolis is designed to reinforce this strength, offering exceptional schooling for professionals and their families, thereby catalyzing the expansion of innovation and technology, as well as artificial intelligence adoption.

Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan added that the government will move away from simplistic quantitative benchmarks, prioritizing instead research capabilities and industry-integration potential as primary selection criteria. Institutions seeking to establish a presence in the University Town will be chosen through an open, competitive bidding process. Chan elaborated that the Northern Metropolis is designated as an international innovation and technology hub, so prospective universities must demonstrate outstanding research strengths and forge deep collaborations with enterprises, whether from the mainland or overseas.

Drawing on successful international models, this university-industry partnership approach not only elevates research standards but also entices major corporations to set up operations around campus, creating vibrant industrial clusters. In parallel, students involved in corporate research initiatives gain more direct employment pathways, creating a seamless transition from academia to professional careers.