Non-English-Speaking European Union countries invited Hong Kong students Tuesday to study in their countries, as they have designed an increasing number of university courses conducted in English.

During a news conference, consul-generals from various countries, such as Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, called on Hong Kong students to consider their countries when planning to study abroad.

The consuls-generals made the statements ahead of the European Higher Education Fair 2002 due to be held here on March 16 to 17.

The call from these countries came against the backdrop that many Hong Kong students tend to study in the USA, Britain and Australia.

Peter Ekelund, consul general of Sweden, stressed the free study programs are available to all students successfully accepted into Swedish universities, adding that 100 programs are available in English.

Jerome Pasquier, consul general of France, said his country offers a few hundred programs in English and is constantly expanding this number.

The Consul of Finland Pirjo Leino said her country has increased the number of such courses from 80 last year to 120 this year.

Representatives of the European Chamber of Commerce will also be on hand at the exhibition to provide information on job opportunities by European companies in Hong Kong, said A Soler, Spanish consul-general.

About 30 institutions will participate in the European Higher Education Fair. The fair is an initiative by the EU Working Group for Culture to cultivate links between Hong Kong and the European Union in the education sector, Soler said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2002)