HKU SPACE has noted that following the release of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) results, an increasing number of students whose grades did not meet their expectations are choosing to transition to university through associate degree programs, leading to a significant rise in enrollment. Among them, there is an increase in the proportion of students from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia enrolling in associate degree and higher diploma programs, primarily concentrated in Business Administration and Information Technology disciplines. Vice President Professor Chow Suet-ling stated that these international student sources include children of individuals who arrived in Hong Kong through the Top Talent Pass Scheme and the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, with enrollment numbers showing a threefold growth trend. The institution is also actively collaborating with AI platforms to develop exclusive AI courses for students to enhance their competitiveness. The case of Yoyo, a recent Associate in Law graduate, demonstrates that associate degree programs provide an alternative pathway to university bachelor's degrees for students who did not succeed in the DSE; she will be transitioning to CityU's Bachelor of Laws program in the upcoming academic year.