Asian universities have developed quickly over the past few decades and are becoming comparable to those in Europe and North America. But there's still a long way to go to catch up with the top universities in the West. Analysts say innovation is the key for their future development. CGTN's Li Jiejun reports from Hong Kong.

Felix Tso is studying an individualized interdisciplinary major in the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Every six months, he comes here to report his study progress to the program director.

Felix is interested in how human minds work to make decisions, but he cannot find an existing major to satisfy his need. He joined the interdisciplinary program and designed the curriculum himself. He calls his program "computational cognitive science".

FELIX, STUDENT HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY "This gives me a lot of freedom and opportunities. I'm taking some psychological courses in the Chinese University and some other computer courses here. I think this is the only program that gives me this unique opportunity. Through this diverse experience, I'm able to learn a lot about how people make decisions from a lot of different aspects."

HKUST first offered the individualized interdisciplinary program three years ago. It's the first of its kind in Asia to allow students to fully customize their curriculum.

PROFESSOR KING L. CHOW, DIRECTOR INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS OFFICE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY "Every student has his or her interests. So we want to provide them opportunity to develop their own curriculum instead of being conformed to some of the existing disciplines, which defines what is needed and not needed. We give them full flexibility, instead of being bound to any department. They can explore all courses available on the campus, as well as courses provided by other universities."

Innovation is an important factor that led to HKUST becoming one of Asia's top universities in just two decades. Many universities in the region like HKUST have progressed tremendously in recent years. Now more Asian universities are becoming world famous and highly respected.

PROFESSOR WEI SHYY, ACTING PRESIDENT HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY "Asian culture is Confucian-influenced. China, Korea, Japan and Singapore emphasize very much on education. There are strong appetite and interest in seeing better universities developed. Secondly, national agenda, social economic priorities, many universities are being given very strong support. Many experienced and well-trained scholars originally in the West started to migrate back to this region. So the universities can develop fast."

According to the QS world university rankings in 2016, 20 universities from Asia entered the top 100. Not only is the number increasing, but the rankings are also rising.

LI JIEJUN HONG KONG "As the world's economic powerhouse moves from the old industrialized countries to Asia, this region is also becoming the third pole for higher education, which was previously dominated by America and Europe. Now the question is how can the new emerging system be different from the West. Experts say the answer should be about innovating.

Observers say despite Asia's economic emergence, western universities are still the benchmark for quality, which means Asian universities have to learn from them. But instead of imitating of the West, they have room to innovate. LJJ, CGTN, HK.