Kenneth Chen set for CUHK role

Eunice Lam

Recently retired secretary-general of the Legislative Council secretariat Kenneth Chen Wei-on will take over as vice president of Chinese University, filling the void left by the departure of Eric Ng Shu-pui.

Ng was sacked in December after the CUHK governing council lost confidence in him, according to sources.

Chen's appointment is still awaiting approval from the council.

In response to The Standard's inquiry, a CUHK spokesman said the university is conducting recruitment work for vice president (administration).

"New appointments will be announced once candidates have been finalized in accordance with established procedure," the spokesman said.

According to CUHK's website yesterday, the position is still open.

CUHK's management consists of president Rocky Tuan Sung-chia, a provost and six vice presidents in charge of education, student experience, research, strategic developments, alumni relations and advancement, and administration.

The position of vice president (administration) has been left vacant ever since the council terminated Ng's contract last December.

Provost Alan Chan Kam-leung will oversee the vice president's work until a successor is found, while Ng's former deputy, Amelia Wong, has been promoted to university secretary until the end of this year.

Council chairman John Chai Yat-chiu said that back then the firing was made "in the interest of ensuring effective and efficient functioning of the council and university."

Ng had been accused of bias for signing a petition with some 1,200 alumni last July against a Legco bill to reform the CUHK council. And he was criticized for bypassing the council chairman to set a meeting agenda.

Ng later condemned the decision and denounced the council for not giving him a chance to defend himself against the accusations.

Chen, 59, had been Legco secretary-general for 12 years.

He was succeeded by Dora Wai on August 1 when going on pre-retirement leave.

Chen joined the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 2000 and was its director of racecourse business at the time of his departure.

He joined the government in 2008 and was appointed undersecretary for education. He also served as a part-time member of the Central Policy Unit between 1998 and 2000 and a member of the Advisory Committee on Teacher Education and Qualifications between 2002 and 2008.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com