HKUST president Shyy Wei to leave a year early

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology announced on Tuesday that President Shyy Wei will resign from his position with effect from October 19, 2022 -- a year earlier than expected. 

Shyy was appointed the fourth President of HKUST in September 2018, after former President Tony Chan Fan-cheong left his position earlier on August 31, 2018. 

His five-year term was supposed to last till September 2023. Shyy did not give a reason to his early departure. 

The University said that it will soon launch a global search for the appointment of its next President.

Prof. Shyy first joined HKUST as Provost in August 2010, overseeing academic affairs including the transition of the undergraduate programs to a new four-year curriculum.  

By September 2013, his responsibility was further expanded when he took up a new role as the Executive Vice-President & Provost (EVPP), where he was tasked to plan and manage workforce, financial, physical, and other resources, as well as matters relating to postgraduate studies and research activities. 

HKUST said that under his leadership, the university’s research capabilities – such as the inventions and solutions created during the Covid-19 pandemic, have earned wide recognition in Hong Kong, the mainland, and the world, gaining donations, investments, collaboration opportunities and high praise from both public and private sectors.  

"With the Council’s leadership and strategic direction on the establishment of HKUST(Guangzhou), Shyy and his team have worked hard to spearhead the “Unified HKUST, complementary campuses’’ concept, integrating the Clear Water Bay campus and the Guangzhou campus," the university said. 

He also launched the “Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab” initiative in 2019 to nurture a new generation who can produce original solutions with a sustainability mindset.  

Shyy said that it was his privilege to call HKUST home for the past 11 plus years.  

“On an excellent foundation laid by our founders and predecessors, and further strengthened by many members and supporters, HKUST’s academic standard, campus-wide openness, and institutional expectations continue to sustain and flourish," he said. 

He added that the sense of duty to serve HKUST’s long-term interests and overall standing has guided the team's thinking and action during a challenging time. In that spirit, the University will continue to open new horizons. 

Shyy was also one of the university presidents who did not issued a joint statement expressing support Beijing's move to impose national security law in the SAR, which was endorsed by the presidents of Hong Kong University, Chinese University, Lingnan University, Polytechnic University and Education University.

At that time, Shyy said the national security law is a piece of legislature, and that he did not have to say whether to support or not.

Shyy had also mourned the death of Chow Tsz-lok -- who died from a car park in Sheung Tak Estate -- at a congregation ceremony held on November 8, 2019. He also demanded an “independent investigation” into the death of student Chow, who died from severe brain injury after the fall during the 2019 social unrest.

Andrew Liao Cheung-sing, Chairman of the University Council, said UST celebrated its 30th anniversary with the opening of the Shaw Auditorium later this month and the opening of HKUST(Guangzhou) next September. He is fully confident that HKUST will continue to thrive upon the solid foundation built over the past three decades.  

"On behalf of the University community, I wish President Shyy all the best in his future endeavors,” Liao said.

A spokesman for the Education Bureau said the government has taken note of Shyy's resignation and expressed heartily thanks for his contributions to both HKUST and Hong Kong's higher education sector over the years.

The chairman of the University Grants Committee Carlson Tong Ka-shing also expressed “heartfelt gratitude” to Shyy on behalf of the UGC.