HKU Council slammed for appointing interim vice presidents without consultation

The chair of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) Council, Priscilla Wong Pui-sze, has faced criticism for "severely undermining the century-old academic autonomy" by abruptly approving six interim vice presidents despite objections from HKU President Zhang Xiang.

The appointments have also sparked outrage among the alumni and former Council members, including ex-Secretary for Education Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun, as they sent a joint letter expressing a lack of confidence in Wong. 

The alums have called on HKU's Chancellor and Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu to take action to resolve the turmoil.

Law said she had no comment on the personal dispute between Wong and Zhang but was solely concerned about the procedural issue of the appointments, the impact on the reputation of HKU and the international image of Hong Kong. 

She hoped that the internal struggles could be resolved to provide the staff with a stable and peaceful environment to strive for the development of the university.

Choy So-yuk, one of the SAR deputies to the National People's Congress, said it is crucial to determine whether the appointment procedures are reasonable and lawful, and whether they have undermined the powers of the university president.

She added that the turmoil could affect Hong Kong's international reputation and the willingness of top international scholars and experts to take up leadership roles at local universities.

The letter stated that the governing Council only serves a role in providing guidance and overseeing the management's compliance with regulations, but should not directly participate in administrative affairs. 

The alums and former Council members said collaboration and mutual respect between the Council chair and university president have been essential in guiding HKU to its current prestigious international status, and the delicate balance must be preserved.

Separately, in an email to staff, students and alums dated Wednesday (Jun 5), Zhang said "HKU has been enshrouded by internal struggles" that has hindered its operation and reputation. 

He noted that the Council's appointments "violated the established procedures and disregarded the fundamentals of good governance" as the nominations were not recommended by or consulted with him.

Zhang stressed that prior communication and discussion "are essential for making such senior appointments. The University management did not have prior knowledge of these appointments at all."

He described the actions as having "severely undermined the century-old academic autonomy upon which the University of Hong Kong is built" and puts the stability, development and reputation of HKU at risk.

"It is my duty to uphold the century-old traditions, mechanisms, and procedures that are fundamental to the smooth functioning of the University," he stated, and hopes to find a solution to uphold the dignity of HKU.

The Council passed the interim appointment of vice presidents last Tuesday (May 28).

Zhang's right-hand man, Richard Wong Yue-chim, originally the interim provost and deputy vice-chancellor, and acting executive vice president (administration and finance), was demoted to vice president and pro-vice-chancellor (institutional advancement).

The provost role has been taken up by chair professor of chemistry Vivian Yam Wing-wah.

The council had also endorsed two new positions, including medical dean Lau Chak-sing as vice president (health) and chair professor of economics Cai Hongbin as vice president (business).

Vice president (teaching and learning) Ian Holliday and vice president (research) Max Shen Zuojun remain in their original posts.

Chair professor of materials science and engineering Alfonso Ngan Hing-wan has succeeded Gong Peng as vice president (academic development), while Gong was appointed vice president (global), which had been vacant since January 2019.