Peter Wong Tung-shun appointed as new HKU Council chairman

The government on Wednesday appointed Peter Wong Tung-shun, the chairman of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), as the new chairman of the governing body of the University of Hong Kong Council.

Wong will serve a three-year term starting in January, as the terms of incumbent HKU Council chairman Priscilla Wong Pui-sze will expire at the end of this year.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, in his capacity as the Chancellor of HKU, also appointed five new members to the Council.

Former director of Civil Aviation Simon Li Tin-chui and the standing committee member of the National Committee of CPPCC Irons Sze Wing-wai will be serving for a term of three years with effect from December 1.

Hong Kong NPC deputy Rock Chen Chung-nin, co-opted member of the Remuneration Committee Wilfred Wong Kam-pui and former chairman of Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) Council Samuel Yung Wing-ki will be serving for a term of three years with effect from January 1.

The government noted that HKU, as one of the world's top 100 universities, is an esteemed Hong Kong institution with a long-established and internationally renowned reputation.

Lee hopes that the new appointments would provide HKU's governance with a new outlook and impetus, begin a new chapter in governance, steer the HKU towards striving for excellence and provide fresh momentum to the university.

HKU said it respects the appointments and will "continue to pursue excellence and make contributions in academic excellence, talent cultivation and international cooperation."

HKU was once embroiled in an internal conflict between the Council and the university President Zhang Xiang over issues including the personnel arrangements for senior positions of the institution.

This resulted in the government establishing a task group composed of the Permanent Secretary for Education and the Chairman of the University Grants Committee to look *into HKU's internal operational affairs. 

Recommendations and solutions were formulated after the group held more than 60 meetings with relevant parties -- including Priscilla Wong, Zhang and other senior management staff of the university -- in a period of over two months. 

The suggestions included coordinating the HKU's internal operations, enhancing communication, reaching a consensus, and ensuring that HKU resumes normal operations in its fundamental interest.