Bridging the divide

Michael Shum

An investigation and study group was formed yesterday to help resolve internal conflicts within the University of Hong Kong after Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu admonished president Zhang Xiang and council chair Priscilla Wong Pui-sze and told them to put the institution's interest first.

The government said the Education Bureau found "inconsistencies" in information gathered from relevant stakeholders and there is a need to clarify the facts and study ways to deal with the conflict.

The investigation and study group consists of Permanent Secretary for Education Michelle Li Mei-sheung and University Grants Committee chairman Tim Lui Tim-leung, who will be assisted by a support team formed by the bureau and the committee secretariat.

It will conduct investigations and studies on recent controversies relating to the university's internal operations in a bid to clarify facts and understand the issues of all parties involved.

The group will facilitate internal coordination, assist various parties to work together and strengthen mutual cooperation, the government said.

It will propose improvement measures and good practices "to ensure that HKU operates in accordance with the requirements of the university accountability agreement and uses public funds properly," the government added.

"Society has high expectations of UGC-funded universities to enhance their institutional governance effectively," a government spokesman said.

"We particularly cherish the HKU's hard-won, remarkable achievements, thanks to both the hard work and teamwork of the HKU community.

"We believe that establishing the group will help the university raise its governance effectiveness and scale new heights with concerted efforts."

The announcement came after Lee said in a news conference that Zhang and Wong should put the university's interest before anything else and asked the two to work together.

"HKU belongs to Hong Kong and all citizens instead of any individual, including the president or anyone from the governing council," Lee said.

"Many Hongkongers, university students and staff members, even overseas scholars and teenagers cherish the university. The university should keep on improving, it should improve mismanagement, fill long-term vacancies, clarify unclear procedures.

"The government subsidizes the university tens of billions of dollars annually. The money should be used appropriately."

HKU students hope the controversy will be resolved peacefully.

"I can feel that there is a bit of hostility between [Zhang and Wong] now," a student surnamed Yang said.

Another student, Xu, said: "I don't know too much about things between the two of them but I only hope HKU can be better and that these issues will not affect the development of the university."

Lawmaker and university council member Ronick Chan Chun-ying said although Zhang said he was not informed beforehand regarding the details of the appointments of the five interim vice presidents, the details are clearly listed on the meeting agenda.

"If you are asking me about whether [Zhang] was informed or not, this depends on people's definition of 'informed,'" Chan said. "The council stated that Zhang knew there was such a procedure in the council meeting and also prepared legal advice. I think everyone can use this to learn how informed he was."

The city's biggest political party - the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong - said the row is "hurting the reputation and disrupting the normal operation of the university" and that "we hope university management will cooperate with the government investigation group."

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com

Editorial: Page 6