Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation nonexecutive chairman Peter Wong Tung-shun has been named the new head of the University of Hong Kong governing council, succeeding Priscilla Wong Pui-sze.
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According to a government statement yesterday, the council will also see five new members: Simon Li Tin-chui, Irons Sze Wing-wai, Rock Chen Chung-nin, Wilfred Wong Kam-pui and Samuel Yung Wing-ki.
The three-year term of Priscilla Wong ends on December 31. Peter Wong, Chen, Wilfred Wong and Yung will start their terms on January 1.
Li and Sze will join the council on Sunday.
"With the terms of six members of the council expiring by the end of the year, [Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu] has decided to fill all six positions with new appointees to bring in a new outlook," the government said.
Other outgoing council members are Jason Chiu Tsz-kiu, Winnie Chiu Wing-kwan, Ian Grenville Cross, Abraham Shek Lai-him and John Zhao Linghuan. They will end their terms of service either on Saturday or on December 31.
Lee expressed his gratitude to the outgoing council members while saying the new appointees are all elites in the community, possessing outstanding capabilities and rich experience.
Lee is hoping the new appointees "will provide HKU's governance with a new outlook and new impetus, begin a new chapter in governance, steer the HKU toward striving for excellence and provide fresh momentum to the university," the government said.
Council member and lawmaker Ronick Chan Chun-ying said he is "very confident" about the six new appointees, adding he believes Peter Wong will help on the university's finances with his experience as a veteran banker.
Peter Wong has been HSBC's nonexecutive chairman since 2021. He is also a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and has acted as a member of several public advisory bodies between 2004 and 2020.
Wong has a bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, a master's degree in computer science, and another master's degree in marketing and finance from Indiana University in the United States.
Li was a former director-general of civil aviation, retiring in 2020. He joined Hong Kong International Aviation Academy as president in June 2021.
Sze, executive director of Hang Tung Resources Holding, was president of Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong between 2012 and 2014, and currently serves as its permanent honorary president. He has been a member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC since 2023.
Chen, an election committee sector lawmaker, was a council member of the University of Science and Technology and has been a deputy to the National People's Congress since 2023.
Wilfred Wong, founder of Resolutions HR & Business Consultancy Co, had served on many government advisory committees.
Yung, executive district director of insurance company AIA International, is also a member of the CPPCC Standing Committee. He had been chairman of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority until August this year.
The new appointments came after conflict among HKU senior management over the council's nominations of five interim vice presidents in May, in which HKU president Zhang Xiang accused Priscilla Wong of bypassing him in the nomination.
The tension between the two could be traced back to October last year after a five-member panel appointed by the council cleared Zhang of misconduct allegations.
In June, the government established an investigation and study group - chaired by permanent secretary for education Michelle Li Mei-sheung and University Grants Committee chairman Tim Lui Tim-leung - to look into the university's internal operational affairs.
Lee, who is also HKU chancellor, thanked the group for its "unremitting efforts in coordinating the HKU's internal operations, enhancing communication, assisting in resolving issues, reaching a consensus and achieving a positive outcome."
"The group will continue its work to facilitate collaboration between the new council and the management for the continuous enhancement of the HKU's governance effectiveness," the government said.
