Ip Kin-yuen
The HKU Alumni Concern Group and the institution's Academic Staff Association, which represents half of HKU's teachers, said they find it “extremely regrettable” that the council has rejected the appointment of Johannes Chan without providing reasonable grounds.
They say members should have been open and transparent, but were instead hiding behind confidentiality rules.
The convenor of the alumni concern group, Ip Kin-yuen, also slammed the council for turning a deaf ear to the voices of more than 7,000 alumni, who earlier this month voted in favour of a non-binding motion calling on the school's governing body to make decisions in accordance with the university’s established procedures. The council had, in the past, always approved candidates recommended by the university’s search committee.
The two groups said they will organise a major forum to discuss the issue. A date has not been set, but Ip said Leong Che-hung, the council’s chairman, has initially agreed to attend the forum.
The two groups also plan to conduct surveys to gauge staff members and students' views on the council's decision, and on possible future candidates for the pro-vice-chancellorship.
However, NPC Standing Committee member Rita Fan says anyone who accuses the HKU council of rejecting Chan's appointment because of politics should come forward with evidence.
She referred to leaked information that some members had questioned Chan's integrity and whether he's academically qualified to be pro-vice-chancellor. Fan said these are good-enough reasons to reject his appointment.
They say members should have been open and transparent, but were instead hiding behind confidentiality rules.
The convenor of the alumni concern group, Ip Kin-yuen, also slammed the council for turning a deaf ear to the voices of more than 7,000 alumni, who earlier this month voted in favour of a non-binding motion calling on the school's governing body to make decisions in accordance with the university’s established procedures. The council had, in the past, always approved candidates recommended by the university’s search committee.
The two groups said they will organise a major forum to discuss the issue. A date has not been set, but Ip said Leong Che-hung, the council’s chairman, has initially agreed to attend the forum.
The two groups also plan to conduct surveys to gauge staff members and students' views on the council's decision, and on possible future candidates for the pro-vice-chancellorship.
However, NPC Standing Committee member Rita Fan says anyone who accuses the HKU council of rejecting Chan's appointment because of politics should come forward with evidence.
She referred to leaked information that some members had questioned Chan's integrity and whether he's academically qualified to be pro-vice-chancellor. Fan said these are good-enough reasons to reject his appointment.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1214530-20150930.htm
