Chief excecutive says he recently facilitated HK$300 million in contributions to HKU, City University and the Chinese University
JOYCE.NG@SCMP.COM
PUBLISHED : Tuesday, 05 January, 2016, 11:46am
UPDATED : Tuesday, 05 January, 2016, 11:46am
According to a report last month, Leung told businessmen to give money to scientific research projects and even primary and secondary schools instead of universities. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Leung Chun-ying has denied rumours that he had asked the private sector not to donate to local universities, saying he had on the contrary facilitated a total of HK$300 million in contributions to three universities recently.
“When people hear and spread rumours, they should look at the facts,” Leung said after he was asked about the issue by the media this morning.
Last month, NOW TV reported that Leung had told private audiences, including the business sector, that there was no need to donate to local universities because they were already well-funded from multiple sources and were overstaffed anyway.
READ MORE: Hong Kong leader CY Leung is playing ‘hunger games’ with public universities
According to the TV station, Leung instead called for the businessmen to give money to scientific research projects and even primary and secondary schools.
Leung’s purported remarks were seen by critics as politically motivated against the universities, some of which have appeared to be breeding grounds for political dissent in recent years, such as the University of Hong Kong.
But the chief executive said this morning he had at least on three occasions appealed for donations to HKU, City University and the Chinese University, and facilitated a total sum of HK$300 million in contributions to those institutions.
As to the recent appointment of Arthur Li Kwok-cheung, a controversial former education minister known for his high-handed style, as chairman of the HKU council, Leung said “talent” was his only concern in the appointment.
“Mr Li will do his best for the good development of HKU, and he will work with the management, staff and students,” Leung added.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1898070/cy-leung-denies-asking-private-sector-not-donate
