The ongoing turmoil in the governance of the University of Hong Kong has sparked recent clashes between the university’s council and its president, Zhang Xiang, over the appointment of a vice president. The government announced yesterday the establishment of a research group to look into recent internal operations at HKU. The government stated that there were inconsistencies in the information provided by different individuals and a need to clarify the facts and study the appropriate course of action.
In separate statements, the HKU council and President Zhang Xiang asserted their positions. The council stated that the appointment of the vice president aimed to enhance governance and was not related to personal disputes, countering rumors, and claimed that communication with the president had been ongoing for some time. However, President Zhang Xiang countered the council’s public letter, alleging falsehoods and unfair criticism.
Prior to attending an executive council meeting, Chief Executive Li Ka-chai confirmed that he had met with President Zhang Xiang and council chair Wang Peishi to facilitate communication and emphasize the importance of good communication and cooperation. The government stipulates that HKU belongs to Hong Kong, not to the president or any individual in the council. With annual funding to universities amounting to billions, proper financial management and governance are required to ensure accountability, with both parties urged to prioritize the university’s interests.
Li Ka-chai disclosed on the 4th that the Education Bureau had been tasked to investigate the matter. The government revealed that after consulting relevant individuals, conflicting information was found, necessitating clarification of facts and research into the best approach to handling the situation. The establishment of a research group to probe recent internal operations at HKU was announced.
The government underscores that universities are highly regarded by both the government and the public, particularly appreciating the hard work of generations at HKU, and the collective efforts of the university team that have led to significant achievements. Annual funding to universities must be properly managed, and it is believed that the formation of the research group can help HKU enhance governance efficiency.
The group, comprising Secretary for Education Li Meichang and Chairman of the Education Commission Lei Tianliang, will commence its work promptly and establish a support team composed of the Education Bureau and Education Commission Secretariat.
The government states that the formation of the group was proposed to the Chief Executive by the Education Bureau, with the objective to clarify facts, understand the issues from all parties, facilitate internal communication, assist collaboration, provide recommendations based on research findings for improvement, and ensure that the university operates and utilizes public funds in accordance with the University Accountability Agreement.
Authorities stress that under the current framework, the University Grants Committee (UGC) and each funded university sign a University Accountability Agreement upon allocation of funds, outlining guidelines for governance, accountability, and resource utilization to ensure university operations align with Hong Kong’s interests and development. Besides providing resources, the Education Bureau is responsible for formulating overall education policies and strategies, and the allocation arrangements by the UGC for funding university operations must align with the government’s overall education policy direction. ◇