Sacked Macau academic becomes guest lecturer in Hong Kong
Democrat Bill Chou becomes guest lecturer in city after his Macau contract was not renewed amid claims he imposed his views on students
An academic who lost his job at the University of Macau amid claims he imposed his political views on students has stepped into another febrile political atmosphere by becoming a guest lecturer in Hong Kong.
But Bill Chou Kuok-ping says he is so concerned about pressure on his new employer that he is not disclosing the name of the institution. "I don't want pro-government people from Macau to influence its personnel decisions," he told the Post.
Chou, vice-president of Macau's biggest pro-democracy group, the New Macau Association, arrives as students find themselves at the vanguard of the Occupy Central movement.
Chou's contract as an associate professor of political science was not renewed in August, two years after he began publicly advocating democracy in Macau. He had worked at the institution since 2002.
His treatment led to concerns that academic freedom was under threat. But he believes Hong Kong, where he grew up, is more open.
"Macau is a very conservative society. I feel that I have more freedom here," Chou says. "Hong Kong students are more open-minded, and socially and politically engaged. There's more vibrant public discussion and a more vibrant mass media.