HKU head of humanities slams 'absurd in the extreme' delay in appointing pro-vice-chancellor

The head of the University of Hong Kong's humanities school has weighed in on the debate over the delayed appointment of the institution's pro-vice-chancellor, dismissing an explanation by the governing body's chairman as "absurd in the extreme".

Professor Timothy O'Leary urged the university council to be aware of the potential damage if it refuses to follow established practice to approve the appointment of Professor Johannes Chan Man-mun, the liberal former law dean and sole candidate recommended for the position in May by a search committee.

The remarks by the philosophy scholar came three weeks after HKU students stormed a meeting of the council to protest against its decision to delay the appointment until a new provost is appointed.

The delay in Chan's appointment is seen by many as a political move, as he remains close to his colleague, Benny Tai Yiu-ting, a co-founder of Occupy Central.

The city's flagship university was being subjected to political pressure, wrote O'Leary in an opinion piece published in the Post today as he accused the council of acting beyond rationality when dealing with the appointment.

"The explanation given by the council chairman, that we must wait until a new provost is appointed, is absurd in the extreme," O'Leary wrote, referring to pro-government figure Dr Leong Che-hung.