Johannes Chan’s appointment vote at Hong Kong University: why it's a big deal

Tonight, all eyes are on the University of Hong Kong’s governing council, which began meeting behind closed doors from 5pm to decide whether Prof Johannes Chan Man-mun can take up a key managerial post at the city’s top institution. Here are five points to explain why the appointment issue, dragging on for months, has become the talk of the town.

Who is Johannes Chan?

Johannes Chan, 56, was law dean of HKU for 12 years. He is a renowned scholar in constitutional law and human rights and a vocal critic on Hong Kong’s political reform issues. In recent months, the professor has been lambasted by the pro-Beijing press for his apparent close ties with Occupy Central co-founder Benny Tai Yiu-ting, who was also Chan’s subordinate during his deanship. Chan wrote a foreword for Tai’s book that introduced the civil disobedience movement.

One lesser known fact is that Chan is the city’s only honorary senior counsel, having argued many landmark cases on human rights in court.

What about the job he’s up for?

The influential post is one of five pro-vice-chancellors at HKU, reporting under the vice-chancellor and his deputy, called the provost. Chan was recommended by a search committee for the position overseeing academic staffing and resources. It is an important position as it exercises control over financial resources and handles recruitment matters, including staff promotion and retention.

But contrary to his critics who argue Chan’s background would bode ill for exchanges with the mainland, such exchanges would not fall under his responsibility. There is a different pro-vice-chancellor (global) in charge of mainland development.