"I cannot see any special need for [laws] to be evaluated and amended all over again," Ng said. "In general, I hope everyone can respect the existing legislation."

University laws stipulate that the chief executive is chancellor and has the power to appoint council members.

But since the University of Hong Kong's governing council last month voted down a recommendation for liberal scholar Johannes Chan Man-mun to become a pro-vice-chancellor - which was widely blamed on the dominance of pro-government council members - the focus has shifted to the legitimacy of the appointment mechanism.

Student bodies, including the Federation of Students, are planning referendums at eight universities before February. The referendums will seek opinions on changes to the laws, including the possibility of removing the chief executive as chancellor and increasing the proportion of student and staff representatives on governing bodies.

Amid a growing tendency for local students to become politically active, Ng cited his recent visit to Singapore, where anti-government protests are rare.

"University students there spend a lot of time focusing on the learning process. Professors and the universities are committed to strengthening teaching and learning and contributing at the personal, social and national [levels]," Ng said.

HKU council member Dr Lo Chung-mau, who is believed to have voted against Chan's appointment, insisted he never had a presumption and relied on statistics and analysis before reaching a decision.

He was speaking on RTHK's , which he addressed to HKU student union head and fellow council member Billy Fung Jing-en.