Taking his throne? 'Tsar' Arthur Li set to be named University of Hong Kong council chief today as opponents vow to protest
Students and alumni to keep pressure up amid political storm if, as expected, former education minister is appointed to key job
Students and alumni of the University of Hong Kong are preparing another wave of protests, this time against the appointment of "The Tsar" Professor Arthur Li Kwok-cheung as chairman of its governing council - which is likely to be announced today.
They say the long-expected appointment of the controversial former education minister will plunge the city's oldest university deeper into the political storm in which it has been embroiled for months. While the appointment appears "unstoppable", they have vowed to continue the fight against Li, who they say has been "hostile" to HKU.
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Media reports have said that Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has decided to appoint Li to succeed incumbent chairman Leong Che-hung, whose term expires on November 6. But the announcement has reportedly been held back because Leung is struggling to fill four other vacancies in the council.
Lawmaker Ip Kin-yuen, convenor of an alumni concern group, said he did not believe further protests would stop Leung going ahead with the appointment. But, he added: "We will keep fighting and monitoring."
"Li is known for his hostile attitude towards HKU," said Ip, who represents the education sector in the legislature. "Choosing him to take the helm means HKU will never be in peace."
Ip's group has submitted a request to the HKU Convocation, a statutory body representing all alumni, for an emergency meeting next month to vote on several motions. One motion says Li is "not suitable" to be council chairman as he "does not have the trust, confidence and respect" of staff, students and alumni.