A LEADING City University academic who has admitted copying his former teacher's work for use in one of his own books could face dismissal if an internal inquiry finds him guilty of plagiarism.
A university ad hoc group has been set up to investigate Professor Joseph Cheng Yu-shek's case.
And he faces a further humiliation - his publisher is set to destroy all unsold English versions of Professor Cheng's textbook.
Professor Cheng now says he wants to step down as Dean of the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty.
'In light of the adverse publicity, I think I need to consult colleagues to see if they think it is appropriate for me to continue to be Dean,' said Professor Cheng.
He would concentrate on teaching and research if he did go.
The inquiry team was set up earlier this month soon after Professor Cheng admitted copying from a book - by Hong Kong University scholar Dr Norman Miners - for a textbook he wrote in 1987. Professor Cheng has apologised to Dr Miners and agreed to pay compensation.
