UNIVERSITIES may seem the last place where reform and enlightenment are needed. But a group of academics with pent-up frustrations over what they claim is maladministration and abuse of power on campuses see change as essential.
Some of the 20-odd members of the University Reform Action Group have cast doubt over the integrity of university heads, while backing calls for better governance of tertiary institutions, which ultimately means better monitoring of the use of taxpayers' money.
Their resolve was strengthened following a string of recent media reports containing accusations against the president of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Professor Woo Chia-wei, that ranged from misuse of funds to favouritism.
One allegation concerns Professor Woo's salary of more than $200,000 - 98 per cent of Chief Secretary for Administration Anson Chan Fang On-sang's pay. This figure was agreed when his contract was renewed in 1997, despite a government decision to remove the salary link that had previously applied to presidents of the Science and Technology university, Chinese University and the University of Hong Kong.
Other criticisms of Professor Woo include his approving the construction of a third, heated swimming pool on campus while the university - like other tertiary institutions - faces budget cuts. And some fear that his son, Dekai Wu, and daughter-in-law have been shown special treatment after joining the university.
Mr Wu joined the computer science department in 1992 as assistant professor with a PhD from the University of California at Berkeley and was promoted to associate professor last year.