Academics launch signature drive against policy shifts

Academics have launched an on-line signature campaign to protest against education policy changes they say reflect a lack of public consultation.

The issues include substantial cuts in university funding and Secretary for Education and Manpower Arthur Li Kwok-cheung's suggestion to hasten the introduction of four-year university education.

An open letter drafted by seven academics from various universities said the lack of consultation was as bad as that surrounding the controversial National Security Bill.

The letter says the academic community felt it had been denied a role in education policies, 'not to mention the frustrations felt by many of us that our professional opinions and expertise have not been respected'.

Ng Tai-kai, of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's (HKUST) physics department, said about 60 people had signed online since the drive was launched last Friday.

He expects several hundred signatures at the close of the campaign this week.

The group will then publish the open letter and the signatures in a newspaper advertisement.