Q Is criticism of Sir Gordon Wu Ying-sheung's comments on City University justified? Sir Gordon Wu serving as the council chairman is the best thing that has ever happened to City University. I attended the closed-door forum on April 15, organised by the Staff Association, and was dismayed at the manner in which the senior management and chair professors hijacked a meeting that was meant to be a chance for all staff to express their views. Yes, Sir Gordon was criticised, but mainly by chair professors and the deputy president, and it was clear from the dissenting voices that, contrary to the claim in your article, many did not agree with them. The reality is that I, along with many others at City University, fully support Sir Gordon and believe that the criticism is not justified because, quite simply, he is right! Friday's forum was a dark day for City University because its true colours were revealed as haughty senior university staff treated a highly respected, well-disposed person shabbily - shame on them! They deserve an 'F' for their performance in communication and simple courtesy. I was appalled as they continued to badger Sir Gordon, greeting with roars of derision. Throughout, Sir Gordon was calm, composed and the voice of reason. My deep regret is that the true level of support for him could not be felt at that fiasco of a forum. The fact is he has a huge amount of support across all levels at City University and is much appreciated for his contribution. Sir Gordon, City University needs you more than ever and now you can see why. Name and address supplied I'm one of the alumni who recently graduated from City University. It is undoubtedly a very young university and I agree with Sir Gordon that practical steps should be taken in the university's development. However, I've reservations about restricting research and the ambition of those who want to push the university to a higher standard. As someone who's been taught in the university, I must say that teaching without research backup is not very effective, if not totally worthless. A teacher who only takes whatever others say and then passes on the information to students without any doubts or curiosity is dangerous. What's the difference between this sort of teaching and just passing on information? Research opens students' eyes, letting them know that what is written in books and is taught by the teachers isn't the whole picture. There's more knowledge waiting to be discovered. That's what university education is all about - training independent and capable minds that can suit the ever-changing needs of society. Research enhances education and learning. As the debate goes on, I'm aware of the criticism that some people are too eager to push the university to a higher standard. I don't think ambition is a problem. After all, vision is what development needs the most. It doesn't matter whether people are ambitious or not, the debate should be centred on how to realise those ambitions. Sadly, it seems that the current debate focuses mainly on how to gain more funds and fulfil the government's demands. Shawn Tam, Mongkok Q What do you think about the $1 waste tax on plastic bags? I spend quite a bit of time in France, where the supermarket giant Carrefour stopped supplying plastic bags to customers last month. Their decision followed that of many other chain stores in France (LeClerc, Champion, Lidl, among others) which banned bags years ago. To my knowledge, there is no law in France banning plastic bags; the large chains have business sense and are saving money by not supplying bags. There is also great emphasis on environmental protection in France. French shoppers carry their own baskets or durable cloth or vinyl bags to the markets and shops. I have learned to do the same. If I forget my bags, there are large reusable bags for sale at the checkout counters in all the shops for about 60 euro cents ($6). One soon learns to remember the bags! I wonder about the need to create complicated new schemes here in Hong Kong when this sort of thing has been done elsewhere so successfully. Our large chain stores could immediately stop using plastic bags and sell cheap durable bags covered with their logos. Hong Kong shoppers can learn to bring their own bags to the shops or purchase reusable bags there. It's easy and makes good sense. Linda Laddin, Central On other matters... A Talkback correspondent on Saturday asserted that the majority Chinese population enjoyed bus TV and that the sound was now so low that passengers had to sit right in front of the screens to watch it. If that is right, then we should see loads of passengers crowding in front of the TVs on buses. My casual observation shows quite the contrary. I see most passengers doing anything but watching TV. By law, passengers are not allowed to disturb others by listening to personal entertainment equipment without using headphones. Similarly, bus operators should not be allowed to disturb passengers with TV noise. They should deliver the audio of bus TV via a headphone system. Advocating silent bus TV is not the vocal minority trying to dictate their views on the majority. It is a matter of being civil and courteous in public areas. It is about giving people options. Catherine Ng, Hush the Bus
