It seems as though it was only yesterday that we reported the scrapping of plans to merge Chinese University and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
It was in fact March, 2004, and John Niland, convenor of the special working group to probe the proposal by education chief Arthur Li Kwok-cheung, said at the time there were 'better alternatives than focusing all the energy on the two institutions'. 'Deep collaboration' was suggested as the best way forward.
There was also a proposal to merge the Hong Kong Institute of Education with CUHK. 'Clearly a reasonable move,' Professor Li said.
Professor Niland's recommendation was thought at the time to close a chapter opened by Professor Li shortly after his appointment two years earlier, during which he described himself as 'a matchmaker'.
He would pursue his merger policy famously as a 'gentleman first and then a soldier'. 'Pursuing a merger between Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is a priority for me during my term of office,' Professor Li said in one of two briefings on the subject. 'I want the merger to result in a world-class university. I am persuasive ... people who object to the idea of a merger need to come up with good reasons for not wanting it.'
They did, and most people thought that was that. Until, that is, Professor Li - now in his 'green apples' period and approaching what many in the know say are probably his last few months in the job - resurrected the merger idea.