HONG KONG Polytechnic director Professor Poon Chung-kwong was yesterday re-appointed for four more years, but he immediately faced pressure for a management revamp.
The polytechnic council unanimously supported the re-appointment of Professor Poon, who has been director since 1991.
But some lecturers said Professor Poon had to be more determined in opening up the institution because power was too centralised, which had led to management problems.
Some senior staff have been the subject of internal inquiries into alleged research misconduct, corruption and mismanagement.
The chairman of the 1,800-strong Staff Association, Dr Gerald Billis, said: ''The management is not open and accountable enough at present. I hope during the next four years, [Professor Poon] can introduce a proper checks and balances system.'' One lecturer complained matters such as staff recruitment had been concentrated in the hands of senior management.
Legislator Cheung Man-kwong said tertiary institutions should have a fair and open staff-appraisal system.
A number of lecturers from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the Chinese University, and the Hong Kong Polytechnic have complained over the past few months that contracts were terminated unreasonably.