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. Yesterday, a staff member of Lingnan College, Pun Shuk-han, complained her contract had been terminated unfairly and that she had been threatened by a senior staffer not to raise her case. Ms Pun, who has worked as an assistant lecturer at the college for six years, was told in January that her contract would not be renewed in the next academic year. She said no reason had been given and her appeal against the decision failed. The college last night refused to comment on individual cases but insisted that their procedures were fair. The college's president, Dr John Chen Tsou-shun, said the reasons for not renewing contracts could be poor research or teaching performance, or if the faculty needed other expertise. Meanwhile, the Executive Council has approved the new names for the two polytechnics and Baptist College, which are to be upgraded to university status. Subject to legislative amendments, the City Polytechnic will become the City University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic will be the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Baptist College will be the Hong Kong Baptist University. Governor Chris Patten will assume the role of chancellor of the universities.
