AS PART of its push to forge closer ties with China, the Open Learning Institute (OLI) yesterday announced the appointment of a new director, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University, Professor Tam Shang-wei. OLI chairman Peter Wong Hong-yuen said they wanted a Mandarin speaker with excellent knowledge of Hong Kong to replace Professor Gajaraj Dhanarajan, who retired in May. The institute is planning joint ventures with China. The institute had 108 applications for the post. Professor Tam, 60, has taught for 30 years at the Chinese University.