Our top universities need the best leaders
The new head of the Chinese University of Hong Kong has already faced a barrage of political questions, but attention should be paid to his plans and vision for the university
The search for a top university chief is no easy task, even more so when there are three such posts to fill at the same time. The job becomes even more challenging in Hong Kong, where politics gets into almost every domain these days. This is reflected in the recent and controversial appointment of Professor Rocky Tuan Sung-chi as the new Chinese University of Hong Kong vice-chancellor. It would not be surprising if the recruitment for the heads of the University of Hong Kong and the University of Science and Technology runs into similar controversies.
Tuan immediately became the target of criticism by students and staff after he had been endorsed by a selection panel last month. The Hong Kong-born American scientist was criticised for being unfamiliar with local affairs, although he went to junior high and high school here before pursuing his university degree in the United States. The criticisms are to be expected, given that he only returned to the city recently.
More intriguingly, he was bombarded with a series of politically charged questions, such as whether he would help students if they were arrested in another Occupy movement, and whether he would call the police if he encountered an angry confrontation with students similar to one in January last year on the University of Hong Kong campus, where officials were trapped in a building.
Such sentiment is inevitable in light of the recent political developments and atmosphere. While students and staff members have legitimate concerns over the new leader’s political leanings, no less important are his academic stature and leadership. More attention should be given to his vision and plans for the university in the coming six years.