HKU student trips to mainland will not be mandatory, says chief after apologising for 'clumsy' remarks
Amid outcry, vice-president says study trips across the border will not be made mandatory
A senior University of Hong Kong don yesterday apologised for his "clumsy and inappropriate" comment that those opposed to a new programme requiring undergraduates to spend time on the mainland need not enrol.
Pro-vice-chancellor and vice-president Professor Ian Holliday, who announced the policy at a student union dinner on Friday, also made an about-turn as he stressed that the scheme would not be mandatory and no timetable for its roll-out had been set.
Students would be consulted first, he promised.
Having indicated on Friday that the new policy would be mandatory for all undergraduates by 2022, Holliday said yesterday that the only decision agreed on was to ensure "everybody has the opportunity" of one learning experience on the mainland and one internationally.
On Friday, Holliday sparked outrage when he was reported as saying to student union members about the new plan: "If you don't agree with the policy, then please don't come to HKU."
Yesterday, he said: "I apologise unreservedly for the clumsy and inappropriate remarks." He had meant to say "something much more positive".
His remarks came as an online poll by the union showed 97 per cent of undergraduates opposed any arbitrary requirement for them to go to a particular place to study.
Vice chancellor Professor Peter Mathieson also weighed in on the controversy yesterday. "Clearly, enrolment in any university includes an element of choice for applicants: we want all prospective applicants to know about HKU's policies and expectations so that they can decide whether it suits their needs or not," Mathieson told the
"These [developmental] opportunities may be anywhere in the world, but obviously in view of our geopolitical situation, mainland China will be one target area," Mathieson said.
Such experiences would help students develop a "truly global perspective", he added.
He also denied speculation that the new move was a result of pressure from the University Grants Committee, which is considering funding arrangements for a three-year period starting next year. He said it was an internal decision and "nothing to do with" the committee.
HKU council chairman Dr Leong Che-hung said today that exchange trips – whether overseas or to the mainland – would benefit students and broaden their horizons.
Leong said Hongkongers cannot solely count on their own experience to sustain the city’s development in today’s world.
"Opportunities to go out and see the world, including the mainland, would definitely help students’ future development, whether academically or in the business world," he told DBC radio.
Leong said the university’s senate, which oversees academic matters, was handling the learning programme plan and had not submitted a final plan to the council yet.
Additional reporting by Lai Ying-kit
