Hundreds sign petition urging University of Hong Kong to end delay of liberal scholar’s appointment
Representatives want governing body to discuss failure to appoint new manager as 1,000 alumni sign petition against hold-up
At least four University of Hong Kong council members are writing to their chairman to urge him to place the delay in appointing liberal scholar Johannes Chan Man-mun to a senior managerial post on their agenda for a meeting next week.
This came as some 1,000 alumni signed a petition protesting against the delay.
One HKU council member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said last night he was getting support from other members in issuing a letter to council chairman Dr Leong Che-hung before the monthly meeting next Tuesday.
"The deferred appointment of the pro-vice-chancellor position has caused a lot of concern and criticism of HKU in society," the member said. "We should delay the issue no further."
But he admitted that it was difficult to get support from most members, because the council voted 12-6 last month to defer discussion on the issue until a supervisory post was filled.
Chan, a former law dean at the university, had been widely tipped to be appointed to the position of pro-vice-chancellor. The post has been vacant since March last year.
Chan has been under attack from pro-Beijing newspapers ever since his candidacy became known late last year.