Lingnan University council member at centre of scandal applies to take leave despite calls from protesters to resign

A Lingnan University council member whose private school was accused of fast-tracking doctoral degrees applied to take leave from the governing body on Tuesday.

The scandals sparked outrage among Lingnan students and alumni, who staged a protest during the university's graduation ceremonies yesterday. They called for the resignation of Lee, who was appointed by Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, and scrapping of the system that enables Leung to appoint university council members.

In a statement yesterday, Lee, who is also the vice-chairman of Lingnan's operator Lingnan Education Organisation, said he had submitted his leave application to the council chairman, and that once accepted it would take immediate effect until further notice.

Lingnan council chairman Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen said it was likely the council would approve Lee's application.

"Everybody knows that Mr Lee's college is not related to Lingnan University," said Auyeung. "I think he applied for leave because he wanted to have more time to deal with his personal matters. I feel it is a good thing."

During yesterday's graduation ceremonies, however, around 50 graduates and alumni staged a protest, displaying placards when receiving their diplomas on stage and launching paper planes containing slogans.