HKU vice-chancellor Peter Mathieson admits job is ‘complicated’ but pledges to do his best for university and city

After almost two tumultuous years at the helm, the University of Hong Kong’s vice-chancellor says his job is “complicated” and the future is uncertain but he’s committed to soldiering on.

Professor Peter Mathieson, who took office in April 2014 as the 15th vice-chancellor of the city’s oldest university for a five-year term, called his first two years in the hot seat “a challenging period” for the institution as much as for the city itself.

“I always knew it would be complicated, and that’s one of the positive reasons for coming because I value that complexity,” Mathieson said, looking back at his decision to quit as dean of medicine at Bristol University to come to Hong Kong.

“Obviously Hong Kong has had a difficult two years during my first two years. I hope it’s not directly connected,” he said with a smile, adding: “It’s a complicated job and a complicated situation.”