Former TVB boss nominated to take top job on Chinese University of Hong Kong council
Norman Leung could become the Chinese University’s new governing body chairman after the post sat empty for six months
Pro-establishment figure and former TVB executive chairman Norman Leung Nai-pang was nominated by Chinese University’s governing council as it’s new council chairman after a 4 and half hour meeting on Thursday.
The post was vacant for half a year amid disputes surrounding university governance and accusations of political interference.
The appointment of Leung, who was widely tipped as Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s favourite, still needs the chief executive’s approval after the university submits the nomination.
None of the council’s 58 members represent students, which is unique among Hong Kong’s eight publicly-funded tertiary institutions. But student union president Ernie Chow Shue-fung was invited to give his opinions when the council started to discuss the appointment, although he was asked to leave when around 40 members at the meeting started to vote.
The university’s vice-chancellor Joseph Sung Jao-yiu said only one vote was for someone other than Leung.
Although Leung promised to meet students and staff as soon as possible, Chow said the council never consulted stake holders on the candidates. He said his demand that the council vote after consultation was rejected on the meeting.
“We deeply regret the decision today,” said Chow.