Arthur Li has ‘open mind’ on next University of Hong Kong chief but says search is being dragged out
HKU council chairman says candidates need not be locals who are familiar with the city’s stormy politics
The University of Hong Kong’s next vice-chancellor need not be a local who is familiar with the city’s stormy politics, says its council chairman Professor Arthur Li Kwok-cheung, whose combative governing style has intensified rows plaguing the institution.
In an interview with the Post, Li also departed from his colleagues on the process for finding a replacement for Professor Peter Mathieson, accusing them of delaying the process by wanting to hold a poll to appoint a search committee.
Mathieson tendered his resignation last month, two years before his contract expires. His premature departure fuelled rumours among staff that he had been sidelined by Li.
Li dismissed the recent political controversies, including the council’s decision not to appoint liberal scholar Professor Johannes Chan Man-mun to a key managerial post.
He did not think the recent rows would deter candidates and said an understanding of local politics was not a job requirement.