University of Hong Kong is reviewing retirement age of 60 after staff protests spur rethink
- Academic staffing and resources vice-president Terry Au reveals that review is under way and says demands have been heard
Chair professors at the University of Hong Kong could soon be allowed to work beyond the age of 60 after the institution on Friday softened its stance on a contentious retirement policy.
The 107-year-old university has found itself on the defensive in recent months after losing a number of respected scholars to forced retirement, leading to calls for the age to be raised.
But academic staffing and resources vice-president Terry Au Kit-fong has revealed that a review began on Friday afternoon concerning the feasibility of lifting the age from 60 to 65.
“There are lots of factors to consider if we were to make the change, such as how much it would cost the school annually for these professors to maintain their teaching or research positions, because limited resources are one of the school’s main concerns on this issue,” she said.
“I believe we would do it in phases, starting with allowing chair professors to work until they reach 65.”
Au said the first step was to conduct an economic analysis to determine how many members of staff would want to stay, and for how long, in order to project how much money would be needed.
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She reiterated that voices and demands had been heard and said the university was working towards a solution.
“We are not saying the idea is impossible, we just want to work out a plan for issues such as how contracts would be worked out, and who – if not all – would be granted work beyond 60,” she said.
It was believed a proposal based on the review would be drafted before the end of 2020.
The university changed its retirement policy in 2016. Previously, the few staff who obtained approval had their existing contracts extended on reaching 60, but the adjustment brought new contracts for non-tenured positions, which has meant a pay cut for some.
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HKU is one of four publicly funded universities in Hong Kong that have retained 60 as their retirement age. Polytechnic University, Baptist University and Education University have the same policy and only grant exceptions based on merit and staffing needs.
Meanwhile, HKU’s newly appointed president and vice chancellor Zhang Xiang said two search and selection committees would be set up next month to find replacements for former law dean Johannes Chan Man-mun and deputy vice chancellor Paul Tam Kwong-hang.
