Hong Kong University of Science and Technology president Wei Shyy resigns, triggering global search for successor

The president of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) will step down about 11 months before his contract is set to end, triggering a global search for his successor.

Professor Wei Shyy, who was appointed to a five-year term as the university’s fourth president in 2018, will now leave the role in October next year, rather than at the end of August in 2023 as planned. While he did not give a reason for quitting, or reveal what he intended to do next, he spoke on Tuesday of overcoming challenges over the course of his time with the institution.

“It has been my privilege to call HKUST home for the past 11-plus years,” he said. “The sense of duty to serve HKUST’s long-term interests and overall standing has guided our thinking and action during challenging times. In that spirit, the university will continue to open new horizons.”

Shyy has been with the university for more than a third of its 30-year history, and HKUST said on Tuesday that it would launch an international search for his replacement.

Asked about Shyy’s plans for the future, the university’s public affairs office said he had not yet made any, as there was still a year to go before his departure and much work left to be done, including preparations for the establishment of HKUST’s new campus in Guangzhou.

“Given that he will also witness the official opening of HKUST [Guangzhou] before stepping down in October next year, he feels that it is the right time to pass the torch,” the office said.

The Education Bureau thanked Shyy on Tuesday, highlighting the new Guangzhou campus and HKUST’s enhanced scientific research capacity as major achievements.

Carlson Tong, chairman of the University Grants Committee, lauded Shyy’s contributions to innovation and technology in Hong Kong, citing HKUST’s “impressive result” in a recent assessment of local universities’ research.