Head of Lingnan University to leave when term ends in summer 2023, joining line of tertiary institution chiefs in Hong Kong not renewing contracts

Professor Leonard Cheng, an economist who holds American citizenship, gives no reason for decision but calls time at Lingnan University a privilege and honour

Cheng joins presidents of Education University of Hong Kong, City University and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in departing at end of tenure

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Professor Leonard Cheng joined Lingnan University in 2013 and was reappointed in 2018. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Published: 12:07am, 22 Feb 2022Updated: 9:17pm, 22 Feb 2022

Lingnan University has revealed that its president, Professor Leonard Cheng Kwok-hon, will step down when his term ends next year, becoming the fourth head of a Hong Kong tertiary institution to leave at the end of their contract.

Cheng, 69, would retire on August 31 next year, and a committee had been established to lead a global search for his replacement, the public institution in Tuen Mun announced on Monday. He was university president during the rocky months of the anti-government movement of 2019, when campuses became protest zones.

In July that year, Cheng attended a march in Yuen Long as an “observer” for about 30 minutes, two hours before police officers fired tear gas at protesters. He said he was worried about the dangers facing students and staff.

Cheng on Monday said the university stood proudly as a global leader in quality education and high impact research and was well positioned to further its excellence in the next six years by implementing a new strategic plan.

“It is my privilege and honour to work with like-minded colleagues to realise the university’s vision to excel as a leading liberal arts university in Asia and beyond,” he said.

Lingnan University president Leonard Cheng meets students about class boycotts in September 2019. Photo: May Tse

Council chairman Andrew Yao Cho-fai expressed gratitude towards Cheng for his significant contributions.