Johannes Chan (left) and Timothy O'Leary. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Source:
https://scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1850939/hku-head-humanities-slams-absurd-extreme-delay Education
HKU head of humanities slams 'absurd in the extreme' delay in appointing pro-vice-chancellor
Humanities professor says university is being subjected to political pressure over appointment
O'Leary said the delay affects all Hongkongers. Photo: SCMP Pictures
The head of the University of Hong Kong's humanities school has weighed in on the debate over the delayed appointment of the institution's pro-vice-chancellor, dismissing an explanation by the governing body's chairman as "absurd in the extreme".
Professor Timothy O'Leary urged the university council to be aware of the potential damage if it refuses to follow established practice to approve the appointment of Professor Johannes Chan Man-mun, the liberal former law dean and sole candidate recommended for the position in May by a search committee.
The remarks by the philosophy scholar came three weeks after HKU students stormed a meeting of the council to protest against its decision to delay the appointment until a new provost is appointed.
The delay in Chan's appointment is seen by many as a political move, as he remains close to his colleague, Benny Tai Yiu-ting, a co-founder of Occupy Central.
"The explanation given by the council chairman, that we must wait until a new provost is appointed, is absurd in the extreme," O'Leary wrote, referring to pro-government figure Dr Leong Che-hung.
Ahead of the Occupy protests last year, O'Leary had advised his colleagues to be "as flexible as they can" during the pro-democracy school boycott to minimise the impact on students' learning.
Meanwhile, another group of HKU alumni - who refused to be labelled "pro-establishment" - made an open appeal against political interference, particularly from pan-democrats, in the university's internal affairs.
They called on alumni to pass them their proxy votes so they could vote down motions tabled by pro-democracy activists, which had urged the council to make the appointment within 30 days and required the post of council chairman to be taken by someone deemed acceptable to both students and the staff.