Chief executive’s HKU role should only be honorary, says panel (original) (raw)

The panel tasked with reviewing how the University of Hong Kong is run has recommended stripping the city’s leader of powers he or she currently enjoys, of appointing top council chairs and its members, according to a source.

Citing a report circulated to the university’s governing council on Tuesday, the source said the panel suggested the role of chancellor – which Leung Chun-ying currently holds by default, as Hong Kong chief executive – be made honorary.

That would mean the chief executive would not be able to appoint the council’s chair and members, or confer honorary degrees, said the source, who requested anonymity to share the information. Those responsibilities would fall to the council.

William Cheung Sing-wai, chairman of the HKU Academic Staff Association, said that it was “a good start”.

Council chairman Arthur Li is seen as a Leung ally. Photo: Sam Tsang