Mainland-born scholar Zhang Xiang takes office as University of Hong Kong chief and vows to pursue talent for institution
Renowned American scientist starts first day of work in city without taking any media questions, citing his full schedule, but says he is keen to meet university members and alumni
Renowned mainland-born scientist Professor Zhang Xiang took office as the 16th head of the University of Hong Kong on Tuesday, pledging to boost the profile of the city’s oldest university and aggressively hire talent.
The new president and vice chancellor, now an American, strode onto campus at 9am and in brief remarks to reporters, said he was honoured to “serve this great institution”.
“We are going to build a great university here that is not only [going to] train and prepare our next generation of leaders, but also make a societal impact in Hong Kong, Greater China and the world,” the former professor of mechanical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley said.
He did not take any questions, saying he had a full schedule on his first day of work but added he looked forward to meeting students, faculty members and alumni.
Zhang’s appointment, announced last December, raised concerns among university members about whether he would defend the institution’s autonomy.
I am pleased to see the recent willingness of the [Hong Kong government] to invest more in research
They pointed to his lack of administrative experience and familiarity with Hong Kong, and his mainland background.