University of Hong Kong plans to clamp down on behaviour that brings it into ‘disrepute’, sparking criticism by staff, students

Staff and student representatives insist proposal, signed off by university chancellor and city leader John Lee, is too vague and would damage academic freedom

University says similar provisions exist in British universities, such as Birmingham and Edinburgh and special disciplinary committee would be formed

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The University of Hong Kong wants to introduce a new statute to penalise those who bring the institution into disrepute. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 12:35am, 29 Jun 2023Updated: 1:21am, 29 Jun 2023

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) said it wanted to clamp down on behaviour that brings it into “disrepute”, but failed to give a definition of the sort of conduct that could land students in hot water.

But representatives of students, staff and graduates said on Wednesday the proposed statute, to come into force on October 20 if approved by lawmakers, would damage what should be an open and inquiring environment.

Casey Chik Yau-hong, an undergraduate representative, said the amendment was vague and there was no need for it.

He said: “There are different mechanisms to manage similar incidents. I don’t see any circumstances this amendment can be applied to.

“Students may have concerns over how the school will use the new power. It is not what an open, pluralistic environment should be.”

Workers remove a part of the “Pillar of Shame” statue, installed at HKU to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing, in 2021. Photo: Sam Tsang

Fu King-wa, a graduate and academic staff representative, said he had no idea why the university had asked for the amendment, which will not cover teaching staff.