University of Hong Kong head accused of amassing power through eyebrow-raising staffing practices
- Five years into Xiang Zhang’s tenure as president, powerful positions still do not have permanent hires, while other top employees are taking on multiple roles
- His critics say Zhang’s hiring practices allow him to consolidate power, while his supporters argue it’s testament to his drive to ensure only best are hired
Accusations that the president of Hong Kong’s top university has been amassing power by filling key roles with little consultation or transparency continued to mount on Thursday, while the Post learned the government was hoping the scandal would subside before the institution’s top council holds a special meeting next week.
As the feud intensifies, two influential figures within the University of Hong Kong (HKU) community – former council chairman Arthur Li Kwok-cheung and interim provost and deputy vice-chancellor Richard Wong Yue-chim – have been trying to help the opposing sides settle their differences, according to sources.
Anonymous emails sent to the governing body have accused HKU president and vice-chancellor Xiang Zhang of mismanagement, and five years into his tenure he now faces a potential inquiry by the council. He has denied the claims, saying “rumour-mongers” are taking confidential information out of context and twisting the truth.
The Post learned that the government, which has stayed largely on the sidelines of the scandal, hoped media attention on the turmoil would fade before the meeting.
Staff at HKU were also urged on Wednesday to refer reporters’ questions to the university’s communications office according to an internal email seen by the Post, but fresh complaints continued to stack up against the president.
More than one insider alleged that two key administrative posts in the president’s office were filled without an open recruitment exercise during Zhang’s tenure, including chief of staff Isabella Wong, a veteran university employee who took over the role in 2020.