The governing body of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has dismissed one of its vice-presidents with immediate effect, citing “a loss of confidence” in the senior officer’s ability to support future work.
The vice-president, however, said he was not given a chance to defend himself and that such allegations constituted “serious injustice.”
The CUHK Council reached the decision to terminate the employment of Eric Ng, also the university secretary, on Wednesday. The meeting was the first since the city’s legislature passed a controversial bill to reform the council, which is set to significantly reduce the influence of the university’s staff and academics. Critics of the reform said it could hurt the university’s autonomy.
According to the reform plan, the CUHK Council will be reduced in size from 55 seats to 34, with a proposed make-up of 23 external members and 11 internal members. The board previously consisted of an almost equal ratio of external to internal members.
The amendment bill was passed in the Legislative Council with little resistance last month despite a petition from the school’s students, alumni and some council members. The petition, which drew 1,500 signatures, protested against the reform and said the changes would undermine academic freedom at CUHK.
The decision to fire Ng concerned his recent actions relating to “matters pertinent to the work of the council,” chairperson John Chai told reporters after the council meeting on Wednesday.
“The council no longer has confidence in Mr Ng’s ability or willingness to support the work of the Council in a way that is expected of a senior officer in that position, in line with good governance principles,” Chai said, adding that the decision was made “in the interests of ensuring effective and efficient functioning of the council and of the university.”
He said Ng was among the signatories of the petition, which sparked doubt among council members over his ability to preserve the principle of neutrality.
“For example, a civil servant needs to stay politically neutral,” Chai said in Cantonese in response to reporters’ questions. “Similarly, [someone in] senior management at a university – especially the university secretary, an important role that supports the council – must maintain neutrality.”
He also said Ng had bypassed the council chairperson to set and issue a meeting agenda. He added that these two incidents were reported by local media and were among the “many behaviours” of Ng discussed in the meeting.
But on Wednesday evening, Ng issued a statement rebutting some claims made by Chai, local media reported.
Ng said that he was informed by Chai in October that a panel would be set up to investigate his conduct, but that he had not been invited to provide information or defend himself. Chai earlier told reporters that the council had “countless communication” with Ng over the matters concerned.
Ng said he was “extremely shocked, aggrieved, and sad” over the council’s decision and the accusations made against him.
He also said that during his 16-year tenure in CUHK, he had safeguarded the best interests of the institution in a professional and loyal manner.
“The accusations that my professional conduct contradicted the good governance principles in the university had constituted serious injustice to me,” he said in the Chinese statement.
‘Neutrality’
HKFP found that there was no mention of “neutrality” in the Code of Practice for council members published by CUHK. The code, however, did include mentions of “integrity,” “objectivity,” and “accountability.”
CUHK declined to comment on the Code of Practice, asking HKFP to refer to its statement – part of which was read out by Chai to reporters – instead.
Ng’s position as the vice-president of administration will be overseen by Provost Alan Chan until a successor is appointed, according to the statement. Deputy University Secretary Amelia Wong will serve as secretary until the end of 2024.
Ng joined CUHK in 2007 and took up the vice-president role in 2017. During his tenure, he was responsible for coordinating the institution’s professional and administrative services, according to his biography on CUHK’s website.
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