University of Hong Kong slammed for not getting women involved in search for new vice-chancellor
Women’s Studies Research Centre and staff concern group criticise institution for failing to follow gender guidelines by creating an all-male search committee
Hong Kong’s oldest university has failed to comply with gender equality guidelines in its search for its next vice-chancellor, according to some academics.
However, the institution’s latest policy guidelines on recruitment issued in October last year state: “To promote gender equality, at least 30 per cent of the voting members or at least two voting members of the search/selection committee should be female.”
The university’s Women’s Studies Research Centre and staff concern group HKU Vigilance said they were “surprised and disappointed” that the committee’s membership did not comply with the latest policy.
“It would appear that in the case of this committee, to select one of the most senior officers of the university, no attempt has been made to follow the university’s policy on gender balance,” the joint statement said.
