Academic freedom must be ‘top priority’ for next University of Hong Kong chief

The next president of Hong Kong’s oldest university should stand firm on academic freedom and intellectual independence, a departing professor has advised, amid growing tensions between the institution’s governing body and students.

Douglas Kerr, who joined the University of Hong Kong in 1979, said that he had not seen a more serious divide between the two parties during his 38 years with the institute than in the past few years. The city’s premier higher learning institute has seen conflicts and clashes in recent years amid allegations of political interference in academic freedom.

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“Over the years, HKU students were relatively inactive politically, but many of them have been galvanised by recent events and have become increasingly frustrated, and feel powerless and alienated. That’s no good for anybody,” he said.

“It would be very nice if the government is more responsive to what the students are asking for, that would help.”

The former head of HKU’s English department and dean of arts, who has relocated to London, recalled his own student days at Cambridge University in the early 1970s, when students organised angry demonstrations against the Vietnam war.

“But I think it’s more difficult being a student now than in my generation [as] there are many things to worry about. When they graduate, their livelihood will by no means be as secure as it was a few years ago,” he said.

“Regardless, I have a lot of confidence in HKU students. I’ve known thousands of them over the years; they are a remarkable bunch of people,” he added.