Controversial No 2 at Hong Kong University Paul Tam to step down – but concerns are raised over his potential replacement
- Sudden change in senior management follows shock resignation of a vice-president less than a month ago
- Governing council will discuss whether to approve appointment of economist Professor Richard Wong as interim provost, source says
The embattled No 2 at Hong Kong’s oldest university will step down from the role in April, with a vocal critic of the 2014 Occupy pro-democracy protests likely to take up the position, the South China Morning Post has learned.
The sudden change in senior management at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) follows the shocking resignation of a vice-president less than a month ago and has raised concerns over the institution’s operations and autonomy.
A source told the Post on Thursday the university’s governing council would receive interim provost and deputy vice chancellor Paul Tam Kwong-hang’s notification of resignation, effective April 1, during its meeting on Tuesday.
The council would also discuss whether to approve the appointment of economist Professor Richard Wong Yue-chim, who is in his mid 60s, to the position.
Dr William Cheung Sing-wai, chairman of HKU’s academic staff association, expressed concern over the choice of Wong because of his pro-Beijing stance.
