Chinese University of Hong Kong provost to step down in January despite contract renewal

Alan Chan, whose resignation marks third senior management loss since last December, will join Singapore Management University next April

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The provost of the Chinese University of Hong Kong will step down in January. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Published: 12:10pm, 30 Oct 2024Updated: 7:58pm, 30 Oct 2024

The provost of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Alan Chan Kam-leung, will step down in January to take up the same role in a higher education institution in Singapore despite the recent renewal of his contract, marking the third loss of a senior management member since December last year.

Outgoing CUHK chief Rocky Tuan Sung-chi called Chan his “most trustworthy partner” and a “dear friend”, adding that the provost would be returning to Singapore, where he had previously served in leadership roles at two universities there.

Announcing Chan’s departure on Tuesday, the institution’s council secretary said the provost was stepping down “for personal reasons” and had “recently decided not to take up [his] second term of appointment”.

The professor “will step down as the university’s provost upon completing his first term on December 31”, the secretary said, adding that the council had previously approved Chan’s reappointment as provost in April 2024 for a further five-year term starting in January next year.

On Wednesday, Singapore Management University announced the appointment of Chan as its new provost from April.

It said it recognised Chan’s role in driving Chinese University’s strategic plans, increasing enrolment and improving student quality, as well as managing operations during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.