University of Hong Kong-Vice chancellor Tsui to quit HKU

FROM- http://topics.scmp.com

The University of Hong Kong's vice chancellor, Professor Tsui Lap-chee, will quit when his term ends next summer, in a move that has shocked and saddened leading education figures.

Tsui (pictured), who is in his second term, made his decision known weeks after becoming embroiled in the controversy over heavy-handed security arrangements during the visit of Vice-Premier Li Keqiang to the university in August.

Tsui apologised to students and alumni at least four times after three students were detained by police.

Neither Tsui nor the university council gave reasons for his decision to step down, which he disclosed during a meeting of the council last night.

Council chairman Dr Leong Che-hung said he and fellow members were saddened by the decision.

Education sector lawmaker Cheung Man-kwong said he was very shocked and found it "difficult to understand".

In a press release issued by the council, Tsui said he had been "particularly fortunate" to have around him a group of highly dedicated and hard-working colleagues, faculty and administrators, who had devoted much to the university.

The council said it would discuss the search process for the next vice chancellor and the arrangements for the transition period.

Leong, on behalf of the council, thanked Tsui for his "dedicated and selfless contributions" to the university over the past nine years.

Tsui, 60, born in Shanghai and a Chinese University alumnus, was a renowned geneticist before becoming the university's 14th vice chancellor.

Appointed at the height of one political controversy surrounding the university, he is leaving in the midst of another.

He was appointed in 2002 after his predecessor, Professor Cheng Yiu-chung, resigned in the wake of findings by an inquiry that he and a deputy had tried to stop university pollster Robert Chung Ting-yiu conducting polls on the popularity of then chief executive Tung Chee-hwa and the government's credibility.

Meanwhile, an inquiry into the events surrounding Li's visit on August 18 has yet to reach any conclusions.

Cheung said he planned to call both Tsui and Leong to explain to the Legislative Council's education panel the timing and reasons for his decision to step down