HKU Alumni, Staff Demand CE Quit As Chancellor

Graduates and academics of the University of Hong Kong voted overwhelmingly on Saturday to support a motion calling on the Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, to stand down as the institution's chancellor.

Almost 3,000 members of HKU's convocation, a statutory body made up of all alumni and staff, voted in favour of the non-binding motion, which condemned the CE for "causing unforgivable havoc" with her attempt to change the city's extradition laws.

Fewer than 300 people voted against the motion at a special meeting of the convocation.

A group of pro-government alumni earlier took out a newspaper advertisement, criticising the motion and alleging that it violated the law.

The proponent of the motion, Mak Tung-wing who helps lead a HKU alumni concern group, said he was just trying to encourage people to discuss the matter in a rational manner.

Mak questioned why pro-government alumni didn’t appear at the special meeting to express their views.

The meeting also overwhelmingly supported a motion calling on the university to help students injured in recent protests and to protect their rights.

A former president of HKU's student union, Gloria Chang, who proposed this motion, said the heads of Chinese University and Shue Yan University have written open letters to show support for their students. She urged HKU president Zhang Xiang to do the same.

In response to the votes, the university issued a statement saying it will study the resolutions carefully and discuss follow-up action with the convocation.

"Members of the senior management team, including the president, have met with students and attended to their grievances and concerns. We continue to have measures in place to help those in need and to make sure they have access to legal assistance, counselling and other support services," the statement added.