Universities Suspend Classes As Clashes Continue

Lectures at several universities in the SAR have been called off for up to two weeks – in the wake of protests near campuses over the past few days.

The Chinese University on Wednesday announced the shortening of the current term, effectively suspending all lectures until the beginning of the next term in January.

It said the decision was made "in view of the escalation of social movements across the territory, the continuous disruption to public transport services, as well as the severe damage done to facilities on campus".

As for Baptist University in Kowloon Tong and the University of Science and Technology in Clear Water Bay, there will not be any face-to-face sessions for the next two weeks or so, which also coincides with the remaining days of the current term.

The two institutions added that lessons will be conducted online in view of the ongoing social unrest, especially seeing disruptions to campus services and an "escalation of unrest in the sister universities".

The University of Hong Kong, meanwhile, cancelled lectures for the rest of this week.

In a letter to students and staff, HKU management said classes need to be suspended until Saturday due to "continued uncertainties in the transportation system and in light of the time needed to repair some of the damage to facilities across the campus".

The Hang Seng University and the private Shue Yan University also cancelled lectures until Saturday.

City University said it would provide special arrangements for students and would suggest lecturers offer online classes.