Media

Joint statement issued on behalf of ten deans of faculties of the University of Hong Kong

30 Jul 2015

The following joint statement is issued on behalf of ten deans of faculties of the University of Hong Kong:

We, deans of all ten faculties of the University of Hong Kong, believe that academic freedom and institutional autonomy, guaranteed by Basic Law Article 137, are the absolute bedrock of higher education in Hong Kong, as elsewhere.  We cannot emphasise more strongly the importance of adhering to these principles in all that the University does, particularly at the highest decision-making level.  We also call on all parties both within and outside the University to respect these principles.

We however cannot condone uncivil activity that seeks to disrupt normal operations of the University, under any circumstance.

We are deeply dismayed by the disruption of the Council meeting on July 28.  We urge all parties to put the interest of the University first and foremost as they find a consensual way forward as quickly as possible.

Deans of Faculties:
Professor Chris Webster (Architecture)
Professor Derek Burton Collins (Arts)
Professor Eric C. Chang (Business and Economics)
Professor Thomas Frank Flemmig (Dentistry)
Professor Stephen J. Andrews (Education)
Professor Norman C. Tien (Engineering)
Professor Michael Yew Meng Hor (Law)
Professor Gabriel M Leung (Medicine)
Professor Kwok Sun (Science)
Professor John P. Burns (Social Sciences)