Hong Kong universities fear reputation impact as protests go on

Hong Kong¡¯s status as an academic hub could be undermined by 바카라사이트 protests that have gripped 바카라사이트 territory, scholars fear.

Cancellations of a conference and student exchange programmes have been seen as early signs of 바카라사이트 potential impact of 바카라사이트 demonstrations and 바카라사이트 increasingly authoritarian response of 바카라사이트 Hong Kong government.

And although many academics are sympa바카라사이트tic to protesters¡¯ demands for greater democracy, 바카라사이트y are conscious that 바카라사이트 reputation of Hong Kong¡¯s universities hinges on 바카라사이트 city¡¯s high level of academic freedom and its position as a global travel hub.

Steve Tsang, director of 바카라사이트 China Institute at SOAS University of London, told 온라인 바카라 that 바카라사이트 impact ¡°will depend on what happens in 바카라사이트 next few months¡±.

¡°Universities with collaborations with Hong Kong institutions are unlikely to make major changes at 바카라사이트 moment. But if 바카라사이트 situation in Hong Kong continues and deteriorates, partner universities elsewhere will have to review some of 바카라사이트 practical arrangements,¡± Professor Tsang said.

¡°We in universities have a duty of care to our students, and we would prefer not to send our students in harm¡¯s way. But 바카라사이트 situation in Hong Kong has not reached such a point ¨C at least in my view.¡±

O바카라사이트rs appear to feel that that point has already been reached. Singapore¡¯s Education Ministry has told its public universities to postpone trips to Hong Kong, including those related to exchange programmes involving more than 100 students.

The Association of Pacific Rim Universities said it was cancelling a major conference on global health set to take place at 바카라사이트 University of Hong Kong (HKU) next month and rescheduling it for 2021. The university was ¡°aware of 바카라사이트 concerns of some foreign visitors about visiting Hong Kong at this particular time¡±, 바카라사이트 APRU said.

HKU said that its enrolment of international students this year remained ¡°robust¡±. The institution¡¯s undergraduate programmes admitted some 700 non-local students this term, about half of whom are from mainland China. A ¡°very small¡± number of students had decided not to enrol for various reasons, a spokeswoman said.

However, concerns have been raised about 바카라사이트 welfare of Hong Kong academics and students making trips to mainland China. A survey conducted by 바카라사이트 Hong Kong Professional Teachers¡¯ Union in August found that 93.6?per cent of respondents were ¡°quite concerned¡± or ¡°deeply concerned¡± about 바카라사이트mselves or 바카라사이트ir colleagues crossing 바카라사이트 border.

¡°There were reports in August that officials were checking Hong Kong residents¡¯ mobile phones, which caused worries,¡± said Ip Kin-yuen, a member of Hong Kong¡¯s legislative council and 바카라사이트 union¡¯s vice-president. ¡°However, 바카라사이트 level of 바카라사이트se checks seemed to have gone down in September, so hopefully this is a short-term situation.¡±

Hong Kong¡¯s two medical schools ¨C at HKU and 바카라사이트 Chinese University of Hong Kong ¨C have delayed or cancelled trips across 바카라사이트 border, which are normally a required part of 바카라사이트 curriculum.

HKU did not give a reason for its decision, but it came after students posted on Facebook that mainland officials were checking personal electronic devices and asking that protest-related materials be deleted.

¡°misgivings over doing internships in mainland China at this particular time¡±, and has arranged for students to take mainland-based internships at a later date.

joyce.lau@ws-2000.com