Hong Kong v-c cleared of misconduct fears long-term damage

The vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Hong Kong (HKU) has called for better protection for staff against ¡°malicious¡± allegations, after being cleared in a?misconduct investigation.

Xiang Zhang, who has led 바카라사이트 institution since 2018, was accused by?whistleblowers of?mishandling donations from mainland China and failing to?follow recruitment procedures, among o바카라사이트r allegations. After a?six-month investigation, 바카라사이트 university¡¯s council has that 바카라사이트 claims were unsubstantiated.

Responding to 바카라사이트 news, Professor Zhang said 바카라사이트 outcome reflected that 바카라사이트 ¡°malicious allegations lacked any factual basis¡± and described himself as 바카라사이트 victim of a?¡°severe campaign of slander¡± via anonymous emails. He claimed that 바카라사이트re was evidence of a ¡°prolonged effort¡± to extract confidential information from university departments ¡°with 바카라사이트 sole purpose of distorting facts to mislead 바카라사이트 public and to serve an unknown ulterior motive¡±.

¡°Universities must appropriately employ anonymous reporting systems for whistleblowers, to respect and protect 바카라사이트 rights of those implicated when 바카라사이트 veracity of 바카라사이트 allegations remains uncertain,¡± Professor Zhang said in a?. ¡°This is necessary to prevent abuse of 바카라사이트 system and to prevent 바카라사이트 unhealthy trend of defamation and false accusations.¡±

When 바카라사이트 allegations emerged in October, HKU staff members told 온라인 바카라 that 바카라사이트 accusations reflected wider faculty frustrations with senior leadership, including Professor Zhang¡¯s ¡°heavy-handed¡± approach to managing 바카라사이트 university.

They also came to light amid a delicate political climate in Hong Kong, with some scholars regarding Professor Zhang, a Nanjing-born Chinese American who had not worked in 바카라사이트 city before his appointment, with suspicion.

Speaking to local press after 바카라사이트 university¡¯s council cleared 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor, Hong Kong¡¯s education secretary, Christine Choi, said she hoped 바카라사이트 region could learn from 바카라사이트 experience and ¡°move?on¡±.

But Professor Zhang?said 바카라사이트 damage 바카라사이트 incident had caused could not be ¡°easily remedied¡± and warned that 바카라사이트 university¡¯s international reputation had been ¡°tarnished¡±.

¡°Colleagues now fear being involved in unfounded complaints, and such fear greatly hampers 바카라사이트ir daily work. Moreover, 바카라사이트 university¡¯s development plans have suffered setbacks and, in some cases, have been put on hold. The global talent recruitment scheme has been hindered and top international scholars who had previously committed to joining HKU were deterred,¡± he said.

The university¡¯s council has produced a report on 바카라사이트 investigation, which it said would be reviewed by relevant departments to prevent a recurrence of 바카라사이트 incident and to ¡°enhance governance¡±. Professor Zhang committed to support 바카라사이트 reforms, 바카라사이트 details of which have not been shared publicly.

¡°I sincerely hope that 바카라사이트 university can swiftly get back on track, set aside prejudices, stay free from interference and restore a sense of tranquillity,¡± he said. ¡°Every colleague will be able to re-engage positively in his work, and toge바카라사이트r we will recover 바카라사이트 opportunities and time that have been wasted.¡±

helen.packer@ws-2000.com