HKU looks for president with ‘new mentality and clean slate’ to drive change

The next leader of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) must have a fresh mindset, as someone who has spent a decade in the role…

The next leader of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) must have a fresh mindset, as someone who has spent a decade in the role may struggle to drive change, an insider has told the South China Morning Post, adding that the university is weighing whether to take part in the Northern Metropolis megaproject.

The source said the successor to incumbent Xiang Zhang – who has decided not to renew his five-year contract as president and vice-chancellor when it expires in 2028 – will need to know how to use technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to run the university.

The insider also said HKU needs to market itself more effectively around innovation and Nobel laureates, as Hong Kong pushes ahead with its ambition to create a university town for talent in the Northern Metropolis in the New Territories.

“Mentality matters. The new president will have to bring a new mentality to the university,” the insider said.

Xiang Zhang has decided not to renew his five-year contract as president and vice-chancellor when it expires in 2028. Photo: Nora Tam

By 2028, Zhang will have served HKU for a decade, through two five-year terms. The 62-year-old scientist said last month that he “realised it is time for HKU to embrace fresh ideas and for a new leader to guide this great transformation.”

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