校長的話

A message from the President and Vice-Chancellor on behalf of the Senior Management Team

Dear colleagues, students, alumni and friends,

We are all very concerned about the events that took place before, during and after the Council meeting yesterday on campus.

We cannot condone (容忍) the invasion of the Council chamber which prevented the Council from completing its rightful business. Council includes two elected student representatives and we implore (懇求) the students to express their concerns via these members so that discussions can take place in a calm and rational manner. The lack of respect for confidentiality which characterises HKU Council's discussions and decisions remains a serious concern for us.

We deplore (強烈譴責) violence by any party. We are still working to establish the facts about the various events on HKU campus last night and will not comment specifically on any follow-up actions until those facts are clear. As always, our primary concern is for the safety and security of all members of the University and of the general public: our Risk Assessment Team planned accordingly and we believe that HKU staff behaved professionally and reasonably throughout. It is regrettable that the police had to come onto campus, but ambulances were being barred from moving, which could have had serious consequences for the injured.

Prior to the Council meeting, outside parties were reportedly provoking (刺激的) HKU members and deliberately inciting (煽動) confrontations. Measures will be taken to ensure that the campus remains a safe place where routine academic activities can be conducted without harassment or intimidation (恐嚇).

The University will always respect and safeguard freedom of expression, but we must also strike a balance and do our best to guarantee the safety and well-being of all HKU members.

As we have repeatedly stated, all adults must take responsibility for their own actions.

Professor Peter Mathieson

President and Vice-Chancellor