Four engagement sessions were arranged on 25 April by the Search Committee for the Appointment of the Next Vice-Chancellor (Search Committee) for the CUHK community to express their views on desirable qualities and personal attributes of the next Vice-Chancellor before a global search is launched.

Academic staff, professional and administrative services staff, members of the Council, the Boards of Trustees or the Committees of Overseers of the nine Colleges, senior management, and students and alumni were invited to the sessions.

The Search Committee has appointed Heidrick & Struggles as the search consultant on open tendering. Michelle Doo, a partner of the firm’s Hong Kong office, moderated all the four engagement sessions together with representatives of the University management.

At the staff sessions, there were views that the next Vice-Chancellor should continue to foster cross-disciplinary collaborations, reinforce the University’s strength in the humanities, social science and business and administration while developing science and technology. Some also hoped the next Vice-Chancellor would continue to build connections with different stakeholders including the government, the Legislative Council, industries, and mainland organisations.

At the students and alumni session, some students called for regular face-to-face meetings with the next Vice-Chancellor, and better care of students’ mental and physical wellness. They also hoped that more resources would be given to support the Colleges’ operations and programmes, a call echoed by some alumni present.