A task force set up to look into a spat between top University of Hong Kong (HKU) officials has expressed hope that it could help the tertiary institution's operations return to normal, following a meeting with its governing council. The Investigation and Study Group on the Internal Operational Affairs of HKU said it's come up with a range of recommendations on the personnel arrangements for senior positions at the university, based on a a number of guiding principles such as making the interest of the institution as the overriding priority. It also called on the university's higher-ups to cooperate and fill senior-level vacancies as soon as possible. The group held a meeting with council members including former lawmaker Abraham Shek and incumbent legislator Chan Chun-ying, where all recommendations put forward by the task force were accepted. "This outcome is the result of more than two months of relentless efforts by the [investigation and study group], which can help the HKU resume normal operations as soon as possible in its fundamental interest," a statement released on Tuesday read. The task force – made up of Permanent Secretary for Education Michelle Li and University Grant Committee chief Tim Lui – also noted that the university had been conducting hiring exercises, with some relating to senior positions such as the provost, vice-presidents, the registrar and deans. "The [investigation and study group] urges the council and the management to work expeditiously on these searches with a view to filling such vacancies," it said. The group was established in June this year amid an escalating conflict among the university's leadership. It said it’s held more than 60 meetings with parties, including the university's president and vice-chancellor Zhang Xiang, and council chairwoman Priscilla Wong. Zhang had previously complained that he was left in the dark about appointments made by Wong.
