Chinese University of Hong Kong’s ditched emblem redesign cost HK$4 million, investigation finds
Hong Kong Free Press
The redesign of Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s emblem cost around HK$4 million, an investigation has revealed as the institution’s governing council condemned university management over the controversy.
John Chai, a dentist and the chairperson of the CUHK Council, told reporters on Monday evening that the body met earlier that day to review an investigation report concerning the university’s emblem redesign two years ago.
In October 2022, CUHK introduced a new emblem that was swiftly met with criticism from alumni and lawmakers and halted a week later. The refresh included two versions – one which changed the colour of the school’s iconic split-colour Chinese phoenix, and a simplified version, which saw the university’s four-character motto removed.
On Monday, Chai said the investigation revealed that the total cost of the emblem redesign was around HK$4 million, with the main expense going to an external, internationally-renowned image consultant hired for the job.
Chai added that the council was very disappointed that the management did not inform the then-governing body about the move to re-design the emblem, and that it did not fully consult relevant stakeholders.
“We’ve already known that the vice chancellor Rocky Tuan, as the… leader overseeing the emblem modification project, will take full responsibility for this issue,” Chai said in Cantonese after showing up an hour and a half late to the press conference.
The investigation was launched after three pro-establishment lawmakers, who are members of the CUHK’s council, urged an independent probe into how the new designs came to be and the associated costs.
Dominic Lee, a lawmaker from the pro-Beijing New People’s Party, said last year that the new emblem had “cancelled the motto representing Chinese culture, ” Sing Tao Daily reported.
CUHK council overhaul
CUHK was heavily criticised by the pro-establishment camp following the 2019 protests and unrest, with one lawmaker calling it “a breeding bed for Hong Kong independence.” Some said the school’s management did not react appropriately when the campus turned into a battleground between protesters and police in November 2019.
In November 2023, the Legislature Council passed a controversial bill to drastically reduce the influence of staff and academics in the running of the university. According to the bill, more seats in the council will be allocated to external members, with the size of the council downsized from 55 to 34 members.
The amendment also proposed new procedures for the hiring of the vice-chancellor and vice-presidents.
At least seven people from the business, medical and media sector were then appointed as the council’s external members.
One month later, the council dismissed Eric Ng, one of its vice-presidents, with immediate effect, citing “a loss of confidence” in his ability to support future work.
In January, vice-chancellor Tuan announced he had quit his position. Tuan, whose three-year term began that month, will step down in January 2025.
Chai said on Monday that the hiring of replacement vice-chancellor has been “pretty smooth” and that the council is expected to announce the new leader by the end of the year.
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