Asked by : Hon Emily LAU
Replied by : SEM
Question :
In response to a question I raised last month, the Secretary for Education and Manpower stated that the University of Hong Kong ("HKU") had not used any public funds for the payment of termination compensation to its former Vice-Chancellor, and that it was not appropriate to demand details of the termination compensation on grounds of the university's autonomy. In this connection, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council whether:
Reply:
Madam President,
a. | According to the information provided by the University of Hong Kong, the total amount of private donations received in the past three years is as follows:
The donations are used in accordance with the relevant legislation, internal guidelines and the donors' wish. The total amount of donations received and expended, verified by independent auditors, is published in the University's annual financial report. |
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b. | The Government and the University Grants Committee (UGC) encourage institutions to actively seek private donations, in addition to public funds, for the enhancement of the institutions' development. The institutions' operation is monitored by their governing Councils and their financial reports are published in accordance with relevant legislations. Whilst the institutions have to be accountable to the UGC and the Government for the use of public funds, they are accountable to the donors for the use of private donations. If the donations are not put to proper use or used in ways which do not conform to the donors' wish, the institutions' ability to raise private funds will be affected. Therefore, the Government considers it unnecessary and inappropriate to interfere with the use of private donations by the institutions. |