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Following is a question by Dr Hon Kwok Ka Ki and a written reply by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur K C Li, in the Legislative Council today (May 23):
Question:
Will the Government inform this Council whether it knows who is responsible for approving and monitoring matters concerning the use of donations received by the University of Hong Kong as a whole and by its individual faculties, including the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; whether the University and its faculties, including the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, have set up any committees to deal with such matters; if they have, of the membership list(s) of such committee(s), the number of meetings held in the past five years, details of the review(s) on the use of donations and the specific recommendations, and the progress of implementing such recommendations?
Reply:
Madam President,
All institutions funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC), including the University of Hong Kong (HKU), are autonomous statutory bodies governed by their respective ordinances. They enjoy considerable autonomy in the management of their internal affairs and finance, including approving and monitoring matters concerning the use of donations received by the institutions. For this reason, the Administration and the UGC do not possess information on the internal mechanisms for approving and monitoring the use of donations by HKU and its individual faculties. On the specific issues raised, the UGC has obtained information from HKU which is set out in the ensuing paragraphs.
(a) HKU has established its own guidelines and mechanisms for approving and monitoring the use of donations. These guidelines and mechanisms provide, inter alia, that:
(i) donations must be used in accordance with the wishes of the donors and in relation to activities of HKU;
(ii) usage of donations received should contribute to the enhancement of teaching, learning, research or overall development of HKU;
(iii) donations should not come from sources known to HKU as unethical/illegal, nor with conditions that affect the University in carrying out its functions fairly and impartially; and
(iv) prior approval from relevant authorities are required in respect of the setting up of scholarships, endowed professorships, and the usage of major donations made to the University.
(b) HKU has established different committees to advise on and manage the use of donations received for different purposes. These committees include:
(i) scholarships committees on donations for scholarships;
(ii) management committees on donations for lectures and seminars;
(iii) an advisory committee on donations for endowed professorships; and
(iv) disbursement committees for major donations made to HKU, etc.
Depending on their nature, the composition of these committees may include representatives of donors, lay members of the HKU Council, HKU Vice-Chancellor, or staff of the University. These committees meet whenever necessary.
(c) The Finance and Enterprises Office of HKU is responsible for ensuring that all expenditures (including expenditures relating to donations) are in line with the established regulations and procedures of HKU. The Office is also responsible to the University Audit Committee (all members of which are not employed by HKU) which audits the use of all University's resources including donations. For certain donations, HKU will submit regular reports to the donors on the income generated, expenditure incurred and activities carried out in respect of the donations.
HKU shall review and improve the current approving and monitoring mechanisms regarding the use of donations as and when appropriate.
Ends/Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 11:30
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