Kenneth Chen, a 59-year-old former Legco secretary general, recently began his pre-retirement leave after serving in the role since 2012. Prior to his time in Legco, Chen also held the position of the city’s deputy education minister from 2008 to 2012. Both of these roles are from public bodies, requiring the incumbent to exercise extra care in terms of procedures and proper use of public funds, according to an insider.
Chen’s potential appointment as vice-president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has been the subject of speculation. While a CUHK spokeswoman did not confirm Chen’s candidacy for the role, she mentioned that the university is currently in the process of selecting someone to fill the administrative position. The appointment will be announced once the candidates are finalized in accordance with current procedures.
The vice-president position at CUHK became vacant in December after Eric Ng Shui-pui was fired by the governing council. The council chairman, John Cha Yat-chiu, stated that the body had lost confidence in Ng’s ability to support the institution’s work. Ng had previously signed a petition against a proposal to restructure the council, which ultimately led to his dismissal.
Ng’s departure was followed by the resignation of university president Rocky Tuan Sung-chi, who praised Ng’s experience in the local and UK tertiary education systems. Chen, with his background as a director of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s racecourse business and his tenure in the government, brings a wealth of experience to the table.
During his time as Legco’s secretary general, Chen faced criticism from the opposition camp for allegedly exceeding the powers of his office by assisting the pro-Beijing bloc in removing an opposition lawmaker from their role as chairman of a panel vetting a controversial extradition bill. Despite the backlash, Chen defended his actions, stating that they were in line with the legislature’s rules and conventions.
Chen’s academic qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Princeton University, a master’s in applied mathematics from Harvard University, and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. With his diverse background and experience in both the public and private sectors, Chen is well-positioned to take on the role of vice-president at CUHK, should he be appointed.