(b)
45
whether these institutions will consider demoting lecturers whose performance does not meet the required standard?
Reply:
Mr President,
(a)
(b)
The Administration understands that with the exception of the Lingnan College where no academic staff are employed on pensionable terms, all the UGC-funded institutions have established staff appraisal systems for their academic staff employed on superannuable (pensionable) terms. The methods for assessing the performance of lecturers superannuable terms vary amongst institutions because of their historical backgrounds and management practices. In short, they in general involve a review of performance in teaching, research and professional and public service.
on
In the case of the City University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Hong Kong Baptist University, the performance appraisal systems for academic staff employed on superannuable terms are identical to those for academic staff employed on fixed-terms contracts.
For the Lingnan College, all staff are employed on fixed-term contracts, hence a single appraisal system is adopted. The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology do not have an appraisal system for academic staff employed on fixed- term contracts but they do have an established review system for considering reappointment of contract staff.
The University of Hong Kong does not have a formal procedure for reviewing performance of staff on fixed-term contracts but such procedures are being developed.
The Administration understands that the UGC-funded institutions all adopt similar practices in dealing with academic staff with substandard performance. For those staff on contract terms whose performance is substandard, they will be encouraged and assisted to improve their performance. Failing that their contracts will not be renewed upon expiry. For those on superannuable terms, the institutions may withhold their annual salary increment or extend the non-substantiated period for the staff concerned. To date no academic staff have been downgraded because of substandard performance.
End/Wednesday, January 25, 1995