A top microbiology professor of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) Yuen Kwok-yung has resigned from the university council - citing worsening political tensions on campus.

Yuen said he tendered his resignation on Thursday, but stressed his decision had taken a long time to make. He added that it was his decision alone - free from any interference from fellow council members.

Yuen's announcement comes just days after student activists stormed a closed-door council meeting on Tuesday night. Outrage over the stunt, which left two council members injured, has been growing with school administrators condemning the invasion. But student activists remain unapologetic.

The second resignation from the council within a month came after threats of further student incursions if management does not give in to student demands.

Student activists were literally led into the closed chamber by council undergraduate representative Billy Fung Jing-en. They then demanded the appointment of Johannes Chan Man-mun as pro-vice-chancellor - whose delay in confirmation precipitated the fracas.

In an official statement, Yuen said he regretted the current culture of polarizing politics. This appeared to have overwhelmed the institution.

Yuen also condemned verbal and physical violence as modes for political change, noting "such actions will only bring out the darkest side of humans".

"Being a leader, I have the responsibility to tell people what is going to happen next and what is the way out, and I failed," added Yuen.

"I cannot have the confidence of change or converting these differences into strengths - into a united force which leads HKU and Hong Kong forward," he said.

"With all these differences in opinions, culture and values have led to something innovative that has become our strength. We have lost touch with that. We have been losing our strength in this respect," Yuen added.

Yuen also expressed concern with inadequate training to deal with such incidents. He hoped his successor would have the skills necessary to cope with the new political realities confronting the school and its council. Yuen added that he would stay on to help with the transition while focusing more on his academic duties.

University President and Vice-Chancellor Peter Mathieson said he could not dissuade Yuen from leaving a post he was elected to by his fellow faculty members. He said Yuen's impending departure from the council was an enormous loss to the school. Mathieson added that Yuen might have been pushed too far by recent events.

Lawmaker Christopher Chung Shu-kun called for an independent investigation into the incident. According to several council members it had included unknown people - not believed to be part of the student body.

Chung also urged the school to clarify the role of police officers called to the campus. This has sparked criticism, but proved vital in getting injured council members to waiting ambulances on Tuesday.

tim@chinadailyhk.com

Residents stage a rally outside the University of Hong Kong (HKU) on Friday to condemn students’ violent behavior in storming the HKU Council meeting on Tuesday night. Parker Zheng / China Daily

(HK Edition 08/01/2015 page3)