Tensions between Zhang and the HKU council led by Priscilla Wong Pui-sze surfaced last year when the president was accused by whistle-blowers of misconduct and mismanagement.

Zhang earlier also reportedly conceded he had a “tense relationship” with the council chairwoman, saying they had different views on running a university.

A source told the Post that council members were asked to endorse the recommended appointment of several interim vice-president positions, with the list only given to them during the meeting.

Under the tradition and usual practices, senior management positions are first chosen by the university’s search committee and appointed by the council.

But before such positions are officially filled, the president can nominate candidates to serve in interim positions for the council to endorse.

The source and another insider said there was a break from tradition as the list of recommended candidates was presented by Wong this time instead of Zhang, who was kept in the dark until the papers were dished out at the meeting.

“We were given five minutes to read the comments and vote,” the insider, who sits on the council, said, likening the development to a “coup”.

The list was eventually passed with a simple majority but not unanimously.

Following the shake-up, the Post understands Professor Vivian Yam Wing-wah of the chemistry department will replace Richard Wong to be HKU’s interim provost. Wong, meanwhile, is appointed to take up another vice-president position.

The Post has reached out to the university for comment.

Years into Zhang’s tenure as president, many members of the senior management team have acting or interim status as open recruitment efforts have dragged on, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.

The school is trying to hire four senior management positions: executive vice-president in administration and finance; provost and deputy vice-chancellor; vice-president and pro-vice-chancellor in institutional advancement; and vice-president and pro-vice-chancellor in teaching and learning.

The post of vice-president and pro-vice-chancellor in institutional advancement had been vacated since Douglas So Cheung-tak left in 2017. Professor Norman Tien took up the position temporarily between 2019 and 2021.

The three-year term of Priscilla Wong as HKU council chair will end on December 31, 2024.