Chapter 1: Introduction -- Chapter 2: The Political Context of Post-1997 Hong Kong Higher Education -- Chapter 3: Managerialism and Public Universities in Hong Kong -- Chapter 4: Civic Engagement of Students and Academics in Political Events -- Chapter 5: Collision between Politics and University Autonomy: HKU’s Governance Crisis in PVC Appointment Saga -- Chapter 6: Intervarsity Campaign for Abolishing the Colonial Chancellor System -- Chapter 7: Rise in Voices for Hong Kong Independence: The Emergence of a New Battle for Hong Kong Universities -- Chapter 8: Hong Kong Independence: A Political Red Line for Hong Kong Society and Higher Education -- Chapter 9: Conclusion: Issues and Theoretical Implications of Politics, Managerialism and University Governance in Hong Kong.

This book explores the interplay between politics, managerialism, and higher education, and the complex linkages between politics and public universities in Hong Kong. Since the mid-20th century, literature on the state, market, and higher education has focused on the state’s shifting role from the direct administration to the supervision of higher education, and its increased use of market and managerial principles and techniques to regulate public universities. However, very few studies have addressed the political influences on university governance produced by changing state-university-market relationships, the chancellorship of public universities, or students’ and academics’ civic engagement with regard to sensitive political issues. The book examines both the positive and problematic outcomes of using market principles and managerialism to reform public higher education; questions the longstanding tradition of university chancellorship; explores the issue of external members holding the majority on university governing boards; probes into the dilemma of either relying on the system or a good chancellor and external members to preserve universities’ autonomy and academic freedom; and assesses the cost of students’ and academics’ civic engagement with regard to politically sensitive issues.