Education minister Christine Choi on Wednesday said a government taskforce set up to look into a public spat involving top management at the University of Hong Kong will help with internal communication, rather than investigating specific incidents.

Vice-chancellor Zhang Xiang and the head of the university's governing council, Priscilla Wong, have been in conflict over senior appointments and management issues.

The government on Tuesday announced the formation of the taskforce, comprising of Permanent Secretary for Education Michelle Li and head of the University Grants Council Tim Lui. It said their role will include coordinating cooperation and communication within HKU.

Choi said the pair will contact or meet people involved in the matter, to find out more about the issues.

"The group doesn't have a timetable...we hope to gradually show results to the public in the process," she told reporters.

"The aim is not just to come up with a written report on the matter, we want to play an actual role."