The governing council of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) on Monday expressed disappointment over what it described as “misjudgments" by management in bypassing the council when it changed the university's emblem two years ago.

After a council meeting to discuss the logo change, chairman John Chai said the whole project cost around HK$4 million, most of which was spent on hiring international branding consultants.

The decision to change the emblem to mark the university’s 60th anniversary in October 2022 drew criticism from students and alumni who were not consulted. The new logo was later shelved.

“The university council will learn from experience and take appropriate measures to improve university governance and try to avoid a repeat of a similar incident,” Chai told reporters.

Chai added that the university president Rocky Tuan – who announced in January that he was resigning – should take full responsibility for the project.

He said Tuan was unable to attend Monday's council meeting due to a work trip. Tuan will leave his post in January next year.