Chinese University students on Thursday said they hope the proposed new head of the university will listen to various views and find ways to protect academic freedom.

Dennis Lo, a renowned geneticist and associate dean of the faculty of medicine, is the sole candidate for the post of vice-chancellor.

Lo met students, faculty and alumni on campus on Thursday, a day before a CUHK council meeting to discuss his potential appointment.

During the session, Lo talked about his passion for science and said he will focus more on artificial intelligence if he gets the top job, attendees told RTHK.

A final year journalism student surnamed Chan said she asked Lo how to balance the needs of different stakeholders when it comes to journalistic research.

“His comment is rather general, and I feel like I'm not very satisfied and I couldn't really understand what his opinion was towards the issue,” she said.

“But I hope he can provide a more detailed response in the future because as a journalism student I also care about the political situation, our teaching staff, our students' interest in the humanities.”

Chan said while she has confidence in Lo’s academic achievements, she hopes he will communicate more with students from various faculties.

A CUHK alumnus asked Lo if it was necessary to keep security measures put in place following the unrest in Hong Kong in 2019, such as requiring visitors to show ID cards before entering campus.

Lo said university officials review such matters from time to time, the alumnus said.

“From his academic research and his experience, he is more than capable to be a principal of any university, I think, because his research, his experience on the research and globally is really convincing as a principal,” the alumnus said.

“But I think being a principal of a university also involves some administration stuff and how he communicates with all people, the students and the staff of CUHK.”