Secretary for Education & Manpower Professor Arthur Li says to uphold the spirit of institutional autonomy, it is inappropriate for the Legislative Council to interfere with the management of individual institutions.

The Heads of Universities Committee today issued a statement in response to the resolution passed by LegCo's Education Panel regarding the new pay and reward structure at the Baptist University.

Professor Li said he shared the committee's concern, adding the bureau is confident the university and other University Grants Committee-funded institutions will maintain close dialogue with their staff on matters pertaining to governance.

All committee-funded institutions are autonomous statutory bodies governed by their respective ordinances and councils. They enjoy a high degree of autonomy and take full responsibility in managing their internal affairs, including how the remuneration systems should be designed to suit their needs.