A Royal Misstep: Leadership Lessons from Hang Seng University’s Honorary Professorship Fiasco

Overview of the Royal Controversy

Earlier in March, 2024, the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) found itself embroiled in a controversy involving Sheikh Ali Rashed Ali Saeed Al Maktoum, a purported member of the Dubai ruling family. The university had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sheikh Ali, who also announced plans to establish a US$500 million family office in Hong Kong. Additionally, HSUHK offered him an honorary professorship. However, subsequent revelations raised doubts about his royal status and connections, leading to a public relations debacle for both the university and Hong Kong’s investment promotion authorities.

Link to a media report here https://hongkongfp.com/2024/04/16/hong-kong-welcomes-family-offices-provided-they-are-run-by-legitimate-businessmen-leader-john-lee-says/

The university has basically retracted and redacted the offers – link to another media report here
https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/hang-seng-university-removes-dubai-princes-appointment-as-honorary-professor-and-memorandum-references/

Analysis of Leadership and Decision-Making at HSUHK

Inexperience and Lack of Due Diligence

The leadership team at HSUHK appears to have been driven by the allure of associating with a supposed royal figure without conducting thorough background checks. The decision to quickly forge ties with Sheikh Ali, based on his unverified claims, points to a significant lapse in due diligence. This oversight is particularly concerning given that the university leadership includes experienced academics and administrators who are expected to uphold rigorous standards of verification and scrutiny.

Abrupt Decision-Making

The rapidity with which HSUHK entered into the agreement with Sheikh Ali, followed by the swift conferment of an honorary professorship, suggests a reactive rather than strategic approach to decision-making. The university’s management failed to adequately assess the risks associated with such high-profile international partnerships. This abrupt decision-making process did not allow sufficient time for comprehensive evaluation, which could have mitigated potential reputational risks.

Poor Management and Judgement

The unfolding of events highlights a clear case of poor judgement by HSUHK’s leadership. The initial decision to delete the webpage announcing the partnership and to remove Sheikh Ali’s name from the list of honorary professors was a reactive measure that came too late to prevent the damage to the university’s reputation. This scenario demonstrates a lack of proactive management and an underestimation of the consequences of affiliating with inadequately vetted external entities.

Consequences and Lessons

The controversy not only embarrassed HSUHK and Hong Kong’s governmental bodies like InvestHK but also served as a stark reminder of the importance of thorough vetting and strategic foresight in university governance. The incident has likely prompted a reevaluation of partnership policies at HSUHK to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Moreover, it underscores the need for educational institutions to maintain stringent standards for honorary titles and affiliations, ensuring that they align with the institution’s values and public image.

Conclusion

The HSUHK’s handling of the partnership with Sheikh Ali Rashed Ali Saeed Al Maktoum reflects a significant lapse in governance, characterized by inexperienced leadership, abrupt decision-making, and poor judgement. This episode serves as a cautionary tale for academic institutions on the importance of due diligence, especially when dealing with international partnerships that hold the potential to affect an institution’s reputation profoundly. Moving forward, it is imperative for HSUHK and similar entities to enhance their governance frameworks to safeguard against such reputational risks.

An interesting add-on read. The title of this blogpost was created by GenAI and the other 4 titles are also very interesting. Please take a look below.

  1. When Glitter Fades: The Cost of Precipitous Decisions at Hang Seng University”
  2. “Honorary Titles and Dubious Ties: A Case Study of Misjudgment at Hang Seng University”
  3. “From Royal Deals to Real Debacles: Hang Seng University’s Leadership Oversight”
  4. “The Sheikh Who Wasn’t: Hang Seng University and the Perils of Hasty Leadership”