Dear Education Bureau and Food and Environmental Hygiene Department,
I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding Hong Kong Hang Seng University’s (HSUHK) handling of its administrative affairs and its apparent failure to address complaints according to its established mechanisms. My concerns are substantiated as follows:
According to the FEHD’s reply dated November 29, 2024, its officers conducted an inspection at the restaurant in question on November 22, 2024, and found that the restaurant was not in operation at the time and was undergoing disinfection and cleaning. Another inspection was conducted on November 25, 2024, during which the hygiene conditions of the restaurant were found to be acceptable, and the FEHD provided food safety education to the person-in-charge.
However, HSUHK’s email (dated December 20, 2024) misrepresented the FEHD’s findings. The university claimed that the FEHD’s inspections on both occasions determined that the restaurant’s hygiene conditions met the required standards. This statement contradicts the FEHD’s official findings, casting doubt on the accuracy and integrity of HSUHK’s communication.
HSUHK’s email appears to have provided misleading information, which raises serious concerns about its transparency and reliability. Specifically, the university’s claim that the restaurant’s hygiene was deemed satisfactory on both inspection occasions is inconsistent with the FEHD’s account that the restaurant was closed for disinfection during the first inspection.
This discrepancy is unacceptable, as it undermines the credibility of HSUHK’s management and its commitment to truthfully addressing complaints. Such actions may erode public trust in the institution.
In addition to the above, HSUHK has failed to address the core issues surrounding the restaurant’s hygiene and operations effectively. The university’s response dismisses concerns about the potential connection between students’ reported discomfort and the food or hygiene conditions of the restaurant. However, this conclusion seems premature and unsupported by sufficient evidence.
Given these concerns, I respectfully request the following actions from the respective authorities:
From the EDB: Investigate HSUHK’s handling of this matter and ensure that the university adheres to proper complaint-handling mechanisms with transparency and accountability.
From the FEHD: Clarify and confirm the findings of the inspections conducted on November 22 and 25, 2024, and ensure that any misrepresentation of these findings is rectified.
Lastly, I wish to emphasize that HSUHK’s act of providing misleading information, as well as its apparent inability to address the complaint effectively, is unacceptable for an institution of higher learning. I trust that the relevant authorities will take this matter seriously and take appropriate actions to ensure accountability.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your reply.
