HKU professor charged over HK$2.2m bribery linked to IT education contracts

A former associate professor at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has been charged with multiple counts of bribery related to a series of information technology education contracts, according to the city's anti-corruption agency. Gary Wong Ka-wai, 45, who previously worked in the university’s faculty of education, faces nine counts of conspiracy for a public servant to accept advantages, along with two other individuals. The allegations involve a sum of approximately HK$2.2 million (US$280,500) in bribes allegedly received in exchange for awarding seven procurement contracts to a specific vendor. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced the charges on Friday after conducting an investigation into a corruption complaint. According to the commission, Wong, while serving as the director of the university’s Centre for Information Technology in Education (CITE), entered into an agreement with Huen Man-ho, 56, who is the sole director and shareholder of two education service companies, Immersive Learning and Koding Kingdom. Huen is also charged with two counts of fraud, alongside his wife, Joel Chu Wai-yi, 57, and his nephew, Cheung Chun, 26. The alleged misconduct occurred between August 2023 and June of this year. Wong’s role at CITE involved overseeing the integration of IT solutions into educational programs, often using funds from external trusts and government grants. These included contributions from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and the Quality Education Fund. During his tenure, he was responsible for selecting vendors for IT-related services, which formed the basis of the current legal proceedings. The ICAC stated that Wong and Huen had agreed on a financial arrangement wherein Wong would receive between 10 to 50 percent of the contract values awarded to Huen’s firms. The investigation began following a corruption complaint, leading to inquiries that uncovered the alleged collusion between Wong and Huen. The ICAC emphasized that the total value of the contracts awarded exceeded HK$10 million, significantly surpassing the amount of bribes reportedly paid. This discrepancy suggests that the illicit payments were a fraction of the overall transaction value, raising questions about how the contracts were structured and approved. Wong, who held the position of director at CITE during the period under scrutiny, was responsible for managing several high-profile initiatives aimed at modernizing educational infrastructure through technological advancements. His responsibilities included evaluating proposals and ensuring compliance with funding criteria set by both private and public entities. The nature of these roles gave him considerable influence over the selection process, which the ICAC claims was exploited in this case. In addition to the charges against Wong, Huen and his associates face separate criminal accusations. Huen is accused of defrauding the institutions involved by securing contracts through improper means, while his family members are implicated in the scheme based on their roles within the company structure. The involvement of multiple individuals indicates a coordinated effort to circumvent standard procurement procedures, potentially affecting the integrity of the educational projects funded by public resources. The case highlights concerns about the oversight mechanisms governing public spending in academic and educational sectors. It also raises broader questions about the accountability of officials entrusted with managing large sums of money allocated for developmental purposes. The ICAC has not yet disclosed whether any other parties are under investigation or if further evidence will be presented in court. Legal representatives for the accused have not commented publicly on the charges, and no formal response has been issued by HKU regarding the implications of the case for its operations or reputation. The university has not confirmed whether Wong has resigned from his post or if any disciplinary actions have been taken internally. Meanwhile, the prosecution is expected to present additional details during the upcoming judicial proceedings, which could provide more clarity on the scope of the alleged misconduct. The ICAC has reiterated its commitment to investigating all forms of corruption, particularly those involving misuse of public funds. As the case progresses, it will likely draw attention to the need for stricter oversight in areas where public money is used to support educational innovation. The outcome of the trial could set a precedent for future cases involving similar allegations of bribery and mismanagement in the sector.