Hong Kong Baptist University relents, agrees to review suspensions over Mandarin protest
Officials praise students for apologising to teachers and are expected to announce their decision before the week is over
Beleaguered Baptist University officials softened their stance on Wednesday, saying they would review the suspension of two students over alleged threats to staff during a stand-off on campus.
The announcement, made in an email to students, staff and alumni by president Roland Chin Tai-hong, came a day after student union president Lau Tsz-kei and Chinese medicine student Andrew Chan Lok-hang apologised to teachers in person.
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“We are pleased to know that the two suspended students had taken the initiative to apologise in person to language centre colleagues yesterday, expressing their remorseful regret and their willingness to bear the responsibility for what they have done,” the email read.
The decision to review also coincided with an ultimatum the students issued to the school during a protest against the suspensions on Friday that drew 300 people. They said they could escalate action if the suspensions were not lifted.
Lau and Chan were among 30 students who stormed the school’s language centre two weeks ago, demanding the university end a Mandarin requirement needed to graduate.
They were also demanding greater transparency for a test that exempts students from the course after 70 per cent of those who took the exam failed.