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Academic at leading Chinese university suspended for sending string of abusive messages to students

  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University said associate professor Ni Bingbing would be forced to make a ‘deep self-criticism’ for his actions
  • Electronic engineer had used terms such as ‘garbage’ and ‘f---ing idiots’ to refer to students who asked for time off at weekends

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Shanghai Jiao Tong University said Ni Bingbing had not met ethical standards. Photo: AFP
Zhuang Pinghuiin Beijing

A professor with a leading Chinese university has been suspended after a string of abusive messages he sent to students were leaked online.

Ni Bingbing, an associate professor with Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s school of electronic information and electrical engineering, was found to have “used inappropriate language and failed teachers’ ethical standards”, according to a statement issued by the university on Monday.

The university said the academic, who had used terms such as “garbage” and “f---ing idiots” to refer to his students has been ordered to apologise and make a “deep self-criticism”.

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The statement also said his violations will be announced to the whole university and he would be suspended from teaching with immediate effect.

Screenshots from a WeChat group circulating online showed Ni had been verbally abusing his students by calling them “illiterate”, “garbage”, “idiots”, “f---ing idiots” and “s---”.

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Ni Bingbing sent a string of abusive messages to students on Wechat. Photo: REUTERS
Ni Bingbing sent a string of abusive messages to students on Wechat. Photo: REUTERS

In one conversation Ni – who was recruited by the Chinese government’s Thousand Talents Programme to lure back academics who have studied overseas – reacted abusively when a student asked for time off at the weekend.

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