Hong Kong's Lingnan University suspends official as plagiarism claim probed

Hong Kong's Lingnan University has suspended Herdip Singh as the institution’s comptroller amid plagiarism allegations, but he will retain his other post of associate vice-president.

University president Leonard Cheng Kwok-hon sent an internal memo to staff on Friday evening, in which he announced deputy comptroller, Ian Woo Chun-tung, would take on the role in an acting capacity until further notice.

A university spokesperson refused to give any reasons for the suspension, which will take effect on Monday. According to the university, the comptroller is responsible for accounting and facility management of the institution.

Singh was accused of plagiarism in his doctoral dissertation and fast-tracking of a PhD awarded by Tarlac State University in the Philippines through a referral by a private school, Lifelong College, founded by Lingnan council member Alex Lee Ye-lick.

READ MORE: Another campus controversy as plagiarism allegations investigated

Lingnan University said a committee has been set up to look into the allegations but the school did not have the authority to investigate the management of the other educational institution involved.