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Hong Kong Baptist University protesti

In January 2018, some 30 students protesting their results on a Baptist University exemption test for a Mandarin language course drew criticism for an eight-hour stand-off with staff members of the school's Language Centre. The university president later suspended two undergraduates, including the student union leader, for their conduct.

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It has shown some backbone by sticking to its guns to require all undergraduates pass a Mandarin test or take a mandatory course in the language

Baptist University clash over mandatory Mandarin test is sadly part of the larger localist campaign against real or perceived incursion by the mainland   

  • Dealing with campus protests his way brought attacks from students, establishment alike
  • ‘I’m not controversial,’ insists president who aimed to represent all students, staff, alumni
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Chinese University has set up a relief fund for students, with president Rocky Tuan hoping it will enhance students’ employment outlook, while his Baptist University counterpart Roland Chin says its alumni have offered hundreds of work opportunities to students.

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Chinese medicine student Andrew Chan said he had been subjected to ‘procedural unfairness’ after protest against Baptist University’s mandatory Mandarin requirement.

The school’s senate recommends it keep compulsory graduation requirement that caused eight-hour stand-off after 70 per cent failed course earlier this year.

Fifth-year undergraduate Andrew Chan says calling his conduct ‘indecent’ is unfair, while governing council member says eight-day suspension is too lenient

Wong Nga-man, a Year Four sociology student specialising in China studies, aims to complete the push on scrapping the controversial language requirement if elected president

The lack of hope for the future among young people and the disparagement of the privileged in some political quarters will not offer solutions to Hong Kong’s problems.

The university’s primary role is the delivery of education. While free speech is an integral part of learning, it should not hinder the provision of education itself.

Hong Kong’s young people face daunting challenges, but being frustrated does not give one licence to violate the law or to be rude. Working with the underprivileged may give them new perspectives.

University chief Roland Chin says the decision was made following ‘sincere’ personal apologies from student union president Lau Tsz-kei and Chinese medicine student Andrew Chan to teachers involved

In the US, too, university campuses have become more intolerant of different views. Students’ changing expectations also mean some see their university as a service provider that should give them – the consumers – exactly what they want.

Lau Tsz-kei and Andrew Chan Lok-hang offer in-person apologies but refuse to say if they will take action if their suspensions over Mandarin requirement protest are not lifted

Protesters say they will not rule out stronger action if student union president Lau Tsz-kei and medical student Andrew Chan are not allowed to return to classes