Professor dismissed on sex charges

A professor at National Taipei University of Technology was dismissed yesterday on charges that he sexually harassed a student earlier this year.

The scandal came to light in May after DPP legislator Yeh Ju-lan (葉菊蘭) held a press conference on the student's behalf.

The university came under fire in early August when it renewed the professor's employment contract while an investigation into the charges was still pending.

The university's administration said that they had to issue contracts for teachers by Aug. 1 because the new term was close at hand. They said, however, that the contract contained a clause allowing the university to dismiss the professor immediately if he was found guilty.

Thirty-nine students who were interviewed during the investigation confirmed the student's allegations of sexual misconduct.

The Ministry of Education also came under fire last week for its slow investigation process.

Minister of Education Kirby Yung (楊朝祥) said the ministry would respect the university's decision to fire the teacher.