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Ministry repudiates gender bias claim against university

The Ministry of Education yesterday dismissed accusations of sex discrimination made by National Taiwan University of Technology and Science Vice President Chen ching-lian (陳金蓮), saying they were groundless and that gender was not a factor when the ministry selected a man as president of National Ilan University two years ago.

The ministry's Deputy-Minister Wu Tsai-shun (吳財順), who spoke on behalf of Minister of Education Tu Cheng-sheng (杜正勝), said the selection process for the position was based solely on each candidate's ability, education level and experience.

'PUZZLING'

"Gender was never a consideration. It is puzzling why Chen would make such allegations," Wu told reporters yesterday one day after the first court hearing in the case.

Chen recently filed a gender discrimination suit against Tu and Chungshan University President Chang Chung-ren (張宗仁), who sat on the all-male five-person selection committee in 2006, alleging Chang made several disparaging comments on Chen's ability to be a university president because she was a woman.

Q AND A

It was reported that during a question and answer session, Chang asked in a low voice if Chen's gender would affect her ability to raise funds.

He also reportedly asked how the job would affect her family life, since she would be living in Ilan while her husband would remain in Taipei.

One of the other committee members, Liao Yi-jiu (廖一久), an Academia Sinica research fellow, said he had heard Chang's questions, but stressed it was not meant to be prejudicial against Chen or women in general.

Chen is asking for NT$2 million (US$65,000) in compensation.

This is the first time a gender discrimination suit has been filed against a ministry official.

The next court date is set for the 28th of next month.
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