National Taiwan Normal University's (NTNU) Department of Sport and Kinesiology has recommended the dismissal of former women's soccer coach Chou Tai-ying (周台英) over allegations she coerced students into giving blood samples for research projects, United Daily News reported yesterday, citing unnamed sources.
At a briefing following the department-level evaluation, department head Cheng Ching-feng (鄭景峰) declined to confirm the decision, saying it was only preliminary.
Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times
He added that the outcome would not be finalized until NTNU's three-stage faculty evaluation process — which includes the department, college and university levels — is complete.
However, in a written statement issued later yesterday, the department confirmed it had made a "different decision" and expressed hope that it would meet public expectations.
Chou, 61, is accused of telling students they would lose course credits required for graduation if they did not participate in the alleged research, which was conducted between 2019 and last year.
She is an associate professor in the department and previously coached NTNU's women's soccer team.
The university had initially imposed disciplinary measures that barred Chou from receiving pay raises, overtime, or taking on executive or part-time teaching roles.
That decision followed a recommendation from NTNU's campus bullying prevention committee that she be suspended for two years.
However, after continued public criticism, NTNU announced on Wednesday last week that Chou had been suspended.
The Ministry of Education revoked her coaching license the following day, fined the university NT$1.1 million (US$33,687) and ordered it to relaunch its faculty review process.
Two days later, NTNU president Wu Cheng-chih (吳正己), project leader Chen Chung-ching (陳忠慶) and Chou held a news conference to apologize to affected students.
Separately, prosecutors on Wednesday last week launched a formal investigation into possible coercion.
Authorities have seized blood samples stored at the university as evidence and ordered NTNU not to destroy, alter or conceal any relevant records.
Also yesterday, Wu Lin-hui (吳林輝), head of the education ministry's Department of Student Affairs and Special Education, said students involved would be offered counseling from external professionals.
He also urged students to report any threats of retaliation directly to the ministry, warning that violators would face severe penalties.
Aftershocks from a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck off Yilan County at 3:45pm yesterday could reach a magnitude of 5 to 5.5, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Seismological Center technical officer Chiu Chun-ta (邱俊達) told a news conference that the epicenter of the temblor was more than 100km from Taiwan. Although predicted to measure between magnitude 5 and 5.5, the aftershocks would reach an intensity of 1 on Taiwan’s 7-tier scale, which gauges the actual effect of an earthquake, he said. The earthquake lasted longer in Taipei because the city is in a basin, he said. The quake’s epicenter was about 128.9km east-southeast
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The New Taipei City Government today warned about the often-overlooked dangers of playing in water, and recommended safe swimming destinations to cool off from the summer heat. The following locations in the city as safe and fun for those looking to enjoy the water: Chienshuiwan (淺水灣), Baishawan (白沙灣), Jhongjiao Bay (中角灣), Fulong Beach Resort (福隆海水浴場) and Sansia District’s (三峽) Dabao River (大豹溪), New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department Director-General Yang Tsung-min (楊宗珉) said. Outdoor bodies of water have variables outside of human control, such as changing currents, differing elevations and environmental hazards, all of which can lead to accidents, Yang said. Sudden
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
RSS