NUS investigating case of student who made remarks about other ethnicities & nationalities in Telegram video messages

The National University of Singapore (NUS) said in a statement on Apr. 24 that it is investigating the case involving a student who made remarks about other ethnicities and nationalities in video messages believed to have been sent on Telegram.

This comes after the videos circulated on social media and received backlash from the public, some of whom called the student's remarks "racist" and urged the university to take action.

Videos

In the first of two videos, the student introduced herself as the "O week recruitment head", likely referring to a position on an orientation week student committee.

She also mentioned that she was a student residing at particular hostel at NUS.

She went on to make the remark.

The student also mentioned her showering habit as an "interesting talent".

The video ended with the student saying she is "not racist".

In the second video, the student briefly commented about the hygiene habits of two groups of exchange students.

She also complained that they "don't do their work" and remarked about the way they spoke.

The recordings that circulated online were framed in a circular video format with a white border, typical of a saved Telegram video message.

The videos attracted backlash online, with commenters calling for action to be taken.

"What in racist hell is this nonsense," one commenter wrote on Instagram.

A petition urging the university to take disciplinary action was also started.

Student apologises in third video

Following the online backlash, the student apologised and explained the circumstances surrounding the first two videos.

"I understand that it may have offended a few people, but it was not my intention," she said in a Telegram video message.

She explained that she was "going through something" when she made the videos and "turned it into a joke", but acknowledged that this was "not an excuse".

School investigating, student stepped down from committee: NUS

In an Apr. 24, statement, an NUS spokesperson said the school is committed to "principles of respect and dignity".

They explained that Clause 7 of the NUS Code of Student Conduct states that conduct which “insults, abuses, denigrates, victimises, demeans, embarrasses or disparages others” is not acceptable to the university.

"NUS is investigating the current case and will take all necessary disciplinary action," the spokesperson said.

"The student has stepped down from the student committee and is no longer residing on campus," they added.

Top image via Mothership reader, NUS website