Greek Australian student activist Drew Pavlou is facing a two year suspension from the University of Queensland after public criticism of Queensland’s links to Chinese Government organisations.
A closed disciplinary hearing considered whether Drew Pavlou breached the university’s code of conduct, mainly stemming from his activism on campus against the Chinese Communist Party.
On Friday evening, Mr Pavlou tweeted he had been “expelled for two years” and had been given “no reasoning” and was threatened with consequences if he breached the confidentiality of [UQ’s] decision.
Mr Pavlou has long been critical of the university’s ties to Chinese Government organisations, including the Confucius Institute.
6 months away from graduation, Drew claims that his suspensions shows “how deep the Chinese Government influence goes in Australia and in other countries of the world.”
In a statement, UQ’s Chancellor Peter Varghese said he was advised of the outcome of the disciplinary action on Friday.
“There are aspects of the findings and the severity of the penalty which personally concern me,” he said.
“In consultation with the Vice-Chancellor, who has played no role in this disciplinary process, I have decided to convene an out-of-session meeting of UQ’s senate next week to discuss the matter.”
UQ has maintained the disciplinary hearing was not in relation to Mr Pavlou’s criticism of the university’s relationship with China.
