Taipei Tech Student Union Proposes Lab Work-Hour Warning System After Graduate Student's Suicide

(CNA, Taipei, May 21) A graduate student at National Taipei University of Technology (Taipei Tech) reportedly committed suicide, an act suspected to be linked to difficulties with their thesis. The student union has issued a statement advocating for the establishment of a lab work-hour warning system, a mechanism for changing thesis advisors, and an independent grievance channel capable of intervening in internal laboratory disputes. A netizen posted on social media with related screenshots, alleging that their friend, a graduate student at Taipei Tech, chose to end their life due to long-term obstruction by a professor. In response, the university told the media yesterday that it was saddened by the incident and has launched an investigation. The involved teacher's teaching and non-urgent supervisory duties have been suspended, and any subsequent disciplinary action will be based on the investigation's findings. The Taipei Tech Student Union released a statement on Facebook last night, urging all sectors of society to acknowledge the immense pressure and potential crises faced by graduate students. The student union proposed three mechanisms. First, to establish a transparent and effective system for monitoring and providing early warnings about lab work hours to ensure they are reasonable. Second, to include academic advising quality, faculty-student interaction models, and academic ethics in teaching evaluation metrics, and to guarantee a safe and retaliation-free mechanism for students to change advisors when facing unsuitable supervision. Third, to expand the scope of student grievances. The student union suggests that daily lab interactions, disputes over thesis supervision and graduation requirements, and labor issues related to research projects and industry-academia collaborations be included in the scope of grievances, rather than being limited to administrative penalties and grade assessments. The student union stated that it will continue to follow the incident and coordinate with the university, faculty, and student representatives to build a safer, more dignified, and more supportive academic and research environment through mutual understanding and cooperation. (Editor: Chen Ching-fang) 1150521