The University of Queensland, ranked among the global Top 10 in different world rankings, has upheld the suspension of 21-year-old student Drew Pavlou.
Following the student’s appeal, the original two-year suspension was replaced with a suspension for the remainder of the academic year coupled by 25 hours of community service.
The Greek Australian student alleges he was targeted after staging a protest 12 months ago against Beijing’s activities in Hong Kong which also drew attention to the persecuted Uighur minority in China and was critical of UQ’s links with the Chinese Communist Party. The small demonstration reportedly turned violent after it was gatecrashed by pro-China figures.
Mr Pavlou failed to meet with UQ’s administration to discuss its ties with Beijing-backed groups despite all his efforts made in that direction. He claims a disciplinary review was sparked after he won a position as an undergraduate representative at the university Senate. This position has now been stripped from him.
The student had been due to graduate at the end of semester two this year. Following the hearing, Mr Pavlou told news.com.au that he would seek an immediate injunction in the Supreme Court and fight it all the way to the High Court if need be. “Total exoneration or nothing,” he said, adding that the UQ has “burnt $1 million in taxpayer funds”.