University of Sydney Apologises to Malaysian Student Over Palestine Protest Misconduct Notice
KUALA LUMPUR (March 8) – The University of Sydney has apologised to a transgender Malaysian student after she was threatened with possible suspension over allegations of writing pro-Palestinian messages on campus whiteboards. The student, who has sought asylum in Australia, feared the notice could lead to deportation.
The university attributed the suspension threat to an “administrative error” but clarified that misconduct proceedings were still ongoing, according to The Guardian. The student, who has declined to be named due to fears of repercussions, is currently in Australia on a student visa.
Misconduct Allegations and University’s Response
On February 3, the university’s Office of the Academic Registrar accused the student of entering multiple tutorial rooms and writing messages such as “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, along with accusations that the university was complicit in genocide in Gaza and invested in weapons manufacturing. The messages reportedly included statistics on Gaza’s death toll and were written with a green marker, which the university claimed was not a whiteboard marker and was difficult to erase.
Citing violations of student discipline, campus access, and advertising policies, the university warned the student of potential penalties, including suspension, exclusion, or a formal reprimand. She was initially given until February 14 to respond but requested an extension until March 21, citing her asylum-seeking status and the risk of deportation if her studies were suspended.
In her written response, the student stated she was under “extreme duress” and had fled Malaysia due to “immense violence and persecution.” She also highlighted that as a transgender woman, she had been denied gender-affirming healthcare in Malaysia and could only access essential medical treatment in Australia.
University Issues Apology Amid Backlash
Following widespread criticism, the university issued a formal apology on Wednesday, acknowledging that the misconduct notice contained errors regarding the penalties and confirming the student would be granted an extension to respond.
“We apologise for this error and any distress caused,” the university said in a statement, adding that it had directly contacted the student and offered additional support. Read Here
A spokesperson further stated, “The safety and wellbeing of our community is our prime concern at all times, and we deeply regret any confusion or distress relating to this issue.”
Student Advocates Condemn University’s Actions
The incident is the latest in an ongoing dispute between Australian universities and student activists advocating for Palestinian rights. In June 2024, the University of Sydney ordered the removal of a pro-Palestine encampment that had remained on campus for nearly two months. More recently, in January 2025, the institution faced backlash over a proposed policy requiring prior permission for protest banners on campus.
Wendy Thompson, a queer officer on the university’s Student Representative Council, described the university’s handling of the case as “overly punitive and discriminatory.”
“While students face increasing course cuts while paying exorbitant fees to study, they are silenced when speaking out against the failings of the university,” Thompson said.
Despite the apology, the misconduct proceedings against the student remain active, raising concerns among advocacy groups about the university’s commitment to upholding student rights and freedom of expression.
– Agency
