NTNU department recommends dismissal of former soccer coach: Report

Taipei, July 22 (CNA) National Taiwan Normal University's (NTNU) Department of Sport and Kinesiology has recommended the dismissal of former women's soccer coach Chou Tai-ying (周台英) over allegations she coerced students into giving blood samples for research projects, United Daily News reported Tuesday, citing unnamed sources.

At a press briefing following the department-level evaluation, department head Cheng Ching-feng (鄭景峰) declined to confirm the decision, saying it was only preliminary.

He added that the outcome would not be finalized until NTNU's three-stage faculty evaluation process -- which includes the department, college and university levels -- is complete.

However, in a written statement issued later Tuesday, the department confirmed it had made a "different decision" and expressed hope that it would meet public expectations.

Chou, 61, is accused of telling students they would lose course credits required for graduation if they did not participate in the alleged research, which was conducted between 2019 and 2024. She is an associate professor in the department and previously coached NTNU's women's soccer team.

The university had initially imposed disciplinary measures that barred Chou from receiving pay raises, overtime, or taking on executive or part-time teaching roles. That decision followed a recommendation from NTNU's campus bullying prevention committee that she be suspended for two years.

However, after continued public criticism, NTNU announced on July 16 that Chou had been suspended. The Ministry of Education (MOE) revoked her coaching license the following day, fined the university NT$1.1 million (US$33,687), and ordered it to relaunch its faculty review process.

Two days later, on July 19, NTNU President Wu Cheng-chih (吳正己), project leader Chen Chung-ching (陳忠慶), and Chou held a press conference to apologize to affected students.

Separately, prosecutors launched a formal investigation on July 16 into possible coercion. Authorities have seized blood samples stored at the university as evidence and ordered NTNU not to destroy, alter or conceal any relevant records.

Also on Tuesday, Wu Lin-hui (吳林輝), head of the MOE's Department of Student Affairs and Special Education, said students involved would be offered counseling from external professionals. He also urged students to report any threats of retaliation directly to the ministry, warning that violators would face severe penalties.