Former THEi lecturer jailed eight months for taking $20,000 bribe to pass student

A 68-year-old former part-time lecturer at the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong received an eight-month prison sentence for accepting a HK$20,000 bribe to pass a student's final year project.

The defendant, Tony Ng Shui-ting, earlier pleaded guilty to one count of an agent accepting an advantage and appeared before the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday morning.

Defense highlighted Ng's long teaching career and contributions to society.

They cited family stress from medical costs for his grandson with autism, supported by psychiatric reports recommending outpatient treatment. Ng is registered and awaiting an appointment.

Defense sought a suspended or non-custodial sentence, acknowledging the case's negative impact on the school, students, teachers, parents, and professional perceptions, while comparing it to other institutional cases.

Principal Magistrate David Cheung Chi-wai rejected leniency, emphasizing the offense's gravity and need for strong deterrence.

Cheung stressed harm to the unqualified student, the institution's reputation, and recognition of engineering degrees.

Ng knowingly allowed an unfit person to enter the profession as a registered engineer for personal gain, which could not be excused by family needs.

Cheung ruled the case did not warrant exceptional sympathy and imposed an immediate eight-month term, denying bail pending appeal.

The court heard that Ng was responsible for supervising students of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in the Civil Engineering program in their final year projects.

Since November last year, Ng repeatedly told a student that he would not award a passing grade for their final year project unless a bribe was paid.

He initially demanded HK$40,000, promising a B+ grade, and even suggested an A in the next semester.

At that time, Ng indicated that the student would not be capable of achieving a good grade and therefore did not need to work hard. Ultimately, he accepted HK$20,000 in cash from the student on December 10 last year.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption investigated after a complaint, with full cooperation from THEi and the student. Ng was arrested, and the cash was recovered during a body search.