A professor at the University of York in Ontario, Canada, was removed from the course he was teaching after screenshots showing him complaining to a student and threatening to fail went viral earlier this week. It is seen that the professor told the student, who said they could not take their midterm exams due to the military internet outage in Myanmar, said: ‘The next time you miss something, it’s over.’
In the screenshots of the e-mail exchange, the student is pointed to Professor of Mathematics and Statistics, Emanoil Theodorescu, to postpone their midterm exam and said that he had recently heard that the army would introduce another internet interruption.
“I have just heard that all mobile data, wifi and internet services will be indefinite from tomorrow,” the student writes. “Therefore, there will be a total eclipse for communication.”
“There is no delay. It is carried over to the final exam. Last chance, bad sign,” Theodorescu replied according to the screenshots. “Did Covid19 even come across the internet?”
The student responded by trying to explain the situation in Myanmar, which has been shaken by protests and civil unrest since the military staged a coup in February.
“Nearly 200 protesters were shot dead [until] now. The regime has decided to close all communications by tomorrow, ‘the student said.
When the student asked if their final exam would now be 60% of their grade, Theodorescu replied: ‘something like that’.
‘Ok professor. Thank you, ‘said the student. ‘So I should not worry if I miss the test tomorrow?
“Of course you have to,” Theodorescu replied. “The next time you miss something, it’s over.”
“By the way, your comments (related to this course and your home country) made me wonder how you understand reality,” he added. “People are not shot just to protest, but for much deeper reasons. And with loading everything up on the final exam – it’s going to be hard to pass the course – due to lack of practice, if nothing else.”
Screenshots of the fair that were posted on Twitter on Thursday quickly sparked outrage. In a Friday statement, York University said it was committed to ensuring “respect, equity, diversity and inclusion”. There has recently been a communication between a teacher from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and a student who does not reflect these values. ”
“We want to assure all involved that senior staff of the Faculty could contact the student directly with the instructor on the evening of the exchange and clearly expressed their support for their difficult circumstances and well-being, and they would further ensure the necessary accommodation. Be, ‘the university said.
“Alternative arrangements have been made for the teaching of the course,” the university added.
Theodorescu’s contact information has since been removed from the department’s faculty and instructor page. He did not return CBS News’ request for comment.
Civil unrest flared up in Myanmar following the February 1 coup, which led to the military junta taking control of the country. Military officials said they took control because leader Aung San Suu Kyi was elected as a result of electoral fraud, a widespread claim. Suu Kyi and hundreds of other politicians and allies have been imprisoned ever since.
The army has internet services cut and blocked international communication because protests had dampened. More than 100 people, including many young adults, students, educators and health workers, were killed by the military for protesting the coup.
On Friday, the United Nations accused the junta of using force to kill more than 60 schools, and even assaulted teachers, according to The Associated Press.