Woman who engaged in failed lawsuit against NUS for revoking master's degree, plans to crowdfund legal fees to file appeal

A 44-year-old woman who previously engaged in a failed lawsuit with the National University of Singapore (NUS), is hoping to raise legal fees via crowdfunding to sue again. 

The woman, Ms Ten alleged that NUS had wrongfully terminated her candidature for the degree of Master of Arts in Architecture in 2006, a point contested by NUS. 

During the case, Ms Ten had applied to the High Court for access to certain documents between NUS and the Ministry of Education (MOE) to support her case.

However, an assistant registrar (AR) ruled in 2013 that most of the documents she sought were unnecessary or irrelevant, while others were privileged.

She then appealed in 2014 to a High Court judge, who dismissed her move and refused her leave to appeal further.

To pay for her S$5,000 legal fees, Ms Ten attempted to raise the amount through crowdfunding, and has gotten more than $2,000 within two days, reports Lianhe Wanbao via Lianhe Zaobao. 

A netizen, Merv Tan, claimed to support Ms Ten and said he forwarded $100 to her.

Another netizen, going by Selena Chiong, said that Ms Ten’s comments were one-sided and do not intend to donate until NUS makes an official statement.

As of 12.20am yesterday (July 20), Ms Ten said that she had raised about S$2,098 via crowdfunding. 

She also said in her blog that her mentor had stolen the fruits of her research in 2004, and received S$80,000 in funding for it.

Ms Ten further alleged that her mentor had delayed the publishing of her findings. 

She subsequently requested a change of mentor.

She claimed that NUS sided with her mentor and refused her request, only setting up an investigation committee when she complained to an Executive Vice President .

Her allegations were refuted by the committee in Aug 2005 who cited a lack of evidence to back her claims.

Ms Ten however, continued complaining to the school and even took it to court. 

She added that she intends to file an appeal later this month (July 2017), but has depleted her savings of over S$100,000 for the lawsuits.

She hopes to raise about S$5,000 for the impending legal fees.