NUS student steps down from leadership role as university investigates viral racist videos online
A National University of Singapore student is under investigation after racist videos went viral, prompting an online petition and criticism of her apology.
- NUS launched an investigation after racist videos of a student circulated online in early April.
- The student stepped down from leadership and faces calls for disciplinary action through a petition.
- Her apology video drew criticism, with some questioning its sincerity and timing.
SINGAPORE： A National University of Singapore (NUS) student is under investigation after videos showing her making racist remarks circulated widely online, prompting public backlash and a petition calling for disciplinary action.
According to 8World News, the university said it began its probe when the videos first surfaced in early April.
In a media statement issued on 24 April, NUS said it would “take all necessary disciplinary action” and reaffirmed that it is “committed to the principles of respect and dignity”.
A university spokesperson cited Clause 7 of the NUS Code of Student Conduct, stating that behaviour which “insults, abuses, denigrates, victimises, demeans, embarrasses or disparages others” is not acceptable.
Student steps down from leadership role
NUS confirmed that the student has stepped down from her position in a student committee and is no longer residing on campus.
The videos, which were initially shared on the messaging platform Telegram, were later reposted across social media platforms including Instagram, TikTok and Reddit.
In the first video, the student introduced herself as the recruitment head of an orientation programme and said she was staying in a university hostel.
She then made remarks targeting a specific race, invoking racial stereotypes. In the clip, she said she had “the willpower determination and resilience to shower up to 3 times a day so that I don’t smell like curry onions” before concluding with “I’m not racist”.
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A second video featured her listing “pet peeves” about international students from certain countries, including claims that she could not understand the way they spoke.
Petition calls for disciplinary action
Public reaction intensified following the circulation of the clips, with an online petition launched on 19 April urging NUS to take “serious disciplinary action”.
The petition had garnered more than 730 signatures as at noon on 24 April 2026.
It argued that the university’s commitment to academic excellence and moral integrity could be undermined if the alleged racist and xenophobic remarks were not addressed.
The petition also stated that such behaviour may breach the institution’s Code of Conduct and threaten the multicultural environment on campus.
It called for a thorough investigation, including a review of evidence and testimonies, followed by appropriate disciplinary measures.
It also urged consistent and transparent enforcement of policies to maintain accountability.
Apology video draws criticism
In a separate video, the student issued an apology for her remarks.
“I understand that it may have offended a few people but it was not my intention on doing so,” she said.
She added that she had been “going through something” at the time and had “turned it into a joke which may have come across inappropriately”.
However, the apology drew scepticism from some quarters.
TikTok content creator DineshTheBigBaby criticised the response, describing it as a “fake apology video” and arguing that it lacked genuine remorse.
He said the apology appeared reactive, suggesting it was made “because people were attacking her”.
He also questioned whether the student would have apologised if the videos had not attracted widespread attention.
Dinesh also rejected suggestions that the matter should be dismissed, expressing frustration at what he described as a lack of institutional intervention.
He further highlighted what he viewed as an irony in her role as a university cheerleader and criticised what he described as a lack of public relations awareness.
