Student admits forging reference letter for PhD place at Education University

A 31-year-old student from mainland China, Li Zuer, pleaded guilty in Fanling Court on Monday to forging a reference letter for admission to a doctoral programme at the Education University of Hong Kong (EdU). The offence, which occurred in March 2024, involved her commissioning a Shenzhen-based agent to create a false letter endorsing her academic performance, falsely claiming it was endorsed by Ho Wai-yip, a former teaching staff member at EdU.

Li had previously claimed she was enrolled in EdU’s doctor of education programme, but her lawyer informed the court that she had lost her place due to the offence. Ho Wai-yip had originally written a reference for Li, praising her character but noting a need to improve her English proficiency. Senior Counsel Edwin Choy Wai-bond, representing Li, stated that she had "high hopes" of pursuing a career in academia after repeatedly failing to secure a doctoral programme place in Hong Kong.

The court heard that Li's conviction would likely prevent her from being hired by any educational institution in Hong Kong or the mainland. Magistrate Kenneth Chan Ping-chau emphasized the seriousness of the offence, stating that Li's actions had unfairly deprived another applicant from being admitted to the programme. A probation officer’s report will be conducted to assess whether Li is fit for community service, but a custodial sentence remains a possibility. Sentencing has been adjourned until September 14.