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Guan Ping
Guest
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</td> </tr> <tr><td class="content_subtitle" align="left"> Wed, Jan 27, 2010
AsiaOne </td> </tr> <tr> <td height="15">
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Rejected by prestigious university because of HIV <!-- TITLE : end--> </td></tr> <tr><td colspan="3" height="15">
</td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="3" class="bodytext_10pt"> <!-- CONTENT : start --> Sexually active since the age of 16, Timmy (not his real name), now 23, only found out he had contracted HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) when he applied for admission to a prestigious American university. A top student, Timmy was devastated when the university rejected his application due to his HIV status. He eventually found another American university that was willing to accept him, but even then, there are restrictions on the classes that he can attend.
Still, Timmy could not understand how he could have contracted the virus, said his psychiatrist, Dr Chen Xin Jing, who spoke to Shin Min about his case. Timmy's parents had found out about his sexually-active lifestyle when he was in his teens and referred him to the psychiatrist. However, Timmy thought himself well-equipped with knowledge on safe sex practices and refused to listen to further advice. He eventually stopped going for the counselling sessions.
After discovering that he had contracted HIV, Dr Chen said Timmy came to him, regretful and in tears. He told Dr Chen: "I've only had a few sex partners, and I took the necessary precautions. Why me?"
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Do universities discriminate against HIV positive students?
Not all universities deny students with HIV a place at their schools. Florida State University states on their online circular, that students or staff with HIV "will not be excluded from enrolment or employment or restricted in their normal responsibilities and access to university services or facilities. However, a university in Taiwan stated in its admissions criteria, that a student's 'acceptance will be revoked', if they are found to be HIV positive after enrolment.
What about universities in Singapore? A check with the Singapore Management University (SMU) found that admission for students with HIV is evaluated "on a case-by-case basis". According to a statement by its counselor, Mr Timothy Hsi, "due to the sensitivity of such cases, SMU would deal with it on a case-by-case basis, adopting ethical practices which serve to protect the confidentiality of these individuals."
Currently, all students are required to undergo a pre-enrolment medical examination before matriculating into SMU. The examination includes a HIV test for foreign students. Mr Hsi also stated that at the moment, "there are no known HIV-positive students in SMU". A university spokesperson from the Nanyang Technological University told AsiaOne that medical fitness is one of the various criteria for admission. They have not had any case of students diagnosed with HIV applying for campus accommodation.
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In the case of Timmy, his psychiatrist, Mr Chen Xin Jing, told Shin Min that Timmy's experience was just one of many he has encountered in recent years. The Health Ministry noted that the number of teenagers with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is on the rise, with a total of 133 teens treated for infections in 2008. This number is up from about 61 persons in 2000. Shin Min reported that the Ministry is working with several organisations in an attempt to address the rising trend, including incorporating sex education into Science textbooks.
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AsiaOne </td> </tr> <tr> <td height="15">
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Rejected by prestigious university because of HIV <!-- TITLE : end--> </td></tr> <tr><td colspan="3" height="15">
Still, Timmy could not understand how he could have contracted the virus, said his psychiatrist, Dr Chen Xin Jing, who spoke to Shin Min about his case. Timmy's parents had found out about his sexually-active lifestyle when he was in his teens and referred him to the psychiatrist. However, Timmy thought himself well-equipped with knowledge on safe sex practices and refused to listen to further advice. He eventually stopped going for the counselling sessions.
After discovering that he had contracted HIV, Dr Chen said Timmy came to him, regretful and in tears. He told Dr Chen: "I've only had a few sex partners, and I took the necessary precautions. Why me?"
<hr>
Do universities discriminate against HIV positive students?
Not all universities deny students with HIV a place at their schools. Florida State University states on their online circular, that students or staff with HIV "will not be excluded from enrolment or employment or restricted in their normal responsibilities and access to university services or facilities. However, a university in Taiwan stated in its admissions criteria, that a student's 'acceptance will be revoked', if they are found to be HIV positive after enrolment.
What about universities in Singapore? A check with the Singapore Management University (SMU) found that admission for students with HIV is evaluated "on a case-by-case basis". According to a statement by its counselor, Mr Timothy Hsi, "due to the sensitivity of such cases, SMU would deal with it on a case-by-case basis, adopting ethical practices which serve to protect the confidentiality of these individuals."
Currently, all students are required to undergo a pre-enrolment medical examination before matriculating into SMU. The examination includes a HIV test for foreign students. Mr Hsi also stated that at the moment, "there are no known HIV-positive students in SMU". A university spokesperson from the Nanyang Technological University told AsiaOne that medical fitness is one of the various criteria for admission. They have not had any case of students diagnosed with HIV applying for campus accommodation.
<hr>
In the case of Timmy, his psychiatrist, Mr Chen Xin Jing, told Shin Min that Timmy's experience was just one of many he has encountered in recent years. The Health Ministry noted that the number of teenagers with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is on the rise, with a total of 133 teens treated for infections in 2008. This number is up from about 61 persons in 2000. Shin Min reported that the Ministry is working with several organisations in an attempt to address the rising trend, including incorporating sex education into Science textbooks.
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