A lecturer at the University of Sydney in Australia has sparked outrage among the student body's Chinese community after he displayed a wrong map on China's territory.
In response to the incorrect map, the University of Sydney's Chinese student group took to the social media platform WeChat to voice their concerns.
Some students said they should quit the Professional Practice in Information Technology class by the lecturer in protest, while others described the use of the map as "absolutely intolerable."
The man at the centre of the controversy, Dr Khimji Vaghjiani, said the incident was a mistake and has apologised for the oversight.
"Over 18 months ago, I used an out-of-date map, downloaded from the internet, when discussing characteristics of IT entrepreneurs around the world, however I was unaware that the map was inaccurate and out-of-date," Vaghjiani explained in a statement that was forwarded by the University to Xinhua.
"This was a genuine mistake and I regret any offence this may have caused."
He also went on to say that the current learning materials for the course have now been updated to include an accurate representation of Chinese territory.
Peixuan Wang from Sydney University's Chinese Student Association told Xinhua that she was satisfied with the response.
"Personally I am happy, at least he replied to the concerns," Wang said.
A similar episode in May also caused uproar, when a Monash University lecturer in Melbourne was suspended after it was revealed he mocked Chinese officials in a classroom quiz.
The university then underwent a review of the entire academic course in response.
Although these incidents have been a sour note, it has helped highlight the importance of having a strong voice on campus for Chinese students.
Often shy and somewhat apprehensive, the Chinese student body is now emerging with a bolder voice at Aussie Universities to the benefit of pupils and the institutions.
With almost one third of all international students coming from China, it remains highly important for the Chinese student body, as well as the Australian education sector that the largest demographic of foreign students are being represented and heard on Aussie campuses.
