National Tsing Hua University President W. John Kao travelled to the United States to apply for the presidency of another university three days after being reappointed, sparking a controversy over his integrity. The alumni association has now come forward in his support, but critics within the university argue the statement is not sufficiently representative.

• Kao was reappointed president of NTHU on May 1 this year, and on the third day he travelled to the United States to take part in a presidential selection process at an overseas university. The matter came to light in late July and drew immediate questions.

• Since the story broke, he has issued only a single email to the university's faculty and students on August 9, and has offered no further public explanation.

• The alumni association released a statement this evening praising his record in running the university and expressing the hope that he will continue to lead NTHU, a move seen as shifting from defence to offence.

• NTHU Chair Professor Chou Cho-hui questioned the statement, saying that unless it was approved by a general meeting of members or by the board of directors and supervisors, it can represent only the personal positions of the three association chairs who signed it.

• The university's board of supervisors met on Friday last week to discuss the matter; the outcome has not yet been announced.

Outlook: The findings of the board of supervisors' investigation will determine whether Kao can remain in office, and the breach of trust both inside and outside the university will be difficult to repair in the short term.