THE Nanyang Technological University project officer, who was found hanged in a staff apartment at the NTU campus on Friday night, had just started work five days ago.

Mr Zhou Zheng, 24, a Chinese national from Hubei, who worked for the Division of Information at the School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE), was pronounced dead in his flat at Block 101C Nanyang Heights at about 10.50pm.

statement by NTU 'The late Mr Zhou Zheng, 24, from Hubei, China, graduated with a 2nd Class Upper Honours from NTU Electrical and Electronic Engineering in July 2008 last year. He started work with a company right after graduation. ... more

His body, which was found hanging in the balcony of his apartment, was believed to have been taken down by a friend before police arrived at about 10.30pm.

His death comes five days after a final year student, also from the School of EEE, fell to his death after stabbing a professor on Monday morning, the same day Mr Zhou started work as an NTU project officer.

Coincidentally, Mr Zhou also studied at the School of EEE, where he graduated with a 2nd Class Upper Honours in July last year. And both apparently were from the same lab in S2-B3a-06, said NTU students.

According to an NTU statement on Saturday, Mr Zhou started work with a company right after graduation.

'NTU understands that the company sent him overseas for training. Two months into the training, he was recalled along with other trainees and was laid off with a severance package,' said the school in a statement on Saturday.

NTU said Mr Zhou's parents had been notified of his death and the university is providing every assistance to his family.

'Professional counsellors and senior university officers were immediately on site to offer support, help and counsel where needed,' said NTU.

Separately, NTU President, Dr Su Guaning sent an email to all faculty staff and students on Saturday morning informing them that the university is 'deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Mr Zhou' and that his family has been notified. It is not known if the family members are in Singapore.

'We are doing our utmost to help his family and friends, residents at Nanyang Heights and anyone in the NTU community that may be traumatised by what has happened in our campus this week,' said Dr Su.

'We shall rally together and pull through this difficult period.'

On Monday, David Hartanto Widjaja, 21, an Indonesian student whose scholarship was terminated, stabbed Associate Professor Chan Kap Luk, 45, in the back during a discussion in his office at the NTU campus, and later fell four floors to his death.

Prof Chan, who suffered injuries to his back and right hand, has been discharged from hospital and is on medical leave