SINGAPORE academic Thio Li-ann's upcoming teaching stint at the New York University has stirred up a debate.

A former Nominated Member of Parliament, Dr Thio has been invited to teach a human rights course at the NYU's School of Law in the fall semester, reported The New Paper on Friday.

This has prompted some students to draw attention to her strong anti-gay views and raising questions if she should have been picked for the role. Some students and alumni even want Dr Thio's invitation to be rescinded.

NYU has dismissed the calls, saying that its candidates were selected based on a 'record of excellent scholarship and fine teaching', adding that Dr Thio could offer a 'valuable contribution' to intellectual campus life.

Netizens on The Online Citizen had differing views on the matter.

Said sarek_home: 'She is teaching Human Rights Law in Asia. No one will argue against Human Rights, the issue here is what should Human Rights cover. She will serve as a good representative of Human Rights from an Asian prospective. It will be meaningless to have someone who conforms to the western views of Human Rights to go to NYU as visiting professor.'

'It will not provide the contrasting view intended to highlight the gap between the West and Asia. It may give Dr Thio a cultural shock and open up her mind to different views on various issue.'

Said Doublespeak: 'Ooh, I would love to watch the students at NYU debate her. Sure, there were online rebuttals of her infamous speech but no one challenged her face to face on her arguments as yet. Love to see how she would defend herself.'

A more positive view came from CelluloidReality, who said: 'While I find it an irony of the highest measure, true academic discourse is about engaging all views of the spectrum. In this case, I believe it will be a positive engagement for both her and the NYU faculty.'

In a response carried in the Insider Higher Ed portal, Dr Thio said: 'Everyone is entitled to their opinion, free conscience, free thought - that is a cardinal principle for every academic community.'

'We can be united in commitment to this principle, without slavishly bowing to a demanded uniformity or dogma of political correctness set by elite diktat. I cannot say I am impressed by this ugly brand of politicking which I hope is not endemic.'

'I think certain Americans have to realise the fact that there are a diversity of views on the subject and it is not a settled matter; there is no universal norm and it is nothing short of moral imperialism to suggest there is.'