NUS says new framework to vet external speakers accounts for national, geopolitical contexts

SINGAPORE – The National University of Singapore (NUS) has said that its new method of screening external speakers, which has been criticised for instituting self-censorship, supports intellectual discourse.

The framework, applied to events organised under its Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), aims to “support meaningful intellectual discourse while taking into account national and geopolitical contexts”, a faculty spokeswoman said on Feb 5 in response to queries from The Straits Times.

She also said that FASS has a “longstanding practice” of inviting experts based on their professional credentials, academic expertise and subject matter relevance.

This is in line with NUS’ commitment to academic freedom and rigorous debate as part of its educational mission, she added.

On Jan 26, three editors from Academia.SG, a website promoting Singapore scholarship and public discourse, published an editorial disagreeing with the practice.

In it, they noted that FASS academics wishing to invite outside speakers must now complete a declaration form and seek “higher approval” if the event is likely to be “controversial” or “sensitive”.

They added that NUS “has taken its institutionalisation of self-censorship to an unprecedented level”.

The editorial was signed off by media studies professor Cherian George from Hong Kong Baptist University, economist Linda Lim from the University of Michigan and sociologist Teo You Yenn from Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

A copy of the framework seen by ST showed that event organisers or those in charge are required to conduct a Google search on prospective speakers to identify any past controversies.

They are also told to rate speakers based on several aspects, such as whether their research and proposed presentation topics contain potentially controversial or sensitive topics for Singapore and the region.

Organisers have to also look into the speaker’s track record.

This includes whether the speaker is known to present on potentially sensitive or controversial topics or has links to communities or non-governmental organisations known to do so.

Speakers deemed “higher risk” must undergo an “administrative formalities” assessment before their invitation can proceed.

The NUS response came a day after Education Minister Chan Chun Sing addressed the matter in a written parliamentary response to Workers’ Party MP Gerald Giam (Aljunied GRC).

Mr Giam had asked if the Ministry of Education has advised autonomous universities to implement any administrative formalities assessment framework for evaluating speakers at campus events and if such frameworks align with global academic freedom standards.

Mr Chan said autonomous universities manage their own events, including decisions on invited speakers, and have the right and responsibility to implement such a framework.

The minister added that universities were aware that they must “respect Singapore’s wider social norms, help students to appreciate our national interests, protect our hard-earned harmony and not ride roughshod over the sensitivities of others”, even as they promote critical thinking.

Mr Chan also said universities should not be used by organisations or individuals to further their agendas at society’s expense or in the name of academic freedom. 

“Where necessary, the ministry will advise the (universities) to uphold these principles,” he said.

ST asked the five other autonomous universities in Singapore whether they have similar protocols for event organisers to declare if speakers are potentially controversial or sensitive.

Three responded to outline the standards they uphold.

An NTU spokesperson said speakers were invited based on their expertise, knowledge and experience in a particular field.

For events such as the convocation, the university also considers whether speakers can inspire graduands through personal stories of resilience and triumph, the spokesperson added.

A spokeswoman from the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) said the university “thoughtfully selects” its speakers using a standard protocol to ensure discussions are enriching and relevant.

As part of the protocol, speakers are expected to present topics relevant to SIT’s academic and research focus areas, and are required to provide their curriculum vitae for review by its academic team, she said.

“This process ensures that their expertise aligns with the university’s educational objectives and maintains a high standard of intellectual discourse at our events.”

Over at the Singapore Management University (SMU), guidelines to review the suitability of speakers exist to ensure alignment with the school’s values and objectives of the course, research or event, its spokeswoman said.

That said, SMU values the diverse perspectives, industry insights and thought leadership that external speakers bring, she added. Such interactions and engagements, she said, can enrich discourse, expose its students and faculty to new ideas and foster intellectual curiosity and critical thinking.