SINGAPORE: The academic freedom of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has come under scrutiny following the introduction of a framework to assess the suitability of potential campus speakers.
This move comes a year after the controversial disinvitation of Dr Sol Iglesias, a scholar from the University of the Philippines.
An assessment form seen by The Online Citizen (TOC) reveals that event organisers within the faculty must score proposed speakers on their research areas, presentation topics, and profiles based on how controversial or politically sensitive they are perceived to be.
The “Admin Formalities Assessment Form” states that the total score, ranking speakers from low to high risk, will “determine the administrative formalities procedures required”.
Framework Mandates Scoring of Speakers’ Risks and Mandatory Checks to Evaluate Potential Controversies
It appears to function as a procedural guide for managing events involving external speakers or sensitive topics, providing a structured framework for risk assessment.
This includes evaluations of speaker profiles, proposed topics, audience composition, and event types.
Event organisers are further instructed to conduct a “mandatory” Google search to identify the speaker’s profile and uncover any past controversies.
For speakers classified in the “moderate risk zone”, organisers may apply for a waiver at the dean’s discretion under certain circumstances, such as last-minute additions.
For those falling into the “higher risk zone”, the form indicates that additional administrative formalities are required, although these are not detailed.
Organisers planning events with external partners are also required to complete a separate form, which must be approved by the dean.
This form includes questions about the potential risk of controversial topics being discussed, as well as the details of any individuals “who may draw public attention at the event”.
TOC reached out to NUS on 20 December 2024 for clarification on the rationale behind the framework’s implementation and whether the assessment criteria are standardised across all FASS departments. However, NUS has not yet responded. TOC will update this post should a response be received.
The Disinvitation of Dr Sol Iglesias from NUS Event
The framework appears to have been introduced in response to the disinvitation of Dr Sol Iglesias, an assistant professor of political science at the University of the Philippines, from a conference at NUS last year.
Dr Iglesias, who is married to Singaporean historian and democracy activist Thum Ping Tjin (PJ Thum), was initially scheduled to speak on a panel in January 2024.
However, three months prior, she was informed that she could no longer participate.
The panel, part of the “Global Research Forum: Towards a Public Asian Studies” scheduled for January 2024, was to address “Public Intellectuals, Populism and Power: Perspectives from Southeast Asia.”
In a Medium post dated 11 Nov 2023, Dr Iglesias expressed her disappointment and concern, stating, “My academic freedom has been violated by NUS, part of a persistent failure of the university to protect and uphold academic freedom.”
She further elaborated on the implications of her disinvitation, “This is not just about me being disinvited; it’s a reflection of the broader pattern of NUS’s failure to respect and uphold academic freedom.”
Dr Iglesias believed the disinvitation stemmed from her husband’s activism.
Dr Thum’s critical research on Singapore’s political history and his advocacy for democracy have met with significant opposition from authorities.
This includes a prolonged interrogation by the Minister of Home Affairs and Law, K Shanmugam, at the Select Committee, during discussions on the fake news law proposal, and a subsequent police investigation after the 2020 General Elections.
In her call for action, Dr Iglesias urged, “I stand in solidarity with Singapore’s academics, and scholars of Singapore. ”
“I am responding to NUS’s rejection with an encouragement for NUS faculty and staff to push back when you know your freedom to decide on research, publication, and public engagement is being curtailed.”
Government Influence and Concerns Over Academic Freedom
Singapore’s Ministry of Education later stated that universities are free to decide which speakers to invite but must ensure their actions “respect Singapore’s wider social norms and act in line with national interests”.
The ministry also noted that it may “advise” universities on these principles, which critics have suggested is troubling for academic independence.
Dr Iglesias’ case is not an isolated incident.
In 2020, a webinar titled “Public Discourse, Truth and Trust” saw speakers critical of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) replaced at the last minute, raising questions about the influence of political considerations on academic discussions.
When NUS President Tan Eng Chye spoke at the University of the Philippines’ Faculty Conference on 18 September 2024, he was asked about his stance on academic freedom.
His response largely echoed government positions on the need to balance academic freedom with societal concerns, sidestepping questions about the stifling of political expression, scholarly inquiry, and university autonomy.
