THE recent controversy over a National University of Singapore professor's Facebook posts on homosexuality has thrust the issue of academic freedom to the fore ("Protests over NUS don's Facebook post"; last Saturday).
Academic freedom extends from the core peer-reviewed activities of research and teaching to include extramural domains of speech - where faculty members speak or write on larger political, social or religious matters outside their institutions.
While academics, who enjoy a privileged position in society, should be held to a high standard of accountability for what they say in or outside academia, society should not curtail them from expressing their ideas. Otherwise, social innovation, knowledge creation and creativity would be seriously hampered.
Clearly, these two imperatives need to be reconciled.
The term "academic freedom" emerged in German universities in the 19th century. The three basic principles were the freedom to teach, the freedom to learn, and the freedom to do research. These principles were adapted to different circumstances in higher education all over the world.
The 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is regularly cited in legal cases involving academic freedom.
An AAUP interpretive comment from the 1970 update of the 1940 statement noted that "controversy is at the heart of the free academic inquiry which the entire statement is designed to foster".
Academics should be allowed, indeed encouraged, to express alternative or non-conformist opinions, however counter-intuitive these opinions may seem.
Of course, they should do so with tact and respect, and within society's moral and legal limits. Academics must also protect the intellectual space they so cherish, by allowing others to voice opposing opinions.
How we respond to the latest incident is indicative of how we wish to move as a society. Do we value engaging people and dissonant ideas on a calm and intellectual basis, and respond to dissenting ideas respectfully and via reasoned argumentation?
In a civilised society, ideas should be discussed, debated, developed or demolished at the liberal marketplace of ideas, without fear of being accused of bigotry or thought crimes. Otherwise, we risk slipping into a culture of intolerance and self-censorship, a perpetual pressure to conform to the "politically correct" or "progressive" ideas of the day.
I hope that responses to contentious views can follow the dictum famously ascribed to the thinker Voltaire: "I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
Varsities should cherish freedom to air opposing views
By Chong Ja Ian, TODAY Voices, 10 Mar 2014
I am unclear as to how current discussions about Associate Professor Syed Muhd Khairudin’s Facebook comments pertain to academic freedom (“To maintain credibility, NUS must respect academic freedom” and “NUS should have protected rights of professor to express his views”; March 8).
Academic freedom is the ability to convey ideas in the pursuit of inquiry and debate in institutions of learning without fear of repression. This includes acknowledging that others can express critical opposing positions in response to a statement. Such principles are important to education and advancing knowledge, and should be accorded regardless of ethnicity, language, religion, ideology — or sexual orientation.
By Chong Ja Ian, TODAY Voices, 10 Mar 2014
I am unclear as to how current discussions about Associate Professor Syed Muhd Khairudin’s Facebook comments pertain to academic freedom (“To maintain credibility, NUS must respect academic freedom” and “NUS should have protected rights of professor to express his views”; March 8).
Academic freedom is the ability to convey ideas in the pursuit of inquiry and debate in institutions of learning without fear of repression. This includes acknowledging that others can express critical opposing positions in response to a statement. Such principles are important to education and advancing knowledge, and should be accorded regardless of ethnicity, language, religion, ideology — or sexual orientation.
Academic freedom is not freedom from criticism, pressure or even censure. These are not instances of repression insofar as they do not aim to silence. Exercising academic freedom is subjecting ideas to tougher scrutiny, inviting counter-arguments and accepting the possibility of being wrong. Articulating ideas that can be offensive or insulting means giving as much leeway to others in their rebuttals and offering responses if necessary. Observers can evaluate the merits of various arguments for themselves.
Another element of academic freedom is ensuring that conditions which permit argument — even heated ones — exist. Individuals should be confident that they can articulate ideas and invite different reactions freely, especially from members of minority and marginalised groups, who tend to have fewer opportunities to make their voices heard.
Another element of academic freedom is ensuring that conditions which permit argument — even heated ones — exist. Individuals should be confident that they can articulate ideas and invite different reactions freely, especially from members of minority and marginalised groups, who tend to have fewer opportunities to make their voices heard.
Mainstream and majority positions need to be subject to critical examination as much as minority ones. Words and actions contrary to such exchanges erode academic freedom, particularly if imposed from positions of authority. Students must feel safe enough to voice different views in the classroom and have them challenged; academics need to work with critical responses while putting forward ideas in the course of teaching and research.
The NUS Provost’s letter (“NUS professor acknowledges ‘poor judgment’ in posts on sexuality”; March 6), did not impinge on academic freedom and neither did the original petition. Neither document asked Assoc Prof Khairudin to recant his beliefs, nor was there a need to do so.
The issue was the application of the terms “cancer”, “social disease” and “cleanse” to particular groups. This gives the impression that these groups and their members have no place in society, a claim few would extend to other minorities in Singapore. Assoc Prof Khairudin later removed these words from his post without having to change the premises of his comments or apologise.
Nonetheless, aspects of the conversation over his online comments are encouraging for academic freedom and freedom of expression generally. They demonstrate Singaporeans’ growing collective ability to argue passionately over contentious issues without affecting our social fabric. The minority are able to air their views despite challenges. I hope that these steps forward will continue.
The author is Assistant Professor of political science at the National University of Singapore. These comments are made in his personal capacity.
NUS should have protected rights of professor to express his views
By Shafiq Abdullah, TODAY Voices, 8 Mar 2014
By Shafiq Abdullah, TODAY Voices, 8 Mar 2014
I refer to the report “NUS professor acknowledges ‘poor judgment’ in posts on sexuality” (March 6).
The National University of Singapore said it is committed to diversity, regardless of “gender, ethnicity, religion, nationality, political beliefs or sexual orientation” and highlighted the need to respect this diversity when communicating with others.
But respect for diversity includes respect for the religious beliefs of others, such as Associate Professor Syed Muhd Khairudin Aljunied, even if some disagree with them. This is especially important in a multi-religious society, where religious harmony is precious and hard-earned.
Another point NUS failed to emphasise is the importance of respect for teachers. Assoc Prof Khairudin’s right to hold and express his views should have been protected better.
Controversial post: NUS professor counselled, says provost
By Pearl Lee, The Straits Times, 6 Mar 2014
By Pearl Lee, The Straits Times, 6 Mar 2014
THE National University of Singapore (NUS) professor who drew flak last week for referring to lesbianism as "cancers" has been counselled by the university, even as some students voiced support for him.
In an e-mail to all faculty members, staff and students yesterday, NUS provost Tan Eng Chye said he had counselled Associate Professor Syed Muhd Khairudin Aljunied, who acknowledged that his original post "reflected poor judgment in the tone and choice of words".
Professor Tan, who is also NUS deputy president of academic affairs, said Prof Khairudin's comments "contained provocative, inappropriate and offensive language".
The latest controversy, which comes in the midst of a debate over whether a Health Promotion Board advisory had normalised homosexuality, was sparked by a Facebook post by Prof Khairudin.
In it, the Malay Studies professor had urged scholars, religious teachers and parents to speak up against liberal Islam ideologies and practices such as lesbianism. "All social diseases must end at home, if not, in schools."
He later changed the post to remove the offending words, but it had already attracted the attention of three past and present NUS students, who said last week that his post was "tantamount to hate speech".
Another group of 86 faculty, staff and students from NUS and the Yale-NUS College also sent a letter to The Straits Times Forum yesterday to object to Prof Khairudin's "hurtful" comments.
"As a person in a position of authority, his public statements signal to LGBT students or staff who might be supervised by him that they may not be respected as human beings," wrote Dr Khoo Hoon Eng of the Yale-NUS College on behalf of the 86. LGBT refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
This may thus "create a hostile working and learning environment antithetical to the principles of a university or equitable workplace", added Dr Khoo, a supporter of gay rights.
But some defended Prof Khairudin. The Fellowship of Muslim Students Association, posted a letter dated March 3 on its Facebook page to say it is firmly behind him.
Calling him "an icon of the Malay/Muslim community in the field of academic achievement", they said they are grateful for citizens like him who are "willing to stand up for the purity of the family institution". The criticism against him is "unfair" and "a character assassination".
Prof Tan called for students and staff to show greater restraint over their words, especially online. "This incident reminds us that issues concerning race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and value systems continue to be sensitive, contentious and potentially divisive in Singapore, as in many other societies."
Ms Melissa Tsang, one of the three who wrote the first protest letter, applauded the provost's e-mail for affirming that NUS embraces diversity. "It was a bold step that deserves our commendation," she said.
Sending wrong signal on tolerance
THE Facebook post by Associate Professor Syed Muhd Khairudin Aljunied, which included statements disparaging lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, was misinformed and hurtful ("Protests over NUS don's Facebook post"; last Saturday).
His rhetoric referring to young people who are gay or lesbian as "misled", and likening LGBT people or those who support them to "cancers", seems calculated to invoke a sense of self-righteousness or even disgust towards LGBT people.
As Prof Khairudin is a person in a position of authority, his public statements signal to LGBT students or staff who might be supervised by him that they may not be respected as human beings, and so may create a hostile working and learning environment antithetical to the principles of a university or equitable workplace.
While he is entitled to hold these views, his position of responsibility places limits on the appropriateness of certain forms of expression of them.
Prof Khairudin's argument that parents and teachers should correct "wayward" children incorrectly assumes that sexual orientation is a choice.
Countless studies in psychology, psychiatry and physiology have shown that this is not true. Gay children cannot be taught to be straight, quite aside from the fact that there is no demonstrable need to convert them.
Although Prof Khairudin is not a psychologist, he is a social scientist and should be aware of this body of well-studied research.
His conclusion that liberal Islam and lesbianism can be stopped "through education and reasoned arguments" is wrong.
It can be demonstrated that "education and reasoned arguments" worthy of great universities invariably have the effect of eroding, correcting and reversing most theories, both in science and in ethics, that do not have their basis in rigorous scientific and social research.
We are encouraged that the National University of Singapore remains supportive of all its diverse members, regardless of their race, language, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political beliefs.
While we may not agree with Prof Khairudin's views, we defend his right to hold them even as we point out the falsehoods that he is perpetuating and the hurtful language he is using. We hope he will reflect on his tolerance of people of other races/faiths and extend that tolerance to those of a different sexuality to him, like the wise teacher we assume he usually is.
Khoo Hoon Eng (Dr)
This letter carries the names of 86 faculty members, staff and students at the National University of Singapore and Yale-NUS College.
ST Forum, 6 Mar 2014
This letter carries the names of 86 faculty members, staff and students at the National University of Singapore and Yale-NUS College.
ST Forum, 6 Mar 2014
Protests over NUS don's Facebook post
He called lesbianism 'cancers', but has amended his post
By Pearl Lee and Amelia Teng, The Straits Times, 1 Mar 2014
He called lesbianism 'cancers', but has amended his post
By Pearl Lee and Amelia Teng, The Straits Times, 1 Mar 2014
A MALAY Studies academic at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has drawn protests for referring to lesbianism as "cancers" and "diseases", sparking concern from the university.
Associate Professor Syed Muhd Khairudin Aljunied from the NUS Department of Malay Studies posted a note on his Facebook page last week to outline his take on liberal Islam, which, he noted, is now supporting the lesbian movement.
He urged scholars and religious teachers to speak up against progressive Islam ideologies and practices such as lesbianism.
Parents and school teachers "must detect early signs of waywardness from their children and students", he wrote.
"All social diseases must end at home, if not, in schools," he added.
He ended by saying: "Together, we will stop these cancers in their tracks."
His comments drew fire from three past and present NUS students, who posted a letter of protest on Facebook on Thursday.
Prof Khairudin's note reflected "hostility towards sexual minorities, and which we believe is unbecoming of a university professor", they said.
The trio - political science graduate student Benjamin Seet, political science and philosophy undergraduate Khairulanwar Zaini and former NUS law student Melissa Tsang - took issue with Prof Khairudin for using words like "cancers".
They said it is "tantamount to hate speech".
They called for him to withdraw his statements, apologise and to go for counselling to gain an understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.
They also had more than 150 signatures in support of their actions as of yesterday.
The Straits Times understands that the letter writers will meet faculty members from the NUS arts faculty on Monday.
Prof Khairudin amended his post to remove the offending words by Thursday afternoon.
When contacted, he said NUS will issue a statement and he did not have comments to add.
The controversy comes amid an ongoing debate over a sexuality advisory posted online by the Health Promotion Board.
It drew flak from several religious groups for seemingly normalising gay relationships.
An NUS spokesman said it is reaching out to the letter writers and Prof Khairudin "to better understand the concerns and to help address the issues at hand".
"We appreciate that there will always be a diversity of perspectives surrounding issues that are complex and multifaceted.
"We hope that such conversations will remain respectful and sensitive at all times," she added.
While the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association said Islam prohibits homosexuality, its executive director Mohammad Yusri Yubhi Yusoff said it also frowns upon the use of insults on those who have committed a forbidden act.
Instead, Islam "encourages Muslims to engage instead of ostracising them", he said.
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