Framework for Evaluating Speakers at Campus Events to Ensure Preservation of Academic Freedom
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns whether the Ministry of Education advises autonomous universities (AUs) on implementing speaker assessment frameworks while preserving academic freedom. Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked how these frameworks align with global standards and ensure academic freedom is not undermined in sensitive contexts. Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing responded that AUs manage their own events and have the responsibility to implement frameworks for evaluating campus speakers. He emphasized that while promoting diverse viewpoints, AUs must respect social norms, protect national interests, and ensure academic freedom is not used to further external agendas. Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing concluded that the Ministry provides advice to AUs to ensure they uphold these principles and maintain social harmony.
Transcript
59 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Education (a) whether the Ministry has advised autonomous universities (AUs) on implementing any administrative formalities assessment framework for evaluating speakers at campus events; (b) if so, how does the Ministry ensure such frameworks do not undermine academic freedom, including in politically sensitive contexts; and (c) whether these frameworks align with global academic freedom standards.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: Autonomous Universities (AUs) have the right and responsibility to implement an assessment framework for evaluating speakers at campus events.
As stated in Ministry of Education's reply to a Parliamentary Question on 9 January 2024, AUs manage their own events, including deciding on invited speakers. [Please refer to "Incidents of Disinvitation of Speakers and Cancellations of Events at Autonomous Universities", Official Report, 9 January 2024, Vol 95, Issue 118, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.]
As common spaces for learning, AUs are aware that while they should promote critical thinking and appreciation of diverse viewpoints, they must also 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. Neither should AUs be used by organisations or individuals to further their agenda at our expense or in the name of academic freedom. Where necessary, the Ministry will advise the AUs to uphold these principles.