Dr Cherian George denied tenure; students, academics express concern
Nanyang Technological University's associate professor of journalism Cherian George was denied tenure for a second time, despite his school's endorsements on both occasions. An online petition received more than 800 signatures, while faculty members plan to formally express their concern.
- UPDATED MARCH 9, 2013 0200H GMT+8, TO REFLECT DR GEORGE'S REPORTED RESPONSE, NEW STATEMENTS
- According to Yahoo! Singapore, some faculty members of the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI) met on March 4. A collective formal letter of concern would be addressed to the school chair, Associate Professor Benjamin Detember, over Dr George's second denial of tenure, and what this means for other academics seeking it.
Under NTU's "3+3+3+1" tenure track policy, Dr George will have to leave the university within the next year after being rejected for tenure a second time.
However, Yahoo! Singapore confirmed via two sources on March 8 that Dr George has filed a formal appeal before the deadline. 
NTU faculty to express 'concern' over professor's denial of tenureRead 'NTU faculty to express 'concern' over professor's denial of tenure' on Yahoo! News Singapore. A faculty member who attended the mee...- Dr Detenber was understood to have met faculty members on March 1 to "shed more light on the situation", and to reiterate that the school stood behind Dr George when the latter sought tenure in 2009 and in this year.
He first revealed this point and a brief process of seeking tenure to four final-year students during a meeting on February 28. The students initiated an online petition which attracted close to 850 signatures from Dr George's former and present students, as well as academics from other institutes. - Statement by organisers of petition regarding Dr Cherian George | FacebookDear Signatories, The petition, signatures and comments were delivered to four key professors yesterday. The organisers of the petition t...
NTU professor denied tenure may have to leave jobThe Nanyang Technological University associate professor whose denial of tenure caused an outcry within his faculty may have to leave the...
Tenure contract for Dr Cherian GeorgeDr Cherian George, one of Singapore's foremost public intellectuals, has been denied a tenure contract by NTU once again. The undersigned...- The petition, which was started on February 25, called for the university to affirm Dr George's teaching credentials, and to "disclose the reasons behind the decision to reject his tenure".
In an open letter, prominent members of Singapore academia and civil society, including filmmakers Kelvin Tong and Royston Tan, and sociology professor Dr Daniel P.S. Goh, asked the NTU administration to review Dr George's case.
A group of overseas academics have also released a public statement on the case of Dr George, and "strongly caution our colleagues working in the area of Internet and society in any dealings with Singaporean universities". 
Well-known figures sign appeal over NTU lecturerNearly 100 well-known academics, artists, and civil activists have penned an open letter to the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) as...
berkmanfriends@lists public statement concerning Prof. Cherian GeorgeThe berkmanfriends@lists statement on the case of Prof. Cherian GeorgeHow the outrage started
The outrage over the past week was sparked by news that Dr George was denied tenure a second time. Cardiff University's Professor Karin Wahl-Jorgensen, who reviewed Dr George's tenure, tweeted February 23 evening that he was denied "on academic grounds". Outraged at the university's decision, she suggested in subsequent tweets that it could be politically motivated.- An NTU spokesperson released a statement on the tenure process at about 2100H GMT+8 on 26 February, but did not reveal any further details:
- . @NTUsg statement re case of Cherian George being denied tenure. This was emailed to me & @InsideHigherEd t'day. twitpic.com/c722a5
Worldwide attention
This issue received worldwide attention. At home, Yahoo! Singapore reported the story on February 25 and updated it the next day to reflect the university's statement. The Straits Times, Lianhe Zaobao, TODAY and Shin Min Daily News also had reports in their February 27 issues.
.@NTUsg's denial of tenure to journalism associate professor @cheriangeorge sparks outcry: bit.ly/XwaJlf http://pic.twitter.com/NV7YsQISGA
Edvantage - Petition over NTU's decision to deny professor tenurePetition over NTU's decision to deny professor tenure Started by one of Dr Cherian George's students on Monday, it suggested that the dec...- Denial of tenure for NTU prof sparks outcry | TODAYonline6 days ago ... Associate Professor Cherian George, a former journalist, joined the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information ...
- Cherian George不获南大永久聘约学生网上请愿 ... - omy - 新闻News6 hours ago ... 针对英国教授透过网络作出的指责，南大发言人指出，永久聘约的审核过程纯粹是一 项由内部与外部同行展开的学术活动。申请者须符合两项同等 ...
- Reports from overseas media outlets include Malaysia's The Star, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post and even Kuwait's Arab Times (all via the Associated Press wire), while BBC Vietnam (presumably) had its own report:
