Why did NTU reject journalism professor’s tenure appeal?

Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has rejected the application for tenure renewal by journalism professor Cherian George, reports Strait Times.

This is the second time the university has denied the tenure appeal of the professor.

NTU’s decision to let go of Prof George, who is popular among students and has won several awards for excellence in teaching, has not gone down well with students and other faculty members.

Four of the university’s most senior faculty members have sent a letter in support of Prof George to NTU president Bertil Andersson. The professors said the controversy over the incident could dent NTU’s academic reputation and professional integrity. It will also diminish NTU’s ability to attract top communication scholars, they warned.

Responding the widespread protests against the university’s decision, a university spokesperson said NTU has a rigorous tenure process and all NTU faculty staff seeking tenure went through the same process. The spokesperson added that the process is a peer-driven academic exercise.