Yale, Singapore and Human Rights

The National University of Singapore says it is willing to talk about human rights issues with Yale University, officials told Bloomberg after faculty members at Yale expressed concern about a collaboration between the two institutions. A new liberal arts college in Singapore, created with Yale, has prompted much discussion about how academic freedom can be assured in countries that do not have full freedoms as enjoyed in the United States. Last week at Yale, faculty members proposed a resolution calling for additional discussions on how the new campus will "respect, protect and further the ideals of civil liberties." A vote is expected next month. “It is understandable that for a pioneering initiative like the Yale-NUS College, there may be a diversity of views on different issues,” Lily Kong, vice president of university and global relations at the National University of Singapore, said in a statement. "We believe that this discussion should lead to an even higher level of mutual understanding and respect, ultimately making the college even more robust.”