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The Student Voice of Ngee Ann Polytechnic theurbanwire.com/nptribune February - April 2011

Questions arise over funding for CCAs SDAR explains the CCA funding system as students call for greater transparency David Lim Hong Wee & Ng Jian Yang Seven in 10 students feel that school funding for co-curricular activities (CCA) is insufficient, lacks transparency and favours certain clubs over others.

Common reasons cited by respondents in the poll of 200 students by npTribune include the striking differences in monetary funds allocated to stalwart, prize-winning clubs and their less glittery or newer counterparts, inadequate training facilities, and the difficulty of obtaining sponsorship from the Student Development & Alumni Relations Office (SDAR).

This is despite a general consensus that the polytechnic is generous with the use of funds for the benefit of the student body.

Heng Joon Kai, 19, attributes the dichotomy in views to simmering sentiments that in trying to cater to as many student interests as possible, NP has ended up having too many clubs and societies, and too little funds to develop them.

NP has over 100 CCAs spanning across four major groups – Sports, Cultural & Arts, Special Interest, and Community Service.

Says Josiah Lee Wen Ron, 19, President of Ngee Ann Polytechnic Students’ Union (NPSU) and a final-year Aerospace Electronics student, “Channeling the bulk of the available budget only to proven CCAs stunts

the growth potential of newer ones, limiting their ability to win competitions and secure increased funding. Newer CCAs are also usually not given priority in the booking of NP facilities.”

However, a minority of respondents disagree that there is any lack in the current CCA funding machinery. Some cautioned that students should be more realistic instead of being so quick to see green and clamour for more money.

Says Soo Wen Jun, 19, a finalyear Accountancy student, “If a club takes a lot of money to fund, then club leaders should review how they can keep costs low.

Working within the constraints of a budget also forces clubs to think economically (to stretch the dollar).”

On the findings of the poll, seven out of nine club presidents that npTribune spoke to felt that the school has dealt with the disbursement of funds fairly, and provided their respective clubs with sufficient funds to pay for club expenses and carry out their activities.

“There is an adequate supply of funds whenever my club requires funding for events or purchasing of equipment. For cases whereby

the funds allocated are insufficient or not previously covered, the polytechnic will consider funding on a case-by-case basis, most of which turns out fairly,” says Tan Hong Ming, 19, President of the

Wushu club and a final-year Molecular Biotechnology student.

On its budget allocation system, Mr Siow Chow Sid, 51, administrative manager of SDAR, says, “Where necessary, clubs can always appeal (to SDAR) for more funding to organise their programmes. Most of the time,

an appeal would result in an increased budget to enhance the capability of the club in organising its activities.”

He adds, “Requests for new equipment within reasonable limits are usually also granted.”

The Indian Cultural Society (ICS), however, feels otherwise.

The ICS has an annual budget of about $12,000 and 52 members and organises one to two cultural productions and a freshmen camp each year.

Each production costs between CONTINUED ON NEWS P3

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News

Diverse interests, therefore more clubs

“

achievements, or has helped [to boost] the school’s profile in various aspects, NP will naturally want to pump more funds into them. With more funds, these clubs that have proven their worth will be able to get even better,” says Hong Ming.

NRA has had the luxury of sending its members for local and overseas competitions, and has consistently returned with podium finishes.

Refuting any allegations of favouritism, Mr Siow says, “The difference in budget could be due to the expenses for the rental of external concert halls, ability to cover costs through the sales of tickets, logistical requirements or the necessity for additional coaching hours to prepare students for the events.”

According to Mr Siow, NP has a set of criteria to ensure a fair funding system. Factors

NP has spared no expense when it comes to its students... but not every request can be met; we have to balance students’ expectations against the big picture.”

SDAR looks out for include ad hoc activities like concerts and performances; the scale of the proposed activity or programme, and if it incor porates any character building, leadership development or bonding elements; and various other operational necessities, such as coaching and equipment.

Weighing in on the issue, Principal Chia Mia Chiang says, “NP has spared no expense when it comes to its students. We have

Mr Chia Mia Chiang, Principal

always been very willing to spend on justified purchases such as the telescopes for the Astronomy Club, which ended up running into the tens of thousands.”

“But not every request can be met; we have to balance students’ expectations against the big picture. For example, the Rugby Club once came to me asking for a scrum machine. However, that is not integral to their training, and the money could be better put to use in other areas,” he adds.

The poll revealed that eight in 10 students agree that the school is generous in enriching the students’ learning experience and ensuring their comfort.

Common reasons for the positive perceptions include the number of student scholarships and bursaries available, and the subsidising of overseas trips.

Mrs Ang Beng Wah, 56, Chief Financial Officer of NP, says, “ We have been upgrading our facilities to provide students with a more conducive environment to

study, play, and to bond, such as a new sports hall and refurbished facilities for the various student clubs and societies.”

Dubbed Phase 6, these on-going projects, which consist of the refurbishing of the sports complex and the new buildings that will replace block 73 and 74, are expected to cost to the tune of $41.4m.

The Ministry of Education shoulders the bulk of the costs in the form of operating grants.

According to Mrs Ang, school fees can only cover a fraction of the polytechnic’s operating costs.

Other sources of income that NP

relies on are interest income and rental income.

Astute investments in an endowment fund have also helped to sustain the polytechnic’s various initiatives.

Despite the inhibiting costs, NP has remained committed to providing her students with the best possible array of educational opportunities.

Says Mrs Ang, “Students in NP are very fortunate. Our management is very studentcentr ic. O ur Pr incipal, in particular, wants our students to have an enriching and memorable three years at NP.”

NPT / JEREMY LO

Students happy with school’s efforts

Popular facilities at Studio27 include the jamming studio.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NRA

$6,000 and $8,000, and the camp costs about $1,000.

Says Kumaran S/O Tamilselva, 19, President of the ICS and a finalyear Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering student, “Our given budget is seldom sufficient for our needs, and additional funds are usually raised from registration money or the sales of tickets.

This can sometimes result in a surplus. However, all profits must be returned to the school.”

This means that any profits earned from the first production cannot be kept for future productions, which translates into a fresh round of fundraising.

Pointing out another problem clubs face, Kumaran says, “Cash advancement given by the school is never enough. We often have to use our own money to purchase any necessary items and then submit the receipts for reimbursement.”

“The Finance Office typically takes in excess of a month to recompense us. This puts a huge financial strain on us as we are still students,” adds Kumaran.

While some CCAs like the ICC are grappling with financial issues, others putatively benefit from preferential treatment.

An oft-touted example is the NRA (New Revolving Age) Hip Hop Club, which enjoyed a budget of $100,000 in 2010 – the highest among the various CCAs. Perhaps most tellingly, the nine club presidents interviewed believe that the clubs with the best medal tally or highest number of awards receive a disproportionate amount of funding.

“If a club is able to reap more

PHOTO COURTESY OF AUGUSTINE SEAH

from P1

The Rugby Club (left) and NRA Hip Hop Club (above) have won in several national competitions.

Still, the debate is unlikely to cease as long as perceptions of biased treatment persist.

“SDAR has an overall budget of $1.3 million (for CCAs). But this is a flexible figure, and additional allocation will be granted to meet the needs of all meaningful activities and programmes,” says Mr Siow, stressing that NP does not cut corners to save money at the expense of the students.

Affirming this viewpoint, Mrs Ang Beng Wah, 56, Chief Financial Officer of NP, says, “As long as the clubs have a purpose and bring value to the students, NP will find the means to support it. It is not a case of depriving one club of its funding over another club. No CCA will be adversely affected just because new ones are supported.”

But for all the differences in opinion, there is one thing that every club president agrees with – the intrinsic benefits derived from the sheer variety of clubs and societies here in NP. “Maybe that is the pull factor for all the graduating secondary school students out there. NP is known as a ‘work hard, play hard’ institution, so it’s great that we have so many clubs to engage all NP students in one way or another,” says Kumaran.

Echoing the sentiment, Mrs Ang says, “ With a student population of over 15,000 students, we can expect diverse interest in different types of sports, art and cultural groups, community service clubs and special interest groups. Having a whole range of clubs is a plus to NP students as it means more choices and it also allows students to pursue their areas of passion or try out new clubs.”

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SPOTLIGHT

Capturing the perfect moment

Hottest at Library

Student shutterbugs win top-of-the-line cameras in a Samsung photography competition

npTribune recommends four titles we think you will enjoy from the Lifestyle section of the Lien Ying Chow Library.

For the full list of new titles, visit http://www.np.edu.sg/library/spotlight/ newtitles/Pages/default.aspx

Phoenix Leow

PHOTO COURTESY OF AARON LEONG

From an aerial view, the colour swirls on Boudhanath’s temple dome create a lotus flower.

Moments category and a Samsung NX10.

Says Aaron, “Liquid prayer was taken in Kathmandu, Nepal, at the the Boudhanath, a holy Buddhist site. In the photograph, temple workers are splashing a mix of saffron and water to create vividcoloured arcs on the temple dome.”

He adds, “To me, this photo represents

a timeless moment because it captured an act of devotion to the temple that has been repeated for centuries and would continue to be performed for centuries to come. It is a snapshot of eternity.”

Chang Jia Man Alyssa, 17, a first-year International Business student, won first prize in the Fashion and Passion segment.

Travis Boyette has a malignant brain tumour.

He also has less than 24 hours to convince the cour t that he was the one who raped and murdered Nicole Yarber – before they execute an innocent man.

Non-fiction Speeches That Changed the World with introduction

by Simon Sebag Montefiore Compiling the 50 most important speeches made in mankind’s history, this book includes a biography of each speaker and an analysis on how their words have changed society, for better or for worse.

NP sweeps awards at annual Green Wave Competition PHOTO COURTESY OF LEE YEE KHANG

Starting small but ending big for touch community services PHOTO COURTESY OF MD SALIHIN

movie project by film, sound & video students wins big

Fiction The Confession

by John Grisham

MUSIC I am Not a Human Being

by Lil Wayne

NPT / JEREMY LO

The inaugural Samsung Asia Photo Challenge, which marked the first-ever collaboration between Samsung Asia and a tertiary institution, garnered 411 entries in two months late last year.

Held from Oct 25 to Dec 8, the schoolwide competition had two categories – Fashion and Passion, and Timeless Moments.

The top 25 entries from each category were shortlisted by NP lecturers. Samsung Asia and a group of industry professionals then picked the winning photos.

Organiser and lecturer at the School of Film & Media Studies, Mr William Aung, says, “The competition was a platform for students to showcase their talent and receive critique. We also hope to get more students interested in the art of photography as a result of the exposure from this competition.”

Aaron Leong Kai Jie, 17, a first-year Advertising & Public Relations student had difficulties finding a photograph to fit the competition themes. His submission, entitled ‘Liquid Prayer’, eventually clinched him the top spot in the Timeless

Left Hook tells the story of a female boxer.

A team is all smiles at the piggyback dash.

Students display their project prototype.

It was meant to be a final-year project for four Film, Sound & Video (FSV) graduates, but it turned into an awardwinning film that has been screened at international film festivals.

The 18-minute film titled “Left Hook” by Muhammad Salihin Bin Ramli, Nur Adilah Sardali Nur Azisah Aziz and Zheng Hui Ting is about a teenage girl who turns to illegal boxing to earn money to escape from an abusive father.

It was the only production from Singapore that won in the Asia-Pacific Region category of the international KODAK Film School Competition last year.

It was also selected for screening at the 11th International Film School Festival in Uruguay, and the VGIK International Student Festival in Moscow.

Muhammad Salihin, 20, the director, says, “It’s been a blessing to have worked with a wonderful cast and crew. We all achieved this together.”

Left Hook is a groundbreaking film in the local film scene as it is the first one to feature boxing. - Roxanne Lim

Four students raised $12,743 in 5 months for TOUCH Community Services – and won the top spot in an entrepreneurship competition for their efforts last year.

The quartet from the School of Business & Accountancy joined the competition, jointly organised by Citibank and YMCA from May till September.

Using their starting sum of $1,600, they wanted to drive home the message that a multitude of small efforts combined can move mountains. With this belief, they held charity drives that appealed for 50-cent donations in secondary schools and at Orchard Road.

They also got volunteers to be part of a piggyback relay and secured sponsors to donate a sum for each successful piggyback relay.

Says Madeline Soh Xin Hui, 18, a secondyear student and member of the team, “Our mission was to have a donation drive that could involve everyone and could also sustainably contribute to society. I think we achieved remarkable success in both respects.” - Lavinna Kaur

Students from the School of Engineering (SoE) bagged four out of 10 awards at the eighth Green Wave Environment Competition organised by Sembawang Shipyard last year.

The annual competition received 60 projects in the Tertiary category, of which 18 came from NP. The four awards won were Third Prize, Special Merit, and two Commendation Awards.

Bagging highest honours among the Ngee Ann delegation were female duo Nur Aqilah Bte Muhammed Hashim and Li Kit Ming, both 19, final-year Electrical Engineering students, who designed a Washing Machine Recycling Water System.

Mr Foo See Meng, Deputy Principal of NP, who was present at the prize-giving ceremony, says, “It is our responsibility as educators to teach our students about conservation. I am really happy with this years’ (2010) results.”

He adds, “Our lecturers and students put in a lot of effort to come out with innovative and creative ideas to save the planet.” - Roxanne Lim

The eighth studio album by rapper Lil Wayne was recorded before he got sentenced to a nine-month prison term for criminal possession of a weapon. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 charts in November 2010.

MOVIE Inception directed by Christopher Nolan This sciencefiction thriller stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Cobb, a highly-skilled thief specialising in the art of extracting secrets through dream invasions. He is caught in a botched operation, and then given a chance to redeem himself through a project known as Inception.

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NPT / SOPHIE HONG

NPT / SOPHIE HONG

NPT / SOPHIE HONG

News

The Ngee Ann Alumni clubhouse boasts facilities such as an infinityedge pool (bottom), and eateries Pines Café (left) and Romulus (top).

Ngee Ann Alumni needs a big boost Financial issues could spell the end of the Ngee Ann Alumni clubhouse by 2014. Bryan Toh and Ng Yang Han report First mooted in 2000 and completed in 2006, the iconic Ngee Ann Alumni (NAA) clubhouse has been plagued by monetary woes and faces the prospects of closure if difficulties in maintaining its operational costs do not let up soon.

Says Mr Jeffery Yang, 58, general manager of the clubhouse, “If the clubhouse continues in its current state, it will face the real possibility of closure in two to three years.”

The root of the issue is the persistently low membership, which reared its ugly head in 2004, when the first phase of the clubhouse’s construction was completed.

It has only worsened in recent years.

Having enough active members is pivotal to the survival of the clubhouse.

Helping finance the bulk of the clubhouse’s operating expenses is an upfront membership fee of $500 for a non-transferable lifetime membership or $1,899 for a transferable one, and the $16 monthly maintenance fee that members pay.

For the clubhouse to break even this fiscal year, it needs to raise the membership from 1,200 to 2,500.

NP helps to keep the NAA clubhouse afloat by renting out the land for the clubhouse at a heavily subsidised price and loaned the clubhouse $670,000 in exchange for 1,420 non-transferable memberships in 2006.

These memberships have been disseminated among the executive committee members of the academic

societies and student clubs.

According to Mr Yang, this is not a sustainable situation, and one that he attributes to the low level of awareness and the lack of school spirit.

He says, “When speaking to graduates about the clubhouse, we need to mention the Pines Café before they know what we are talking about. They don’t know about the clubhouse and what it represents.”

However, an overwhelming 93 per cent of students surveyed claim that they are aware of the NAA and its importance.

More critically, the poll of 120 students by npTribune also revealed that only

belonging among NP graduates, Mr Albert Au Siew Yean, 45, the Vice-President of NAA, says, “Students nowadays see school as just a stepping stone in life and nothing more. ” Such NP students and graduates, who see no need for contributing back to their alma mater by being active alumni, are endemic to NAA’s precarious position.

In fact, 42 per cent of all survey respondents indicated that they have no use for an alumni club membership.

Further probing reveals that an alarming 76 per cent of the students does not envision having any further connections with NP after graduation. With such a mindset, it is only natural that membership in the NAA is unappealing.

Aston Yeo, 19, a finalyear Banking & Financial Mr Albert Au Siew Yean, 45 Services student who Vice-President of NAA holds such a view, says, “I’ll probably join the alumni one in 10 would join the NAA because of club of my future university, so I think it loyalty and identity. Instead, “facilities” doesn’t make much sense to hold an NP and “a good place to hang out” were alumni club membership.” mentioned as important incentives for However, Mr Darryl Tan, an NAA joining the Alumni. committee member, believes that Some of the current NAA clubhouse polytechnic alumni clubs remain relevant facilities include a swimming pool, as a platform for valuable business and gymnasium, conference room, slot networking opportunities. machine room and three dining He says, “The NAA served as a launching establishments. platform for my printing business over “If we add more facilities, the the years.” membership fees will go up. We don’t Cautioning against letting the clubhouse want that, because it will deter current perish, Mr Tan, who is also the coach of and potential members,” says Mr Yang. the Lifeguard Corps, says, “Which school Lamenting the lack of a sense of wants to be seen with a failed alumni?”

“

Students nowadays see school as just a stepping stone in life and nothing more.”

WHAT YOU GET AS A MEMBER OF NAA The Ngee Ann Alumni (NAA) recently rolled out two initiatives to encourage more alumni to become members.

The first is to waive the application fee for existing NP students who wish to become clubhouse members, thus allowing them to enjoy the benefits of being a member at only $16 a month.

A transferable and non-transferable membership would otherwise cost $1899 and $500, respectively. All memberships last a lifetime and require a monthly fee of $16.

The other is the “member-getmember” scheme. Conceived in 2006, the scheme offers a $300 cash incentive to members who successfully induct another person into the clubhouse.

In addition, the NAA has also been attempting to market its clubhouse memberships by addressing and appealing to students at the annual CCA fiesta and graduation ceremony.

According to Mr Jeffrey Yang, 58, general manager of the clubhouse, “There are many lesser known benefits that come with being a member.”

Members not only get to enjoy the use of the NAA clubhouse facilities, but also those of the Singapore Polytechnic Graduates Guild (SPGG).

Furthermore, the NAA clubhouse frequently organises talks, activities and programmes that are tailored to its members’ needs.

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1/12/11 10:45:12 AM

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News New course stresses R&D The School of Engineering (SoE) has collaborated with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to roll out a new diploma that focuses on engineering fundamentals.

Called Engineering Science, the course is a stark departure from SoE’s current offerings, which are more discipline-specific.

It will give students of the diploma an edge should they wish to pursue a degree at NTU or any other universities.

According to Dr Li Zhongqiang, 50, the course manager of the diploma, the syllabus provides students with “a more seamless dovetailing into the undergraduate curriculum.”

For example, in their final year, students will get to work on Research & Development (R&D) projects at NTU under the guidance and leadership of university professors.

“This early experience in R&D will expose them to challenging practical problems and inspire them to be innovative,” says Dr Li. Students will also get the chance to go on company visits, local and overseas internships, in-house attachments, and immersion programmes at universities in Japan and China.

Marketing and financial modules to help students gain business knowledge and skills, says Dr Li, will also complement the main curriculum.

The new course comes as a result of the SoE’s aim to keep its curriculum relevant and more broad-based.

Making the next Toy Story New diploma by School of ICT will allow students to pursue their animation ambitions with the latest facilities and software, and embark on exciting immersion programmes Yogashree Koteswar Under the School of InfoComm Technology (ICT), the Animation & 3D Arts (A3DA) diploma will be taking in its pioneer batch of students in the coming academic year.

“This course is created to better meet the demand of the growing animation industry in Singapore” says Mr Agus Rahardja, course manager of the existing Multimedia & Animation course.

The local animation industry was given a boost when digital animation studio,

Lucasfilm, set up an office here six years ago in 2005.

The curriculum will cover areas such as art design, 2D and 3D animation and 3D modelling and texturing.

In their second year, A3DA students will be given a choice of specialising in either 3D Arts or Character Animation.

They will also be given the opportunity to go on an overseas immersion programme in Europe, America, or Japan.

In their final year, the students will have the chance to work on a full-fledged animation project – from conceptualisation to post-production.

NAPFA: A jacket for a Silver Final-year students now have yet more reasons to achieve a minimum of silver in the National Physical Fitness Award (NAPFA) test.

As part of an ongoing NAPFA Incentive Program (NIP), participants who meet the mark will receive white-and-blue NAPFA jackets and be automatically entered into a lucky draw. The winners, who will be determined in April, stand to win attractive prizes, such as digital cameras, printers and shopping vouchers.

Mr Wilson Ang, Deputy Director of Student Development & Alumni Relations (SDAR) says, “These incentives are to sweeten the experience of participating in and passing NAPFA. The response has been encouraging so far.”

The issue of fitness among polytechnic students – especially males – has been a recurring one. From 2003 to 2007, only 20 to 30 per cent of male polytechnic students achieved at least a silver standard in the NAPFA test, compared to 75 per cent of their counterparts in junior

NPT / DINESH AJITH

Ng Yang Han

NAPFA Incentive Programme raises the bar for benefits to students who attain a silver medal and better. colleges (JC), according to a Straits Times report on Feb 13, 2009, titled ‘Physical training for unfit recruits extended’.

While SDAR declined to provide specific figures for NP students, it revealed that the number of students who achieved at least a bronze has increased by about 35 per cent since 2007.

This new initiative looks set to bolster those numbers.

In a npTribune survey of 108 NP students, seven in 10 respondents felt that the incentives help to spur them on to perform better in the test.

This will be done in ICT’s simulated reallife production studio, Amphibi StudioTM. Top-notch industry experts will be invited to share theirs insights on the key elements that differentiates a blockbuster from any other animation production.

As icing on the cake, A3DA students will also be able to use the industry-standard Toon Boom Harmony software from Toon Boom Animation Inc. for 2D animation production, which is a first among educational institutions in Asia.

The company will also be awarding special awards and scholarships to recognise excellence among the students.

Tan Kian Seng, a final-year Network Systems & Security student, said, “When I knew that the school was giving out the NAPFA jacket to those who passed with a Silver or Gold, I was motivated.”

The 22-year-old was previously unsuccessful in achieving a Silver. However, he reached his goal after three weeks of intensive training under gym instructors in NP. Still, some students have expressed concern that the rewards do not target the root of the issue – apathy among a vast majority of students.

“Actually, the prizes are not very attractive and the program is not very well-publicised either,” says Goh Jian Hui, 19, a final-year Banking & Financial Services student who attained a silver award on his first attempt.

Some students have suggested the implementation of a compulsory fitness module for final-year male students to keep them exercising regularly. Currently, all first-year students undergo a compulsory Sports & Wellness module.

But SDAR has a different approach towards “overall fitness” compared to JCs, says Mr Ang. He says, “The Polytechnic has a broad view of student fitness and encourages students to take personal responsibility for their fitness and participation in sporting activities.”

Adds Joel Tan, 19, a final-year Film, Sound & Video student, “The NAPFA jacket feels more like an added bonus.

The main motivation is to get two months off National Service and be fitter in the long term.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF PIXAR PLANET

Natalie Koh

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VIEWS [editorial]

[comic]

A

midst the shifting deluge of problems that have plagued a teenager in his school life, an insidious dilemma has proven remarkably resilient in the adolescence landscape – bullying.

A 2006 survey by the Harvest Centre for Research, Training and Development and the Coalition Against Bullying for Children and Youth revealed that a staggering 70 per cent of the 4,000 Singaporean students surveyed reported having suffered from some form of bullying in school, from as early as in pre-school.

Although traditional bullying typically involves aggressive behaviour such as physical violence, verbal abuse, harassment, or ostracism, the advent of technology has upped the ante.

Whereas a vicious note passed around in the canteen or classroom might be restricted by location, the Internet offers no such impediments. When dozens of people vote online – some complete strangers to the victim – about whether a student is fat or stupid or gay, the impact can be cataclysmic.

Technology has also allowed for more inventive forms of abuse from emails, text messages and discussion forums to impersonating the victim online, and even to hi-tech offences such as hacking into

victims’ accounts.

A certain degree of nastiness is part and parcel of navigating the social challenges of adolescence.

But it has never lasted as long as it does now, online.

It is not clear why cyberbullying perpetuates; schoolyard anthropology can be so nuanced.

Reasons can often be as trivial as someone being obese, suffering from a skin allergy, or having a learning disability. Or maybe they were just bored. Or angry.

To further complicate matters, cyber-bullies themselves defy easy categorisation. Anonymity on the Internet emboldens both the bullies and the victims, who feel they can dish the dirt and retaliate without getting caught.

However, a study by the University of California reported in a New York Times article titled ‘Web of Popularity, Achieved by Bullying’ on Feb 11, 2011, found that in bullying, “the role of individual traits is ‘overstated,’ and much of it comes down to concern about status.”

The article postulates that “the ultimate goal is to become part of the ‘popular’ crowd”.

While no student in Singapore has committed suicide because of bullying, many victims who don’t know who to turn to slip into depression and see their grades plunge.

When I was in secondary school, I had a friend who was hounded mercilessly by his class

[forum letters]

npTribune EDITOR-in-chief Ng Jian Yang DEPUTY EDITOR Sophie Hong CONTRIBUTING EDITOR David Lim Hong Wee BOOKS EDITOR Kon Xin Hua DESIGNER Dawn Lazaroo Photographers Dinesh Ajith Jeremy Lo ADVERTISING SALES Beverly Woo Charlene Chia Joel Lim CONSULTANTs Mrs Sng-Fun Poh Yoke (Editorial) Mr Ahsan Uddin Shan (Design) Mr Siew Kee Liong (Photography)

reporters Bryan Toh Zihui Justine Chng Geraldine Lee Kylene Wu Lavinna Kaur Loh Chuan Junn Mark Joseph Leong Melvin Manalo Poon Natalie Koh Nathaniel Ng Ng Yang Han Pheonix Leow Roxanne Lim Siti Syazwani Saadon Sylvia Koh Taina Teravainen Veronica Koh Yogashree Koteswar published by School of Film & Media Studies, Ngee Ann Polytechnic Blk 53, #07-01, 535 Clementi Road, Singapore 599489 PRINTED BY Mentor Media Printing Pte Ltd

for a myriad of reasons. After he lodged an official complaint, the perpetrators were punished, and bullying stopped on the surface.

But the truth of the matter was that life only got worse for him.

The bullies became smarter, creating private Facebook groups for the sole purpose of insulting him. They no longer said it to him. They said it to everyone else around him.

In recognition of the huge propensity for harm, the Media Development Authority recently launched a nationwide “cyberwellness” campaign to educate parents and a connected generation of children on the perils of abusing the Internet for nefarious purposes.

The government’s decision to engage parents in helping inculcate good cyber etiquette in youths from a young age is a step in the right direction.

Adults should reach out to children in open dialogue to establish the boundaries of their actions in the digital realm and teach self-regulation. Personal experience has taught me that foisting unexplained ideals and expectations upon them would only lead to the opposite effect.

Schools could also consider creating anonymous tip sites for students to report bullies and highlight other avenues for help.

We cannot afford to wait till our first case of bullying-linked suicide occurs.

Nope.

* Forum letters may be edited for reasons of brevity and accuracy.

A rather reasonable rule

Cultivating strawberries

I read your report on the abolishment of the 15-minutes grace period with great interest.

As a student who lives a good 90 minutes away, I was, quite frankly, outraged when I heard that students would be marked absent should they be even a minute late.

After all, being late should not automatically vilify one as being lazy, irresponsible or having a bad attitude. There are multiple other reasons that can affect one’s lack of punctuality, with unpredictable traffic conditions coming to mind.

Since these circumstances are usually out of a student’s control, I did not think it was fair for NP to be so unrelenting in its stance.

However, the interview with the principal struck a chord with me, as it gave the very valid reason of disruptiveness being a key reason. I have in fact on more than one occasion wished that class could begin more productively.

I am also comforted in the knowledge that cases will be judged on a case-by-case basis, as stated by a majority of all lecturers in the article.

That way, at least those who face genuine problems in being on time will not be punished without first being able to explain their situation.

The issue of a Strawberry Generation has been around for years now, with a variety of reasons as to why this phenomenon exists.

I personally take the view that the older generation will always perceive their successors as being less capable, and that we should not pay excessive heed to what they say.

Nonetheless, your article renewed my interest in the subject. I found an article on the onlinecitizen.com by Chua Yini that begs a different take on the issue, which I would like to share.

She explains that “the irony is that the government is criticising young people today as ‘fragile strawberries’ when they are ostensibly a product of the education process which it has formulated.”

We are ingrained from young to prioritise academic results over all else. Everything is carefully constructed to the ultimate goal of gaining admittance into a reputed school. This holds true from kindergarten all the way till university, and activities that do not contribute towards this goal is often dismissed by parents as a waste of time.

The gruelling system leaves us with very little time to experience the grittier realities of life, and many of us grow up overly sheltered. If we truly want to tackle the problem, then change needs to begin first in schools and at home.

Jonathan School of Engineering

Liew Ting Ting Final-year Tourism & Resort Management student

9

npTribune | Feb - Apr 2011

VIEWS

Youths all set to start a business Widely accessible financial and consultation support from the government and educational institutions have led to a resurgence of interest in entrepreneurship among youths, many of whom are still students or fresh out of school

The common view may be that Singapore does not have in place the necessary infrastructure to produce the next Mark Zuckerberg, but an increasing number of youths are setting up their own businesses while still in school – even here in NP. Section Head of Entrepreneurship from the School of Business & Accountancy (BA) Mr Liang Wee Kok, 36, says, “There has been an increase in students starting up businesses over the past three years. I think this is because there is more public awareness about entrepreneurship.”

He adds, “Parents still want their kids to go through the same old route, as in through university and then a full-time job in someone else’s business, but kids are more independent now. It used to be all talk and no action, but not anymore.”

This remarkable turnaround can be credited to proactive steps by the government and schools alike to nurture budding entrepreneurs. The government has put in place various schemes and grants to fund promising business ideas.

For instance, Spring Singapore, an enterprise development agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, provides various schemes, such as the Business Angel Funds, the SPRING Start-up Enterprise

NPT / SOPHIE HONG

Natalie Koh

Rayne Deng (left), 21, a NP alumnus and ex-staff at Smooch Café, mentors successors like Jade Lee (right), a first-year Early Childhood Education student, out of a simple wish to give back to the students and school.

Development Scheme (SPRING Seeds), Technology Enterprise Commercialisation Scheme (TECS) and the Young Entrepreneurs Scheme for Startups (YES! Start-ups).

YES! Star t-ups disburses f i n a n c i a l a i d to a s p i r i n g business owners in tertiary institutions like NP. Students can apply for funding through the Entrepreneurs-Connect@NP (EC@NP) centre hosted by BA. The grant matches $4 (up to a maximum of $50,000) for every

$1 raised by applicants through self-funding, schools or other third-party sources.

NP is also doing its part to promote the entrepreneurial spirit. The EC@NP’s Enterprize!

Scheme, for instance, provides a co-funding of 70 per cent, up to a maximum of $3000 per project.

The newly set up Ideawerkz Innovation Fund, offered by the Lien Foundation in collaboration with NP, offers students $2,000 a project to turn their dreams into reality, up to $200,000 each year.

Funds to fuel fledging businesses

Two students who have seen their ideas come to fruition with the help of such schemes are Samantha Quek and Ernest Tan, both 23. They are Business Studies graduates who set up the Smooch Café at OurSpace@72 in 2009, in their final year.

Samantha says, “Setting up a café kiosk on campus was the perfect idea to us. We wanted to provide a service for the students, and we love hanging out at café joints. The Smooch Café was born from these two interests.”

Even NP alumni are getting in on the action. Keith Ng, 29, a graduate from the School of InfoComm Technology started Socialico with fellow alumnus and course mate Damon Widjaja, 28, after graduating from the Singapore Management University (SMU) with a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management.

Armed with $50,000 from the Media Development Authority (MDA)’s iJAM micro-funding scheme through SMU’s Athena Incubator, and a further $50,000 from a SPRING Singapore YES! Startup grant, the Singaporebased company of six develops applications for Social Networking site Facebook.

It now has three products, barely two years into operations.

They are PremierX.co, a fantasy manager game for English Football; FameMark.com, a virtual stock market where users can trade friends to make profits; and GameMaki.com, which is still undergoing testing.

Success stories aside, Mr Liang advises, “The attrition rate is still high. Whether or not a business works out depends on the dedication of the students.”

On the key to creating a profitable business, he says, “Students usually propose businesses propositions on products that they personally like. But valid propositions are special businesses that have a niche, with something that the customer wants.”

3:59PM

Located at the School of Business & Accountancy, the centre administers the EnterpriZe! Scheme, which provides co-funding of 70 per cent, up to a maximum of S$3,000, per project. It is open for consultations on business plans, market/product studies and elevator pitches every Monday to Friday.

Ideawerkz Innovation Fund The fund is open to all types of interesting ideas, and students can apply for up to $2000 per project. They will get to keep the rights to their work, and receive CCA points, as well as a Certificate of Commendation.

NPT / DINESH AJITH

Entrepreneurs-Connect@NP

SPRING Singapore

Slated to open in the academic year 2011/12, the new arts hub, Seventy3, situated at Block 73, will house club rooms, studios, a theatre and a canteen.

The Young Entrepreneurs Scheme for Start-ups (YES! Start-ups) for innovative business ideas by SPRING matches $4 for every $1 raised through self-funding, schools or third-party sources, to a maximum of $50,000. For more information, visit http://www.spring.gov.sg.

The old Block 73, which housed the popular Canteen One, was demolished in 2009 as part of the school’s redevelopment plans. The name of the new building was chosen through votes cast by the student population.

10

npTribune | Feb - Apr 2011

SPECIAL

FORGETTING THE FUTURE The number of dementia patients in Singapore is expected to increase by 8.5 times over the next four decades.

It is a growing concern in the Asia-Pacific region. It is also the focus of the Lien Foundation-Ngee Ann Polytechnic Social, Environmental & Educational Development (SEED) Programme in their second phase of collaboration. npTribune explores the severity of the situation and talks to students about their perceptions of dementia Fifty-six per cent of youth think that dementia is not a big issue, as revealed in a poll of 200 youth to find out the attitudes of youngsters towards this degenerative disease.

This was further supported by the fact that 33 per cent of youth have not considered the possibility of one of their family members getting dementia within the next 10 years.

“I am clueless about the dementia situation in Singapore.

If I do not know anything about it, how does that make it a serious and possibly important issue?” says Claire Tay, 20, an undergraduate from Nanyang Technological University.

In 2010, 30,000 patients were diagnosed with dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Disease Association. By 2050, Singapore is expected to have 187,000 dementia patients.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not part of the ageing process, although it is most commonly seen amongst the elderly. While there are treatments available that can slow down the progress of dementia, a cure has yet to be developed.

People who are suffering from the illness will experience the deterioration of their brain, leading to progressive memory loss, a decline in intellectual ability and personality changes.

When asked to picture the scenario of dementia happening to a family member or close relation, 42 per cent of respondents feel that they will not be able to deal with the situation emotionally.

Not my problem On the apparent apathy, Ms Jane Long, a nursing officer at Bethany Methodist Nursing Home says, “Youths don’t know how to help the elderly with dementia because most youths today don’t grow up with senior citizens.”

Being raised in a nuclear family could be a very plausible reason for 12 per cent of young adults to think that dementia patients are dangerous.

“I would say that they are dangerous in the sense that they are unpredictable and very temperamental. They can be watching some television programmes happily one moment, then screaming and throwing stuff around the next,” says Lim Jaimei, 23, an undergraduate from the National University of Singapore.

However, Ms Long feels that it all boils down to a lack of understanding of the disease.

“Some people who don’t understand their conditions will pity them, look down on them or think that they are crazy,” explains Ms Long.

She adds, “When the patients become agitated, we should not brush them off. Instead, we should validate their feelings by talking to them slowly and try to understand what triggered their behaviour.”

Sadly, not many teenagers seem to adopt that mindset, with 52 per cent of them thinking that doctors should be the main caregivers for dementia patients.

“Doctors are trained professionals, they can give the best care and medical treatment. We have no knowledge about dementia, so doctors are the best choice,” says Timothy Lam, 18, a student from Anglo-Chinese Junior College.

But family members still play an essential role, as Ms Long explains, “You need to establish a rapport with them, to always listen and chat with them. Give them a lot of touch so that they will feel familiar and comforted.”

Although majority of the younger crowd do not perceive dementia to be an issue, 75 per cent still agreed that it is important to have the basic knowledge.

Perceptions and misconceptions Ms Pat Khor, 56, a social worker at Sun Love Dementia Day Care Centre, stresses that it is important for the community and young people to be knowledgeable about dementia due to Singapore’s ageing population.

“In the near future, more young people will have to cope with grandparents or even parents suffering from dementia,” she says. “The daily living patterns of the family members will be impacted as the illness affects the personality and behaviour of the sufferer.”

Some examples that she cited were sufferers waking up at irregular hours of the night, and disruptive behaviours such as delusions and hallucinations.

Despite being one of the world’s fastest-ageing countries, with nearly 9 per cent of its population above 65, little has been done in Singapore to shine the spotlight on a disease that is riddled with fear, shame and misconceptions.

A majority of the youth polled are aware of memory loss, confusion about time and place and the misplacement of items as symptoms of dementia. However, less than half are aware that the illness can also be indicated by sudden changes in mood and withdrawal from social activities.

Jeremy Boo, 22, a Mass Communication graduate, feels that the available avenues to learn about the disease are too “practical and clinical”, and should instead employ emotional hooks to interest youths to find out more.

He is currently working with Lien Foundation to produce a documentary aimed at raising awareness about dementia.

Misleading information about the disease and its symptoms, stressing on the element of memory loss, found in television programmes and advertisements also contribute to popular misunderstandings.

11

npTribune | Feb - Apr 2011

SPECIAL

Dementia: Hard truth to swallow

“

I would say that they are dangerous in the sense that they are unpredictable and very temperamental. They can be watching some television programmes happily one moment, then screaming and throwing stuff around the next.”

Lim Jaimei, 23 Undergraduate

“They are over dramatised. It’s true that memory loss constitutes a major part of dementia, but it’s not the only symptom. Patients only experience [severe amnesia] at the last stage,” says Jeremy. “Most of the memory loss is actually short term. They can still remember a lot of things about themselves.”

Agreeing with his sentiments, Ms Khor adds, “Everyone should be educated about the problem of dementia through avenues such as schools, community centres and the media.”

“Family members are usually advised to attend training for caregivers and the youth in the family should be included. It’s a 24-hours job, seven days a week, so everyone should chip in.”

His late maternal grandmother was diagnosed with dementia when the final-year Mass Communication student was 13. Then in her 60s, Yue Jun’s grandma went through an abrupt change in personality.

She started displaying frequent mood swings and Yue Jun, who was very close to his grandma as she had brought him up, found it a hard truth to swallow.

Says Yue Jun, now 19, “She liked to keep her money between books or clothes and hide them in drawers. When she became forgetful and could no longer remember where she placed her possessions, she accused the domestic helper of stealing.”

Then there was her disposition. Having lived with her since childhood, he said that his late grandmother was never temperamental. However, at that time, she got angry easily, and often screamed and shouted.

“At first, everyone didn’t understand what was happening with her. We couldn’t get used to it. It was a total personality switch. But after a while, we just adapted and got used to it.”

Consultations with specialists confirmed that Yue Jun’s grandmother was showing signs of early-stage dementia.

As both his parents were working, it was difficult to care for his grandmother. Yue Jun also noted that it was immensely stressful to witness a loved one going through a bad spell, yet be helpless to do anything.

Doing his part to shoulder the burden, he tried his best to talk to his grandmother and calm her down. He got to better understand her condition, and learnt to handle the idiosyncrasies of dementia.

Later, the family decided to admit her to a day-care service centre. This was to keep her preoccupied with

activities like games and simple tasks like folding paper, so that her mind would remain active.

Two years later, one of his aunts took over caring for his grandmother. His aunt hired two domestic helpers to look after her basic needs.

Lamenting on how he could have done more, Yue Jun says, “I always wanted to play so I rarely took the time to visit her. And when I did, it was always a sad experience because I could see her condition deteriorate each time.”

In the later stages of dementia, his late grandmother suffered a complete loss of memory. From friends to relatives to the names of her 16 children, she forgot them gradually one by one. The last name she remembered, says Yue Jun, was her youngest son, whom she doted on most.

He remembered one incident when she was hospitalised because she had choked on her saliva. There, he noticed that the nurses had given her a doll to play with.

“She liked children a lot so she just held that doll and spoke to it. It was heartbreaking. Her real children and grandchildren were around her, but she couldn’t recognise our faces” he says.

“She used to come into my room just as I was about to sleep to remind me to cover myself with a blanket because of the air-con. After she contracted dementia, she didn’t do it anymore.’’

Yue Jun feels that the experience made him more tolerant and understanding of the aged. “It’s sad when someone you love become like this. Dying by dementia wasn’t a quick death. It was slow and depressing.”

Reporting team: Loh Chuan Junn, Lavinna Kaur, Justine Koh, Natalie Koh, Phoenix Leow, Roxanne Lim

12

npTribune | Feb - Apr 2011

SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

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13

npTribune | Feb - Apr 2011

global

A great gap year ahead Youths talk about why they are taking a break from studying before going on to university Kylene Wu Going straight to university after graduation may seem like the most obvious route, but an increasing number of students are taking a year off before hitting the books again.

“After studying for about 13 years, my interest in continuing my studies is slowly dying, so I have decided to take a year off to recharge,” says Choi Seen Teng, 19, a final-year Biomedical Science student.

She is not alone.

Santhi Ponmudi, 21, a Biomedical Science graduate who spent two weeks travelling in Europe after graduation, says, “It was a welcomed break from doing research in my final year. I wanted to escape from my hectic lifestyle for awhile.”

In an article titled ‘Uni can wait, I’m taking a gap year’ published in The Straits Times on Jun 22, 2009, it was reported that every year, the National University of Singapore (NUS) grants some 250 students leave of absence for academic or personal reasons. A handful of students at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) also request for permission to take a gap year each year.

However, a gap year is not always all play and no work.

Ng Lye Ee, 21, a Mass Communication graduate, chose to volunteer with the International Humanity Foundation for a month, teaching English and organising drama classes at an orphanage in Jakarta.

“It was a solo trip to an unfamiliar place, not exactly knowing what I’d do.

But I really wanted to give back to the world because I feel that I’ve been very fortunate,” she says.

For Santhi and Lye Ee, taking a gap year was not a spur of the moment decision.

They had worked and saved up before embarking on their journeys.

“My parents are very supportive of my passion for volunteering, so they helped a little by topping up the difference in the money I needed,” says Lye Ee about the $700 she spent.

For some gappers (a term to describe students who take gap years), this time is absolutely essential for them to decide on their next course in life.

“It’s for me to mull over my options, to decide on what I want to do in the future,” says Millison Chua, 21. The Pharmacy Science graduate has since taken on jobs in the sales and administration sectors.

Meanwhile, Atikah Chang, 21, an Early Childhood Education graduate, reaffirmed the passion she had in her field of study through her current job as a kindergarten teacher at PAP Community Foundation Choa Chu Kang.

That said, a common concern among polytechnic graduates when considering a gap year is how it will affect their chances of securing a place in university.

The admissions offices at NUS, NTU and the Singapore Management University (SMU) say that admissions are based solely on academic results.

NUS allows polytechnic students to apply during their graduating year – even if they intend to enter the university at a later time.

Similarly, most other local and foreign universities keep confirmed placements for up to a year.

An exception is NTU, which does not allow for deferred enrolments except for confirmed male applicants entering National Service.

This has put some off taking a gap year.

“It may be a risky move as the universities’ cut-off score for grade

point average might increase after a year,” says Seen Teng.

Still, she feels that taking a gap year to work will eventually pay off.

“The industry experiences I will gain would give me a competitive edge over other university applicants,” she says.

Film students capture the faces of Beijing Nathaniel Ng

Clockwise from top left: “Innocence and Experience in Harmony”

by Nicholas Wang; “Don’t Scold Me, I Can’t Stop Sneezing!”

by Zaneta Tang; “Simply Satisfying Satay”,

by Kaizer Tan

Fourteen first-year Film, Sound & Video (FSV) students got to document the lives of Beijing people on a five-week Overseas Immersion Programme at the Communication University in Beijing, China, last September.

W hile there, students completed an Interdisciplinary Studies module named Chinese Society & Culture, as well as the Year 1 FSV core module, Photography.

Under the guidance of Mr Siew Kee Liong, their lecturer from the School of Film & Media Studies, the students then organised a photo exhibition at the Lien Ying Chow Library.

Titled People . Beijing Photo Exhibition, it ran from Jan 17 - 28 and showcased 57 photographs.

Mr Siew explains, “China is the next big nation, and the Beijing trip is a good learning experience for the students.”

“As Singaporeans, we shouldn’t miss out on this chance because we are quite closely related to

China, some of our grandparents having grown up there.”

A big challenge that the students faced was taking photographs of the Chinese people when they themselves could hardly speak Mandarin.

“Some people can be unfriendly when you try to take photographs of them. Then there’s also the difficulty of being in the right place at the right time,” says Mark Alexander, 23, a first-year FSV student.

Nicholas Wang, 22, a first-year FSV student, agreed.

“You learn how to communicate and deal with the people.

Sometimes, there will be peddlers on the streets who try to con you,” he says.

Mark adds, “In some parts of Beijing, the living conditions can be quite run-down. Beijing is a place where two people living in different parts of the city can lead completely different lives.”

Nicholas sums up the experience best when he says, “Through this trip, we learnt more about interacting with people, and being independent.”

14

npTribune | Feb - Apr 2011

npeople

From fistfights to Facebook

Looking at her friendly face and boisterous personality in Republic Polytechnic today, it is hard to believe that Vicky Wee, 19, used to dread going to school.

Throughout primary school, the current second-year Hotel and Hospitality Management student was ostracised by her classmates, physically terrorised and called hurtful, demeaning nicknames.

In a par ticularly painful incident in Primary 3, she was alighting from the school bus when a bully suddenly yanked at her bag from behind while another punched her in the nose.

On the surface all she sustained was a bruise, but the emotional scars ran much deeper.

“I cried like a baby,” she recalled. “A lot of people loved primary school life, but I’ve always hated it.”

Vicky is just one of the rapidly increasing number of youths here who have suffered physical and psychological abuse at the hands of bullies.

To this day, she is still not sure why they attacked her.

“I think it was a spur-of-themoment thing for them,” she says hesitantly with a frown.

“I was very quiet, so I guess I was the perfect target.”

M s Fe n g J i e w e n , 2 6 , a counsellor at the Singapore Children’s Society, explains that victims can be targeted for being different, especially if they are unable to stand up for themselves.

Another possible reason for the persistent scourge of bullying could also be due to the constant

PHOTO: JEREMY LO / MODEL: VALERIE CHUA

A Straits Times survey revealed that Singapore has the second highest rate of cyber-bullying cases after the US. In the digital age, the spectre of abuse has only taken on more sinister proportions. DEBORAH KOH reports

pressure to do well in exams, which can cause struggling students to take out their anger and frustration on others.

Ms Susanne Chan, a lecturer from the School of Film & Media Studies with over 10 years of teaching experience, says, “We strive so hard for excellence and to fulfil certain curricular requirements that sometimes these moral and ethical issues are put on the backburner, rather than at the forefront.”

Agreeing, Ms Feng, says, “The neglect of moral education in schools is causing these socially stunted and emotionally explosive teenagers to lash out against weaker classmates “to gain a sense of power.”

Bullies go digital More alarmingly, bullies have embraced the technological sophistication of the next generation with remarkable ease.

Says Ms Chan, “Bullying doesn’t necessarily have to be a big person pushing a small person down to the ground. In this day and age, it no longer has to be physical.”

A article on Nov 8, 2010, titled ‘Watch where you point that camera’, underscored the severity of the issue.

The article reported that “When almost every person possesses the technology for capturing, then manipulating and uploading any sort of footage onto the World Wide Web, one can expect an influx of [material] that could potentially ruin reputations, and even lives.”

Ms Feng attributes the rise of cyber-bullying to “advancements in technology and the increased accessibility of cyber resources.”

The lawlessness of the Internet and its capacity for anonymity has led to a proliferation of casual, breathtaking cruelty.

Says Ms Chan, “The Internet allows people to hide behind words, behind the fact that people do not know who they are. The power of technology expands the realm of bullying because the information can spread so fast and so far.”

Popular cyber-bullying tactics that have emergd include posting spiteful comments or humiliating photos on social networking sites like Facebook.

Unlike physical violence, the emotional wounds that result from such attacks can take much longer to heal, with prepetrators often going further with insults online than in person.

In addition, embarrassing photographs and insulting comments circulated online can remain there forever, to be viewed again and again by anyone with Internet access.

“

According to Ms Feng, the “power of the written word”, combined with “greater disinhibition” online is what makes the Internet so fearsome.

T he strong emphasis on freedom in the online world may also contribute to some users’ belief that they can do whatever they want and get away with it.

“Many young people don’t realise that words hurt, that they’re very powerful, and they cannot be taken back,” said Ms Chan. “But it is bullying, and it has very real consequences.”

Learning to speak up To drive home the point, schools and the Ministry of Education (MOE) have recently started stepping up their antibullying campaigns.

“Building the anti-bullying culture in schools is paramount,” says Ms Feng.

However, one major problem is that most people don’t recognise bullying when it occurs.

“Sometimes, students don’t even realise that what they’re doing is tantamount to bullying,” says Ms Chan.

Sometimes, students don’t even realise that what they’re doing is tantamount to bullying. They have no ill intentions – they see it as just having fun and playing tricks on a friend.”

Ms Susanne Chan Lecturer, School of Film & Media Studies

She adds, “They have no ill intentions – they see it as just having fun and playing tricks on a friend.”

Ms Chan recommends that schools implement programmes where students can be “taught to identify bullying, how to react, and how to keep themselves away from bullies”.

Similarly, Ms Feng emphasised the importance of “nation-wide awareness” and suggested that a “large-scale campaign” be conducted.

Ultimately, however, the strength to tackle the problem must come from within.

In secondary school, Kelly Ng, 18, was vying with a classmate for the President’s Guide Award, a prestigious honour only bestowed upon a select few Girl Guides each year.

“I worked so hard for it, but I didn’t make it in the end,” she said. “It was a great blow to me because I wanted it very badly.”

Not only did the other girl receive the award, but her friends also “kept rubbing it in”, constantly mocking Kelly over her loss, and even going so far as to degrade her as incompetent.

However, she believes that the experience has “made her stronger as a person.”

The Anglo-Chinese Junior College graduate says, “Looking back, I sometimes laugh about what happened. I guess I’m able to do that because I’ve found my inner strength, to stand tall and proud amongst the bullies and never waver before them.”

15

npTribune | Feb - Apr 2011

npeople Who would have thought you could practise calligraphy with a pail of water, a broom and a mop. This ingenious cleaner did

The writing’s on the floor PHOTOS COURTESY OF NOEL TEO

Kylene Wu

“

Calligraphy is my life and the brush an extension of my hand.”

Lecturer with lots of Seoul

Best known as the host of Happening, a 93.3FM radio programme about Korean pop music, former deejay and lecturer at the School of Humanities Tan Liyi recently published her second book – Seoulful Living Korean Celebrity Hotspots.

The book is a bilingual travel guide to interesting shops and restaurants that Korean stars frequent. Her first book published in 2006, Korea JJang!, is a South Korean travel guide.

With a keen eye for consumer trends, Ms Tan, 35, noticed an increasing interest in the Korean culture and its pop icons amongst Singaporeans, which

inspired her to embark on her second book project.

Says the Mass Communication alumnus, “I’ve always wanted to write another book, but not without knowing if it will sell.

With the Korean fever, I felt confident that a book like that would meet the demands of readers in Singapore.”

Lauded by the media as the “Guru on all things Korean”, the lecturer took 10 days off during the semester break to conduct research in Korea.

Her interest in the Korean culture helps her to connect with her students, many of whom are Korean pop fans themselves.

Seoulful Living Korean Celebrity Hotspots ($18 before GST) is available at Kinokuniya and Popular bookstores.

- Loh Chuan Junn Which two bookshop chains does Seoulful Living – Korean Celebrity Hotspots retail at?

Send your answers to contest. nptribune@gmail.com by Mar 31 and stand a chance to win a copy of the book!

We have heard of finger painters but a calligrapher who wields a coconut broom and a mop to write fancy Chinese poetry with water must be someone very special.

Using the tiled floor outside Block 53 as his canvas, Mr Tan Khuang Giap, 83, writes with a brush that is fashioned out of a recycled water bottle and the tip of a coconut broom that has been softened and shaped. His masterpieces that stop students in their tracks each day evaporate as the day wears on.

The cleaner at NP is not only an accomplished calligrapher, but also an excellent role model for active aging.

“I found that I really enjoyed this job. It keeps my mind occupied and I won’t be spending my entire day sleeping,” he says.

Mr Tan had been enjoying his retirement for the past 15 years and had no intention of working again, until his friend told him to stop wasting time and get a job.

In fact, the Chaozhou native who came to Singapore 60 years ago has creatively integrated his passion with his profession. Being very fond of Chinese calligraphy, Mr Tan practises his hobby on campus, improvising with cleaning tools.

On how his interest in this traditional art was piqued, he says, “When I was studying in primary school in China, we had calligraphy lessons every day.”

But he never thought more of it than a hobby till he reached his 50’s, when calligraphy competitions were organised frequently in his hometown. Mr Tan took part in two competitions in 1985 – and won first prize for both.

“These two wins encouraged me to develop my interest in calligraphy,” he says.

It took Mr Tan seven years to master the craft and even then, he has to write regularly to prevent his skills from rusting.

Mr Tan often practises during his lunch break, from 12.30 pm to 1 pm, much to the fascination of the lunchtime crowd on the way to Makan Place.

“This is really interesting for me. He is very talented to have thought of doing calligraphy in this manner,” says Phyllis Chong, 18, a firstyear Early Childhood Education student.

Nicole Pereira, 20, a final-year Mass Communication student who spots Mr Tan on her way to classes, describes him as giving “a whole new meaning to having fun at work”.

For now, Mr Tan’s works of art may only last for a few minutes. But he hopes to be able to display his calligraphy in a more permanent form across a banner one day.

“I wish to be able to do one as an advertisement for NP. Too bad they are not that popular now, unlike in the past, when Chinese tea houses had big red ones hung above the main entrance,” he says.

16

npTribune | Feb - Apr 2011

ZEST [music reviews]

Special sweets for my sweet The actual event might have come and gone, but every day can be Valentine’s Day with these four luscious treats that are romantic, yet easy on the wallet. JUSTINE CHNG reports

Rituals White Lies White Lie’s sophomore album, Ritual, is the sound of the 80’s darkwave, synth-pop, and post-punk genres all rolled into one.

The band even enlisted the help of renowned 80’s producer Alan Moulder, who has worked with the likes of Depeche Mode and The Killers.

Notable tracks include “Streetlights” and lead single “Bigger Than Us”, the latter of which exudes their familiar dark, electronic vibes. - SYLVIA KOH

Black & White Gina Choi You would be disappointed if you were expecting to hear Gina Choi, better known as G.NA, showcase her powerhouse vocals on her first fulllength album, Black & White.

The album is chock-full of sweet anthems and ballads – a 180-degree change from the Canadian-born South Korean’s previous plucky style.

That said, the record is a good display of G.NA’s versatility as a music artiste.

- LOH CHUAN JUNN

Change?

Derrick Hoh Derrick Hoh, second male runner-up of the first season of Project Superstar, is back after a three-year hiatus.

His second studio album, Change?, contains 14 songs, including four instrumental tracks and a bonus track.

Single “When I Know Both of You are in Love” was inspired by Aaron Kwok’s 1995 song of the same name, and pays tribute to the Heavenly King, who hit his 20th anniversary in the music industry last year. - Roxanne Lim

1. White Chocolate Butterscotch Block from Awfully Chocolate Price: $6.50 per 100g Location: Vivo City, 1 HarbourFront Walk, 01-156 Operating Hours: 10 am to 10 pm daily Tel: 6410-9725 Impress the chocolate lover by giving him or her a little something different to express your affections. The thick layer of snow-white cream that engulfs this moist chocolate cake screams sin.

Actually a dark chocolate Swiss roll, the White Chocolate Butterscotch Block is smothered in an avalanche of caramel, melted butterscotch, and white chocolate and butter cream icing that is sure to become another stalwart favourite of fans of Awfully Chocolate’s signature “All Chocolate” cake.

Unlike most other cakes, it is the smooth and silky white chocolate frosting that steals the limelight here. This inspired creation is certainly no ordinary chip off the old block.

3. Macaroons from TWG Tea Salon & Boutique Price: $2 per piece Location: ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, #02-21 Operating Hours: 10 am to 10 pm daily Tel: 6735-1837 TWG Tea Salon & Boutique is famed for having over 800 blends of exquisite and exclusive teas. Not surprisingly, their macaroons are infused with the local homegrown brand’s specialty teas ranging from the fruity blends, such as the “Grand Wedding Tea” and “Passion Fruit & Coconut” to the simpler, more delicate flavours of the exotic “Moroccan Mint Tea”.

With each bite, the crisp exterior of the macaroons yields to a chewy centre filled with a generous amount of fresh jam that is sublimal with the bittersweet tea. The tea infusions will soothe your weariness away, and are perfect for couples stressed out from the hectic lifestyle here.

There are eight flavours available, with the most popular ones being rose and caramel.

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2. Meringue from Da Paolo Gastranomia Price: $3.50 per piece Location: 3 Jalan Merah Saga, #01-74 Operating Hours: 10 am to 9 pm daily Tel: 6475-1323 For the sophisticated other half who loves poems, obscure art films and designer chinaware, meringues (pronounced muhrang) spell class at an affordable price.

This delightful confection, which originated from France (or Italy, depending on who you ask), is pure indulgence.

Available in four different flavours – coffee, lavender, orange and vanilla – the lavender was a clear favourite.

The light, sugary sweet exterior crumbles and melts in the mouth to reveal a fruit-flavoured filling that exudes a delicate fragrance on the palate.

However, be warned that the sweetness can be a tad overpowering and is not for the diabetic or faint of heart.

Definitely a treat for two to share!

4. Red Velvet Cupcake from The Marmalade Pantry Price: $4.20 Location: ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, #03-22 Operating Hours: 10 am to 10 pm daily Tel: 6734-2700 If your date is not too big on sweets, then here is one way you can give her a little sweet romance without threatening cavities.

The Red Velvet Cupcake, which gets its blood-red colour from the beetroot plant used in the recipe, is moist and rich without being cloying. The chocolate flavoured cupcake base is smothered with liberal amounts of cream cheese icing and coconut flakes.

A departure from the traditional red velvet cake, the crunchy and aromatic coconut sprinkles serve as a perfect counterpoint to the velvety smooth cake, and lends the delectable dessert a decidedly local twist.

These delightful cupcakes are a hot favourite at The Marmalade Pantry, so be sure to get hold of them early before they run out.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Chng Peng Eik

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PHOTO COURTESY OF AWFULLY CHOCOLATE

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npTribune | Feb - Apr 2011

Advertising feature

Psychology at JCU Singapore A complete accredited Psychology pathway is what Shehnas looked for The possibility to earn a real Australian degree without leaving Singapore was an attractive and promising opportunity for Shehnas Alam, a 23-year-old Ngee Ann Polytechnic graduate.

“From the age of 14, I have always wanted to study overseas. After my attachment in the UK for 5 months during my polytechnic course, I was convinced that I had to have an overseas education. Once I heard about JCU, I realised that I was able to get an Australian qualification without leaving the comfort of my own home. So, why not?” explained Shehnas, who is currently taking the Bachelor of Psychology programme from James Cook James Cook Australia University Australia at JCU Singapore.

Institute of Higher Learning JCU Singapore is the only institution in Singapore 600 Upper Thomson Road, offering an APAC (Australian Psychology Accreditation Singapore 574421 Council) accredited programme from James Cook Hotline : (65) 8222 6833 University Australia, with a complete pathway from Email : enquiries@jcu.edu.sg Bachelor to Master, and to Doctorate level. This was CPE Registration No. 200100786K what attracted Shehnas. She said, “The accreditation was Period of registration: 13 July 2010 to 12 July 2014 a major plus point for me as I am serious about my career jcu.singapore.fanpage twitter.com/jcu_singapore in psychology.”

Although she graduated with a Diploma in Biomedical Science, Shehnas had always been a people person, and wanted to learn about human interaction.“That was when I decided to pursue my study in Psychology.

Psychology is the best choice for me as it encompasses all that I am,” said Shehnas.

“The experience has been very enriching.The lecturers and tutors are patient, dedicated and always available for guidance.This is an important aspect for me. In addition, there are also loads of activities that JCU provides for its students,” explained Shehnas, who will be in her fourth year next semester.

Shehnas feels that since studying at JCU Singapore, her thinking has transformed. “I believe that now I am more confident in airing my views and concerns and raising questions.”

When asked to give a message to other future students, she said, “This is really a world-class education that you can get right at home.”

Well said, Shehnas.

JCU Singapore The University offers Bachelor & Master Programs in Business, Psychology, Information Technology & Education at the JCU Singapore campus.

Search James Cook Australia Institute of Higher Learning is a majority owned company of James Cook University Australia.

SINGAPORE

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npTribune | Feb - Apr 2011

ZEST

Bringing teen spirit down to *SCAPE The youth-led awards show returns on a bigger scale, with 12 award categories and $70,000 worth of sponsored prizes Roxanne Lim

“It’s quite confusing. Last year, it was inside a school compound, then now it’s outside.

It’s very difficult.”

Ris Low, on why she arrived at the event only after it ended

“Lingerie!”

J u d e f rom We s t Grand Boulevard on the weirdest thing that he has thrown at anyone

NPT / JEREMY LO

Even a torrential downpour on Jan 15 was not enough to dampen the sizzling atmosphere at m:idea Youth Choice Awards (MYCA) 2011.

Organised for the second time by NP’s youth-led media conglomerate, m:idea, the team made up of final-year Mass Communication students upped the ante by holding the event at the *SCAPE Warehouse. Last year, it was held on campus.

More than 200 people turned up to catch a glimpse of their favourite celebrities such as Nat Ho, Sarah Tan, Kui Jien, West Grand Boulevard, the Muttons, Jack & Rai, Irene Ang, and a very late Ris Low. “This is really a fun event for the youths by the youths. This is also a really good time to catch up with some of my friends!” says Jack from Jack & Rai, during their acceptance speech for “Band I Wanna Throw Myself At”.

Winners were selected according to the total number of public votes they received on the MYCA website.

More than 58,000 votes were cast during the voting period from Nov 15 to Dec 14, a sixfold increase from the previous year.

Says Alexis Chen, 19, “I feel that this year’s MYCA was very welldone. I loved the location because it’s comfortable and convenient.”

She won a Canon 550D DSLR

STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH

Local celebrities gracing the event include (clockwise from left) Justin Ang and Vernon A, Rai, J C Sum, Irene Ang, Jack, ‘Magic Babe’ Ning and Ris Low, who arrived only after the awards ceremony ended. camera from the lucky draw.

There were also performances from ‘Magic Babe’ Ning and J C Sum, Duane Ho, Luminiq Crew, Jack & Rai and Baracuda Batucada.

“I feel young again coming to this event, it is like a 42-year-old trying to be 18,” jokes Irene Ang, comedienne and founder of Fly Entertainment.

Irene was not the only one who brought the house down with her

antics. The Muttons also made the audience roar with laughter when they rolled onto stage to receive their win in the “Celebrity Duo I Wanna Chill With” category for the second year running.

Vernon A says, “The competition is very tough this year. All the other nominees are male-female couples, and they have a really hot female.

This just shows that sex doesn’t always sell.”

Two new categories, “Favourite Tech Brand” and “Favourite Online Fashion Store”, were added to the awards show this year. Apple and Love, Bonito won, respectively.

“I’m hoping that the next MYCA will be bigger and better with more celebrities and sponsors, and more interactivity like live broadcasting over Skype,” says Mr Ronald Wan, 27, manager of m:idea.

“I threw a pencil case at my secondary school classmate because I was angry with him.”

Rai from Jack & Rai on the weirdest thing that he has thrown at anyone

“He is a chicken. He will be squeezing my arm whenever we watch a horror show together.”

Vernon A , when asked to reveal an embarrassing fa ct a b ou t his co-host, Justin Ang

[book reviews] Beautiful Darkness Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

My Name is Memory Ann Brashares

The Body Finder Kimberly Derting

If you are the type of reader who expects a book to dive headlong into the action from the get-go, then Beautiful Creatures is one you should pass on.

T he sequel to Beautiful Creatures, Beautiful Darkness promises to be an immersive experience for the patient reader, but there are potential pitfalls.

For starters, the book can be confusing if you did not read the first installment, as it picks up right where Beautiful Creatures left off. Both books centre on protagonist Ethan Wate’s fight for love in his forbidden romance with Caster girlfriend, Lena Duchannes.

To get to the action, one has to look past the book’s initial chapters. The remainder of Beautiful Darkness charts Ethan’s attempts to rescue Lena, whom the evil Dark Casters wish to convert to their cause. Along the way, riveting plot twists and startling revelations will keep you reading on. - BRYAN TOH

Par t paranormal romance, part historical fiction, the first installment in a new trilogy from Brashares is one that explores the topic of reincarnation, love and the irony of human emotions.

My Name is Memory traces a pair of star-crossed couple, Daniel and Lucy, who after meeting each other in high school, comes to realise that their souls have been reincarnated over thousand of years, but as fate would have it, keeps losing each other throughout time.

The plot has an exasperating twist that separates the protagonists – Daniel remembers the details of their previous lives, while Lucy has no recollection whatsoever.

While the concept of a love that transcends time and space is intriguing, Brashares’ weak execution quickly causes the plot to lose its momentum. Still, with plans for a book-to-movie release in 2012, this is one story that is likely to linger in our memories. - LOH CHUAN JUNN

Protagonist Violet Ambrose has been seeing death everywhere she goes, ever since she chanced upon a body of a girl buried in the forest when she was eight. Drawn to the echoes and imprints of the dead, her special ability poses some restrictions with which she has to overcome.

Over one summer, girls around Violet’s hometown suddenly disappear mysteriously.

Violet is determined to solve the mystery with her fiercely protective best friend and developing love interest, Jay Heaton, but does so at her own peril.

Though the plot bears a certain resemblance to Stephanie Meyer’s highly successful teen vampire novel, Twilight, Derting manages to skillfully craft her version into an entertaining must-read with a macabre twist at the end that will leave readers hanging on till the very last word.

A sequel, Desires of the Dead, will be hitting the shelves later this year. - LAVINNA KAUR

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npTribune | Feb - Apr 2011

SPORTS More than just shooting hoops Roxanne Lim With an average height of 195 cm, the five men stationed at the CCA Fiesta were the talk of the campus on the second day of Open House 2011.

They belong to the Singapore Slingers, who were invited by the Basketball Club to conduct a 30-minute basketball clinic at the CCA Fiesta. It was their first visit to the polytechnic.

“We wanted show our support for Singapore Slingers as they

are representing our country for the ASEAN Basketball League.

It is also a good way to promote the sport and its spirit,” says Mr Thomas Tan, advisor of the Basketball Club.

Despite the inclement weather, a huge crowd circled the booth, with many more queuing up to try their hand in the “Score And Get A Free Ticket” segment.

Jacqueline Lim, 16, from Ang Mo Kio Secondary, was thrilled when she became the first participant to make a successful free throw shot.

NPT / DINESH AJITH

Visitors to Open House 2011 got to attend a special basketball clinic conducted by members of the national basketball team

Slingers (from left): Desmond Ho, Kyle Jeffers, Pathman Matialakan, Tan Chin Hong and Michael Leblanque.

“I have never touched a basketball before. This is my first attempt and it went in!” she says.

Jacqueline won a free ticket to the Singapore Slingers versus Brunei Barracudas game on Jan 9.

The game eventually made the

headlines in various sports pages as the Slingers became the first team in the ASEAN Basketball League’s (ABL) history to obtain a three-digit score, beating the Barracudas 102-61.

Says Tan Chin Hong, 20, the

youngest member of the team and person who made the recordbreaking shot, “The credit should go to the whole team. All of us played hard and played well.

Without that, we wouldn’t have been able to score 102 points.”

Lessons from the ice princess Can a tropical country like Singapore produce a Winter Olympian? Yes, says celebrated US figure skater Michelle Kwan

“

It does take a facility, but having the enthusiasm and motivation is the real important first step.”

Michelle Kwan

PHOTO COURTESY OF http://blog.nikonians.org

By Ng Yang Han Hopes of having a national team at the 2014 Winter Olympics dwindled drastically after the short-track speed skating team got banned from training at Kallang Ice World since December last year.

The skaters were told that if they wish to continue using the rink, they will have to use regular rental skates instead of their speed skates.

“It defeats the purpose if we don’t wear our speedskating boots,” Lucas Ng, 22, a member of the team told The Straits Times in an article titled ‘Skaters hit speed bump’ published on Jan 10, 2011.

For the team, every second spent trying to resolve the problem instead of practicing on ice is a second added to their lap time.

“When they get back onto the ice, they end up spending time working back what they lost. Whatever they have worked for up till now will go to waste,” said Coach Zhang Jing, a silver medallist winter Olympian for China at the 1994 World Championships.

But Michelle Kwan, 30, the most decorated figure skater in American history, pointed to the new synthetic iceskating rink at Marina Bay Sands that she opened last December and the upcoming Olympic-sized rink at Jurong Entertainment Centre, due to be ready in October this year, as viable alternative training grounds.

In Singapore as a US public diplomacy envoy, the twotime Olympic medallist visited NP on Jan 13 to share her experiences at a talk organised by the Student Development & Alumni Relations Office.

With her accomplishments of nine US National Championships, five World Championships and a silver and bronze at the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics respectively, it seemed only natural for us to ask the figure skating doyenne – can Singapore produce a Winter Olympian in our current state?

The answer is a resounding yes.

“It does take a facility, but having the enthusiasm and motivation is the real important first step,” says Ms Kwan.

She is also of the opinion that common perceptions of Singaporeans not being interested in winter sports due to the lack of four seasons here does not hold water.

Citing South Korean figure skater Kim Yu Na, the 2010 Winter Olympics Ladies’ Singles champion, as an example, Ms Kwan says, “In South Korea (a seasonal country), figure skating was not very popular five years ago. But look at it now. There are so many little girls and little boys that want to take up ice hockey and figure skating because of her success.”

“Sometimes, it takes that one person to break through for a sport to progress in the nation, and I feel that Singapore is making great effort in moving on towards that direction,” she adds.

Many students, however, remain doubtful of the country’s prospects in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games to be held from Feb 7 to 23 in Sochi, Russia.

The apparent reason for this perception is the poor sporting culture here, where parents generally frown upon sports as a career, and instead overwhelmingly focus on academic achievements.

Still, an emerging group of local youth athletes seem to have found that perfect balance between excelling in their sports and studies.

A quintessential example is Mok Ying Ren, 22, a full-time medical student at the National University of Singapore and a national triathlete.

The 2007 SEA Games gold medallist found time to train for the 2010 Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore while schooling – and won the local category of the race for the second consecutive year.

Prior to the marathon, Ying Ren researched on timeefficient training methods to ensure that he had sufficient time to study.

“It’s going to be harder, but if you have the right attitude and if you prioritise your time properly, it’s definitely achievable,” says Ms Kwan.

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npTribune | Feb - Apr 2011