The Nanyang Chronicle Vol 22 Issue 07

THE NANYANG

CHRONICLE

VOL. NO.

22

07 7.03.16

ISSN NO. 0218-7310

Lock

your doors

NTU investigates reports of trespassing in halls, reminds students to be vigilant | Page 3

02 NEWS

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news bites FIRE BREAKS OUT AT HALL 3 A SMALL fire broke out at Hall of Residence 3 late night on 23 Feb, on the first storey of the Communal Hall.

A security guard on duty said the fire was likely caused by an electrical fault.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force and police officers were alerted. No one was injured.

NTU PROFESSOR APPLIES FOR NMP POSITION ASSISTANT Professor Liew Kai Khiun, 43, from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, is one out of 41 candidates who applied to be a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP).

Prof Liew said he was spurred

by the debate on the environmental impact of the alignment of the Cross Island Line, and wants to help the government and civil society engage more constructively on such issues.

This is his second time applying for the position, after an unsuccessful bid in 2014. Up to nine people can be appointed as NMPs under the scheme.

NEW SHUTTLE BUS TIMINGS GOOD news for those who travel to campus by shuttle bus.

Starting today, new bus timings will be able to serve more NTU students and staff at existing pick-up locations, the NTU Students’ Union announced last week.

There will be an additional service on Mondays at 6.50am at the Pasir Ris, Tampines and Seng Kang

locations, and on weekdays at 8.05am at the Choa Chu Kang location, scheduled to run until the end of next month.

NTU MICROCHIP SHRINKS RADAR CAMERAS NTU scientists have developed a palm-sized microchip that allows radar cameras to be made a hundred times smaller than current ones, it was announced last month.

The chip can produce similar quality images compared to existing radar cameras, are 20 times cheaper to produce and consume at least 74 per cent less power.

The three-year-long project was led by Assistant Professor Zheng Yuanjin from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

The chip will enable radar technology in small drones, driverless

cars and small satellites, he said.

HIGHER STARTING PAY FOR NTU GRADUATES IN 2015 NTU graduates from the Class of 2015 are earning more than their seniors of the previous year, according to the latest Joint Graduate Employment Survey.

The survey found that the average gross salary increased by 4.5 per cent from $3,271 in 2014 to $3,419 last year. The increase was the highest for graduates in Engineering programmes, whose average gross salaries increased by some 3 per cent from $3,324 to $3,428.

Nearly nine in 10 graduates were employed within six months of completing their final examinations, the survey also found.

A total of 4,151 NTU graduates from the Class of 2015 responded to the survey, conducted jointly by NTU, National University of Singapore, Singapore Management University, Singapore Institute of Technology and Singapore University of Technology and Design.

NTU PRESIDENT TO SPEAK AT CELEBRATE NTU! NTU President Professor Bertil Andersson will deliver his State of the University Address on 8 Mar. His speech, to be held at The Nanyang Auditorium at 2.30pm, will touch on the university's progress and NTU's strategic directions for the next academic year.

Outstanding staff and students will also be honoured at the Nanyang Awards Ceremony following Professor Andersson's Address.

What's happening on campus?

NTU SUSTAINABILITY SERIES: MARCH 2016 Hear the Environmental Director of Tetra Pak, Ms Terryn Tan, speak about sustainable practices in the manufacturing industry. The first 500 attendees to register will stand a chance to win a 2D1N field trip to visit a paper mill and witness how used beverage cartons are recycled.

When: 9 March Where: Lecture Theatre 25

THE DIRECTOR'S PICK: FLYING COLOURS Organised by the Nanyang Technopreneurship Centre, The Director's Pick screens selected movies and documentaries with themes of entrepreneurship and innovation. Flying Colours is a Japanese movie about how a teen girl overcame the odds to enter an elite university. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP at bit.ly/tdpfc.

When: 10 March Where: The Hive, LHS 01-04

THE OPEN VAULT: OCBC TALK The talk will feature Altona Widjaja, who is the Vice President

of the Innovation Group, under OCBC. They invite all students to come spend their afternoon with refreshments and find out more about the future of banks.

When: 10 March, 12:45pm - 2pm Where: LT4 North Spine

CEO TALK: RIPPLEDOT CAPITAL NTU has invited the Founder and CEO of Rippledot Capital, Mr. Atin Kukreja, to share his tremendous experience in the industry and the newly created internship opportunities .

When: 10 March, 4:30pm 5:40pm Where: Lecture Theatre 18

PRELUDE 2016 Learn what it is like to be part of the Students' Union Executive Committee (EXCO). Students will also learn about the roles and responsibilities of committee members and the Union's initiatives. Open to full-time matriculated undergraduate students of NTU and NIE. When: 10 March, 7.30pm 9.30pm (Register by 9 March at bit.do/prelude2016) Where: SAC Meeting Room 1 & 2

EXHIBITION: PASSION & KNOWLEDGE Co-curated by Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall and Chung Cheng High School (Main), this exhibition features the contributions of four Singapore Chinese pioneers in the development of education here, namely Aw Boon Haw, Liew Yuen Sien, Tan Boo Liat and Tan Yeok Seong.

When: Ends 11 March Where: Lee Wee Nam Library

IMPRESARIO: GRAND FINALS The nationwide talent-search competition serves as a platform to bring out the best of Singapore’s talented youths with the categories of singing, dancing, and composing.

When: 13th March 2016, tentatively 7pm - 10pm Where: Nanyang Auditorium

LYON ROAD RELAY The Lyon Road Relay aims to build camaraderie as well as to promote sports among the NTU community. There will also be carnival stalls selling ice-cream, popcorn, kachang puteh, and

fringe activities such as soccer shoot-out, Zumba and a spin bike relay challenge.

When: 16 March Where: Sports & Recreation Centre

FLEA & FEAST Unleash the entrepreneur within­ — set up your own booth at the Flea & Feast. Meet like-minded business men and women, and make a quick buck out of that idea you always had. Organised by the NTU Student Union.

When: 21 to 22 March, 10am to 5pm Where: The Canopy

NTU DOROTHY CHEUNG DEBATING CHAMPIONSHIP 2016 NTU Debating Society presents the NTU Dorothy Cheung Debating Championship 2016, an opportunity for debaters to familiarise themselves with the debate circuit in the region.

Teams can register at http:// tinyurl.com/dcs16reg. Visit the event's Facebook page for more details and information.

When: 25, 26 and 27 March

JOINT DANCE CONCERT 2016: DESTINESIA The Joint Dance Concert (JDC) aims to reach out to dance enthusiasts, to provide a platform for the eight dance clubs under the Cultural Activities Club to showcase their talent. The JDC is also celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

When: 2 April 2016, tentatively at 1pm and 7pm Where: Nanyang Auditorium

ONE-WAY CAR SHARING TRIAL WITH V2X TECHNOLOGIES Students and staff can try out the incampus car mobility service, managed by the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The cars are shared via virtual keys in smartphones.

Drivers must have a Class 3 or 3A license with at least 24 months of driving experience, and at least 26 years old. Visit www.carclubntu. com for more information or e-mail oneway@carclub.com.sg When: Ends 4 Sep

The Nanyang Chronicle invites clubs and societies from all over campus to contribute their events for this Calendar. Get in touch with us about your event at chronicle@e.ntu.edu.sg.

News

Alumnus wins at Berlin film festival | Page 6

Hall residents report trespassing Lim Ching Ying Ry-Anne Lim IT WAS 6.50am on a Thursday morning last month when Lim Jia Xin, 20, woke up to find a stranger lifting her blanket.

The man — yet to be identified — then bolted out of her room on the sixth storey of Hall of Residence 8, said the first-year student from the School of Biological Sciences.

“I was in a state of shock,” said Lim. “I’d been sleeping so I could not instantly process what happened or what I could do.”

It took about 10 minutes for the severity of the incident to dawn on her before she called Campus Security, who arrived at 7.15am.

The following week, Hall 8 Senior Hall Fellow Lam Yeng Ming sent out a mass email reminding residents to lock their doors and look out for suspicious characters.

Sending reminders like this is a routine practice across all halls on the university campus, according to the Hall Office.

But Lim is not the only victim with a story to share.

A 21-year-old student from Hall of Residence 1, who declined to be named, had a similar experience. A stranger had entered her room last September while she was asleep.

Since the victims had gone to sleep without locking their doors in both incidents, the Office of Housing and Auxiliary Services (HAS) classified them as cases of trespass.

The victims also did not find anthing missing from their rooms.

Being vigilant Chief HAS Officer Mr Jimmy Lee said the school will take action and investigate the incidents, but students have to be responsible and play their part as well by being vigilant and locking their doors.

Currently, only Hall of Residence 1 and 2 use key locks. The other 16 undergraduate halls are equipped with electronic locks, which require a personal key fob to unlock.

Mr Lee said such locks are more secure than the old key locks as the key fobs cannot be duplicated.

Certain halls also require the same key fob for access to female residents’ floors, or in the cases of Halls of Residence 15, 17 and 18, the entire blocks themselves.

Aside from reminding students to stay vigilant, Dr Lam said: “We also make sure that Campus Security is aware and they increase

Last month, a Hall of Residence 8 resident reported a case of trespass, after waking up to find a stranger sitting on her bed and lifting her blanket. The following week, Hall 8 Senior Hall Fellow Lam Yeng Meng emailed all residents to lock their doors and look out for suspicious characters.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: KENJI KWOK

the frequency of patrols. This twopronged approach will form a very nice network of safety measures.”

Students weigh in While the issue of trespassing or petty theft in halls is neither new nor unaddressed, students interviewed said such cases highlight the need to continue tightening campus security.

“We’re quite susceptible to thefts,” said Ang Kai Lin, 20, a second-year student from Nanyang Business School (NBS) who lives in Hall of Residence 11.

Ang cited how students had even put up their own posters on noticeboards warning residents, following a series of shoe thefts from multiple rooms last year. The posters have since been removed.

Lim said she and her roommate have learnt their lesson. While they initially thought that the hassle of climbing up the stairs would be a

“I think the main problem is that people don’t believe in things until they happen.”

Lim Jia Xin, 20 Hall of Residence 8

deterrent to trespassers, they now make sure their room door is securely latched before they sleep.

“My bed is behind the door. It means you can’t see me when you open it, so I think the man who entered our room must have had some knowledge of our hall layout, which is quite scary,” she said.

Lim added that installing more security cameras in halls would help her feel more secure.

“At least (then) we’ll have evidence, if not, in incidents like this we don’t have any trace of who it might have been,” she said.

Hall 1 Junior Common Room Committee (JCRC) President Teo Liang Wei, 23, agreed that installing security cameras would be more effective in preventing trespassing and theft on campus.

Both the JCRCs from Halls 1 and 2, as well as their hall fellows, have been pushing for the installation of security cameras in their halls for a few years, said Teo, a second-year student from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

“We hope the security cameras will deter transgressors and make them think twice about committing crime,” he added.

Mr Lee said the installation of security cameras for halls without them is being considered, but there are no concrete plans yet.

Security is sufficient Still, there are students who feel the school has done enough to prevent such incidents.

Ryan Khong, 22, a second-year student from NBS, said that if an increase in security came at the cost of privacy — such as having more random room checks — it would inconvenience residents.

Having faced a trespasser firsthand, Lim hopes sharing her story with the Nanyang Chronicle will prompt others to be more careful.

“I think the main problem is that people don’t believe in things until they happen,” she said. “But they need to know that it can. Luckily for me, nothing more happened.”

Mr Lee urged all hall residents to remain vigilant and to immediately report any suspicious activity to Campus Security.

Campus security 24-hour hotline: 6790 5200

04-05 NEWS

Laying the pieces of NTU’s Lim Ching Ying Nicole Lim BUSES file into campus every weekday morning, unloading endless streams of passengers at different sites.

But these passengers are not students or faculty reporting for school.

Instead, they are construction workers reporting for work.

They are responsible for completing the university’s ambitious Campus Master Plan to add approximately 200,000 square metres of facilities and housing to NTU by 2020.

Their work allows them to support their families back home, but it also exposes them to a lot of risks.

On 17 Feb, a 25-year-old construction worker was killed at the Lee Kong Chian (LKC) School of Medicine construction site along Mandalay Road at Novena.

A floor crane that the worker was handling toppled over the edge of the floor and dragged him along as it fell off the building, according to the Ministry of Manpower.

“Of course I am scared,” said Mr Minhas Udwin, 35, a construction worker from Bangladesh. “I have four people depending on me back home and I’ve not seen them in seven years.”

Mr Udwin is a member of the construction team building the North Hill Residential Hall along Nanyang Crescent. Construction work usually involves navigating scaffoldings at dizzying heights, operating heavy machinery and lifting bulky materials.

But construction firms are doing their best to remind workers to be safe.

A short walk along Nanyang Crescent from the graduate halls to Hall of Residence 15, where a new hall cluster is under construction, shows at least 11 brightly coloured workplace safety banners, reminding workers and employers to uphold safety standards.

A construction supervisor, who only wanted to be known as Mr Suryea, said workers are also issued with mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, safety shoes, gloves and boots.

Workers also have to wear additional PPE depending on the work they have to carry out.

The NTU Campus Master Plan aims to transform the campus into a more vibrant and sustainable one.

Its implementation builds on existing facilities and adding new ones, such as the iconic Hive at South Spine that was finished just last year.

There are currently five main sites (shown in the infographic) in progress: the North Hill and Nanyang Crescent residential areas, a faculty housing area, the North Academic Building and the nearby North Learning Hub. Additional reporting by Quah Jia Ling

North Learning Hub Site area: 16,000m2 Estimated completion: Third quarter of 2017 Open curves are said to feature prominently in the architecture of this facility, which will combine a variety of ‘learning platforms’ in the form of lecture theatres, student hubs, workshop space and more to create a more vibrant environment for students.

North Academic Building Site area: 5,800m2 Estimated completion: First quarter of 2016 This seven-storey addition next to the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering will house new labs for students, as well as offices and classrooms.

GRAPHIC: LIM PEI YI

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master plan

Residential Halls at Nanyang Crescent Site area: 45,000m2 Estimated completion: Second quarter of 2017 Located between Hall of Residence 15 and the two graduate halls, this new cluster of halls built using a prefabricated pre-finished volumetric construction (PPVC) method will have over 1,100 rooms spread over three wings of living space.

Faculty Housing

Site area: 13,000m2 Estimated completion: Third quarter of 2016 A new faculty housing within the Yunnan Garden campus that embraces lush greenery, convenience and tranquillity. This latest addition to the current five clusters of faculty housing will be located along Nanyang Avenue.

North Hill Residential Halls Site area: 31,000m2 Estimated completion: First quarter of 2016 Six 13-storey blocks, built “Legostyle� via PPVC method. Expect food and beverage outlets, activity rooms and even a theatre for the 1,850 students who can be housed here.

SOURCES: NTU CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS, SITE MANAGERS

PHOTOS: KENJI KWOK

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NEWS

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Students miss drink machines Eighty-five vending machines in schools and Halls of Residences were removed in December Ry-Anne Lim THE disappearance of drink vending machines across campus has left students disgruntled, with many complaining that getting a drink has become more inconvenient.

Eighty-five of the machines in schools and Halls of Residences were removed in December when the old supplier’s license expired, according to the Office of Housing and Auxiliary Services (HAS).

HAS Chief Officer Mr Jimmy Lee said the machines were not replaced immediately because the office has to first review the available alternatives and explore what other self-service machines could be installed on campus.

“Vending machines for snacks, hot sandwiches and stationery are still in place," Mr Lee said. "In the meantime, students can get drinks from the food courts, school cafes and other F&B outlets on campus.”

Students interviewed expressed their disappointment with the missing machines.

“Having no drink machines on campus is ridiculous," said Melis-

Students are seeking other options of buying drinks after the vending machines were removed. A new vendor is expected to provide replace the machines by mid-2016.

PHOTO: KENJI KWOK

sa Ong, 21, a second-year student from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

Ezrella Kho, 20, now has to make a detour on her way to school to make sure she stays hydrated.

“I have to go to Canteen Two just to get a drink before class, so it’s all very inconvenient,” the first-year Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) student added.

Others, on the other hand, are

fine with going out of their way to ensure that their drinks are still readily available.

Since the vending machines disappeared, Samantha Ngain, 20, has been buying drinks in bulk from

supermarkets on campus.

“Previously, I only had to walk down two flights of stairs to buy drinks from the vending machine," said Ngain, a second-year student from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information.

“The only alternative to buying drinks in bulk is to go down five storeys to buy one from the canteen,” she added.

Ngain, who stays in Hall of Residence 12, also said more students from her hall have been asking her to buy drinks for them.

Not everyone is complaining, though. Goh Su Yi, a 20-year-old Nanyang Business School student, said she felt her peers could be exaggerating the inconvenience.

“I can get my drinks from the supermarket or convenience stores when I have classes on campus,” the second-year student added.

Shannen Chua, a first-year student from HSS, feels healthier now that she cannot easily buy soda.

“I’ve been drinking only water and I feel healthier and more focused,” the 20-year-old added.

Students will not be grumbling for much longer.

While a new supplier has not yet been selected, the HAS is planning for new drink vending machines to be installed in more locations around school by mid-2016.

The HAS declined to reveal further details.

WKWSCI alumnus bags award for migrant short film at Berlin festival Dawn Puah Quah Jia Ling

Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information alumnus Chiang Wei Liang, 28, credits Senior Lecturer Mr Kym Campbell for being a "great mentor".

PHOTO COURTESY OF AUDI AG

A ROUTINE class assignment for NTU alumnus Chiang Wei Liang, 28, turned out to be the winning short film at the 66th annual Berlin International Film Festival last month.

The short film, titled “Anchorage Prohibited,” is about the struggles of a Vietnamese migrant couple with a newborn child in Taiwan as they try to cope without government support.

The film beat 24 other nominations to win the Audi Short Film Award on 20 Feb. It came with a cash prize of 20,000 euros (S$30,400).

“This is a huge encouragement,” said Mr Chiang, who graduated from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communica-

tion and Information (WKWSCI) in 2013. He is pursuing a master’s degree in filmmaking at Taipei National University of the Arts.

The 16-minute film which features actual migrant workers was shot within only two days. “We didn’t have the finances to shoot for long periods and the workers couldn’t take many days off, so we worked with the finite resources we had and planned around it,” he said.

He hopes the renewed interest in his film will also increase awareness of the lack of government support for the welfare of migrant workers in Taiwan, who are reportedly paid less and work under

poorer conditions compared with those in some other Asian countries.

“There’s still a lack of supporting measures to take care of them socially,” said Mr Chiang. “Winning opens up doors (career-wise), but more importantly it gives us a platform to raise awareness about this issue,” he added.

The NTU alumnus also said he was grateful for film veterans who paved the way for directors like himself.

He specifically credited WKWSCI Senior Lecturer Mr Kym Campbell for being a “great mentor.”

“I really felt that he gave me a lot of room to try and do all that I can, sometimes more

than what was prescribed,” said Mr Chiang.

“I guess, had it been someone else who taught me, perhaps I wouldn’t have been as inspired to learn more about the craft,” he added.

Mr Chiang plans to continue producing short films for some time.

He hopes to direct his first feature film after he completes his studies in Taiwan and returns to Singapore.

Asked about his advice to aspiring filmmakers, Mr Chiang said: “People are going to tell you what you can or can’t do. It’s up to you to decide what is really important, and it will reflect in the things you make.”

Lifestyle

UPGRADE YOUR H20 Switch up the plain taste of water with something sweet, natural, and healthy with these infused water recipes by Goh Pei Xuan and Sherlyn Goh

T

he quest for radiant skin can be a tedious affair — other than applying tons of skincare and sunblock, we all know we need to drink at least eight glasses of water everyday to keep our skin dewy, soft and supple.

But drinking cup after cup of plain old H20 can be a humdrum affair for most of us.

To jazz it up, immerse a combination of vegetables, herbs and fruits in flavoured or plain water and have your sweet treat chilled

or at room temperature. These Instagram-worthy fruit-infused water will give you a sweet incentive to hit your daily water intake.

We came up with four recipes to aid you in your quest to staying hydrated. Adjust the amount of water to suit your preference of sweetness.

All ingredients can be found at Giant (beside Canteen Two) and Prime Supermarket (at North Spine Plaza). Prices are accurate as of press time.

“Rather than snacking on bread and cookies which will take time for your body to break down, the simple sugars in fruits go straight to your blood and give you an energy boost.”

Ms Johannah Soo Li Mei, Lecturer at NIE’s Natural Sciences & Science Education PHOTOS: JAMES NG

HEALTH BENEFITS OF DRINKING WATER Helps flush out toxins from your system Improves skin complexion Maintains regularity of digestion

Aids in weightloss

Prevents constipation

Increases energy levels Improves overall health

ILLUSTRATION: LIM PEI YI

SINLESS SWEETS

HYDRATE 101

MINTY MEDLEY

SKINNY APPLE PIE

Ingredients: • 3-4 strawberries, whole or sliced, $4.95/box • ½ lime, thinly sliced, $1.10/ packet • 250ml pure coconut water, $1.20 • Water

Ingredients: • 250ml pure coconut water, $1.20 • ¼ cucumber, thinly sliced, $0.90 • ½ lemon, thinly sliced, $0.55 • Water

Ingredients: • Mint leaves, $0.90/packet • ¼ Grapefruit, sliced and skin removed, $1.30 • ½ Lemon, sliced, $0.55 • Water

Ingredients: • A pinch of cinnamon powder, $1.95 • 1 large Fuji apple, cubed, $0.55 • Water

If you’re in the mood for something saccharine, try out this strawberryand-lime infused coconut water.

Use Korean strawberries (they are known to be the sweetest) to balance the tartness of the lime. The coconut water adds a hint of nuttiness to the ambrosial concoction.

Speed up your journey to soft and supple skin with the added minerals from the cucumber of this citrusy beverage. The sweetness of the coconut water balances the tartness of the lemon slices, while the subtle taste of cucumbers makes it a light and refreshing drink.

Those who love the cool aftertaste of peppermint leaves are in for a treat. The mint leaves leave your breath date-ready, while the grapefruit adds a hint of bitterness, perfect for those who dislike sweet beverages. Chill it in the fridge for an ice-cold zero-calorie dessert.

Bye Bye Miss American Pie… except we are talking about apple pies here. Although this skinny substitute can never make up for the deliciousness that is a warm, gooeyapple pie, the sweet crunchy apple bits and dash of cinnamon will at least stave off the cravings.

08-09 LIFESTYLE foodsnoop

In collaboration with Come Let’s Eat, an initiative to encourage Singaporeans and foreigners to interact through food

This Israeli good

Israeli cuisine, which bears exotic flavours of the Mediterranean diet, is rarely heard of in Singapore.

Muhammad Syafiq and Sherlyn Goh uncover the mysteries behind this obscure cuisine

PITA & OLIVES 7 Raffles Boulevard, #01-455, Millenia Walk Singapore 039596 (within PasarBella)

Monday to Sunday: 11am - 9pm HIDDEN in a corner of PasarBella, this standalone stall serving Israeli cuisine is easy to miss.

Ornaments of the hamsa hand, a palm-shaped amulet, and posters of Israeli landscapes line the walls of the cosy Pita & Olives bistro.

Brought to Singapore by owner and chef Aviv Zafrir from his hometown in Kfar Saba, the souvenirs add a touch of homeliness that is also reflected in his food.

Rooted in Jewish and Arabic traditions introduced by immigrants, Israeli cuisine is a fusion of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours and cooking methods.

SHARWAMA SET 1 CHICKEN $15.50

Grilled on a rotating spit, the Chicken Sharwama came in smoky charred chunks on a stick. The meat, which was a tad too dry, was saved by the tahini dip it came with.

The creamy tahini dip, made from crushed sesame seeds, lemon juice and garlic, was a delightful blend of salty, sweet and nutty.

The set was served with Mediterranean rice, seasoned with herbs such as parsley and basil. Those who prefer a lighter palate may find the Chicken Shawarma a little salty but the side salad of tomatoes, capsicum and olives balances out the robust flavour.

THE MAN WITH A DREAM Mr Aviv Zarfrir, 41

HE WAS trained to become an information technology professional, but Mr Aviv Zarfrir felt that something was missing in his life.

The born-and-bred Israeli moved to Singapore in 2005 to be a programmer and missed Israeli food so much that he taught himself how to cook by watching lessons online and studying numerous recipes to recreate the taste of home.

In a leap of faith, he quit his job as a programmer and founded Pita & Olives three years ago, despite not having prior training in cooking.

After months of trial-anderror, he chose everyday dishes popularly eaten by Israelis for his restaurant’s menu.

Through his restaurant, Mr Aviv hopes more Singaporeans will be interested in Israeli culture.

“Israeli cuisine is my passion. This is the food of my people and the food of Israeli,” he said.

2

3

1

2 SABICH SET

3 FALAFEL SET

The Sabich is Israel’s answer to the sandwich. Pita & Olives serves a lip-smackingly good — and vegetarian — version.

Warm pita bread is stuffed to the brim with grilled eggplant and hard boiled eggs, a mish-mash of comforting flavours and textures.

Chef Aviv insists on serving only homemade pita bread at his bistro, which he said is the key to the bread’s chewy yet pillowy texture.

The side of chickpea hummus adds a touch of sweetness to the savoury sandwich, although it didn’t seem necessary to our Singaporean tastebuds.

The stall’s bestseller is the unassuming falafel (fer-la-ferl), a golden chickpea nugget.

Encased in a crispy exterior, each piece was filled with a chunky blend of chickpeas, garlic and parsley.

Although it is traditionally deepfried, the falafels here are baked in olive oil.

Chef Aviv said this is to cater to a growing number of healthconscious Singaporeans, who might be put off by the oilier method of cooking.

It is also available as a side dish for $5.

$14

PHOTOS: NICHOLAS YEO

$14

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A taste of Bavaria

As Singapore’s only German restaurant and microbrewery, Paulaner Bräuhaus features a typically Bavarian menu and fresh lager.

Goh Pei Xuan and Loy Kheng Wee discover the taste of true blue German fare

PAULANER BRÄUHAUS

3

9 Raffles Boulevard, #01-01, Millenia Walk, Singapore 039596

Monday to Friday: 12pm - 2.30pm, 6.30pm - 10.30pm Saturday and Public Holiday: 6.30pm - 10.30pm Sunday: 11.30am - 2.30pm, 6.30pm - 10.30pm PAULANER Bräuhaus is one of the more popular places in Singapore to get your fix of German cuisine - and for good reason too.

The German microbrewery and restaurant, which opened in 1996, was among the first to bring traditional Bavarian eats like crackling pork knuckle and handmade pork sausages to our shores.

Lit by a soft warm glow, the three-storey bar and restaurant boasts a seating capacity of 150 customers.

The interior is furnished with maplewood and decorative elements from Munich and Bavaria. Antique framed posters and suspended traditional beer bottles adorn the spacious restaurant. Service was prompt and waitresses were friendly.

1 BREWERY

Munich Dark Lager Beer (300ml) $13.80 Munich Lager Beer (300ml) $13.30

At Paulaner Bräuhaus, the restaurant and brewery prides itself on its beer, which is brewed onsite to retain its freshness and quality. Staying true to the German Beer Purity Law adopted by Bavaria in 1516, where the beer can only comprise water, yeast, barley and hops, Paulaner’s lager beers are crafted through a lengthy four-week process.

The Munich Lager Beer comes in a tall glass and is a light, honey-gold colour. The beer was smooth and dry and complements the saltier German fare. Its counterpart, the Munich Dark Lager Beer is slightly more bitter but with the same smoothness and dryness.

Brewmaster and General Manager, Mr Alex Buchner, 46, says: “Seven beers constitute a meal in Germany”. Bringing its authentic culture and taste into Singapore, it’s no wonder Paulaner needs to brew 2000 to 4000 litres of beer every week to keep up with the demand.

Other than its specialty beers, Paulaner also offers seasonal beers such as the Salvator Doppel Bock Beer and Smoke Beer twice to thrice a year.

1

2

2

$16.80 to $29.80

Specially plated by Head Chef Klaus Lukrash, the platter we tried came with four types of sausages.

The juicy Nürnberger, packed with flavours of melted butter and herbs, was a clear “wiener” for us with its peppery kick and smoky aftertaste.

The Franconia sausage, commonly known as ‘snail’ sausage due to its presentation, was tougher in texture but also packed a punch in flavour.

The sausage platter was on the salty side but well balanced by the velveteen mashed potatoes and tangy fermented shredded cabbage (Sauerkraut). The fried onion garnishes also added a welcome crunch to the dish.

CARAMELISED BAVARIAN EMPEROR’S PANCAKE W/ APPLE PLUM COMPOTE $13.80

End your night on a sweet note with Paulaner’s signature dessert. Instead of the classic round flat pancakes Singaporeans are accustomed to, Paulaner’s Emperor’s Pancake comes in bite-sized chunks topped with a generous sprinkling of icing sugar.

Fluffy on the inside, crisp along the edges and with rum-soaked raisins in each bite, these pancakes made for an addictive treat. They were paired with chunky apple plum compote — caramelised apple cubes and sour plum dressed in a cinnamon sauce — and ended the meal on a high.

Other popular items on the menu include the Crispy pork knuckle ($29.80) and warm apple strudel with ice cream.

FROM BUTCHER TO HEAD CHEF Mr Klaus Lukarsch, 52

HE WAS a butcher in a Beijing hotel for two years, but Mr Klaus Lukarsch now puts his knife skills to use as head chef of Paulaner Bräuhaus, overseeing the menu and kitchen.

He made the jump when the hotel’s German restaurant urgently needed a head chef and found that Mr Lukarsch could cook simple German dishes. The self-taught chef was then invited to head the kitchen at Singapore Paulaner Bräuhaus in 2009.

Although the German whips up delectable Bavarian fare PHOTOS: KENJI KWOK

3

SAUSAGE PLATTER WITH SAUERKRAUT AND MASHED POTATOES

at Paulaner, his hometown is Westfalen along central Germany, while Bavaria is in the Southeast of the country.

But whether one is from Munich, Bavaria or Westfalen, Germans from all regions are united by their common love for sausages, he said.

“Tourists expect to eat sausages when they go to Germany, and likewise for us natives, we crave sausages, potatoes and sauerkraut at least once a week too,” he added.

He recalls growing up in a foodloving household, where making

salami and stuffing sausages into casings was a weekly family affair.

Chef Klaus said: “What sausages you can find here at Paulaner, you can find in Germany too.”

10-11 LIFESTYLE

Battle of the men

Slated for a March release in theatres here, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is the first crossover superhero movie from the DC Extended Universe, starring Henry Cavill as Superman and Ben Affleck as Batman.

Graphics artist Low Zhang Quan tracks the two superheroes’ transition in costume and character, from graphic novel to the silver screen.

SUPERMAN OVER THE YEARS SUPERMAN II (1980) Director: Richard Lester Actor: Christopher Reeve

Widely considered as the most iconic Superman, Christopher Reeve’s Superman II earned a box office profit of $190.4 million — the highest grossing opening weekend in 1980. Director Richard Lester focused on developing the superhero’s romantic relationship with Lois Lane and characterised alter-ego Clark Kent as a more emotionally senstive person than the original character was. Acclaimed film critic Roger Ebert gave the movie 4 out of 4 stars.

SUPERMAN RETURNS (2006) Director: Bryan Singer Actor: Brandon Routh

Chosen primarily for his resemblance to the Superman of the 80s played

by Christopher Reeve, Brandon Routh’s portrayal of the resilient hero was met with criticism by fans, who said he lacked charisma and had no chemistry with actress Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane. Critics’ reception was lukewarm — while some took issue with Singer’s safe (read: boring) take on the franchise, others praised the film for its sleek special effects and nostalgic design.

MAN OF STEEL (2013) Director: Zack Snyder Actor: Henry Cavill

Set in a modern context, the costume was redesigned with darker tones and the iconic red trunks were dropped. Unlike previous Superman movies, Snyder’s Man of Steel was somber and dramatic. Critics were mixed about the film, which was either criticised for straying too far from Superman’s original characterisation or commended for its epic battle scenes.

ACTION COMICS SUPERMAN (2015 -) Superman’s identity crisis hits a peak in this comics series, with his identity exposed and his power stripped. He faces more challenges than ever, like struggling to carry out the gargantuan duties of protecting the world, and begins to question if he should continue being a superhero. The 77-year-old character also confronts current social issues in the US, such as police brutality.

INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US SUPERMAN (2013) Superman goes dark in this version in the comics. As the main antagonist, the fallen hero now has no qualms about killing and rules Earth with an iron first, in the name of justice and peace. While the character starts off as a well-meaning anti-villain, he becomes increasingly savage and ruthless.

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CHRONICLE 07 The Nanyang Chronicle conducted an online poll with 100 NTU students to find out which superhero they think will win the fight.

We received wittier answers than what we had bargained for.

“Superman will take his red underwear and flash it in front of Batman cause he is Super and not just a bat.”

BATMAN OVER THE YEARS BATMAN (1989) Director: Tim Burton Actor: Michael Keaton

Fascinated by Batman and the Joker’s disturbing relationship in the 1939 comics, director Tim Burton defied public expectations in his dark, haunting superhero movie. While the film was generally well-received by fans and critics, fans were initially unconvinced that Burton and Michael Keaton could pull off a serious movie. Keaton went on to star in the Oscarwinning Birdman (2014), as an actor trying to stage his comeback years after his on-screen success as a popular superhero.

BATMAN & ROBIN (1997) Director: Joel Schumacher Actor: George Clooney

Despite bearing resemblance to the comic book hero, even George Clooney could not salvage the disaster that is director Joel Schumacher’s Batman & Robin. Critics condemned the movie for its overdone tonguein-cheek interpretation of the franchise. Some cast members also complained about Schumacher’s directing skills after the production of the film, adding that Schumacher had referred to the film as a cartoon. Chris O’Donnell, who played Robin, even said he felt he was acting in a toy commercial.

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2012) Director: Christopher Nolan Actor: Christian Bale

Drawing inspiration from the comics, director Christopher Nolan produced one of the best-performing Batman movies at the box office. Critics have praised the film for its thoughtful exploration of the plot, ambitious production and sleek aesthetic. The Batsuit, for one, was made of 110 separate pieces. As the final installation of Nolan’s Batman trilogy, the positive reaction from fans and critics allayed the director’s initial fears that a third movie could fall flat.

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS (1986) Set in a dystopian future, a retired 55-year-old Bruce Wayne is forced to clip on his wings again to fight crime despite struggling with old age. Sounds familiar? The comics series was inspiration for Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises, and is also a visual reference for Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The series was mostly a hit with fans. Ranked as the best Batman graphic novel by IGN Comics and other publications, the popularity of the series brought the troubled superhero back into pop culture consciousness.

DETECTIVE COMICS BATMAN (2015 -)

Following Batman’s apparent death in Batman #40 (2011) comics, Police Commissioner of Gotham City James Gordan picks up the mantle of Batman in a machine suit. The radical storyline by Batman writer Scott Snyder is the biggest change to the 76-year-old character since The Dark Knight Returns.

“Batman has a lot of cool, fancy gadgets and most importantly, he has Alfred as his loyal sidekick.”

14-15 SPOTLIGHT

The 97-year-old Chong Tuck Tong temple was initially a residential home and was subsequently converted to a Taoist temple. Alan Chong (pictured) now prepares for the possibility of taking over the temple from his mother.

FAITH IN FAMILY PHOTOS AND TEXT BY KENJI KWOK

H

e grew up hating having to live in a century-old temple where, as a young boy, he had to help his mother with prayer rituals instead of playing with his friends.

Now, Alan Chong, 28, is preparing for the possibility of becoming the first male to take charge of his family’s Chong Tuck Tong temple in Geylang.

Chong, a Master of Arts student from the School of Art, Design and Media, was only six years old when his family moved out of their four-room flat in Tampines.

A fire had broken out at the temple, which was inherited by his mother, so his parents had to move in to oversee rebuilding efforts.

The family lived on the temple’s sparsely furnished second storey, where Chong and his sister slept on mattresses on the floor, next to their parents’ bed.

Chong recalled detesting the move, especially the restriction of having only vegetarian meals at home. He recalled downing many meals of plain rice with soya sauce.

He often resented helping out at the temple and would quickly rush back upstairs to the comfort of his own room to resume his game — Command & Conquer: Red Alert — after dutifully performing his tasks.

But that all changed when Chong, then a fourth-year student from ADM, started working on his final year project that focused

on Feng Shui. His project took a fresh new look at geomancy for homes using modern illustrations to debunk the common misconception of it being religious.

The project gave Chong the chance to learn more about Chinese culture. That was also when he realised that his research into the different practices in Feng Shui could enable him to contribute back to the temple.

“It was only when I started learning about Feng Shui that I realised it could be another way of helping devotees who come to the temple,” said Chong. “I could decipher what was happening in their lives based on the five basic elements.”

Chong was surprised to find similarities in the elements used in Feng Shui and those used by his mother to predict the devotees’ future.

He said that it was “fate” that led him to take up more responsibilities in the temple.

He also shares about the different aspects of the temple during tours led by heritage group Geylang Adventures, which conducts tours to historical and religious sites in the often shunned red-light district.

Geylang Adventures founder Cai Yinzhou, 26, said people like Chong help bridge the gap between old traditions and the younger generation.

“Every temple needs an Alan,”

said Cai, adding that Chong’s initiative helps change the perception of religious institutions being closed to non-devotees.

Chong also constantly finds ways to modernise workflows at the temple, from streamlining the printing of labels for lanterns to redesigning religious inventory.

Using his experience as a graphic designer, he started tracing and improving the calligraphy and design on religious tablets.

The temple was founded on a matriarchal system, which explains why Chong’s mother takes charge. Chong’s older sister seemed apprehensive to follow their mother’s lead.

The prospect of taking over the

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CHRONICLE 07

Top: Chong often resented having to help out at the temple when he was younger, but now he joins in prayer sessions whenever a devotee is absent.

Bottom left: Using his experience as a graphic designer, Chong redesigns religious items in the temple — from tracing to reinterpretating parts that lack details.

Bottom right: Chong shares about the history of the century-old temple during a heritage tour by Geylang Adventures.

“The more I helped out, the more I saw the magnitude of what needed to be done every day.”

Alan Chong Wei Lun, 28 ADM Master’s Student

temple, however, scares him.

“The more I helped out, the more I saw the magnitude of what needed to be done every day,” said Chong.

Still, he tries to learn as much as he can about the various duties and practices in the temple.

He recently learned to play instruments during prayer sessions and has even performed some of the simpler rituals under the guidance of his mother.

Looking ahead, he plans to pursue a PhD in heritage studies and submit a report on preserving religious sites in Geylang to the National Heritage Board.

Chong, who did not perform well academically growing up, added that attaining stellar qualifications is not just about pleasing his parents.

“I hope being a scholar puts me in a better position to tackle the conservation issues we face as temple owners.”

Under the guidance of senior devotees, Chong plays the cymbal during a prayer session.

16-17 DAPPER

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CHRONICLE 07

Opinion EDITORIAL It’s time to reflect on how we can be truly racially inclusive TO ENSURE the Elected Presidency better reflects our multiethnic society, a new committee helmed by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon will be reviewing the election process for Singapore’s highest office. This review could not be more timely.

Before 1993, Presidents were appointed by Parliament.

The position was rotated among the four main ethnicities.

They include Mr Yusof Ishak, a Malay; Dr Benjamin Sheares, a Eurasian; Mr Devan Nair, an Indian; and Mr Wee Kim Wee, a Chinese.

But since the Presidency became an electoral process in 1993 to safeguard the financial reserves, no Malay or Eurasian has attempted to run for the office, much less been elected. The sole note of consolation has been Mr S R Nathan’s two presidential terms in 1999 and 2005.

It is not difficult to imagine why this is so. One of the many requirements a potential candidate must fulfil to qualify is that he or she must have held a key leadership position in a company with a paid-up capital of at least $100 million.

There is also the matter of the almost $50,000 deposit.

Considering the economic inequality between the races, the onerous requirements disproportionately impact certain minority groups. According to the latest population census published in 2010, the average monthly income for Indian and Chinese households are significantly higher at $7,664 and $7,326 respectively, compared with Malay households that have an average monthly income of $4,575.

It is imperative that steps are taken to ensure minority voices are heard and interests represented lest we perpetuate a system that undermines them.

The Group Representation system introduced in 1988 already ensures minority representation in Parliament. The potential changes to the Presidential Elections are hence a long-overdue realignment towards our cherished values of multiethnicity.

For decades, the ability to co-exist peacefully in spite of our racial and religious differences (or diversity, as we proudly tout) has been credited for the nation’s political and social stability. But more can definitely be done in the political sphere and elsewhere.

In 2013, a study by the Institute of Policy Studies and OnePeople.sg found that more than one in two Singaporeans did not have a close friend of another race. About two in 10 Chinese had a Malay or Indian friend, while almost twothirds of minorities had at least one close Chinese friend.

This raises the uncomfortable suggestion that we may simply be co-existing and paying lip service to the idea of being “One Singapore,” instead of being racially inclusive in our daily lives, in schools and at work.

This should be taken seriously as Singapore becomes more ethnically and culturally diverse.

It is high time that instead of relying on political leaders and taking racial harmony for granted, Singaporeans reexamine the way we put into practice the principles of multiracialism at the individual level.

An immediate change that each of us can effect in our daily lives is to be conscious of the little instances of discrimination towards minority races that are so endemic they frequently go unremarked upon. This can be as simple as choosing to speak in a common language — most probably English — while around friends and colleagues of other ethnicities.

Societal structures and constitutional dictates are important tools, no doubt, in our common struggle towards parity. But they can only be the first of many steps required to get there.

frankly, my dear

A column by Chronicle editors on issues close to their hearts

It’s not interesting to be a woman Nicole Chia Sports Editor

T

he countless people I met throughout my six-month internship stint last year were different from one another in many ways, but their reactions to my choice of work were invariably the same.

“Interesting” was their response upon learning that I was a sports reporter at a local daily.

“Interesting,” they would say, eyebrows raised, when I told them of my intention to pursue a career in sports reporting.

Interesting, not because of the chance to speak to world-class athletes, or perks like exciting travel opportunities (which I was not privy to at that point in time).

To these people, it was interesting, because I was a female.

Once they got over the shock of meeting a female sports journalist, their next remark would be some variation of “I thought only men were interested in sport,” or “I didn’t know that the sports desk hired women.”

I was also advised against becoming a sports reporter by a wellmeaning relative.

“It’s good that you like what you do,” she said. “But sports reporting is not suitable for girls, because you have to work till late.”

When I asked her why, the only answer she could give was: “Better for men, lah.”

How compelling.

This seemed to be a recurring theme. Why is the idea of a woman sports reporter so, for the lack of a better word, interesting?

I don’t know if these reactions are part of the reason there are so few women at the sports desks of local newsrooms.

GRAPHIC: LIM PEI YI

Of all the full-time sports journalists I met from other local newspapers during my internship, only three were women. At the paper where I served my internship, there were no full-time female sports journalists during my term.

When more manpower was needed to cope with the demands of covering the 28th Southeast Asian Games last June, six more interns were roped in to help. Four were female.

A male colleague quipped: “Wow, it looks like the sports desk may have more women than men for the first time.”

But he was wrong. Even with the new additions, the male reporters still outnumbered their female counterparts by three.

On the other side of the world, however, the problem goes far beyond a lacking presence of female sports journalists.

In America, women in sports media are frequently subjected to sexist criticism and harassment, both online and offline.

Google “female sports reporters” and the first result that shows up is a link to an article titled ‘40 Hottest Female Sports Reporters’.

The next, a link to ‘The 15 Hottest Female Sports Reporters’.

This can be considered the “nicest” sort of sexist treatment that

women in sports media face.

ESPN baseball commentator Jessica Mendoza became the first woman to analyse a nationally televised game in America last October. But this honour was marred by criticism from mostly male fans who tweeted about how they could not handle the fact that Mendoza, an Olympic gold medallist, was a “woman announcer.”

It is not only viewers and online trolls who behave so abhorrently to women in sport — two months ago, Jamaican cricketer Chris Gayle hit on Australian journalist Mel McLaughlin during a live interview.

These cases are recent, but they are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to discrimination against women in sport.

Why is the thought of a woman commenting on sports so difficult to accept?

The idea that the world of sports is one where only men are welcome is archaic and, frankly, ridiculous.

Nearing the end of my internship, a supervisor asked about my future career plans.

When I told him about my dream of becoming a sports writer, he said: “That’s great! As long as you work hard and have the right attitude, you can definitely do it.”

That remark, I thought, was far more interesting.

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OPINIONS

THE NANYANG

In light of International Women’s Day on 8 March, we asked students the most sexist remark they have heard

“

Ruth Gan Ying Teng, 21 HSS, Year 3

People think girls cannot do sports as well as guys because 'they’re naturally weaker'. But we endure nine months of pregnancy and give birth. How can we be weaker?

“

People always say girls can’t do engineering. The guys in class always doubt our answers and would confirm them with other guys. I think it’s ridiculous that no one thinks the girls have the answers, because we actually do.

Guys need to stop stereotyping.

Putri Nasriyah, 21 MSE, Year 2

PHOTOS: JAMES NG

THE NANYANG

CHRONICLE CHIEF EDITOR

Charmaine Ng

DAPPER EDITOR Gary Khoo

MANAGING EDITOR

PHOTO EDITOR

SUB-EDITOR

COMMUNITY EDITOR

NEWS EDITOR

BUSINESS MANAGER

LIFESTYLE EDITOR

PRODUCTION SUPPORT

Kenji Kwok

Ng Jian Yang Karl Elliott Lim Peng Constance Yeo

SPORTS EDITOR Nicole Chia

OPINIONS EDITOR Dipshikha Ghosh

Kenji Kwok

Miranda Yeo

Sheena Wong Joe Tok Kenny Wong

FACULTY ADVISORS

Edson Tandoc Zakaria Zainal

A students’ newspaper published by the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI) Nanyang Technological University 31 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637718 Tel: 6790 6446 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Facebook: The Nanyang Chronicle Website: www.nanyangchronicle.ntu.edu.sg General Enquiries: chronicle@ntu.edu.sg

It's also a woman's world Dipshikha Ghosh Opinions Editor

When I first wanted to join canoeing in my junior college, some of my friends discouraged me because they felt girls shouldn't be buff.

There’s a certain expectation people place on how a woman should look. But I wasn’t bothered by their comments so I joined it after trying out softball which I didn’t enjoy.”

Nurulathirah, 22 HSS, Year 4

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CHRONICLE 07

canteen talk

“

VOL. NO.

WHEN I was doing a short stint at one of the top advertising firms in the country, I was put under the wing of an enterprising young woman named Emily.

I was in awe of how Emily was such a competent team leader. In a male-dominated work environment and industry, she could more than hold her own with the best of them.

It was perhaps unsurprising that Emily rapidly rose through the ranks. According to a 2012 Harvard Business Review report, women scored higher than men in 12 out of the 16 measures of outstanding leadership. Women were found to be more nurturing which led to stronger relationship bonds with both colleagues and clients.

Women, it seems, are wired to succeed in the workplace. And yet, women like Emily remain among the minority in modern society.

This disparity is particularly pronounced in Asia. An article published by BBC in November last year hit close to home when it reported that more women in Singapore take up Chief Executive positions than anywhere else in Asia. The statistic, as it turned out, was a paltry 15 per cent. Furthermore, only eight per cent of female employees make it into the boardrooms.

A possible reason for this phenomenon is that Asian women are still measured against traditional moulds of success as dutiful wives and nurturing mothers.

We have not shaken off the notion of a collectivistic society

where the role of the woman is in the house with her children. When a woman leaves the house to make her dreams come true, she is often considered bossy, intimidating or my personal favourite — selfish.

Against this backdrop, it is no wonder that while more women are now moving up the corporate ladder, the majority of top positions in the world are still overwhelmingly held by men.

Growing up in a traditional Indian family, I was told that success lay at the end of the road most taken. I wondered whether my mother would have been happy for me if I had become as successful as my lady boss. She probably would have — Emily was objectively doing very well for herself. But my mother would also have wanted me to get married and start a family.

My success in the corporate world cannot come at the cost of

me performing my duties as wife and mother.

In a meritocratic society like Singapore, this presents the modern Asian women with the illusion that they can have everything if only they work hard for it. This makes failure to juggle both home and work even more crushing. Inability to balance both demands is often perceived as a personal failing.

This is why when an Asian woman makes it in a male-dominated position, her existence in itself begins to feel like activism — against the patriarchy, against stereotypes and against all those times we were made to believe that we were not doing enough.

But until Asian women are freed from the persecution of social norms and expectations, our achievements will continue to be measured by our novelty — and not our ability.

louder than words

PHOTOGRAPHERS James Ng Nicholas Yeo

REPORTERS

Dawn Puah Goh Pei Xuan Ignatius Koh Lim Ching Ying Loy Kheng Wee Muhammad Syafiq Nicole Lim Quah Jia Ling Ry-Anne Lim Sherlyn Goh Sean Loo

Unsigned editorials represent the majority view of the editorial board of The Chronicle and do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of Nanyang Technological University, its employees, the students or the Council of the University.

Signed opinion columns, letters and editorial cartoons represent the opinion of the writer or artist and are not necessarily those of The Chronicle.

Printed by KHL Printing Co. Pte Ltd, 57 Loyang Drive, Singapore 508968

GRAPHIC: LOW ZHANG QUAN

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OPINIONS 21

THE NANYANG

07 CHRONICLE

by invitation

The race for the Elected Presidency In light of the proposed amendments to ensure a racially diverse Elected Presidency, we asked two undergraduates to reflect on the move

Affirmative action necessary to level playing field Ayeshah Mirza AS A member of a minority race, I think these proposed amendments are encouraging.

The proposed changes to ‘artificially’ boost minority representation in Singapore’s highest office have surfaced accusations of tokenism and the degradation of our prized principle of meritocracy.

But while affirmative action may come with its own perils, it is a necessary crutch so long as discrimination remains pernicious in our society.

Just take a look at job recruitment advertisements and count how many times the word ‘bilingual’ appears.

By any reasonable definition, I more than qualify, being fluent in three languages (English, Malay, and Malayalam) and having basic knowledge of three more (Spanish, Arabic, and Mandarin).

Unfortunately, I have learnt through experience that bilingualism in Singapore refers overwhelmingly to English and Mandarin.

This is a huge disservice to our minority population, and the problem is further compounded by common racial stereotypes.

These negative stereotypes are so ingrained that they unconsciously percolate through our everyday interactions, even as we insist that we are not racist.

Think about how many people from minority races are systematically excluded from jobs because they are not the right kind of bilingual (because they cannot speak

Mandarin) or do not have the right kind of look.

Worse still, think about all the capable people who have been dealt with so much discrimination over the years that they have internalised it as the natural order of things and write themselves off before anyone else does.

These are the same people who, if given the opportunity, might potentially grow up to display the skills and character worthy of Singapore's future president.

So while it is understandable why some people may be concerned that affirmative action implies members of minority groups cannot succeed on their own merits, my hope is they will also realise that although hard work eventually pays off, some of us have to work harder for the same achievements.

Not everyone starts off equal, with the same amount of privilege and good fortune of being born into a system that works in their favour. And this difference can become insurmountable without policy intervention.

Although this might be just a symbolic gesture, I am hopeful that this may help somewhat level the playing field for minority folks.

It’s a starting point in making us feel like we have a real stake in this country and I would like to think that given some time, the rest of the nation will catch up and no longer look at race as a defining trait – rendering such measures unnecessary in the future.

Not everyone starts off equal, with the same amount of privilege and good fortune of being born into a system that works in their favour. And this difference can become insurmountable without policy intervention.

Ayeshah Mirza, 22 Final-year student Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information

GRAPHIC: LOW ZHANG QUAN

Recognising my Chinese privilege Ng Yi Shu I DON’T usually think about how I am Chinese.

I am comfortable in my identity, for nobody questions it.

I can turn on the TV and see a national leader who is of my race talking about minority candidates and the importance of representation in our political system and agree, because I know that society will stay the same afterward.

It has been nearly 20 years since ethnic diversity was enforced in our legislature, and I am pretty much indifferent to it, especially as a beneficiary of its injustices.

Therefore it is very tempting to believe that affirmative action in the Presidency — an idea that was recently mooted in Parliament — is not necessary.

According to a 2007 report, more than 90% of Singaporeans were ready for a non-Chinese PM. Minority MPs have been elected in single member constituencies.

But it would be idealistic to assume that Singaporeans can see beyond race in a national election, the same way it is ignorant to assume that Singapore does not need affirmative action.

To be President, one must satisfy a long list of qualifications — including holding a position senior enough for the day-to-day duties of the Presidency, like being the Chairman of a company worth at least $100 million.

Not many have been presidential candidates. Ong Teng Cheong, our first popularly elected President, went against Chua Kim Yeow, the former Accountant-General. S. R. Nathan went uncontested, and following his presidency, four Tans — Tony Tan Keng Yam, Tan Cheng Bock, Tan Kin Lian and Tan Jee Say — battled for the presidency.

Not many minorities would qualify either. The data is unclear on the percentage of minorities who qualify as presidential candidates, but a 2014 NUS study on diversity in Singapore’s boardrooms states that only 2.5 per cent of CEOs of SGX-listed companies are Malay, while only 1.3 per cent of CEOs are Indian; 3.3 per cent of chairpersons were Malay, while 2.6 per cent of chairpersons were Indian.

If boardrooms — part of the elite from which Singapore draws her presidents — are so difficult to get into for a minority, what does this say about the Presidency? This is where our racial lines, long buried under years of ‘racial harmony’ and ‘multiculturalism’, are most visible.

Based on these, it is difficult for me, a Chinese, to disagree with affirmative action. It should be enforced, not because the minority groups in Singapore cannot fill the office, but because the opportunity to do so has been so limited.

Affirmative action should happen, and it should happen beyond the Presidency. If we level this playing field and not the others, we will not truly resolve this issue.

The President is an icon. Much like the Prime Minister, he is a head of state, and an important figure. A minority President will continue to represent Singaporean society and a common Singaporean identity, and will go on to show all Singaporeans that anything is possible in our society.

The struggles towards a raceblind society is a necessary part of forging a common identity from our separate parts.

If we truly pride ourselves on the progress we have made to build a democratic society, we should vote for someone regardless of race, language and religion.

If we level this playing field and not the others, we will not truly resolve this issue Ng Yi Shu, 22 Year 2 student Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information

Sports

Wakeboarders take up challenge | Page 26

All out for Inter-Hall Games One player flew back from exchange just to compete, while others recruit early Sean Loo

L

eonard Lee’s determination to lead his hall’s water polo team to glory was so great that being over 2,000 kilometers away from Singapore did not deter him.

The 23-year-old, who has stayed at Hall of Residence 16 for two years, flew back to Singapore from Hong Kong — where he was on exchange — just to play in the recently concluded Inter-Hall Games (IHG), before flying back to complete the rest of his semester.

The second-year Nanyang Business School student is one of many who have gone to great lengths to achieve success for their respective halls at the annual IHG. Lee, who is a driver (a fast swimmer who links up play with the central attacker) on the team, led his men to an 11-10 upset over defending champion Hall 2.

The decision to return from Hong Kong was not a tough one to make.

He said: “We started training for IHG from the start of the school year, and grew to love the sport as we built our team spirit.

“I am proud to be a Hall 16 resident, so I wanted to come back to be a part of IHG.” The IHG usually begins in early December, but preparation for the annual event starts well before the first whistle of the preliminary rounds. This preparation entails more than just turning up for weekly training sessions.

Recruitment of players

Hall 2 resident and captain of the table tennis team Tan Yuan Song started his IHG campaign before the start of the academic year.

Last September, Tan, 24, approached his former teammates from Temasek Junior College to join Hall 2 as freshmen.

They joined the team immediately, to Tan’s relief.

“If I don’t act quickly, it’s just a matter of time before another hall approaches them,” said the finalyear NBS student.

Tan also told the Nanyang Chronicle how he managed to fend off competition from other halls to recruit a female Institute-VarsityPolytechnic (IVP) paddler.

IVP athletes represent the uni-

Hall of Residence 16 water polo captain Leonard Lee (above) flew back to Singapore for nine days from Hong Kong where he was on exchange to compete in the water polo finals.

PHOTO: NICHOLE TAN YEE TING

versity and compete with students from other local tertiary institutions at the annual IVP Games.

Despite other halls offering her an air-conditioned room, Tan believes the extra effort he put in led to her eventual recruitment.

He went out of his way to meet her at her convenience and arranged temporary accommodation on campus for her as a legal squatter while she awaited an official offer of residence from the hall.

Apart from recruiting skilled residents, hall sports teams also spend long hours training.

Dedication to training

Members of Hall 11’s cheerleading team trained twice a week for eight to 10 hours each time in preparation for the Inter-Hall Cheerleading Competition, said cheer team member Aloyscious Phua, 23. Training sessions increased to thrice a week nearing the competition.

The team trained for about 24 hours each week.

But Phua, who will likely be the team captain next year, does not intend to significantly increase

training hours.

“Our priority as students is to do well academically,” said the firstyear student from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information. “We will try to strike a balance between work and play.”

The extra effort paid off for the Hall 2 table tennis and Hall 11 cheer teams.

Hall 2’s paddlers, who did not win at last year’s competition, beat defending champion Hall 3 enroute to the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, the Hall 11 cheer team placed fifth at this year’s inter-hall cheer competition, climbing six spots from their 11th-place finish last year.

As for Lee, who was in Singapore for nine days, the effort of coming back to compete for IHG glory was “worth it.”

Playing down the scale of his effort, he said: “Hong Kong is not too far away from Singapore, as compared to places like the United States.”

Lee, who returned to Hong Kong after the Chinese New Year holiday, added: “I had to keep pressing the

Hall 2 resident and table tennis team captain Tan Yuan Song (above) went out of his way to recruit an Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic paddler, including arranging temporary accommodation on campus for her among other efforts.

PHOTO: KERH POH CHONG

IHG convenors for the date of the final, and luckily they told me in time to book my flight ticket.

“I’m very thankful that I managed to get the ticket, and even more thankful that we managed to come up top.”

Gold medal aside, Lee said his biggest reward from the IHG was the camaraderie formed with his teammates.

“We grew to love the sport as we trained together,” he said. “This team spirit is what I really enjoyed.”

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Hall 3 retains IHG title Hall of Residence 3 is overall champion for the eighth time in a row, winning eight sporting events including football and badminton Sean Loo FOR the eighth time in a row, Hall of Residence 3 emerged as the overall champion of the Inter-Hall Games (IHG) last month, winning gold in eight events to finish with 70 points.

The Games took place from 12 Dec last year to 15 Feb. Hall 3 Sports Secretary Jeremy Tang, 23, said he was satisfied with the performance of the sports teams. “While there were some disappointments here and there, overall we did a good job,” said the second-year Sports, Science and Management student.

He credits Hall 3’s dominance to the successful recruitment and retainment of experienced players over the years.

“We usually manage to retain most of the players, because they make new friends within the hall and so are more likely to stay on,” he added.

Their football team clinched one of two golds on the final day of competition, reclaiming the championship from Hall 16.

The footballers edged out their

Hall 6 rivals in the final match, winning 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw.

Hall 3 football captain Muhammad Khair revealed that the goal to recapture the title had been at the back of his teammates’ minds since their first training session at the start of the academic year.

The 22-year-old added that the footballers’ quest for gold was driven by their memory of last year’s defeat — they lost on penalties at the quarter-final stage.

“Our target this season was to be the champion,” said Khair, a second-year National Institute of Education student. “It was our team spirit, everyone giving their best and our belief in each other that carried us through the penalty shootout.”

Hall 6 football captain Huang Zhiwei, 23, said he was pleased with his team despite the loss.

“We played for each other, we fought for each other, that’s why we managed to last all the way from prelims to the finals,” said Huang, a third-year student from

Hall 3 midfielder Hieng Pheak Kdey skips past a challenge from Hall 6's Nicholas Lim during the IHG football men's finals.

PHOTO: KENJI KWOK

the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Hall 3’s shuttlers also delivered a win on the final day of the IHG competition, beating their Hall 16 opponents 4-1 to retain their title.

Describing the match as “nerveracking,” Hall 3 badminton captain Ngo Yi Chye, 22, said: “The line-up was crucial, and thankfully we got it right.”

Hall 3 also emerged tops in six other events — women’s hockey, men’s softball, sepak takraw, touch rugby, men’s volleyball, track and field and badminton.

The eight-time champion, which pipped runner-up Hall 16 by only five points, will face stiff competition from other halls in its bid for a ninth successive overall title at next year’s Games.

Second runner-up Hall 2 finished with 60 points and three gold medals. Sports secretary Stanley Gan, 23, believes his athletes will put up a stronger performance next year.

“I think my sportsmen did very well, considering the tough competition from other halls, especially Halls 3 and 16,” said Gan, a sec-

ond-year student from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Commending the athletes’ efforts, Gan singled out the Hall 2 tennis team’s gritty 3-2 victory over Hall 16 as an exciting match to remember.

Recalling how the men’s doubles pair fought back after trailing 2-8 to beat their opponents 9-8, Gan added: “That was one of the best games I ever watched.”

Additional reporting by Ignatius Koh

Men’s tennis wins first SUniG team gold in 5 years Nicole Chia Sports Editor NTU’s men tennis players clinched their first team gold since 2011 at last month's Singapore University Games (SUniG).

Led by coach Ignatius Hendroff, who only joined NTU in January, the men beat defending champion National University of Singapore (NUS) 3-2.

The team came from a medalless finish at SUniG in 2014.

The victory was extra sweet for men’s team captain Mervin Ng, who turned 24 on 15 Feb, the day of the final match.

“It was definitely a good birthday present,” said Ng, a final-year student at the School of Electrical Engineering.

Ng said the competition was Hiroud Akhavan (pictured), 30, beat National University of stressful, with players on both Singapore's Tan Zhi Yi 9-6 to bag the coveted gold. sides closely matched in skill.

PHOTO: NICHOLAS YEO “Every single point mattered,

and I was biting my nails as I watched my teammates play.”

The battle for men’s team gold was indeed a nail-biter.

With the score locked at 2-2, it was down to the fifth and final singles match to determine the SUniG team champion.

And NTU’s Hiroud Akhavan delivered, beating NUS’ Tan Zhi Yi 9-6 to bag the coveted gold.

Akhavan, a Canadian exchange student at Nanyang Business School, said: “Of course there was pressure playing the deciding match, but I was playing for the team.

“I tried to stay calm and play aggressively. I’m glad things went well.”

Akhavan, 30, who used to be the top-ranked junior player in Canada, has a career-high sin-

gles ranking of 140 on the International Tennis Federation’s junior circuit.

“I could hear my teammates cheering for me, and it was great to hear that they were rallying behind me,” he said.

NTU’s women’s team finished its season in third place, ahead of Singapore Institute of Management.

Despite narrowly missing out on retaining the silver medal after losing 2-3 to Singapore Management University (SMU), women’s vice-captain Tricia Tan, 19, remained upbeat.

The second-year undergraduate at School of Humanities and Social Sciences said the postponement of SUniG weakened the team considerably.

With several key players away

on exchange, the women's team had to field players with less match experience.

The competition had been postponed from last semester due to haze.

“We obviously wanted the silver medal, but third place is pretty good, considering how little time we had to reshuffle our line-up,” said Tan. Their narrow losses to SMU and champion NUS will only fuel their desire to come back stronger next year, she added.

But NTU’s tennis players may be entering their new season without a coach, as a decision on coach Hendroff’s employment is still up in the air.

Mr Hendroff’s contract is slated to last only until the last day of SUniG on 16 Feb.

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Out of the League Local headlines have been all about Jermaine Pennant since the former Arsenal and Liverpool star arrived in Singapore to join Tampines Rovers just over a month ago.

Dubbed the S-League’s biggest signing, the tricky winger has raised expectations before the league’s 21st season after scoring once and assisting twice in three friendly matches. Amid the fanfare, Ignatius Koh takes a look at four players who could rain on his parade

PHOTO: HAIQAL TAHIR

PHOTO: LEO SHENGWEI / PLAYMAKER

Five must-watch competitions in March PARIBAS OPEN 1 BNP (7-20 MAR)

FUMIYA KOGURE will be seeking to build on his stellar debut at Albirex, this time with new club Hougang United.

The S-League's reigning Player of the Year guided his former team Albirex to the RHB Singapore Cup and Singapore League Cup and a third-place finish in the league, racking up five goals and 13 assists throughout the season.

He told ESPN: "Last season I scored five goals, so this season, I must go over that target while also keeping my 13-assists tally."

This year’s edition of the biggest tennis tournament outside the Grand Slams will see seven-time Slam winner Venus Williams end her 15-year boycott of the event — a year after younger sister Serena returned to the tournament after 14 years. The Williams sisters were subjects of controversy in 2001 when the elder Williams withdrew before her semifinal match against Serena. The latter was then booed during the final match, where she beat the now-retired Kim Clijsters to lift the title. This year, men’s world no.

1 Novak Djokovic will bid to lift the singles trophy for the third successive year. Women’s world no. 2 Simona Halep will also return to defend her singles crown.

AFTER enduring a three-month injury layoff, former Danish U-21 striker KEN ILSO (in red jersey) will want to make up for lost time.

Despite missing seven out of 27 league games last season, the Home United forward managed to finish with 11 goals and six assists. He is optimistic about bettering his performance this season.

In an interview with FourFourTwo last month, Ilso, 29, said: “I’m always trying to improve myself so I definitely want to hit the net more often this year — that’s what I’m here for.”

One of the five major tournaments in the badminton circuit, the All England Badminton Open in Birmingham will see China’s world No. 1 Chen Long defend his title. He ascended to the coveted position after beating Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei at the end of 2014.

This time, Chen will face stiff competition from a strong field that includes compatriot and five-time-champion Lin Dan, who last won the title in 2012.

PHOTO: LEO SHENGWEI / PLAYMAKER

AFTER single-handedly holding Asian giants Japan to a goalless draw last June, Singapore’s IZWAN MAHBUD later impressed J2 League side Matsumoto Yamaga during a trial in December.

But the trial did not lead to any signing and Izwan has joined Tampines this season instead.

The 25-year-old custodian is hopeful of replicating his form for another overseas stint.

If Izwan’s performances in 2015 is any indication, opponents will be finding it difficult to breach the Stags’ defence this season.

PHOTO: LEO SHENGWEI / PLAYMAKER

THE oldest in this list, DANIEL BENNETT (in green jersey) is no stranger to fans as he gears up for his 16th season in the S.League.

With a record 128 international caps for Singapore under his belt, the 38-year-old defender brings a wealth of experience to his new club Geylang International.

The former Warriors FC star is joined by LionsXII alumni Gabriel Quak and Sahil Suhaimi.

Bennett said: "With all these exciting players, I believe we have a team that can challenge for honours. That's the exact reason why I came to the club."

2

ALL ENGLAND BADMINTON OPEN (8-13 MAR)

BANK OF SCOTLAND 3 ROYAL SIX NATIONS (12,13, 19 MAR) Defending champion Ireland lost all hope of securing the first treble in the annual rugby union competition’s history after losing 21-10 to England in the third round on 27 Feb. England is now in pole position to claim the Six Nations trophy after extending their winning run to three games. The competition is set for a nailbiting finish, with the English team set to play Wales and France — who are one and two points behind respectively — in the final two rounds of games.

4

AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX (20 MAR)

Get ready for some rubber-burning action Down Under as threetime world champion Lewis Hamilton opens his Formula One World Driver’s Championship defence in this extended season of the Grand Prix. Meanwhile, his Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team will also be looking to retain the World Constructors’ title. Fourtime consecutive champion Sebastian Vettel will also be looking to reclaim his title, after Hamilton ended his streak last year. Also on Hamilton's heels is dark horse Daniel Ricciardo, who has finished in the top ten since his debut in 2014.

5

MANCHESTER UNITED VS. MANCHESTER CITY (21 MAR)

Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal is under pressure to earn a win amid speculations that former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho might take over his position. A victory over Manchester City would keep United in the running for a fourth place finish and the Champions League qualification — which might help Van Gaal keep his ricebowl. Both teams are level on points, and with United having played one game more, Manchester City will look to pull ahead of their local rivals and cement their position in the top four.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini is also aiming to end his term on a high with a Premier League title.

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Riding through the waves Led entirely by freshmen, NTU's Wakeboarding Club is looking to cement its position in the tertiary scene Ignatius koh

T

hey took up the challenge despite their lack of experience.

Thrust into leadership roles just two weeks into their university lives, the NTU Wakeboarding Club’s Executive Committee — comprising five first-year students in all — hopes they can steady the boat after a rough start.

Wakeboarding, a water sport, involves riding on a board and performing acrobatic movements while towed behind a motorboat.

Each NTU wakeboarder now pays $45 for a 20-minute training session on water.

Due to the costly nature of the sport, the club’s membership dropped to an all-time low last year.

“It feels like we’re starting the club from scratch,” said president Jessica Tsang, 21, a first-year National Institute of Education student.

The club was formed in 2012 and has 35 members now, of which 18 are exchange students — a far cry from the six members it had just a year ago.

Only four wakeboarders represented NTU at last year's InstituteVarsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Games, where they failed to win a medal.

But with a complete Executive Committee and more athletes this year, the team is confident of a podium-finish at the Games in July.

“It won’t be easy, because the other schools are more experienced,” said Tsang. “But I think third place is possible if we train really hard.”

Team captain Ho Jia Wei, a firstyear student at the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, had only started wakeboarding six months ago after being introduced to the sport by the club’s seniors.

“There are some good riders in the team this year, so I have to put in more effort to keep up with them,” said the 21-year-old.

Although 25 of its current members are new to the sport, Tsang insists lack of experience is not a problem.

“On the boat, the experienced members advise the newbies on how to balance themselves, and to relax,” she said.

The difficult part of wakeboarding, she said, is getting the technique right.

“It can get scary when everyone is watching,” said Tsang, who has been wakeboarding for four years.

She said men usually take a longer time to balance than women.

“The men tend to resist the pull of the boat, which causes them to

NTU Wakeboarding Club president Jessica Tsang (pictured) hopes students do not feel intimidated by the idea of performing wakeboarding tricks.

PHOTOS: NICHOLAS YEO

Left: Despite having no prior experience, NTU Wakeboarding Club captain Ho Jia Wei relished the challenge of leading the team.

Right: Led by Ho and Tsang, the club is gunning for a podium finish at the IVP Games in July.

tire out faster,” said Tsang.

Guiding the team is coach Mr Frankie Ng, 41, a silver medallist at last year’s Southeast Asian Games.

Mr Ng declined to be interviewed.

Apart from water training once a week, the wakeboarders train on land once a week for two hours.

To improve their stamina, the team does sprints and running intervals, and static exercises such as push-ups and pull-ups to build muscle endurance.

A podium finish at the IVP

Games will give the club a higher chance of being promoted from Tier 2 to Tier 1 of the Sports Club’s categorisation, which will increase their funding.

This will attract more students to join the club, said team captain Ho. “There are a lot of people who are willing to try wakeboarding, but it is an expensive sport and they are put off by the price,” said Ho. While the high cost of the sport has deterred some local students, the novelty of wakeboarding has

attracted foreign and exchange students, who are willing to fork out money to try the sport.

Turkish student Iskender Omer Burak, 23, a first-year PhD student at the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, joined the team because he wanted to try something new.

Burak said: "Wakeboarding is a new sport that allows me to explore the possibility of competing for NTU.” “The excitement dominates the

experience more than the stress of the cost," he added.

To encourage more people to join the club, Tsang addressed a common misconception.

“Wakeboarding is something most people think is out of their league, because there are many tricks involved," said Tsang. "But these can be picked up progressively."

“It’s different from what they expect, which is why I think it’s a sport worth trying.”