The Nanyang Chronicle Vol 23 Issue 06

THE NANYANG

CHRONICLE IVP: Hits & misses

SPOTLIGHT | Page 18-19

VOL. NO.

23

06 6.02.17

ISSN NO. 0218-7310

What’s Inside The Quad closes permanently NEWS | Page 3

New halls, new complaints NEWS | Page 4

New food places on campus LIFESTYLE | Page 6

Students split over North Hill gym SPORTS | Page 17

News

NTU start-up rents out dorm essentials to exchange students

NTU start-up Dorm Buddy rents out dormitory necessities to students living on or near campus Lim Woei lin LOOKING for a broom or clean bed sheets for your short-term hall stay? Dorm Buddy, a hall essentials rental service, promises to meet your room furnishing needs.

Founded by seven undergraduate students from the University, the service rents out dormitory necessities and has been a hit among exchange students on and near campus since its launch last December.

Budding entrepreneurs

Conceived in June last year, Dorm Buddy started off as a graded class project submitted by undergraduate students Dhanraj Bahety, Pratyum Jagannat, Rinie Gupta, Mah Wei Ren, Pey Si Ya, Peh Qian Hui, and Koh Sheng Jie. The seven students, who hail from different faculties, were taking a module under the Minor in Entrepreneurship programme, which required them to create a business using their entrepreneurship knowledge.

The idea of a hall essentials rental service came about after the team noticed the large number of dormitory items left behind by exchange students moving out of hall at the end of every semester.

“Our international friends would always leave stuff with us due to limited luggage capacity,” said fourth-year School of Biological Sciences (SBS) student Gupta, who is the team’s marketing officer and used to live on campus.

The 22-year-old added: “We wanted to do something good by being more environmentallyfriendly, minimising the waste created and giving convenience to our customers.”

With that objective, Dorm Buddy was born.

The team eventually decided to take their project beyond the classroom, investing more than $3500 out of their own pockets to turn it into a full-fledged business.

By October last year, Dorm Buddy was officially registered under the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority and be-

gan operations in mid-December.

How to rent

On its website (https://dormbuddy. sg/), the service touts itself as a “one-stop destination for all student life dorm-needs”.

Basic necessities such as hangers ($3 for a set of 10), pillows ($10), routers ($15), extension cords ($10) are available for short-term rental on the site, with the prices for each item ranging from $2 to $15.

In comparison, a set of five hangers from supermarket chain Giant retails at $3.90.

Customers can also choose to customise their orders or purchase different package combinations of dormitory necessities.

“We wanted to do something good by being more environmentallyfriendly, minimising the waste created and giving convenience to our customers.”

Rinie Gupta, 22 Marketing officer of Dorm Buddy Fourth-year SBS student

A basic combo ($42) consists of a pillow, a bed sheet, a blanket, an ethernet cable and two universal plug adapters.

A premium combo ($70) includes the addition of two bath towels, a broom set, 10 hangers, a laundry bag and a trash can.

Delivery is also provided, with item collection usually at hall offices on campus, as well as nearby MRT stations such as Pioneer and Boon Lay. As the rental period is on a semestral basis, students will be able to schedule a return of the rented items by the end of the semester via the Dorm Buddy website.

Items returned by students will be cleaned before subsequent rental, with the exception of pillows and towels which will be donated.

“Overwhelming” response

Response to Dorm Buddy has exceeded the team’s expectations so far, achieving double the sales amount initially predicted.

The team had a booth during

Dorm Buddy’s technology officer Pratyum Jagannat, a third-year School of Computer Science and Engineering student (left), delivers dormitory necessities to Sam van Geldorp, a third-year exchange student from Amsterdam (right).

PHOTO: ZHENG JUNCEN

the exchange students’ orientation last month, during which all their pre-packed combos on sale were snapped up within an hour, and their routers within 15 minutes.

According to the team, an estimated 120 exchange students have rented basic necessities from Dorm Buddy to date.

While Dorm Buddy’s customer base is mostly made up of the University’s exchange students, they have received more than six orders from exchange students at National University of Singapore and Singapore Management University.

Convenient and affordable

Exchange students interviewed by the Nanyang Chronicle said they were glad for the convenience of Dorm Buddy, as many of them were not sure of where to purchase affordable dormitory essentials.

Third-year exchange student Kim

Seung Kyun from Sogang University, South Korea, managed to purchase all his dormitory essentials from the Dorm Buddy booth at the University’s orientation last month.

“As I was having a difficult time finding places to buy items I needed, I decided to use their service. Luckily, I was able to have my room fully equipped through using Dorm Buddy. I feel like I’m living in a hotel now.”

The 23-year-old student added: “By using Dorm Buddy, all I have to do is to return the items. This creates less waste and also prevents additional spending for the next incoming exchange student.”

Sam van Geldorp, a third-year exchange student from University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam, was introduced to Dorm Buddy by a fellow friend who had rented items from the service.

The 19-year-old ordered only a

router and expressed regret at not knowing about the service earlier when he first arrived.

“Due to the luggage limit, there were many I could not bring from home and I had nothing in my room.”

Sam van Geldorp, 19 Exchange student from Amsterdam

“Due to the luggage limit, there were many items I could not bring from home and I had nothing in my room. I had to find and buy them, which took up a lot of time,” he said, adding that he found the service simple and efficient because the items were delivered directly to him.

(Continued on Page 3 )

VOL. NO.

23

NEWS

THE NANYANG

06 CHRONICLE

(Continued from Page 2 )

Not for everyone

Although the service is taking off among exchange students here, others have their reservations about renting second-hand items.

Le Van Viet, a full-time fourthyear School of Civil and Environmental Engineering international student from Vietnam, said: “I would not use the service as I am uncomfortable using items that have been used by other people who I do not know personally.”

The 24-year-old added: “Even if they have been cleaned, I need to

be well-assured of the standard of cleanliness.”

Others such as graduate student Naqaash Shabbir Ahmad, who is on exchange here, said he would rather buy his own items as the rented products might be faulty.

The Civil Engineering student from the Technical University of Denmark said: “I bought my router for about $32, while their router costs $27.50 after adding the delivery charge and deposit.

He added: "The price difference is not that great. It would be more troublesome if the router doesn’t work and I have to return it.”

03

Looking to the future

Though Dorm Buddy is still a fledgling start-up, the team is already looking to the future.

While the service mainly targets exchange students who are taking up short-term residence here, the team hopes to attract local students in the upcoming months by selling new dormitory products such as hall furniture and decor online.

Other plans include expanding the service to cater to individuals in other local universities, as well as broadening the range of rental products to include fridges, bicycles, and even calculators.

Dorm Buddy rents out routers to students for $15.

PHOTO: ZHENG JUN CEN

The Quad closes, new F&B outlet to open in its place Students lament the loss of the University's only fully halal-certified canteen Shabana Begum POPULAR eatery The Quad Cafe has permanently closed its doors on campus, with a new food and beverage (F&B) outlet set to open in its place next semester.

The Quad Cafe closed on 6 Jan after its lease ended, which was not renewed for undisclosed reasons, said Mr Jimmy Lee, the University's Chief Housing and Auxiliary Services Officer.

The Quad Cafe, which was located outside the School of Biological Sciences (SBS), was the only canteen in the University to be fully halal-certified.

It closed temporarily in early September last year after its halal certification was suspended, before reopening in the same month sans the certification.

The new F&B outlet will be selected by a committee comprising NTU students, faculty and staff, and the University aims to have an F&B operator that can offer halal options, Mr Lee added.

In the meantime, vending machines dispensing food and drinks will be installed outside the Quad Cafe in the coming weeks. The vending machines will sell halalcertified Asian and Western meals, with prices starting at $4.

Once the new food outlet opens, the machines will be shifted to other parts of the campus.

Muslim students interviewed by the Nanyang Chronicle welcomed the move.

First-year SBS student Asheka Nasordin, 19, said: “We don’t have a lot of (halal) options to choose from and having something new to try will definitely be a reason to patronise the vending machines.

“I can finally fulfil my Western food cravings without having to walk to the NIE canteen, which also closes early.”

First-year School of Humanities and Social Sciences student Nadhira Putri, 19, said she was curious to try the meals offered by the new vending machines.

"In light of what has happened with The Quad Cafe, it is great and also sensible that they deployed the machines."

"Not only does it benefit us Muslims by compensating for the fewer halal options that the Quad’s closing has resulted in, it also provides a convenient option for all students who have lessons near that area, and would on normal days rely on the Quad as a convenient place to grab their lunch," she added.

Despite the prospect of having ready-made hot meals at their doorstep, some SBS students said they were sceptical about purchasing their meals from the temporary vending machines.

Third-year SBS student Tan Yuan Ming said he would not buy meals from the vending machines as they are costly.

“I would rather walk to Koufu at South Spine to have my meals.

Installing vending machines is not the best alternative and I hope the University will speed up the establishment of the new outlet,” the 23-year-old added.

Charlotte Boo, another third-year student from SBS, said vending machines usually do not offer nutritious options.

“Vending machines may provide too much gravy and too little vegetables. Meat would most likely be processed as well,” said the 22-year-old.

But others such as Adeline Tan,

The Quad Cafe closed on 6 Jan after its lease ended, which was not renewed. It closed temporarily last September after its halal certification was suspended.

PHOTO: VALERIE LAY

22, were open to the convenience of a quick, instant meal on campus.

“I will patronise the vending machines when I have short lunch breaks to avoid the crowd at other food outlets,” said the third-year SBS student.

Many students whom the Chronicle spoke to lamented the loss of The Quad Cafe, which had previously established itself as a popular halal dining establishment and well-frequented lunchtime spot in the University.

For Hakim Rosli, 22, a secondyear SBS student, The Quad Cafe holds fond memories for him.

It was at the canteen’s Korean stall that he had his first taste of Korean food.

“The Korean stall was a recent haunt for me. After hearing about the entire canteen’s closure, I was appalled. I’ll definitely miss the spicy chicken with rice,” he said.

Tosy Tan, 20, a second-year School of Computer Science and Engineering student, said she would have her lunches twice a week at The Quad Cafe after her morning lessons.

“I will miss the Yong Tau Foo stall. The fried Yong Tau Foo was really good and can’t be found

anywhere else in NTU,” she added.

For second-year Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information student Vivian Yuan, it was not just the food from The Quad Cafe that left an impression on her.

The 23-year-old said she would always remember the stallholder of the claypot dish stall for her jovial and generous demeanour.

“The claypot auntie enthusiastically introduced her new dishes to students every other week,” Yuan said. “She would offer me samples of her new soup before I decided to have the dish.”

04

NEWS

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

23

CHRONICLE 06

New halls, new woes Residents of Tanjong, Binjai and Banyan halls complain about flooding and poor telecommunication signals Sarah Ng Wong Jinghui THE new North Hill residential halls may be only five months old, but residents have already complained of flooding problems and poor telecommunication signals since moving into their rooms.

During a prolonged heavy downpour two weeks ago, students living in Tanjong, Binjai, and Banyan halls found the corridors along their rooms flooded with water.

Flooding problems

Tanjong Hall resident Asyraf Kamil, 24, was greeted by the unpleasant sight of his floor’s pantry and corridor submerged in muddy water when he left his room.

“It was pretty shocking because it was the first time I have seen an enclosed area in hall flooded,” said the final-year student at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communications and Information, adding that the area had flooded at least three times since he moved into the hall last October.

Kamil also expressed concern that the wet floors could be a safety hazard for residents. “If someone is running, he or she may slip and fall,” he said.

The recent spate of wet weather has not favored residents at Binjai and Banyan Hall, who have also been plagued with soaked corridors on a regular basis.

Fourth-year School of Computer Science and Engineering student Zhang Jie, who lives at Banyan Hall, said the corridor outside his room had flooded thrice in a week because of the heavy rain.

He emailed the hall office to inform them of the issue and was told that they were currently working with contractors to solve the issue.

However, improvements have not yet been made, he said.

Poor mobile reception

To add on to their woes, residents have also experienced poor mobile reception on their devices.

Banyan Hall resident Sheilla Yendri, 18, said she was completely unable to receive service on her mobile phone in her room, while the corridors also suffered from poor reception.

“There is only one bar displayed for mobile signal on my phone

along the corridor, and I have to go out of the hall building whenever I need to take or make a call,” said the first-year School of Material Sciences and Engineering (MSE) student.

Over at Tanjong Hall, the situation was similar. While resident Lee Rong Jie Leslie, 21, is able to receive calls, he stated that the signal on his phone gets occasionally cut off when he dials out.

But the first-year student from the Nanyang Business School considers himself one of the luckier ones. He said his neighbours, in comparison, are unable to receive signals on their phones at all, and often have to move to an open area or the ground floor to use their mobile phones.

In response to queries from the Nanyang Chronicle, Chief Officer

The new North Hill residential halls were completed last September and can house over 1,850 residents.

PHOTO: ZHENG JUNCEN

“There is only one bar displayed for mobile signal on my phone along the corridor, and I have to go out of the hall building whenever I need to take or make a call."

Sheilla Yendri, 18 Banyan Hall resident

of Housing and Auxiliary Services Jimmy Lee said they are aware of the issues and are taking active measures such as alerting the mobile service providers about the poor mobile reception.

He added that the office has also mobilised more cleaners to keep the corridors dry in the event of another flooding.

Content with any room

But some residents interviewed said the teething troubles were a small price to pay for their rooms, especially for those who were previously unable to secure on-campus accommodation.

Completed in September last year, the North Hill halls consist of a total of six 13-storey blocks. The three halls can house over 1,850 residents and currently have an above 75 per cent occupancy rate.

In addition to common facilities such as study areas and air-condi-

Heavy rains have caused flooding along the corridors of Tanjong Hall.

tioned lounges, the North Hill halls boast the university’s largest gym, which is located at Binjai Hall.

Ngo Shian Haw, 26, a fourthyear student from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, was previously placed on the hostel waitlist and had to live off-campus for the last two years.

This semester, he managed to secure a room in Tanjong Hall.

Less competition

Though wireless Internet connection in his room is unreliable, he said: “I think that building these new halls is good because it helps to reduce competition for hall

rooms, which can be quite a stressful process.”

Despite the flooding problems, Quan Zee, a fourth-year School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering student, is content with his new single room at Binjai Hall.

“The price is slightly more expensive, and some students might not afford it. But I find my rental fee moderately affordable and the privacy I have is good,” he said.

More expensive

The monthly rental fee of a nonair-conditioned single room in each of the three North Hill halls is $390, the same cost as those from

PHOTO: ASYRAF KAMIL

Pioneer and Crescent Halls.

Fees of the rooms at the older halls are lower, ranging from $245 to $395.

Banyan Hall resident Eddy Lim, 22, said: "For such an ambitious project, there should not be such small problems that impact residents in such a negative way."

However, the fourth-year School of Computer Science and Engineering student remains optimistic about his stay.

He said: "The problems faced are an inconvenience, but they are not so extreme to the extent that I feel disappointed about living in Banyan Hall."

Lifestyle

GUIDE TO AFFORDABLE THEATRE SHOWS Tips & Tricks

Go down to SISTIC counters

That’s where some of the ‘secret’ deals are:

THEATRE ON CAMPUS Encore or bore? As one dramatic Final Year Project tries to spread the theatre bug across campus, Lifestyle writer Claudia Tan gets behind the scenes to find out more about the culprits behind the invasions in NTU.

A

s the lecture drew to an end, you could hear pens clicking, chairs shifting. The students got more fidgety with each passing minute. After all, the only thing that stood between them and lunch was the last 15 minutes of the Economics lecture at the Hive.

Just when it seemed like the slides on monopolies would go on indefinitely, the projector screen changed abruptly. “Standby for invasion”, it flashed in bold, black letters.

The students looked around, murmuring to one another.

Right on cue, a middle-aged lady in a blazer over her dress, tottered on high heels into the lecture theatre, and sat by a desk facing the students. “Miss Sarah, come in,” she said sternly, her voice reaching the very last rows of the theatre.

“Miss Sarah” and the lady were actresses from the Buds Theatre Company, present as part of a surprise live performance of a 10-minute excerpt from the local play ‘Don’t Kancheong, Kiasu & Kiasi’.

The performance was part of a Final Year Project (FYP) by Year Four Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information students Adeeb Fazah, Lydia Lim, Melody Ann Gibson and Teresa Zhou.

Calling themselves Theatre Invasion Singapore, the group had embarked on a series of “Theatre Invasions” across three lectures in NTU in the first two weeks of school, as part of their five-month long campaign to promote theatre.

The other two invasions were at the Lee Kong Chian lecture theatre and School of Biological Sciences.

“We decided to do something that bands all of us together,” said 23-year-old Zhou. “And we genuinely feel that there’s something people can gain from theatre.”

Nicholas Lee, 21, who was at the economic lecture, was pleasantly surprised. “It was quite ingenious of the FYP group to reach out to students like that,” the second-year School of Humanities and Social Sciences student said.

Since the performance was about education professionals discussing the grades of an underperforming student, second-year HSS student Natalie Chan found it relatable.

“I thought the content of the play was engaging,” Chan, 21, said. “It is pretty relevant to us students.”

Fellow second-year HSS student Dhiya Batrisyia, 21, said she would even consider actually watching the full play.

Theatre Invasion Singapore also partnered with The Finger Players, another local theatre company.

The two companies were convinced to go on board after the group members shared with them their aspirations of improving sentiments towards local theatre and fostering a theatre-going culture through their campaign.

The FYP group believes that theatre is a device to give voice to issues that may not surface on a dayto-day basis.

Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT) - the same company that brought in Shakespeare In The Park and, recently, Disgraced sells almost all the shows at a student discount of $15 (Usual Price $35-$55).

The Finger Players offers a $10 student discount for some of their shows.

Head online to SISTIC.com.sg

Students, early bird and credit card discounts.

Pangdemonium has a 25 per cent off tickets for students on Tuesday shows.

Like and Follow Follow theatre companies on their Facebook pages to stay up to date on special deals.

v

OR

Putting the theatre in lecture theatre, FYP group Theatre Invasion Singapore has been invading lectures in NTU to promote local theatre to students. PHOTO: ZHENG JUN CEN

“There’s always something to learn,“ said 25-year-old Fazah, also the co-founder of an external theatre group, A Second Breakfast Company. “You just go inside the theatre and leave as someone with a bit more perspective.”

‘Don’t Kancheong, Kiasu & Kiasi’, for instance, uses theatre as a medium to help audiences recognise the need for an education system that does not limit a child’s potential.

Recognising the dedication and potential of the campaign, the National Youth Council (NYC) agreed to fund the FYP project with S$5000, a bump up from their usual S$3000.

With the extra funding from NYC, the group has plans to expand their project further. “We are currently looking at getting more actors to do more invasions in NTU and also pumping in more money into our giveaways,” said Lim, 23.

But certain barriers deter students from watching more theatre,

explained Gibson. “They might find that theatre is too expensive, hard to relate to or exclusive,” the 22-year-old added.

Such a sentiment resonated with second-year HSS student Chan Kah May, 22, who watches theatre shows occasionally.

“Theatre is good, just that it’s usually expensive,” she said.

“That’s my main concern.”

Many students, however, are unaware of the various affordable options for theatre shows out there.

“There are many student discounts available as more companies are choosing to engage students,” said Lim. Looking forward, Theatre Invasion Singapore hopes to collaborate with the National Arts Council and take their invasions to schools beyond NTU. “Although this campaign will only last till March, we definitely want it to live beyond our FYP,” said Gibson.

SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS

And for students, a taste of the arts is closer than you think.

Other than shows put up by theatre companies, you can also look out for them in schools, where student productions are usually more affordable.

NTU

Look out for hall and school productions in the first semester.

Usually priced between $15-$25.

YALE-NUS

Follow them on Facebook to stay updated on their theatre performances, usually priced at $3.

LASALLE

Follow LASALLE on Peatix to be aware of their upcoming performances which are mostly FREE or priced affordably at $10.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream 21-25 February

By LASALLE, Free. http://midsummer.peatix.com/view

06 LIFESTYLE

THE NANYANG

23

VOL. NO.

CHRONICLE 06

Refuel with NTU's newest eats Two polar opposite refuel stops have arrived at NTU. Follow Lifestyle Writer Kezia Tan as she explores the clean and wholesome multinational O’Briens Irish Sandwich Café, then gets down to feasting on sinfully good, sizzling hot food at Top Pot Steamboat and Mookata.

1

1. Even without sides, the Triple Deck Irish Sandwich ($7.90) is filling enough to satisfy two.

O'Briens Irish Sandwich Cafe Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine Opening Hours Monday to Friday: 8am — 6pm Closed on Weekends and PH

2. The secret to the flavour in the Organic Black Rice Salad ($7.90) is O'Briens special homemade sauce — made of honey, olive oil and red wine vinaigrette.

H

idden on the third level of the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine is O’Briens Irish Sandwich Cafe, newly opened at the start of the semester. And perfect for anyone who likes their healthy food.

The first thing you will realise as you exit the elevator is the warm, aromatic smell of coffee wafting through the air.

Follow your nose to a wide, spacious café with a view — O'Briens is situated indoors, where floor-toceiling windows offer a backdrop of lush greenery beyond the school compounds, creating an atmosphere of tranquility amid the hustle and bustle of school life.

The panoramic view is a tough competitor for attention, but the

2

food holds its own.

The menu consists of mains, sandwiches and salads, and beverages like coffee and fruit juice.

Prices of mains range from $7.90 to $8.70, and drinks start from $3.20.

Following the recommendations of the manager, Marlon Arroyo, we ordered a Triple Deck Irish Sandwich ($7.90).

The portion was generous, with three toasty brown slices of wholemeal bread, each spread with a layer of sweet pickle relish. Sandwiched between the slices is the one ingredient that makes it a clear winner — the black peppered sliced

3

3. The grill on the mookata pot at Top Pot Mookata & Steamboat is wider and flatter than most other stores, reducing the frustration of having to repeatedly fish your barbecued meat out of the soup.

PHOTOS: ZHENG JUN CEN

sausage. Bite into it and the spicefilled, juicy goodness explodes all over your tastebuds.

For the vegetarians, the café offers non-meat options, too. There are six such dishes on the menu, but more combinations can be created if you take up the DIY option for your salad, sandwich or wrap at the salad bar for $7.90.

One option is the Organic Black Rice Salad ($7.90). The crunchy vegetables balance well with the soft black rice covered in O'Brien's homemade house sauce. As an innovative touch, the salad comes tucked inside a wrap, with lightly

salted potato chips on the side.

For some serious carb-cutting, spring for the Greek Salad ($7.90) — a bed of lettuce, onions and olives topped with a generous serving of feta cheese, and served with olive oil vinaigrette dressing on the side. Its light flavours make it a goto dish for a hot day, though those who love a good flavour kick might find the taste a little bland.

For drinks, we ordered a large Cappuccino ($4.80). Using beans sourced from Timor Leste, Flores, and South America, the coffee here is Italian-styled and served in an eye-catching neon orange paper

cup. The cappuccino itself was fragrant with a strong taste of the roasted beans.

Overall, the one drawback at O’Briens is the price, which can be a little above the budget of an everyday meal (especially when cheaper food court grub is a stone’s throw away).

Currently, they're offering a wallet-saving set meal of a plain cheese sandwich, pastry and coffee or tea at $4.90.

That said, it’s a refreshing new addition to the NTU food scene, and worth a visit for those who love their greens.

Top Pot Mookata & Steamboat Tanjong Hall (Hall 20) Opening Hours Monday to Sunday: 11am — 11pm

them at the counter. Prices for meat start from $2.00 a plate and vegetables from $1.00.

There are also varying pot sizes: Large with a sharing soup base ($5.00) to split with your meal companions, and Small with an individual soup base ($2.00).

According to manager Daniel, you can get a satisfactory meal from as low as $10. His recommendation combines two meat dishes, one vegetable, rice ($0.50) and refillable water ($0.30).

For a heartier meal, we chose to add more dishes of meat, mushrooms and instant noodles — bringing the total to $15 for each person.

For either the steamboat or mookata, there are four different types of soup available: Mala, Vegetarian, Tom Yum and Pork Bone — the latter two being the customer favourites. We got the mookata, the more popular choice here, with the pork bone soup.

The spread available had meat choices like black pepper chicken and chicken breast, seafood including squid and prawn, and processed food comprising the likes of bacon, fish cake and luncheon meat.

Vegetable choices are lacking — there was only cabbage available

the day we popped by — though a few types of mushroom add some variety. For the necessary carbs, you can choose either rice, vermicelli or instant noodles.

In our books, the black pepper chicken came out on top, and is definitely worth grabbing. It was marinated to perfection — juicy and tender. When you bite into it, it delivers a punch of savoury umami flavours.

In contrast, the chicken breast dish was disappointingly dry, and the bacon too salty.

The pork bone soup started off tasty but turned too salty as well because of the marinades that drizzled down into the soup from the grill. A trick would be to add some water to the soup for a quick fix.

More flavours will be arriving at the tables of Top Pot soon, among which are beef dishes and new soup options, including a seafood broth.

All of them are still pending approval from the school.

For now, diners can expect a tranquil open alfresco dining experience, complete with the smoky scent of grilled meat. That, and the affordable prices, make Top Pot worth dropping by with your friends soon.

W

ith the opening of the new North Hill halls comes a new dining spot. Sitting atop level three of Hall 20, Top Pot Steamboat and Mookata is an affordable option if you are looking for a meal long after the sun sets.

Inside, the restaurant is spacious, with about 20 tables of indoor and outdoor seating. The sheltered alfresco area is windy and pleasant — perfect for casual dining on a hot evening or feasting on a hot pot on a cold night.

There’s an interesting fusion of Western and Thai in the decor. Mini Buddha statues sit alongside rustic boards declaring “Made in America” and “Homemade Apple Pie”.

Typically emptier at lunchtime, the restaurant’s peak hours are during dinner, so do make a reservation if you plan on coming then.

Instead of the typical buffet spread, Top Pot offers an a la carte menu, which those with smaller appetites may be glad to hear.

Just pick your items from two display refrigerators and pay for

Opinion EDITORIAL

No place for ignorance in Trump era

In arguably the most controversial moment in his term as president of the United States (US) thus far, Donald Trump signed an executive order restricting people from seven Muslim-majority countries — Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen — from entering the US for 90 days, while “new vetting measures” are established to keep terrorists out.

Global backlash would be a fair way to put it — there have been protests at airports in the US, while a furore of criticism has come from world leaders and celebrities alike.

Singapore is no exception.

Iraqi-born Zaineb Al-Qazwini, a research fellow at the National University of Singapore, is now unable to enter the US, despite receiving documentation for permanent residence there in December — a two-year process.

This has scuppered her family’s plans to relocate to the US this month. She is married to an American sales operations director who has worked and lived here for six years; they have a two-year-old daughter.

Her plight has gained attention online; a Facebook post by The Straits Times garnered 1,100 likes and 97 comments.

While many netizens were

sympathetic of the family’s situation, some were cynical and appeared to support the travel restriction. One user even remarked that refugees “have no economic contribution”.

The real danger comes when we ignorantly buy into grandiose ideas and plans that promise success and change without assessing them first. Islamophobia has no place in Singapore, where 14.3 per cent of its population is Muslim as of 2010.

Though Trump has given assurance that the travel ban is meant to keep America safe from terrorism, and not a ban against Muslims, it is imperative for us to be critical in such uncertain times.

Trump’s will to protect his citizens is admirable; his desire to eradicate terrorism from his country understandable. But such a drastic move only serves to empower ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria), further polarises an already divided population, and alienates affected people around the world.

With Singapore enjoying close ties with the US, any future move could impact us significantly. The least we could do is ensure we are wise enough to repudiate attempts to divide us as a community.

THE NANYANG

CHRONICLE CHIEF EDITOR

SPORTS EDITOR

LAYOUT ARTIST

SUB-EDITORS

DAPPER EDITORS Gary Khoo Roy Tan

TEACHING ASSISTANT

PHOTO EDITORS

Yeo Kai Wen

Nicholas Tan

Justin Kor Louisa Tang Sharanya Pillai

NEWS EDITOR

Sean Loo

Paige Lim

Valerie Lay Zheng Juncen

LIFESTYLE EDITOR

GRAPHIC EDITOR

OPINION EDITOR

BUSINESS MANAGERS

Amanda Chai

Aiswarya Devi

Toby Tan

Sheena Wong Vanessa Tan

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

Febriliani Tan Ryan Tan

LAYOUT SUPERVISOR PRODUCTION SUPPORT Joe Tok Kenny Wong

FACULTY ADVISORS Edson Tandoc Zakaria Zainal

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.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

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

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

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

Young at heart, but old school?

GRAPHIC: EUGENE THAM

Grace Yaw

A

s a freshman in university, I felt stranded between two generations.

At orientation camp, I played games involving newspapers and plastic balls, danced to silly songs and screamed along to cheers with lyrics proclaiming one’s superiority over other orientation groups.

In stark contrast, other friends of my age were tying the knot and toasting to marital bliss with cheers of “yam seng”.

At 26, I was probably one of the oldest first-year students at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. I dreaded questions about my age, and the awkward silences that inevitably would come after my response.

Although in my second year now, the dissonance of being an older undergraduate has scarcely faded.

School has turned into a familiar routine, but I am still unsettled by the thought of being considered a peer by classmates much younger than me.

Although the act of learning is truly timeless, the physical environment where learning is conducted involves cultural navigation, especially if the majority of individuals consider you an exception to the norm.

After all, while I played hopscotch and kuti kuti in primary school, my peers had not even been born.

What delayed my university admission? Mine, unfortunately, is not an inspiring tale of beating the odds within our education system to enter university through the road less travelled.

Rather, my story reads like a cautionary tale. Six years

ago, I enrolled in economics at the National University of Singapore, plunging into the world of econometrics, graphs, and irritatingly complex mathematical formulae.

It was a struggle to maintain my grades while balancing cocurricular activities and leisure. My Cumulative Average Point plunged below the dreaded 3.0 mark, and after repeated failures over the span of my final two years in NUS, I dropped out to work.

After which, I realized how important education was — the salary of a student with merely a GCE ‘A’ Levels qualification can be abysmally low. I saved up in the hopes of getting a shot at a better future. Being accepted into NTU gave me a second chance.

But nothing prepared me for the cultural differences between me and my peers.

For a start, many of my peers, fresh out of junior colleges and polytechnics, were eager to start dating. I found myself the unexpected mentor of several friends, since I was older and supposedly more experienced. Here I was, trying to get my life back together, and there were people looking up to me?

It was also extremely frustrating to try to explain my age difference whenever I met someone new. There were moments where I loathed the need for constant introductions and cheery smiles in the neverending series of group interactions.

I tried different methods of confronting the issue — playing it cool through the awkwardness, meandering through an explanation of my past in NUS, or sometimes even playing the cautionary aspect of my tale up a little in a vain

attempt to appear wiser.

Things that seem to be inconsequential take on new importance when you’re looking for similar interests to talk about, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the current fashion trends or music scene.

At times, the topics my peers discuss seem so juvenile and insignificant, especially since I am working on the side, handling bills and thinking about my future career right from the get-go.

There have been moments where I considered avoiding people just to prevent these uncomfortable situations. I can recall several instances where I felt more at ease with the tutors and lecturers, as compared to my peers.

However, something resonated with me when I got to know my peers outside the classroom. I found that despite the age difference, I found that I could help them avoid the mistakes I made in NUS. Having run the gauntlet of unceasing failures, I realised that my experience could help them make better decisions while in school — such as choosing which course to minor or take a second major in, preparing for exams effectively, and above all else, knowing when to abandon something that they could not handle.

It is easy to give encouragement to peers who feel despair, since I once shared their predicament. I can easily draw upon my wealth of failures and small successes when asked for advice.

I have realised that age truly is but a number, and learning never ceases, even if everyone else around you is from a different generation.

Sometimes, you can become the educator, especially when you least expect it.

08

OPINION

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

23

CHRONICLE 06

Growing up with NTU

drawing block Mo-Ments is an initiative by four students from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information to motivate young adults to commit to money management.

Follow Mo-Ments on Facebook and Instagram for more comics and stories on how money management can help you realise the moments that matter to you.

GRAPHIC: TOBY TANNDA

Aiswarya Devi Opinion Editor

A

s you enter university, expect to be disappointed.

The NTU that I stepped into as a freshman in 2013 is not the same school that I will be graduating from this year. Like the rambling of any average teenager, my journey in NTU matured over time.

Picture a scrawny 20-year-old, not quite grown out of her teenage years — or her acne — entering an impressive campus that houses one of the world’s most gorgeous faculty designs.

NTU, to my innocent first-year eyes, seemed like the land of promise, full of opportunities beyond my wildest imagination.

The wide variety of CCA and research programmes offered endless choices. I could gain convenient financial independence with the work-study scheme.

I took up a position as the publications director in the Tamil Literary Society and worked as a student assistant for a professor.

I joined a number of freshman orientation camps, including those held by the Humanities and Social Sciences faculty and the Tamil Literary Society, and volunteered to be on the committee for several.

NTU allowed me to take charge of my life. As a young adult, it was exactly the environment I needed.

And then it all went to hell. My time in NTU was not what this scrawny youth expected it to be.

The campus underwent major changes in my second and third years. The hall life and the stunning greenery of NTU was part of the package of NTU that had apGRAPHIC: LOW ZHANG QUANNDA pealed to me. However, hall life

was nothing more than a reprieve from the heavy construction noises that pervaded the campus.

Often enough, this also meant that my peers and I lose our favorite hangout spots.

Not to mention the sweaty mess I was, evading the many obstructed passages and maneuvering around diversions as I made my way to attend classes.

The surrounding dust and noise pollution that filled the campus mirrored the chaos that was the end of my first two years at NTU. The ambitious, wide-eyed first-year student had given in to the stress of balancing the three most important “S”-es of any college student: school, social life, and most importantly, sleep.

It was as if the image I had of myself traipsing through the stunning campus of NTU with my perfect grades and my perfect social circle, had collapsed in on itself. Instead, I was a tired, unhappy student in an equally lackluster setting.

My friends and I were disappointed, to say the least.

I realise now that a sense of entitlement had preceded my expectations. My years of academic advances — from primary school to the dreaded A levels — had reinforced in me a pride for my ability and determination.

In an eager attempt to prove myself, I had spread myself too thin.

I had unknowingly conditioned myself to believe that I had crossed some form of invisible finish line.

That upon my admission to university, my academic life and career would sort itself out naturally.

I could not have been more wrong, however.

Success is not an end game, but a continued work in progress.

The process does not always look pretty, but at the end of the day, I realise that I now have a renewed understanding of my goals.

Despite the inconveniences of the construction works in NTU, the NTU campus has never looked better. Much like the campus infrastructure that has housed me for the past four years, my work ethic has undergone a major remodel.

I am better able to multitask, while also acknowledging my limitations. Instead of spreading myself thin over too many activities, I have learnt to focus myself on a few tasks that I can excel at.

Likewise, I would be selling myself short if I do not acknowledge the gains of my disappointments.

I had been disappointed with my ability to cope with my academic ventures. And I had let these frustrations be aggravated by the surrounding mess of my physical environment. However, in the end, I have gained from them both.

As I walk through the campus today, I feel as I did when I first stepped into this university — positive. The open concept of the North Spine, with sunlight filling the corridors, the new buildings in the South Spine and the fresh new look that my school has, fills me with hope for my future outside as I step out of my academic life.

Expectations are great if you are prepared to be disappointed — to learn from these disappointments.

As this final year comes to an end for me, I face the seemingly daunting world outside, remembering that it is not about the dirty, noisy journey, but the results that grow out of it.

After all, if NTU can reinvent itself, then its students most definitely can.

VOL. NO.

23

THE NANYANG

06 CHRONICLE

BLACK L

Parade

ace and crochet are not just for the diehard romantics. Exude your inner sultry femme fatale and turn heads this Valentine's Day.

DAPPER 13

14-15 DAPPER

NAIL THE LOOK 1. Pare down your dress with minimal accessories.

You will want the attention to be on the intricate details on your dress.

2. Dress up with silver accessories to modernise the outfit.

3. Complete the femme fatale look with a bold red lip and face contour.

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

23

CHRONICLE 06

PHOTOGRAPHER

GARY KHOO

STYLING & TEXT MAKEUP MODEL

COVER: Lace Maxi Dress: from Made For Winners; $44.90

FAR LEFT: Crochet Midi Dress: from Made For Winners; $36.90 ABOVE: Lace Maxi Dress: Made For Winners; $44.90 Crystal Bracelet: Model’s own

RIGHT: Lace-wrap Maxi Romper: Made For Winners; $34.90 Drop-down Earrings & Crystal Bracelet: Model’s own Stockist: Made For Winners, www.mfwstore.com

ROY TAN

TEH XIA YIN

XENER GILL

16

GRAPHIC

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

23

CHRONICLE 06

Sports

Students split over North Hill gym Students are divided over the opening of the new North Hill gym and the closure of the two gyms at the Sports and Recreation Centre

Sean Loo Sports Editor

N

TU students who want to head to an on-campus gym for a workout will soon only have one viable option — the new North Hill gym.

The new gym, which opened on 3 Jan, replaced the two gyms located at the Sports and Recreation Centre (SRC). SRC Gym 1 closed on Jan 9, and Gym 2 will be closed at a yet-to-be-announced later date.

In an email to the Nanyang Chronicle, Tan Qingyu, a final-year student from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, expressed his concerns about the closure of the SRC gyms.

“The North Hill gym alone is far from enough to be able to accommodate the entire fitness crowds,” he wrote.

Currently, the North Hill gym is the only gym that is open to all students and staff members. The other gyms located at the National Institute of Education, Campus Clubhouse and selected residential halls have limited access.

Trial period

According to the SRC’s website, the North Hill Gym is currently open for free trial to all NTU students, staff and faculty.

However, starting from a later date (tentatively 1 April), the gym will only be open to paid members (staff, faculty, and part-time students). Registered full-time students who are sports-fee payees will also be allowed entry without additional charges.

Tan also described the location of the new gym as “just not as good” compared to the SRC. The new gym is located in the new North Hill residential halls cluster, just opposite Halls of Residence 10 and 11.

Tan was also dissatisfied with the training equipment available.

“Our gym equipment and training platforms are in dire need for improvement,” he added.

The new gym does not have a power rack and has only a single barbell available for users. In con-

The new North Hill gym opened on Jan 3, replacing SRC gyms 1 and 2, to mixed responses from the student body.

trast, the SRC Gym 1 had a power rack and three barbells.

Community gym

According to Mr Chia Chin Yeh, Senior Assistant Manager at the SRC, the North Hill gym will not be providing a free weight power rack (a weight training equipment without the movement restrictions) as it is meant to be a community gym catered towards less-experienced recreational users.

“We will continue to monitor the necessity for the provision of free weight power rack for the NTU community; but in the meantime, we encourage experienced gym users to go to commercial gyms for their specific requirements and equipment,” said Mr Chia in an email response to the Chronicle.

Despite the lack of a free weight power rack, Mr Chia pointed out that the majority of users had a positive view of the new gym.

For instance, he cited a survey carried out by the SRC that showed 76 per cent of the users felt that the range of strength and conditioning equipment met their needs.

He added that the new gym carries the new Queenax training system — a suspended (using a system of ropes and webbing) bodyweight

“We will continue to monitor the necessity for the provision of free weight power rack for the NTU community; but in the meantime, we encourage experienced gym users to go to commercial gyms for their specific requirements and equipment.”

Mr Chia Chin Yeh Senior Assistant Manager, SRC training system.

The same survey also showed that 92 per cent of the respondents were satisfied with the North Hill

gym overall.

Mr Chia added that the closure of the SRC gyms was a step to provide better service for users.

“We have consolidated the two unmanned gyms to a fully manned gym that is open seven days a week, including public holidays,” he said.

One satisfied user is first-year Renaissance Engineering Programme student, Kok Hui Yuan.

“I find the machines here quite sufficient for my work out. I do weight training; there are barbells, weights, and machines,” said the 21-year-old, who previously frequented the old SRC gyms.

Increased use

According to Mr Chia, an average of 432 users utilise the new gym daily, a marked increase compared to the SRC gyms, which saw a combined average of 162 users.

But some users like Huang Zhe, 26, found it more difficult to get a proper workout due to the crowd.

The first-year graduate student from the School of Computer Science and Engineering told the

PHOTO: VALERIE LAY

Chronicle that it has become difficult to find a machine to use, especially during the evening peak period on weekdays, 5pm — 7pm.

Always crowded

Henry Loh, who stays at Binjal Hall (Hall 19) that is part of the North Hill cluster, also told the Chronicle that the new gym tends to be “always crowded”.

“I tried using the gym last week from 3pm — 4pm. While it is not exactly the peak period, I still have to queue for the use of certain equipment,” said the final-year student from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

The 25-year-old hopes that the North Hill gym will soon be made exclusive to residents upon the completion of the new SRC building. He said: “Ultimately the gym here should be for the residents, given that the North Hill cluster have one of the higher rents among NTU halls.”

While there is another gym planned for the upcoming SRC building, it will only be opened to members of NTU sports teams.

18-19 SPOTLIGHT

The NTU women’s floorball team celebrates a 1-0 penalty shootout win over National University of Singapore following an intense match that ended 3-3 after extra time.

A series of hits and misses

Nanyang Technological University athletes clinched five titles out of nine sports in this year’s Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Games. Our photojournalists Valerie Lay and Zheng Jun Cen document this season’s highlights.

N

TU fell short in its medal haul in this year’s IVP Games that kicked off at the start of this year.

The three weeks of games saw losses for the netball, volleyball, and football teams.

The University was the best performing institution in last year’s IVP. But this year, NTU managed to retain only the women’s basketball championship title.

Only the top two teams of each sport at the Singapore

NTU women’s basketball player Sixu Vongsuvanish, 21, a Nanyang Business School student, shielding the ball from her SIM opponent.

University Games (SUniG), which took place from September to October last year, advanced to compete at the IVP Games.

But NTU also managed to score surprise wins in women’s floorball, men’s badminton, and men’s basketball.

NTU’s swimming (overall) and women’s bowling teams also bagged championship titles.

The IVP games will officially close after the ultimate frisbee and contact rugby teams compete in March.

NTU netballer Jane Tan, 24, from the School of Materials Science & Engineering, competes for a rebound against her opponent from Singapore Institute of Management.

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

23

CHRONICLE 06

“I learned that the “Some random support and enquote here, I couragement from don’t know how my teammates and coaches long it isare soreally I important. ” the can’t decide

“We laughed off any unfairly called fouls against us in the finals (against NUS), I think we really got into their heads!”

“Kudos to my Junior Koh Zuo Heng, a last minute replacement who finished fourth and broke his personal best time!”

Name Aldrea Leong, 22, SSM Title Tennis Table

Jade Rivera, 21, SSM Floorball

Lester Tan, 23, HSS Track and Field

size of the text.

Let me know!”

NTU sprinter K. Sarravannan, 24, a School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering student, does a victory jump after claiming a bronze in the 4X400m men’s relay.

NTU’s Gopalan Elango (in black jersey), 24, from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, competes for a header with his opponent from Singapore Polytechnic.

NTU shuttler Xie Ze Sheng from School of Computer Science and Engineering lunges forward in a doubles match with teammate Bryce Ang, a Sports Science and Management student.