Vol. 25 Issue 5

THE NANYANG

CHRONICLE INSIDE The rugged road

VOL. NO.

25

05 14.01.19

ISSN NO. 0218-7310

Students struggle to find halal food in hall canteens While there are more options in the central parts of the campus, Muslim students have just two halal-certified stalls to choose from in NTU’s 10 hall canteens

Three NTU students have traded Matthew Loh glitzy hotels and tour packages for GETTING food backpacking adventures

LIFESTYLE | Page 4-5

Hustle over the break

A glimpse into the life of some of the staff and students who remain on campus over the school holidays

SPOTLIGHT | Page 8-9

好吃的麻辣香锅往 哪找？ 南大三个售卖麻辣香锅的摊位 让你回味无穷

生活| Page 17

A dry spell

Fewer students have been signing up for the IHG since the two-year hall stay was introduced

SPORTS | Page 18

while living on campus is convenient for most students, who can pop by their hall canteens for a meal.

But for Muslim students like secondyear School of Biological Sciences student Izzdanial Iskandar, 22, grabbing a bite is more difficult.

The stalls at Izzdanial’s hall canteen are not halal-certified, so the Hall of Residence 14 resident must walk about five minutes to the neighbouring Tamarind Hall for his meals.

As of November last year, there are only two halal-certified stalls in NTU’s 10 hall canteens — one in Tamarind Hall and the other in Canteen 2. Both sell ayam penyet, an Indonesian fried chicken dish usually served with rice.

As a result, most Muslim students living on campus have to eat from these two stalls, or settle for stalls that do not use pork or lard — which some feel uncomfortable with.

Izzdanial said: “The main difficulty for me is that there’s no variety. I can’t really be eating ayam penyet every day, and I prefer not to risk eating from non halal-certified stalls because I have no guarantee that their suppliers do not store their other meat with pork.”

His next alternative is at the North Spine, which is a 1.2 kilometre-walk from Hall 14. Central areas on campus have multiple halal eateries, such as McDonald’s at the North Spine and the Koufu food court at the South Spine.

“It’s time-consuming to travel there and it’s especially inconvenient for me during exam periods when I just want to eat my meals quickly so I can get back to studying,” he said.

A spokesperson from the Office of Housing and Auxiliary Services said that it requires every food court and canteen on campus to have at least one halal-certified food stall. The spokesperson also stated from their records that there should be six Muslim stalls in the hall canteens – however, not all of them are halal-certified.

They did not elaborate further on why the ruling of one halal-certified food stall per hall canteen is not strictly enforced, but said they welcome more halal stall owners.

Second-year School of Art, Design and Media (ADM) student Nurjannah Suhaimi, 22, said NTU should introduce more halal food choices in hall canteens to cater to Muslim students. “It would help to make the campus a lot more inclusive,” said the North Hill resident.

There was a halal-certified stall selling

Izzdanial Iskandar, 22, orders an ayam penyet at Tamarind Hall’s canteen. The stall is one of two halal-certified stalls in NTU’s hall canteens.

chicken rice in the North Hill Food Court, but it shut down last November. The closest halal-certified options for Nurjannah now are snacks from the mini-mart at the North Hill or at Canteen 2, which is halfway across campus from her hall.

“(More halal food choices) would help to make the campus a lot more inclusive.”

Nurjannah Suhaimi, 22 Second-year student School of Art. Design, and Media

Whenever she attends classes at ADM, she usually waits in school until dinnertime to eat at Canteen 2 or at the North Spine. When she has no time to do that, she “compromises” and eats from the Western stall at the North Hill Food Court, which does not use pork or lard.

“Even then, I still feel uncomfortable eating there sometimes because I don’t know if the utensils from the Western stall have touched pork before.”

Reluctant to be halal-certified Last November, the Nanyang Chronicle found that each hall canteen had at least one stall that fulfills a key requirement for obtaining a halal food certificate — selling food without pork or lard.

However, these stall owners may not be motivated to apply for a halal certification, as some Muslim diners are willing to eat non-

PHOTO: JOEL CHAN

halal food as long as it does not contain pork or lard, and others opt for fruits and vegetables instead, said Associate Professor Lynda Wee, of Nanyang Business School’s division of marketing and international business.

Being halal-certified also increases the cost of operation due to the need to comply with certain guidelines, such as training current staff members and hiring at least two permanent Muslim employees. These costs may be passed on to diners, added Dr Wee. But stall owners could be incentivised to apply for halal certification if the hall canteen management provides waivers or rebates to reduce the extra cost. she said.

The owners of the stalls which do not use pork or lard told the Nanyang Chronicle that they would apply for halal certification if the financial costs of maintaining it were waived, but were also concerned about other requirements imposed by the licence.

Owner of an Indian food stall in Canteen 11, Mr Shah, 45, said switching all of his current suppliers to halal food providers would be too troublesome.

Ms Amy Khoo, 52, who owns the Korean food stalls in Pioneer Food Court and Canteen 13, said there are no job vacancies at her stalls and thus cannot hire a Muslim staff, which is required for halal certification.

As of last November, the Office of Housing and Auxiliary Services did not announce any plans to open new halal stalls at the hall canteens.

But Muslim students who stay on campus are hopeful for more halal food options this year.

Izzdanial said: “I just wish that NTU can do more because this issue affects us badly and there’s not much we can do ourselves to fix it.”

News

LKCMedicine amps up anatomy study with 3D-printed models These models of body parts and organs were created in partnership with NTU’s Singapore Centre for 3D Printing to improve study of the human body in Singapore Alan Yuen THE HEART has a complex network of veins, arteries and valves that overlap and intertwine with each other, making it difficult for medicine student Muhammad Nasrullah Bin Shahrir, 21, to study it using two-dimensional images in textbooks and videos.

“It’s quite hard to memorise the different parts and pathways when you can’t see where they go,” said the first-year student from the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine).

But now, with the help of a 3D-printed heart model, Nasrullah can hold the recreated organ in his hand and examine it more closely.

Last October, LKCMedicine

The different colours on a 3D-printed hand help students to differentiate the body part’s intricate layers.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NTU

collaborated with NTU’s Singapore Centre for 3D Printing to produce 20 anatomy models, which include hearts, hands, elbows, knees and airways, in a move to make the hands-on study of human anatomy in Singapore more accessible.

Human anatomy has traditionally been studied across universities in Singapore using actual cadavers and preserved or embalmed organs, which have to be kept in

jars or hardened in plastic. The use of 3D-printed models in medical schools is a first in Singapore. These models are set to allow medicine students like Nasrullah to better visualise the human anatomy.

The models were made by scanning donated organs from deceased patients, and then recreating them using plastics of various hardness and colours.

A set of upper and lower limbs

will be added to the medicine school’s collection this April.

The 3D models will provide students with more opportunities to handle, examine and inspect organs, said the school’s head of anatomy, Assistant Professor Sreenivasulu Reddy Mogali.

“For example, students can feel how a hollow blood vessel feels different from the more dense heart muscle,” he said.

The models also contain different layers and colours, which help students to better visualise the structure of the organs and differentiate intricate layers from each other, he added.

Phua Wei Yuan, a second-year LKCMedicine student, said that having such specimens to feel and examine has made it easier for him to visualise how a body part works.

“Currently, we can only see preserved specimens of diseased organs. They’re kept in jars of liquid and it’s hard to imagine how it fits into the body,” said the 22-year-old.

Other students are looking forward to practicing procedures on the models, such as giving injections or placing catheters.

Ryan Chor, a second-year LKCMedicine student, said this could help him to learn without the pressure of making mistakes.

“It’s very embarrassing to learn how to draw blood from a real patient and make mistakes. With the models, we can afford to learn better from our mistakes. On a real patient, it’s not an option to slip up,” the 22-year-old said.

The 3D models cost less than preserved organs, so students can handle the former without worrying about damaging them, said the school’s head of anatomy Prof Mogali.

According to an NTU spokesperson, 3D-printed models cost about a tenth of a preserved one.

Moving forward, LKCMedicine said in a press release that it is working to improve the printing technology so that specimens will touch and feel like real flesh tissues. For Phua, this is an exciting prospect.

“For now, we practice performing injections on arm models that are made of sponge-like material that doesn’t feel very natural,” he said.

“Having a 3D-printed arm will make practice more realistic.”

Peer helpers roll out more mental health outreach programmes A new Cozy Hub at the North Spine’s Global Lounge will also serve as a place where students can de-stress and learn more about mental wellness Jeanne Mah A GROUP of student volunteers in NTU are ramping up their efforts to raise awareness about mental health, through a series of talks and events to be held on campus this semester.

These volunteers — also called peer helpers — are part of NTU’s Peer Helping Programme (PHP), which was launched in 2009 by the University Wellbeing Centre (UWC), then called the Student Counselling Centre.

Their role is to keep a lookout

for peers they see on campus who seem to be in emotional distress and refer them to the UWC if needed. They also act as confidants, under the supervision of UWC counsellors, and offer a listening ear to students who approach them to talk about the emotional and social challenges in school.

Now, these peer helpers are going a step further to organise and run programmes, which are supported by the UWC, to educate students about mental health, such as how to manage stress during the examination period and where to find information and resources on self-care.

While the UWC has been conducting outreach programmes through the years, student peer helpers will now be more involved in their design and execution.

UWC’s senior assistant manager Kelly Cheong believes that having

students involved in the outreach process will enhance the effectiveness of the programmes.

Ms Cheong said: “We believe students play a vital role in reaching out to their peers as their involvement will have a synergistic effect to UWC’s overall outreach efforts.”

A new cozy hub These efforts come after the completion of the PHP Cozy Hub, an area in the Global Lounge at the North Spine which officially opened in October. The hub serves as a location for these outreach events to be held.

The hub has resources like activity cards and board games for students to de-stress. These are prepared by the PHP volunteers in collaboration with community partners such as the Community Health Assessment Team and the Health Promotion Board.

There will also be activities held at the hub, which will be announced and publicised at a later date, said the UWC. Ngoi Lusin, a second-year Nanyang Business School student, said the hub serves as an accessible and convenient place to find out more information about mental health.

“I’ve always wanted to learn more about mental wellness and self-care but never knew where the peer helpers or the events were located,” said the 20-year-old.

Former peer helper Mr Ang Chin Heng, an NTU sociology graduate, said that his past experience of helping students have included one-on-one conversations with students in need.

“We usually act as listening ears for peers who do not have anyone to turn to. If outreach programmes are conducted at one location like the Cozy Hub, it would allow for

more opportunities for peer helpers to conduct events and reach out to students,” said the 26-year-old.

Seek help if needed While the Cozy Hub was created as part of the peer helpers’ outreach efforts, students should also take the first step to seek help if they are distressed, said Student Affairs Office director Tan Siok San. “While we strive to continuously improve our educational efforts to create awareness among the student population on the importance of self-care and self-help, we want our students to know it is important to seek help when needed,” said Ms Tan. “The Cozy Hub is still a work-inprogress and in time to come, we hope it will be a place for students to chill and relax while learning more about mental wellness,” she added.

VOL. NO.

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NEWS

THE NANYANG

05 CHRONICLE

03

More exchange students learning European languages in NTU These languages may not be commonly spoken in Singapore, but students from Europe are finding plenty of reasons to learn languages spoken in their region here Osmond Chia PICKING up a European language may not seem like an activity a visitor to Asia would have on their to-do list, but many European students are choosing to do just that at NTU. According to the Centre of Modern Languages (CML), there has been an increase in the number of European exchange students taking European language modules here, such as Russian, German and Italian.

For instance, German language classes saw 18 European exchange students last year, an increase from 10 students two years ago, according to German language course coordinator Patricia Lorenz.

Some of her students come from countries like Slovakia, Sweden and the Netherlands.

“Being able to speak more than one language is hugely beneficial in the European market.”

William Thorne, 21 Final-year exchange student Nanyang Business School

Ms Lorenz, who is also the chairperson for publicity at CML, said she expects this number to rise to more than 20 this semester.

The Italian classes had 14 European students last semester, an increase from six students the previous semester, said Italian language course coordinator Ariana Caruso.

Better job prospects Some exchange students the Nanyang Chronicle spoke to said they were keen on taking language modules here as they were unable to take them in their home countries.

There are no foreign language courses at Amanda Gustavssol’s university back in Sweden, and this prompted her to take up both French and Spanish language classes while on exchange.

PHOTOS: THEODORE LIM

Ms Angelika Dimböck, a German language teacher, conducting a German course at NTU's language laboratory.

“It is not an option at home as all my classes are core classes.

Language courses are available only in private schools, so it would be very expensive to study,” said Gustavssol, 23, a finalyear Nanyang Business School (NBS) student.

Ms Lorenz said that many European students find learning these languages useful in expanding their career prospects in Europe.

“With globalisation, language becomes very useful to have and gives you an advantage. Employers in many countries are likely to ask how good you are at the local language, and preference will be given to someone who knows it,” she said.

Exchange student William Thorne, 21, who is from the United Kingdom, said he took the German language module as he intends to live in other parts of Europe in the future.

The final-year NBS student said: “Being able to speak more than one language is hugely beneficial in the European market, so it is a good opportunity to start learning while I’m on exchange.”

Swedish exchange student Maxamed Duran, 22, was also keen to learn German as he plans to do an internship in Berlin next year.

The third-year School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering student said: “While it’s not a requirement, it will

probably help to develop my career in the European market. Many of the companies I hope to work for have some connection to Germany.”

Ms Lorenz acknowledged that there may be an issue of students who are already proficient in a language taking the modules, but said there are sufficient measures to prevent this. All students must sign a declaration that they have had no prior education in the language of study. They are also required to sit for a placement test before receiving approval to attend the class.

“If they claim that they haven’t had previous experience, and they come to class and teachers recognise that the student knows the language well, they will be pushed to higher levels,” said Ms Lorenz.

A taste of Europe While it is impossible to replicate the experience one might have if they were based in the country from which a language originates, Ms Lorenz said tutors do their best to immerse students in a foreign culture.

Gustavssol said her tutors in her French and Spanish classes think of creative ways to bring the culture to class. Tutors have brought local snacks and played music popular in the language’s country of origin, she said.

Third-year Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information

Ms Dimböck giving feedback about her students' presentations.

exchange student Leonie Bruckner, 25, who is from Sweden, also appreciated that her Spanish language tutors, who were from Spain and South America, could share their experiences from home.

Ms Lorenz said culture and

language go hand in hand.

“We want to provide a mindopening experience and get students in touch with a different way of life”, she said.

“Language is a catalyst for this experience.”

Lifestyle

BACKPACKING AROUND THE WORLD

Instead of tour packages and fancy hotels, more students are taking the road less travelled by going on backpacking adventures. Samantha Koh speaks to three backpackers to find out more about their experiences

Chan Jie Yu, 23, has been on 19 backpacking trips since 2015.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHAN JIE YU

DURING 23-year-old Chan Jie Yu’s first backpacking trip to Vietnam in 2015, she spent two weeks travelling around the country.

“Backpacking was something I had wanted to do since young as I was bored of the environment around me,” she said.

Since then, the second-year Nanyang Business School student has been on 19 backpacking trips, which include getaways to countries far from home, like Romania and Morocco.

“The entire experience constantly excites me because I never know who I am going to meet next or who can change my view of life,” she said.

Like Chan, more students are

Ryan Lee, 23, backpacked across Asia and Europe in 64 days last summer.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RYAN LEE

choosing to go on backpacking trips during the school holidays and for their graduation trips.

According to a 2013 Forbes article, a report done by the World Youth Student and Educational Travel Confederation – an Amsterdam-based non-profit organisation that promotes the youth travel industry – showed that $217 billion of the $1.088 trillion global expenditure on travel in 2012 came from young travelers, many of whom were backpackers.

A learning journey

“The entire experience constantly excites me because I never know who I am going to meet next, or who can change my view of life.”

During her summer holidays from May to August last year, Chan spent almost two months travelling around China and Central

Chan Jie Yu, 23 Second-year student Nanyang Business School

Oh Jee Hon, 21, backpacked for the first time last year, travelling to three European countries.

PHOTO COURTESY OH JEE HON

Asia in her longest backpacking trip to date.

She was interested to learn about the lifestyle of Muslims in China and the history of the ancient Silk Road. In order to do so, she travelled to 17 cities along the Silk Road.

“I roughly knew some of the major cities I was going to visit but I planned my itinerary and transport on the spot,” said Chan.

One of the places she travelled to was Kashgar, a town in Xinjiang, China. A majority of its citizens are Uyghur, a Turkic ethnic group, and practise Islam, so Chan spent five days there in order to experience their lifestyle.

She recounted her conversations

with the locals about the hardships they faced.

“They weren’t allowed to celebrate their biggest festival, Eid New Year. Muslims there are not allowed to wear headscarves, and there were security checks everywhere, even at shopping malls and night markets,” she said.

During the trip, Chan also hitchhiked for the very first time, and this eventually became one of her main modes of transportation on her journey. In order to get around, she often waited at gas stations to hitch rides from locals who were travelling in the same direction.

“There are trains that travel between the different cities but I wanted to try hitchhiking because

it was something I had never done before,” she said.

However, hitchhiking was still nerve-racking as she never knew what kind of drivers she would encounter.

One slightly harrowing experience was when she hitched a ride from an elderly Chinese couple who took an unexpected detour during the drive.

“The road was so bad that they had to do a detour and I couldn’t see where we were going on the map on my phone. They even joked about kidnapping and selling me away but I wasn’t that worried considering that they were in their sixties,” she said.

Despite her many backpacking trips, she still enjoys the thrill of rugged adventure, and hopes to plan another trip soon.

“Travelling allows me to meet different people and explore new environments. It is a pricey hobby but backpacking is a cheaper alternative especially because I couchsurf most of the time and also travel for long durations, making the trip worth my money.”

Alternative holiday Three countries in two weeks — that sums up 21-year-old Oh Jee Hon’s solo backpacking trip around Europe last year. During the summer holidays, the first-year student from the Asian School of the Environment backpacked for the first time and travelled to Germany, the Czech Republic and Spain.

His holiday in Europe started with a family trip, but Oh struck out on his own after they parted ways in Copenhagen, and kicked off his backpacking journey by taking a ferry to Berlin.

“I like the spontaneity of backpacking alone. Travelling alone

“Everyone has a different story and getting to know them broadens my horizons and perspective of the world.”

Oh Jee Hon, 21 First-year student Asian School of the Environment

allows me to interact with many other travellers and plan my own schedule or do whatever I want,” said Oh. During his two-week trip, Oh mingled with locals and fellow travellers through Couchsurfing

Hangouts, an outline platform for people to meet others in the vicinity to attend events or have meals together.

“I had to be more outgoing because I was alone and wanted to meet new people. Couchsurfing Hangouts gave me the chance to meet people from Berlin, Spain, Germany and Scandinavia,” said Oh. He went to a music festival in Berlin with a group of new friends he had met on the platform.

“It was nice and fun to hang out with like-minded people who enjoy travelling. A few of them who organised these hangouts were locals hoping to get to know people from around the world,” he said.

While he was travelling, Oh kept to a tight budget, which meant that he had to cut costs whenever he could. He stayed in backpacker hostels and walked an average of 15 to 20 kilometres every day to avoid expensive public transport fares in places like Berlin and Barcelona.

He also kept his expenses low by asking locals for cheap and good food recommendations.

“One of my favourite memories would be the beef goulash I had for five euros in Berlin. It would have cost close to 16 euros in a typical restaurant if I didn’t know where to go,” he said.

After his first taste of backpacking, Oh looks forward to hitting the road again and hopes to backpack in Scandinavia next.

“I want to get to know more people from around the world.

Everyone has a different story and getting to know them broadens my horizons and perspective of the world.”

Oh (top-left) made international friends while backpacking in Berlin.

way across was if he found someone willing to drive him through.

He eventually hitched a ride from a stranger who drove a van.

“I thought that I was going to be the only passenger, but the driver ended up spending 1.5 hours picking up random people. There were even knife smugglers on board,” said Lee. One of the passengers he met in the van ended up helping him

when he arrived at the train station and wanted to travel to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.

“I couldn’t communicate with the counter staff due to the language barrier and ended up relying on a Mongolian girl I met on the van who could speak Chinese to translate for me,” he said.

Without her, he would not have been able to buy the tickets to get to his next destination in Mongo-

PHOTO COURTESY OF OH JEE HON

lia, he added.

To Lee, the greatest satisfaction during his trip was when things went according to plan.

Before embarking on his journey, he had spent about two months planning for the logistics of the trip.

“The fun part was knowing that the plan I created thousands of miles away in Singapore could be executed.”

Series of unexpected events Last summer, 23-year-old Ryan Lee embarked on a backpacking trip for more than two months, travelling across Asia and Europe.

The second-year School of Social Sciences student and a friend from primary school were free during the summer break and their schedules happened to match up, so they decided to backpack from Bangkok to London.

But 20 days into the trip, Lee’s friend had to fly home due to a family emergency, and Lee spent the remainder of the trip backpacking solo.

“Nothing much changed, but I decided to make a beeline for Western Europe and the Nordic countries instead of spending more time in Russia and Mongolia,” he said.

One of his most memorable experiences was crossing the Hohhot border from China to Mongolia.

There were no other modes of transport available and the only

Lee at London’s Tower Bridge during his solo backpacking journey from Southeast Asia to Western Europe.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RYAN LEE

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LIFESTYLE

THE NANYANG

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VOL. NO.

CHRONICLE 05

STRIKE A POSE From fashion shoots to corporate videos, some students are putting their best face forward by taking up modelling as a part-time job. Megan-Nicole Lye speaks to two part-time models to find out about their experiences in front of the camera lar brands. In October last year, she landed her first full production shoot with South Korean cosmetics brand Laneige after they contacted her through Instagram.

“I had to work with a full team of photographers, videographers, make-up artists, hair stylists and the entire production crew,” she said.

It was a new experience for her, as she usually did her own hair and makeup for the Topshop photoshoots. Modelling for Laneige was also more stressful because she had never worked with such a large team before, she said.

But her hard work paid off when she saw her poster at the Laneige Glow House in Ion Orchard, a popup store promoting the beauty brand’s holiday collection.

“I was amazed when I saw my face on their poster, and I felt honoured and grateful for such an opportunity,” she said.

But working with famous brands is not her main motivation for being a model — Low enjoys modelling for what it is, she said.

“I like the fact that I can play dress up, pose for the camera, and get paid at the same time,” she said.

lot of my friends came to support me,” he said. “They shouted and cheered, and that really uplifted me during the walk.”

Ong won a two-year contract with local modelling agency Nu Models, and now appears in advertisements on television and online.

The first job he received after the competition was a starring role in a corporate commercial for utilities company SP Group. Other projects he has been involved in include a promotional video for The Gong Show, an awards presentation ceremony for the Creative Circle Awards, which recognise creativity in the advertising industry.

These jobs have provided additional pocket money for him, said Ong, who added that modelling is a lucrative source of part-time in-

come as models can receive jobs that pay up to $150 per hour.

However, it is not easy to get jobs, due to market preferences and intense competition at auditions, he said.

“Brands often cast international models because they look more exotic,” said Ong. “It’s about the fit for the advertisement. Asians don’t usually fit the ideal description of what the brands want, so a lot of it depends on luck.”

But Ong remains optimistic about modelling, and he is driven by the thought of making his family proud.

“Whenever my grandparents watch television and see a commercial that I modelled in, they go ‘look, my grandson is on TV!’, and that is a really nice feeling."

A stroke of luck

Carrine Low, 20, has modelled for brands like Topshop and Laneige.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARRINE LOW

ONCE every two months, Carrine Low, 20, travels from NTU to the Central Business District with a team of stylists and photographers to snap pictures of her in multiple outfits, as part of her modelling gig with Topshop.

The second-year Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information student, who has been modelling since she was 16, has been a part-time model for Topshop Singapore’s Instagram account since last April.

She is among several NTU students who are pursuing modelling as a part-time career to earn extra pocket money.

One step at a time Low caught the attention of Topshop Singapore due to her 14,000-strong following on Instagram, and the brand asked her if

she was interested in modelling for their Instagram account.

Her first photo shoot for the clothing brand was nerve-racking because she had not worked with such a well-known brand before, she said.

“I was scared about looking bad, but the photographer was really nice,” she said. “I was expecting it to be really formal and professional, but he was patient and guided me on how to pose.”

This was Low’s first collaboration with a renowned brand; her modelling stints before had involved only blogshops on Instagram. That said, she does not intend to pursue modelling as a full-time career as she wants to go into digital marketing and advertising.

Since she signed with Topshop Singapore, Low has clinched modelling gigs with a few other popu-

Meanwhile, Bryan Ong’s first foray into the world of modelling was strutting down a catwalk at Bugis Junction in March 2017, when he participated in the CLEO Campus Model Search.

It was an unprecedented move for the final-year School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering student, who had been scouted to join the competition after redeeming vouchers and leaving his contact details at a CLEO Magazine booth outside of South Spine’s Koufu food court.

After agreeing to participate in the competition, the first thing Ong learned was how to walk like a model, alongside 19 other contestants.

“I didn’t know what to do, when to turn, how long to pause during the poses, and how to pose,” the 24-year-old said.

Although Ong felt judged by the other contestants, he decided to just give it his best shot.

His determination eventually paid off. Despite feeling completely out of his depth, Ong clinched third place in the competition.

“It was an interesting experience to walk in public with strangers staring at me. I was nervous, but a

Bryan Ong, 24, kickstarted his modelling career in 2017, after clinching third place in the CLEO Campus Model Search.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRYAN ONG

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LIFESTYLE

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FOR THE LOVE OF

FILMMAKING

With over 20 years of filmmaking experience under his belt, Associate Professor Chul Heo is now sharing his passion for directing with students in NTU. Rachel Chiu finds out more about his career as a filmmaker and educator WHEN Associate Professor Chul Heo first arrived in the United States in 1996 for his post-graduate studies, he was taken aback by the racial discrimination AsianAmericans faced.

Being of Asian descent himself, he could relate to the struggles Asian-Americans experienced, and wanted to give them a voice.

Two years later, that voice came in the form of his directorial debut Between Two Worlds, a documentary illustrating the struggles of young Asian-Americans who were caught between a traditional Asian way of life and a Western society that harboured several racial stereotypes.

Today, the 52-year-old continues to shine a spotlight on issues he is passionate about through his films. Besides directing documentaries and movies, Prof Heo is also imparting his filmmaking knowledge to the next generation of filmmakers as an Associate Professor at the School of Art, Media and Design (ADM), a role he took on last year.

that are rooted in their culture.

“I hope my students can make films based on Southeast Asia’s context and history rather than just blindly following popular culture,” he said.

Besides sharing his knowledge with his students, Prof Heo also sees his job as an opportunity to learn from them.

“I regard my students as my colleagues. I get a lot of good insights from them, and I can offer them advice on mistakes that I have made before,” he said.

Looking ahead

Film inspirations Prof Heo decided to pursue his filmmaking dream by enrolling in the Master of Fine Arts programme at Brooklyn College, New York in 1996, after completing his undergraduate studies in Korea University.

His interest in filmmaking was first sparked by his passion for music and the fact that music can be visualised through music videos, he said.

Music videos for songs like Another Brick in the Wall by rock band Pink Floyd have been his sources of inspiration, and he had originally even wanted to direct music videos, he added.

In New York, he discovered the beauty of film and realised he could continue his interest in music through filmmaking.

“Film is a comprehensive medium and can include different elements like music, lighting, colour and other aesthetic elements,” he said.

Since his first film was released in 1998, Prof Heo has gone on to direct more than 15 films, many of which tackle social issues.

His most recent film The Return was inspired by the 2014 Sewol Ferry Disaster that occurred in

Associate Professor Chul Heo, 52, has directed more than 15 films in the past two decades.

South Korea. There were more than 300 fatalities, many of whom were high school students.

“I believe that as filmmakers, we make films to touch people’s hearts, be it through drama or documentary” Prof Chul Heo, 52 Associate Professor School of Art, Media and Design

Released in 2017, the feature film tells the story of a group of characters who patronise a makgeolli (Korean traditional rice wine) shop, each waiting for a loved one to return.

They frequent the shop because of a sign hung there which reads “If you drink makgeolli here, the people you miss will return”, but some of them wait in vain.

The film was an allusion to the lack of closure that relatives of the victims received, said Prof Heo. “I wanted to make a film based on the sentiment of parents of the victims who would do anything to bring their children back but never got a clear answer,” he added.

The movie was screened at 56 cinema theatres in South Korea for three weeks. It was well-received in the film festival circuit, and won the Golden Zenith Award at the 41st Montreal World Film Festival in 2017. To Prof Heo, the award was a form of affirmation.

“This award was a very big encouragement because although commercial markets may not recognise the film, an international film festival has found it to be good,” he said.

In any case, directing a commercial hit has always been the least of his concerns.

“For me, film is purely where I can talk about social issues and

PHOTO: THEODORE LIM

present them to the audience,” he said.

A passion for teaching Prior to joining NTU, Prof Heo taught film and television courses at San Francisco State University and his alma mater Korea University, for seven and five years respectively.

“Teaching was something my faculty advisors at Brooklyn College encouraged me to pursue,” he said.

“They felt I had intellectual curiosity about the world, and that I could learn more through teaching and filmmaking at the same time,” he added.

Last January, Prof Heo joined the ADM faculty. He chose to teach in Singapore because of its diversity, he said.

“Singapore is very multicultural and I feel very comfortable being here. I can utilise my Western education here and make Asian films at the same time,” he added.

He currently teaches courses on digital film production and the history of world cinema, and hopes to inspire his students to make films

Although Prof Heo now lectures in ADM, he is still active as a director and has a new film in the works.

His next film is in Korean – its title loosely translates to Cartoon World in English, and is slated to be released in 2020.

“The film is about two North and South Korean spies who have a passion for cartoon drawing and work under a cartoonist as assistants, but it isn’t like the usual spy movies where a mission is involved,” he said.

Instead, the film highlights the hardships that artists face. Prof Heo was inspired mainly by his own struggles as an artist as well as the passion of other young Korean artists he has interacted with throughout his career.

“Even though these artists are always struggling, they do get real happiness from doing what they love,” he said, adding that he wanted to illustrate the struggle of balancing the pursuit of one’s passions with the need to have a stable job.

After more than 20 years in the filmmaking industry, Prof Heo hopes that he can continue to shed light on social issues in his films instead of merely providing entertainment.

While there are currently no platforms for international audiences to watch his films, they are available on Internet Protocol television in South Korea.

“I believe that as filmmakers, we make films to touch people’s hearts, be it through drama or documentary,” he said.

“We can use it to invite the audience to think about important social issues and question whether we are really doing our part for humankind.”

08-09 SPOTLIGHT

NO BREAK TO THE HUSTLE When finals are completed and the semester ends, the campus may seem quiet. But there are still some in the NTU community who work hard during the break to keep the campus running. Photo Editor Theodore Lim walks around NTU to find out who these people are

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THE semester break is a time of rest for many, with students moving out of school to be with family, travel and enjoy a well-earned break.

But this is not the case for many of NTU’s fulltime staff who continue to perform the services necessary to keep the campus running during this period.

From stall vendors and cleaners to maintenance workers and administrative staff, many work through the school holidays, ensuring that the NTU campus experience remains undisrupted and that facilities are kept in good working order.

Several undergraduate students also choose to remain in school, either as research assistants or as helpers and leaders for community engagement camps.

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1. Lilis Suryani 38, helps to man Koufu’s handmade noodles store as a stall assistant. She serves about 50 to 60 bowls of noodles a day during the semester break, a far cry from the 400 bowls she is used to serving on a normal school day. To her, however, despite the reduced income, she still enjoys coming to work. “People still need to eat. As long as there are customers, I still enjoy coming to work and cooking for people,” she said.

2. The holiday break also sees NTU’s crew of dedicated cleaners and workers remaining on duty to keep the school clean and tidy, despite the lack of student activity on campus. To worker Ong Kee Chin, 63, the semester break represents a period of spring cleaning for him. “There are fewer students on campus now, so it’s easier for me to do a better cleaning job,” said Mr Ong. 4. Senior technology executive Ooi Cheong, or Uncle Allan as he is affectionately called by students, is part of the team that runs the Media Resource Booking Service in WKWSCI. Even though few students need to loan equipment during the break, Mr Ooi still helps to keep the service available for those working on their final-year projects. “Not many students are in school, but those that are usually need our services. We do important work for the students, and I really enjoy it,” said the 50-year-old.

5. Some students, like Nanyang Business School student Tay Yi Qin, 23, choose to stay in school and volunteer for community engagement programmes. The third-year student is a group leader for Hall 1’s community engagement programme Uniqkidz, which is a camp that engages underprivileged children. The camp is a year-long effort, and Tay is glad to be a part of it. “I think what we’re doing with this camp is really helping children, so I decided to take time out of my semester break to come back and do things for a greater cause,” he said.

3. Construction worker Sukur, who gave only his first name, is one of the many workers who work hard to upgrade facilities — like the lifts on campus — before the new semester begins. The break, which is a little over a month long, is a tight time frame for such work, giving the workers a greater sense of urgency. “I don’t like (working) overtime, but the facilities need to be ready by the new year,” the 40-year-old said.

2. Even though lecture theatres and classrooms are not used as much during the break, the maintenance of air-conditioning systems for these places continue, following a regular schedule.

Maintenance worker Surendar, who gave only his first name, works from 7.30am to 7.30pm replacing old air conditioning units and performing routine maintenance work. “Work is work. Even if students aren’t working, I have to work too. (But) I don’t really mind,” the 29-year-old said.

Opinion EDITORIAL

A peer approach to mental wellness MORE is being done on campus to raise awareness about mental wellness, and we can do our part.

The Nanyang Chronicle reported that the university’s Peer Helping Programme (PHP) will be rolling out more talks and events this semester about how to manage stress during the examination period and pointing students to self-care resources.

The programme’s volunteers, who are called peer helpers, also keep an active lookout for students who seem to be in emotional distress and offer a listening ear to those who face challenges in school.

But there are currently 23,665 undergraduates at NTU, and the PHP team can only do so much to care for all of them. Therefore, we must actively play our part and look out for our circle of friends as well.

This is important because mental health issues will affect at least 1 in 17 of us.

Depression alone afflicted 5.8 per cent of the adult population at some point in their lifetime, according to the nationwide Singapore Mental Health Study conducted in 2010 by the Institute of Mental Health.

Mental health experts at the institute also reported that depression is among the

most prevalent mental health condition in the adolescents and young adults they have seen.

The fact is, we don’t have to be an official peer helper to look out for our friends.

Being on the lookout simply means being alert. If a friend has become quieter and more withdrawn than usual, or has poor appetite or is consistently low in energy, ask him privately if he is doing okay. Offer him a listening ear and allow him to share as much as he is comfortable with.

Avoid making assumptions about what is wrong or jump in too quickly with solutions, but empathise and respond without judgment. Don’t feel like you have to make him feel better right away, but let him know that you are there as support.

Read up on the wealth of resources and information online on how to journey with a friend with mental health issues.

If you feel that the issue is serious, encourage your friend to seek help, like at the University Wellbeing Centre, where there are counsellors who can provide professional assistance.

Little things like these can go a long way. Let us do what we can to reach out and support our peers who are in need of it.

THE NANYANG

CHRONICLE CHIEF EDITOR

LIFESTYLE EDITOR

DIGITAL EDITOR

LAYOUT SUPERVISOR

DEPUTY CHIEF EDITOR

OPINION EDITOR

PHOTO/ GRAPHIC EDITOR

PRODUCTION SUPPORT

Theodore Lim

Joe Tok Kenny Wong

BUSINESS MANAGERS

FACULTY ADVISORS

Gracia Lee Prisca Ang

SUB-EDITORS

Olivia Poh Neo Rong Wei

NEWS EDITORS Adele Chiang Michelle Racho

Desiree Loh Alif Amsyar

SPORTS EDITOR Adeena Nagib

CHINESE EDITOR Tan Yu Jia

Charlene Chua

Vanessa Tan Vinice Yeo

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

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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.

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GRAPHIC: KELLEY LIM GRAPHIC: BELYNDA HOI

#YOYO: You’re only young once Wong Wing Lum BEING a youth ­— defined by the United Nations as between the ages of 15 and 24 — is a time of growth and exploration.

Youthhood allows someone to swim against the tide, go on adventures and take more risks; the stakes aren’t as high and the body, more agile.

However, more students feel compelled to take on internships before entering the workforce when they graduate. They are spending their university semester breaks learning the ropes of jobs they are interested in, and to get a head start in their future careers, showed a 2017 survey conducted by local career development platform Glints.

Of the 1,000 millennials interviewed, 78 per cent have actively searched for work-related opportunities outside of school.

These range from industryled competitions to full-time internships.

From this percentage, eight in 10 said they were willing to sacrifice personal leisure time to take part in such opportunities.

NTU students are among local youths trying to build their careers. One example is finalyear Nanyang Business School stdent Ang Jun Keat, who spent every summer holiday since his first year doing three-month-long internships.

The 23-year-old said: “I want to make use of the three-month school break to develop myself professionally and summer internships are the way to go.”

With an increasingly welleducated population, traditional indicators of employability such as holding a degree or diploma, or having good grades, may no longer be enough for job-seekers

to secure their desired positions.

The growing trend of students hunting for internships could be a cultural microcosm of our society, which is often referred to as being kiasu, a colloquial term which roughly translates to someone being “afraid to lose out”.

While these concerns about losing out are valid, my view is that we should enjoy our youth while we still can, travelling and discovering new cultures since we have the luxury of time and energy, things that will likely dwindle when we start work.

Fit for travel There is no better time than our youth to travel around the world and gain new perspectives.

Youthhood often means good physical health and younger bodies, which can naturally handle more physically demanding tasks, such as long hikes and extreme sports.

Furthermore, as we tend to have a lower disposable income than working adults, we will be more motivated to spend less and thus have a higher threshold for travelling discomforts. A 2017 Nielsen report on millennial travellers showed that millennials tended to take a more budgeted approach when travelling.

It is also not as physically taxing for us to spend the night in an airport to save on accommodation, or opt for cheaper and longer bus rides to avoid pricey train tickets.

Breaking habits We also have the luxury to take risks and explore unconventional experiences that are not necessarily related to their future jobs, such as spending a year abroad to volunteer in a village, undertaking a social project or

even just to travel.

Even if these pursuits may seem economically unrewarding for future job prospects, we can explore these options as a means to learn more about ourselves and the world around us.

It is healthy for us to take risks when we are young, as we will probably find comfort in what is familiar when we grow older and becomes more risk-averse.

According to a 2016 study published in scientific journal Current Biology, declining dopamine levels in older people might explain their reluctance to take risks.

Meanwhile, a 2017 study in Scientific Reports showed that young people are more likely to tolerate uncertainty during risky decision-making.

Hence, there is no better time for us to step out of our comfort zones and be exposed to different experiences, as the inertia to take risks increases as we age.

Growing up too fast While internships are building blocks to future careers, they offer a limited set of experiences since individuals tend to be confined to specific roles.

In 2016, palliative care nurse Bronnie Ware wrote a book titled Top 5 Regrets of the Dying.

Patients she encountered regretted overworking themselves, as they felt that they had sacrificed quality time that could have been spent with loved ones.

While spending summer holidays on internships could make the future job-seeking process easier, let us consider how we want to remember our lives in their final moments before entering working adulthood.

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Daring to dream: The life of a student-athlete Adeena Nagib Sports Editor STUDENT Athlete, the latest HBO Sports documentary by executive producer and professional basketball player LeBron James, paints the lives of four American college athletes who hope to make it big in basketball. Over time, the students’ ability to achieve their sporting goals got slimmer, as only a fraction get to continue on to the National Basketball Association, while the rest are left to scramble with what is left of their education.

The documentary reported that 303 out of more than 91,000 college athletes were drafted to play professionally in the US in 2017.

This means a student athlete has a 0.3 per cent chance of pursuing a career in the multi-billion-dollar industry of American college sports.

In Singapore, where sports careers are not seen as lucrative, opportunities for student athletes to pursue full-time sports careers are even rarer. Although Singapore has a smaller talent pool, and therefore more chances for athletes to play professionally, people are generally more reluctant to make a career out of sports.

This is because most athletes in Singapore are not paid — this applies to all except sports like badminton, golf and table tennis. According to AsiaOne, even though athletes can supplement an income from competition winnings, they

might still need to fork out their own money occasionally to train regularly and enter competitions, and this often relegates the sport to a side hobby.

For student athletes at the varsity level, pursuing their sport means having to balance training schedules and school commitments.

Universities, as well as the government, should therefore consider implementing more measures to support student athletes who are trying to carve out a sports career for themselves.

Managing school and sports It is not easy for a student athlete to juggle school and training sessions.

I remember the sense of satisfaction I felt last August when I finally made it to the national floorball training squad after many years. But my achievement came with a price. During the academic semester, my teammates and I had to train for four times a week to prepare for the upcoming World Floorball Championship Qualifiers.

Besides these sessions, I also train twice a week with Titans, my floorball club outside of school, and play in matches on Sundays.

Factor in my varsity-level trainings, which peak in the months leading up to the Singapore University Games and the InstituteVarsity-Polytechnic Games, and my schedule becomes too packed for other activities or personal time.

During these months, my schedule was a blur of scurrying from

lecture theatres to floorball courts, and sneaking in meals in between classes and trainings. Since a large part of my day was spent on the training field, I had to figure out how to complete my assignments while getting sufficient sleep.

This lifestyle is extremely taxing on the mind and body. Not surprisingly, my grades slipped from missing classes and assignment deadlines. On the court, I have also found myself making costly mistakes during games due to my lack of sleep and therefore, concentration.

My mother advised me to be a “student first, then athlete”. However, I prefer to see myself as an individual with two hats.

Some students, however, have chosen to focus on their books. An example is hockey player Sean See, who was The Straits Times’ Young Star of the Month last October.

See quit playing hockey competitively while at the prime of his sporting career, in order to focus on his studies in junior college.

Meanwhile, some students chose to prioritise their sport over academics. First-year Sports Science and Management student Lim Jian Hong applied for a semester-long Leave of Absence to prepare for last December’s World Floorball Championships held in Prague, Czech Republic.

The men’s floorball national team had planned a 18-day training camp in Finland, which coincided with the 22-year-old’s final examinations. With the university's

help, Lim’s application for leave was approved and he will begin his university journey this year.

Recognising sports talent Singapore can take more steps to develop budding athletes from a young age. This can be done by scouting for talents from the Singapore National School Games (NSG) and encouraging them to apply to sports academies or sign up for structured training programmes that focus on strength conditioning or skill-work, coached by established athletes.

The NSG sees over 58,000 participants compete across 29 different sports from the primary to tertiary school levels annually, and is a large talent pool that is worth investing in for sports development.

With more support structures in place, students might be encouraged to continue pursuing their sport over the years despite a heavy workload at school. For example, in January this year, the Ministry of Education rolled out a twotiered competition system, helping students gain competitive exposure in sport. This also allowed for the advancement of the level of sporting excellence from a young age.

Placing support structures will bring numerous benefits for Singapore, as its sports industry can expect more regional and international success if the quality of its sporting talent improves. Athletes can also contribute to its economy through the National Olym-

pic Council’s Multi-Million Dollar Award Programme, that requires athletes to plough back at least 20 per cent of winnings to their respective sports associations.

In the English Premier League, many world-class players make their mark between the ages of 17 to 20. For example, 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe, who plays football for France and Paris Saint-Germain, earns about S$27.3 million a year.

Singapore has only bagged a total of five Olympic medals to date, and four of these medals were won by foreign-born athletes. The one won by a local athlete was from the 2016 Rio Olympics, in which 23-year-old swimmer Joseph Schooling won Singapore’s first Olympic gold medal.

However, Schooling’s success is mostly attributed to the intensive training he received after he moved to the US when he was 14 years old. Schooling, who trained in various states like Florida and Texas, went on to hold a national, Asian and Olympic record in the 100-metre butterfly event.

Athletes, and student athletes in particular, should not have to venture overseas to find sporting success.

Student athletes who might have similar talents to Schooling and Mbappe could be sitting in a classroom, waiting to burst into the sports arena. But if they wait until graduation before continuing their sports careers, it might be too late for them to attain sporting success.

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CHRONICLE 05 graduates went into part-time, temporary or freelance jobs in 2017, more than double the share from a decade ago, said the report.

“It has definitely helped me in supplementing my income, but I can’t see myself doing this longterm as a full-time job,” said Ms Tammy Cheung, a freelance yoga instructor. “It is too risky and doesn’t offer much financial security,” the 28-year-old added.

Although more young adults are becoming a part of the gig economy, the main drivers of the industry are less educated, skill-based workers. According to statistics from the Ministry of Manpower, a majority of primary own account workers, or workers engaged in their own work as a regular form of employment, were aged 50 and above and did not have tertiary qualifications.

With a higher dependence on the gig economy for work, these workers are often more vulnerable to the demands of their employers. Firms in the gig economy need to implement more measures, like full-time employee benefits and a stable salary, to level the playing field.

GRAPHIC: KELLEY LIM

Olivia Poh Sub-Editor

Go gig or go home

THE term “gig economy” was coined at the height of the financial crisis in early 2009, when the unemployed made a living by gigging, or working several parttime jobs, wherever and whenever they could.

In its earliest usage, “gig workers” referred to jazz club musicians in the 1920s. These musicians did not receive healthcare benefits, a pension or paid leave.

The nature of gig work has changed little since then, but it has taken on a new context today.

Even if the term “gig economy” is new to you, you have probably contributed to it by hailing a ride through a mobile app, booking a residential apartment overseas or ordering restaurant food from home.

The gig economy is characterised by a working environment that involves short-term contracts, freelance employment and entrepreneurship. Fueled by technology, more people have become employed this way, either to earn more money or to make ends meet.

Think of the retired person who occasionally lets out a spare room on Airbnb, the student who uses his bike to deliver food, or the office worker who picks up an extra passenger on the morning commute by using a ride-hailing app.

Although they do these jobs mostly on an ad hoc basis, many people do them full time. Some 223,500 residents in Singapore did gig jobs for their regular source of income last year, up by 11.7 per cent from 2016.

While the flexibility and autonomy of gig work can be very appealing to workers, there are consequences that aren't always evident from the start.

The benefits of doing a gig job are obvious. It allows people to be their own boss by planning their work schedule, determining their dress code and working whenever they want to. Their income is limited only by their own ambitions.

However, gig work can be detrimental and needs to be properly regulated so that gig workers do not fall through the cracks.

While the flexibility and autonomy of gig work can be very appealing to workers, there are consequences that aren't always evident from the start.

The autonomy of working in the gig economy often comes with long and irregular work hours, which can lead to sleep deprivation and exhaustion, according to a 2018 study by the University of Oxford. Despite these effects, many firms do not offer full-time benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay or scheduled meal breaks.

Take ride-sharing company Grab

for example. Drivers must provide their own vehicles, purchase their own commercial insurance and use their personal smartphones. The firm also takes a 20 per cent cut from drivers’ earnings, and drivers can be “timed-out” if they consistently ignore or cancel jobs, or if their ratings consistently fall below average.

Meanwhile, mobile food delivery giant Foodpanda grades riders based on customer feedback and how fast they complete their assigned deliveries, among other things. These grades do not factor in the weather, traffic conditions, or the time of day. A Foodpanda rider with a higher grade could earn more per delivery or get priority for choosing his or her work schedule.

The gig economy offers people more flexibility and efficiency, but it often comes at the expense of freedom and security, said Dr Lan Ha, an insight analyst at data agency Euromonitor International.

The University of Oxford study showed that the competitive nature of online platforms leads to high-intensity work, which forces workers to complete as many gigs as possible, and as quickly as they can.

Fifty-four per cent of the 700 workers who took part in the study said they must work at very high speeds, and 22 per cent reported physical pain as a result of their work.

In Singapore, companies are taking steps to improve the work environments of gig employees. To improve health and occupational safety for drivers, Grab introduced

GRAPHIC: KELLEY LIM

a feature in its app that measures driver fatigue and reminds them to take a break when they have been driving for too long.

However, the firm does not limit the number of hours drivers can spend on the road. Its incentives, such as a guaranteed gross monthly income of $6,888 to $11,888, count on drivers to clock at least 180 trips per week. This averages out to driving for 12-hour shifts on all seven days of the week, private-hire car driver Jack Toh told The Straits Times in a news report published on 22 Oct last year.

"You cannot go on holiday overseas, you cannot fall sick, you cannot take a few days off to rest," the 38-year-old added.

The gig economy offers people more flexibility and efficiency, but it often comes at the expense of freedom and security.

Despite these disadvantages, the gig economy has attracted more young graduates and millennials in Singapore, according to a 2017 Maybank Kim Eng report. About 47 per cent of Institute of Technical Education, 35 per cent of polytechnic and 10 per cent of university

The main drivers of the industry are less educated, skill-based workers.

It is time for the gig economy to stop hiding under the pretense of “flexibility” and start treating their workers like employees. Offering benefits such as discounts, insurance and including gig workers in company events don’t come at a huge cost for companies, but will go a long way to build stronger relationships with gig workers. Such benefits can help freelancers make the decision to remain loyal to the company. Some of the perks that attract gig workers are surprisingly simple. "They might not be what we think of as traditional benefits," said Ms Penny Queller, senior vice president of sales solutions at Alexander Mann Solutions in St. Louis.

Instead, they involve efforts built around "engagement and processes."

For example, independent workers can have a hard time obtaining health insurance, said Ms Yvette Cameron, global vice president of strategy for SAP SuccessFactors in Denver, who has been closely studying the gig economy. To solve that, businesses like the ride service Uber and online marketplace Etsy have partnered with San Francisco-based Stride Health to act as a health insurance broker for their gig workers.

Essentially, Stride Health is a marketplace that matches users with insurance plans that the worker — not the employer — pays for.

Stride Health earns commissions from the insurance companies, while the employers have to simply arrange for their workers' access to Stride Health's service. Ms Cameron said that conversations she's had with Uber drivers indicate the perk is "a big deal" to them.

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Exciting Electives To kickstart the new semester, graphic artists Belynda Hoi, Kelley Lim and Clara Toh find out more about interesting modules in NTU that students can consider taking this year

BU8644: Smarter Brain? The Science of Decision Making

AAU08A: Theatre Games: Engagement through Play

Want to learn how to make better choices in life? This course helps students to understand decisionmaking processes, and how they are affected by errors and biases.

Participants can also learn about how firms apply these theories in strategic decisions, and improve their critical thinking, ethical reasoning, decision-making and planning skills.

Students can build their confidence and team-building skills through participating in and facilitating theatre games, which involve warm-up exercises and are a part of improvisational theatre. The course also covers various theatrerelated theories and practices. In addition, students can learn about works by well-known theatre practitioners.

BS8004: Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Primer Course (semester one only)

LL9001: Singapore Sign Language Level 1

This course covers the fundamentals of traditional Chinese medicine, an ancient medical practice that is an alternative to western medicine, as well as its history and applications.

Students need to have taken O Level Chinese Language or learnt Mandarin at an equivalent level if

they want to enrol.

AAA18L: Silkscreen Printing

Become a designer, create a fabric print and showcase it proudly on a shirt or bag. This course covers the foundations of silkscreen printing, its production process, as well as basic art elements, colour theory and principles of design.

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With no speaking or writing involved, this highly interactive module stands out from the other language courses available. The foundational course covers basic greetings, introductions and everyday conversations After they have completed the course, students can opt for the LL9002 Singapore Sign Language Level 2 to further their signing skills.

EE8084: Cyber Security

In an era of e-everything, it is important to understand cyber security issues and learn how to keep one’s data safe from hackers.

Through this course, students can learn about the implications of using various online networks and devices.

SS9003: Introduction to Pilates Matwork & Hatha Yoga

Doing pilates and yoga can often be an expensive hobby. This course could help to remedy that.

Students will learn breathing techniques to help them relax, as well as poses and exercises to improve their core strength and mobility of their joints. The session cover both Pilates Matwork and Hatha Yoga.

DP2000: Photo Imaging I: Black and White Film Photography (not available to first-year students) Step into the darkroom and develop images from film negatives. In this course, students are exposed to fundamentals of analog photography, and will learn how to manipulate photographic elements to create compelling images. They might have to spend on film and paper, but the results could be worth the additional expenses.

CH9221: Food Industry Seminar Series (Semester 1 only)

Students can learn about pressing issues in the food industry, such as food sustainability and wastage.

They will also get to interact with food industry experts.

南大最好吃的麻辣在哪？ ­— 刊17页

新闻

特殊学生如何勇敢克服大学生活的挑战 卓思恬 / 报道

当

南大社会科学系二年级的 庄同学（20岁）的作业小 组在北部教学大楼西餐区高声 讨论着如何完成作业时，庄同 学是一句话也听不清。 她天生拥有听觉障碍，动 了人工耳蜗植入手术（cochlear implant ）后再加上助听器的辅 助，才可以在安静的环境中听 见普通音量的对话。然而对她 而言，日常的小组讨论是一种 挑战。 像庄同学一样的特殊学生虽 然在大学面临重重挑战，仍继 续勇敢克服障碍完成学业。根 据社会与家庭发展部（ Ministry of Social and Family Development） 估计，在2017年新加坡共有 2.1%的学生是残疾人士。其中 一半为视觉障碍和听觉障碍， 其余的则是智力障碍和自闭症 谱系障碍（Autistic Spectrum Disorder）。

在大学里承受更多压力 数理科学院二年级生黄伟健 同学（20岁）天生就有视觉 障碍，他只能看见在眼前经过 电子助视器（electronic desktop magnifier）放大的字眼。只要将 A4大小的课文内容放在电子助 视器上，它就能将课文的字眼 放大到视障者能看见的程度。 黄同学说，学习是他最大的 挑战。他说：“我需要花更长 的时间才能在课前看完上课的 内容。平均，我需要用两个小 时才能准备好一堂课。” 数理科学院四年级生冯嘉辉 （22岁）自幼面对泛自闭症障 碍，他说需要身体协调的学习 方式较为困难，比如做实验。 冯同学也承认对他而言， 在大学会较难找到朋友：“其 实，我在大学里是被孤立的。 多数人在学业上需要帮忙时会 找我，但没有想到如何能帮助 我。”他希望通过在大学的努 力，以后在社会上可以像其他 人一样被尊重，有尊严。 庄同学也认为，特殊学生在

了台电子助视器，而庄同学则购 买了助听器。 除了校方的支持，庄同学也 建议一般大学生与特殊学生之间 可以进行同侪教学，例如特殊学 生教导一般学生画画或数学，可 以好好利用他们的才能。 助理副教务长(学生生活)杨全 胜副教授表示，该单位每年都会 与特殊学生进行对话以了解他们 的状况。该单位目前正与各学院 合作，安排课外辅导给有需要的 特殊学生，也分派义工成为特 殊学生的朋友。学生可以电邮至 AEU@ntu.edu.sg 回馈意见。

In summary 亚洲环境学院二年级生邱仲敏认为南大为特殊学生提供许多帮助，也因同学及教授的关怀而感到欣慰。 图片：林澤立

学业上比一般学生承受着更大 的压力与更高的期盼。 她坦言：“媒体常报道一 些残疾人士取得的成就，社会 上也有一种偏见就是因为你是 特殊学生，所以你一定要加倍 努力。一方面我们有先天的不 利，还要面对这种期盼，我们 的压力其实比一般人更大。”

校园里处处有温情 然而，这些特殊学生依靠身边 的支柱，仍然能勇敢克服大学 生活的挑战。 亚洲环境学院二年级生邱 仲敏（20岁）自幼就下半身瘫 痪，需要靠轮椅移动。 邱同学深深体会到教授与同 学们的真心关怀，尤其和教授 与班上同学前往巴厘岛进行实 地考察的经验让她印象深刻。 在途中同学们一直帮助她行 动，有些轮椅根本走不了的地 方他们就把她抬起来，她非常 感谢他们的帮助。 她认为因为一般学生对特 殊学生的认识不多，所以很多 时候都不会主动接触和帮助他

们。但她说特殊学生们可以主 动要求帮助：“虽然我们身为 特殊学生而与别人不一样...但 你真的需要帮助时，不要怕主 动要求别人帮忙。很多时候就 算陌生人他们都会愿意帮助你 的。” 黄伟健同学说教授在白板上 画出各种图标与图形时，他也 完全看不见。与庄同学相似， 他也不便开口麻烦班上的同学 或教授具体说明白板上画的是 什么。 但是让他欣慰的是，过了一 段时间，班上也有些同学意识 到他的需要而主动向他说明教 授在白板上画了什么。 除了帮助有视觉障碍的同 学，南大学生与学术服务部 （Student Affairs Office）也安排 一些学生在课堂上为听障同学 做录写。生物科学学院四年级 生卓己安（22岁）是其中一位 录写者之一。 他说：“听障同学在讨论活 动比较多的课上会很辛苦。别 人可以很自然地讨论，但是我 们组会（把讨论内容）打在谷

歌文件上，让听障同学能看明 白和参与。”

校方致力协助特殊学生 南大学生与学术服务部（Student Affairs Office） 于2014年成立了 无障碍教育单位，Accessible Education Unit (AEU)。最近，该单位 在学生服务中心（Student Services Centre）与从李伟南图书馆车 站到北部教学大楼之间的走道 增设了新的轮椅坡道。 然而南大还是有一些地点令 邱同学感到行动不便。比如在 南大体育与休闲中心（ Sports and Recreational Centre）D大厅考 试时，由于没有衔接的轮椅坡 道，她难以从停车场移动到考 场内。但她表示，AEU会定期问 她校园哪些地区不便于轮椅行 动并做出改进。 庄同学说，她刚刚进入大学 时，AEU就联络她并且帮助她安 排入学手续。同时， AEU 也帮 助行动不便的特殊学生安排住 宿，也为每一位特殊学生准备 了一笔可用来购买学习用具的 资金。黄伟健同学用该资金买

STUDENTS with disabilities in NTU are motivated and determined to do well in school despite the odds. Although some said they face challenges keeping up in class, integrating into school life and finding friends, most of the students the Nanyang Chronicle interviewed said that they have the strong support of the university and their peers.

Classmates readily help physically disabled students get around campus and explain class content to visually impaired students, while a Student Affairs Office (SAO) programme pairs students with hearing disabilities with peer helpers who transcribe class notes for them.

Associate Professor Victor Yeo, Deputy Associate Provost (Student Life), said the Accessible Education Unit (AEU) in NTU was also established to support students with disabilities. Some special needs students suggested that there can be more studentinitiated activities for them to better assimilate into campus life.

Students can direct any relevant feedback to AEU@ntu.edu.sg.

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在线教学有待改进 陈纬铨 / 报道

级的课程中建立这些概念，有 需要时也可以通过在线讲座回 顾这些基本知识。 陈教授说课程讲师也可通过 在线学习管理系统分辨出遇到 困难的学生，并提供辅助。实 行在线讲座后，校方已经将教 师与学生在辅导课实体互动的 时间从平常的1小时增加到新的 1.5到2小时。 陈教授说：“电子与电机工 程学院的课程讲师定期检讨他 们的在线教材，以确保课程的 学习成果符合新加坡工程认证 委员会（Singapore Engineering Accreditation Board ）的要求。由于 基本概念不会随着时间而显著 地改变，课程讲师可以专注于 制定教学策略以更好地吸引学 习者。”

电

子与电机工程学院两年 前开始使用在线讲座

（Learning Activity Management System, 简称LAMS）取代大部分 的实体讲座。学生认为虽然在 线课程带来方便，但仍有进步 的空间。 该学院的多数科目，包括 核心课程的讲座正转向在线教 学。至今，唯有电子与电机工 程学院迁移大部分的基本课程 到在线讲座，南大的其他学院 仍只实行每个学期的在线教学 周（eLearning Week） 。 受访的电子与电机工程学 生表示，一年级生仍有实体讲 座，但多数的科目从二年级开 始通过在线方式进行。 电子与电机工程学院四年 级生何庚庭（24岁）说，两年 前在二年级时只有两个核心课 程引用在线讲座。现在，他几 乎所有的课程都以在线方式进 行，每个讲座长达3小时，使他 每周花上大约15小时观看在线 讲座。

在线讲座带来更多方便 何同学说， LAMS当中可以暂停 讲座、倒带或重复看讲座的功 能，让他能够依照自己的时间 完成课业。 学生也反映在线讲座能让 他们更有效地利用时间。该学 院的三年级生蔡欣倩（22岁） 说：“有了在线讲座，我就可 以依照自己的学习步伐观看视 频，不用‘被迫’出席每周两 个小时的实体讲座。” 电子与电机工程学院的二年 级生朱子豪（23岁）现在所修 读的5项工程科目，包括核心课 程，都是以在线方式进行的。 他说这种教学方式确实有方便 之处。 他说：“看在线视频时，我 可以控制视频的速度，也可以 重复看视频几遍以便更了解课 程的内容。我也可以着重注意 力在更重要的部分，这在实体 讲座中是无法做到的。” 在线讲座也让学生更清楚的 观看教学内容。该学院的四年 级生庄达（24岁）在半年前的 学期里有四项课程都采用在线 方式学习。 他说：“有时候讲师在实 体讲座讲话听不清楚，在线教 学好在于可以不断重复观看内 容，确保完全明白讲师的话。”

In summary 自从电子与电机工程学院推出在线课程，学生较少需要到学校上实体讲座。 学生也表示在线平台能够帮 助学院讲师应付大量的学生群。 信息工程与媒体系四年级生 李慧晴（22岁）的专科包括电 子与电机工程学院的课程。她 说理解学院可能因为缺乏讲师 而需要转换以在线平台进行讲 座。讲师一录制视频就可以用 于几年的教学，让教授有更多 时间专注于研究工作。

在线教学成果有限 学生说在线讲座的其中一个弊 端是不能直接向讲师请教问 题，导致学习进度有时变的更 缓慢。何同学说虽然每个星期 有实体教程课，但碰到较复杂 的课题时，教程的时间不足以 解答所有的问题。 他说，在在线教学视频上， 讲师有时候只读出幻灯片上的 内容，并没有加以讲解。 他说：“在线讲座很难吸引 学生的注意力。在实体的讲座 上，讲师还是比较会适应学生 的需求，为学生指出重点，回 答学生的问题，那就会更好。” 学生也认为在线测验只用于 评分而可能忽略学生的学习过 程。李同学说，在线测验引用 的题库随即分派问题，多数以 多项选择题进行测验。比起传 统的测验方式，这些测验较少

考量到学生的工作步骤。 传统测验方式中，即使学生 得到了错误的答案，他们的工 作步骤也会得到一些分数。 李同学也说，学生也不会知 道自己答错了哪些问题，在线 测验也没有直接教导学生如何 改正错误，学生需要等到教程 课才能解答问题。她说：“对 于技术科目，学生需要更多的 指导，尤其思维过程需要更多 的帮助。” 学生也希望网上视频不会 超越该课程的时限。电子与电 机工程学院的四年级生关嘉晋 （26岁）说：“有时候教授进 行在线教学时没有跟着课程的 时间限制，导致学生不得已要 花更多时间看完整个视频。再 加上学生需要再放慢视频，确 保自己完全明白教授冗长的解 释，会更费时。”

实体教程辅助在线教学 李同学认为校方可以考虑在在 线测验中为学生揭晓正确答 案，或让在线测验部分仍以实 体的方式实行。 何同学也提议，在线讲座可 以作为补充，学生如果因为某 种因素而赶不上课，就可以在 LAMS 观看备份的在线讲座，以 便学生复习。

图片：林澤立

一些学生也说校方可以完 善实体讲座转向在线讲座的过 程，让学生更适应在线教学的 方式。朱同学说自己有一项科 目，在实体教程开始之前会进 行定期的测验（Individual Readiness Assessment, 简称IRA）。学 生要在教程之前看完该星期的 在线教学视频才能完成测验。 朱同学认为这种测验有效让 学生跟进在线视频的进程。他 认为校方也可为每一项科目实 习此测验，确保学生不用等到 考试时期才临时赶看视频，教 师也可探测学生是否从在线视 频中了解重要的概念。 蔡同学也认为IRA正有效辅助 在线教学。她说：“IRA使我变 得更有自律，上教程课之前会 确保自己已经明白了在线视频 的课题内容。”

延伸进化在线讲座 电子与电机工程学院代理院长 陈协平教授说在线讲座是南大 全校技术强化学习 （TechnologyEnhanced Learning，简称TEL）计 划的一部分，旨在通过让学生 按自己的节奏学习，使教学更 有效。 陈教授指出大多数转换TEL形 式的课程是低年级的课程，侧 重于基本概念，学生将在高年

STUDENTS from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) are now taking most of their fundamental modules online, via the Learning Activity Management System (LAMS).

EEE students tell the Nanyang Chronicle the ability to speed up and rewatch parts of their lectures is convenient and enables them to work at their own pace. However, compared to a physical lecture, they are unable to clarify their doubts with lecturers immediately.

They also say that the online grading system, which does not have an answer key or offer step-by-step solutions, limits their understanding of some topics. They hope more can be done to improve their online learning experience.

Acting Chair of EEE, Professor Tan Yap Peng said that course instructors review their online teaching materials regularly to ensure that learning outcomes are achieved in compliance with the Singapore Engineering Accreditation Board.

As fundamental concepts stay constant over time, course instructors can focus on exploring new online teaching strategies to better engage students. EEE has also increased the duration of their tutorials to complement the online lectures.

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05 CHRONICLE

生活

麻辣香锅在校园掀起"热"潮

近年来, 本地的麻辣香锅“热”潮也传到了南大的校园。而本来陌生的异国料理现已成为众所周知及受欢迎的美味佳肴。 校园里现有众多售卖麻辣香锅的摊位，至于想要在其中尝到好吃的麻辣，应该去哪里找呢？且让南苑的三位记者带你出去 做一次校园麻辣游！陈昱嘉 / 卓思恬 / 陈纬铨 / 报道 食堂1：“辣妈”香锅 食堂一的麻辣香锅配料简单的 摆设相似酿豆腐店面，一架冰 箱里摆着超过50多种五颜六色 的蔬菜、蘑菇、豆制品等。 特别的是，这摊位的麻辣配 料不是以重量计算，像酿豆腐 计算价钱一样，计算每一份配 料的售价。 通常，不到5分钟，摊主邱 先生（47岁）就会从厨房里端 出热腾腾的一碗麻辣香锅！一 碗足以两三个人共享的香锅总 共14元，平均每人只需付5到7 元。 菜色整体看起来非常鲜艳， 虽然看似光滑但不会过于油 腻，蔬菜没有‘沉浸’在一层

层的辣椒油里。第一口的感觉 就是这是个非常适合本地口味 的麻辣味，配制的味道不会太 陌生 — 麻味仅有一点点，而辣 度也不呛，拿捏得刚刚好。整 体的配料也炒的非常均匀。 记者陈昱嘉认为最出色的材 料应该是切薄的豆腐皮。麻辣 香锅一共有超过10多种香料， 有时候会导致味道太浓，掩盖 了配料的原味。但豆腐皮虽然 吸收了酱料，咀嚼时却还能尝 到豆类的淡香味，令人回味无 穷。 记者陈纬铨却认为马铃薯片 切的太厚了，吃起来没那么爽 口。卓记者则认为麻辣香锅带 出蘑菇的香味。但整体上它给 人一种舒适的感觉，吃起来非

常顺口，记者们不知不觉的在 碗里一挑再挑。 经营辣妈香锅已有三年的邱 先生说，麻辣之所以受青睐， 是因为特别适合新加坡人的口 味。他说：“新加坡那么热， 不吃辣就会好像觉得不开胃！” 摊位名中的“辣妈”，就是 36岁的 Jenny 。她说摊位售卖 麻辣的特点在于两个字：“用 心”。邱先生也说摊位里的主 厨态度特别认真，每炒一碗香 锅都用心别致。 Jenny女士说， 这份心意一口就能尝得出。 她说：“哪怕是同样的材 料，同样的方法，但是你做的 跟别人做的未必就一样。这就 “辣妈”香锅的麻辣炒得非常均匀，味道新鲜顺口并适合本地口味。 看你煮饭用不用心。用心做出 图片：梁荣伟 来的东西，就是不一样。”

食堂9：西安面食的麻辣香锅

西安面食的配料非常丰富，顾客也可以选择添加摊位的自制面条。 图片：梁荣伟

南洋弯宿舍: 香味麻辣香锅 吃了两碗麻辣香锅，记者们差 点撑不住了，但仍勇敢地继续 前往位于南洋弯学生宿舍（Nanyang Crescent Halls）的食堂 。 在所有店面中，排队最长的 总是就在这家档口，高峰时期 时将近有20位顾客排队点菜。 顾客们甚至在午晚花上几小时 的时间排队及领取食物。 应有尽有的食材，琳琅满 目地呈现在我们的面前。可选 的菜类和肉类都很多，也很新 鲜。记者们挑选了同样的材 料，总共花上了11元。 这家的麻辣香锅，辣和麻的 程度都适中，味道又不会太过 咸。辣的程度确实是会根据，

小、中、大改变，不过麻味的 程度保持一致。 炒出来的菜都很香、很入 味。火候掌握得非常好，翻炒 出香浓的“镬气”，食材在高 温中翻炒，食材表面留下一层 淡淡焦物及焦味。虽然肉稍微 有点干，但吃到最后，配上香 浓的锅底还是好吃的。 对于喜欢吃马铃薯的陈纬铨 记者，薄薄的马铃薯片吃起来 实在爽口。卓思恬记者也认为 麻辣香锅要香就一定要加上香 菜。这家麻辣香锅只加上花生 作配料，她觉得有点不够味。 生意繁忙的摊主并没有接受 记者的访问，但这摊的麻辣无 疑是味道好，价格又公道，怪 不得总是有人在排队等候。

食堂9的麻辣香锅配料丰富又多 样化，食材也比其他两个麻辣 摊位来得多。各种面食，蔬菜 和菇类选择排成两列任由食客 挑选。 记者选了三人份的配料，秤 重之后再加上鸡肉和快熟面， 和白饭全部竟然只需要新币 10元！比起其他两个食堂的价 格，食堂9的麻辣香锅可说是非 常划算。 撒上了香脆的花生与嫩绿的 香菜后，红红的麻辣香锅实在 是诱人。记者陈昱嘉吃了一口 淡黄色的快熟面，感叹道口感

非常 “Q”，即有弹性又完全吸 收了麻辣香料的精华。 半透明的宽粉经过热炒后吸 收了麻辣的风味，在口中咀嚼 的丝滑与弹性叫人想多吃几口。 切得细薄的莲藕是麻辣锅极 妙的搭配，在油腻麻辣锅中脱 颖而出的莲藕有着天然的清甜 与爽口，瞬间让味蕾焕然一新。 在南大各个食堂做了二十多 年餐饮业的翁老板说六、七年 前摊 位开始在食堂9卖麻辣香 锅，是为了要有些特别的食物 吸引食客。 西安面食是南大最早开始 卖麻辣锅的摊位。除此之外， 翁老板的麻辣锅最特别之处在

南洋湾宿舍的香锅价格优惠，味道又好，吸引大量人群排队购买。 图片：蔡欣孜

于他们家的手工自制面。这里 的手工自制面据翁老板说可是 非常受欢迎。他说：“我们的 自制面条每天要卖不少。每天 做，每天都卖完。” 翁老板也说麻辣锅吸引了 许多来自不同国家的学生，包 括来自印度、韩国、中国的等 等。翁老板说：“看到学生们 这么喜欢吃我们的麻辣锅，给 了我们很大的鼓励。”

In summary Mala hotpot fever is sweeping across NTU, with more stalls selling the stir-fried delight. The much-loved dish tosses vegetables, meat and seafood of the customer’s choice together in a signature tangy, spicy sauce.

Three mala hotpot stalls on campus have gained a loyal following. Canteen 1’s La Ma Hotpot serves a hotpot that is not too oily or cloying, and is mixed with just the right amount of spice. Meanwhile, at Canteen 9’s Xi’an Noodles stall, customers can choose from a large variety of ingredients, and can even request to add the stall’s special handmade noodles into the spicy mix — all without burning a hole in their wallet. Nanyang Crescent Halls' Xiang Wei Mala sees long snaking queues during peak hours; it lives up to the hype with its signature wok hei fragrance.

Sports

Recruitment woes for IHG teams

The annual Inter-Hall Games, which typically lasts from December to February, has seen a fall in students signing up to participate.

This recurring problem has worsened, causing team captains and sports secretaries to call for greater publicity of the games and more hall activities to encourage student bonding Edwin Chan WHEN the semester came to an end last November, Hall of Residence 4 resident He Chiqi, 23, was looking forward to go to Taiwan for a holiday with her family.

However, the third-year School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering student had to postpone her plans after she was roped into two Inter-Hall Games (IHG) sports teams — hockey and softball — about two weeks before the matches began.

There were not enough players who had signed up, and the team captains had asked He — who had little experience in the sports — to come onboard so the games would not result in walkovers.

He’s hall is just one of the many that have had to scramble at the last minute to find sufficient players to make up a sports team, due to the lack of willing participants. This recurring issue has worsened in the past two years due to the guaranteed

two-year hall stay, according to sports secretaries and team captains.

Lack of willing players Hall 14’s sports secretary Keith Chia, 22, observed that the participation in hall activities, including sports, has “decreased significantly” since NTU freshmen were given the guaranteed two-year hall stay from 2017.

Hall 4’s hockey captain Ng Yan Shan, 22, agreed that this was a contributing factor.

“Now with the guaranteed hall stay, people are not participating in activities to have more time for their studies,” said Ng, adding that forming a full hockey team has been challenging.

“Some people (also) consider hockey a dangerous sport and they are afraid of getting injured.

It can be quite hard to find willing players,” said the second-year School of Humanities student.

According to the sports secretaries and team captains the Nanyang Chronicle spoke to, this shortage is particularly acute for certain sports, or in non-sports halls.

Chia, a second-year School of Materials Science and Engineering student, said that niche sports like water polo, squash and sepak takraw are lesser known and hence have fewer people signing up.

He counts the hall lucky that it has three players with experience in

these sports this year, so that they can coach other students.

“Some people consider hockey a dangerous sport and they are afraid of getting injured.

It can be quite hard to find willing players.”

Ng Yan Shan, 22 Hockey captain of Hall of Residence 4 Second-year student School of Humanities “In the past we have had no participation in these sports until the day of the competition,” he added.

Former sports secretary of Hall 8 Png Jing Wen, 20, believes that halls which are not considered to be sports-centric — like her own — have it tougher as well.

“Being a ‘non-sports’ hall, the general strength and interest in sports can be quite uncertain. Residents require more encouragement before they join trainings and play for IHG,” said Png, a second-year Sports

Science and Management student.

Getting more onboard To make up for the lack of participants, most halls have to come up with short-term solutions, like asking JCRC members to fill up the teams.

But it is not easy to play for so many sports.

Hall 14’s sports secretary Chia said: “I wouldn’t mind volunteering for sepak takraw or water polo since I’ve participated (in those sports) for the previous IHG. But for sports such as squash or table tennis where I do not have the techniques and knowledge of the rules, it’ll be hard for me to play well.”

Chia and the hall’s other JCRC members have also tried many ways to encourage residents to participate in the IHG, like personally contacting them to encourage them to sign up and promoting the sports more aggressively on social media.

In order to create more exposure for her sport, Hall 4’s hockey captain Ng has also held several tryouts. “We want to let residents understand the equipment and rules.

We also encourage players to bring along their friends who might be interested,” she said.

However, Ng said she hopes more can be done to help alleviate the problem of low participation,

PHOTO: NEO RONG WEI

such as fielding fewer players, and releasing the IHG schedule earlier so residents can plan their holidays around it. “(This) could also help ensure all halls get to compete without worrying about a walkover,” she said.

Others hope to build a stronger sports culture across all the halls and increase publicity for the IHG. Hall 14 resident Soh Sze Wen, 22, said: “In sports-centric halls, it is very evident that people are driven by passion for their hall to participate in IHG. We could look to revive or strengthen the hall culture of those non sports-centric halls to encourage participation.”

“Perhaps abolishing the guaranteed hall stay could help bring the culture back,” the final-year School of Art, Design and Media student added.

Hall 14’s sports secretary Chia added that NTU can also help to publicise major hall activities like the IHG to garner more awareness of and interest in the games, which he feels is a good platform to forge bonds among students.

“Hall sports, as compared to the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic Games or Singapore University Games, is an easier and friendlier competition ground,” he said.

“It’s one of the best platforms to encourage interaction and friendships between halls,” he added.

VOL. NO.

25

SPORTS

THE NANYANG

05 CHRONICLE

19

Winter sports in sunny Singapore The weather in Singapore may be toasty all year round, but some find their passion in sports that are played and performed in ice-rinks and snow-covered mountains.

Jill Marianne Arul speaks to three such students on their wintry pursuits

Loh Cai Hao, 23, was part of the first Singaporean duo to finish 16th in the World Curling Tour last year.

THE FIRST time Justin Sim, 21, went snowboarding in Korea in 2011, he crashed through a gate and tore right through a banner. But instead of deterring him from pursuing the sport, this experience did just the opposite.

“It was exhilarating and unlike any other sport I’d done before,” said the first-year Nanyang Business School (NBS) student, who escaped from the incident unscathed.

Snowboarding was new territory for him. Not only did it require snow-laden mountains, but it was also more challenging than other sport he had played in Singapore.

He began going on annual trips to countries like Japan, Korea and Australia with friends to practice, and is now an experienced snowboarder who tackles the most difficult slopes and paths in search of an adrenaline rush.

“Once, I got a small case of frostbite and didn’t even realise,” said Sim. “I just kept going and didn’t notice until I took off my gloves and saw that the tips of my fingers had started to turn black.”

Sim took a two-year hiatus from the sport when he was serving his National Service, but jumped back into it when he travelled to Val Thorens in the French Alps last month.

But being an avid snowboarder is tough in tropical Singapore, said Sim. The only opportunity he has to enjoy this sport is over the holidays when he gets to travel,

and travelling so often is expensive.

He typically spends at least $1,000 on gear, entry and accommodation during each trip.

To continue pursuing the sport here, he occasionally goes wakeboarding, which he said is similar to snowboarding.

“But there’s really no substitute for snowboarding,” said Sim, who hopes to try more ungroomed snowboarding paths in the future.

Curling stones Not many Singaporeans know about curling, a sport in which players slide heavy, granite stones along sheets of pebbled ice to reach a circular target.

But when Loh Cai Hao, 23, saw it being played on television at the 2014 Winter Olympics, his interest was piqued. He found the sport “peculiar” and was curious to find out more about it.

After watching some curling videos on YouTube, he tried it out for himself at the Equatorial Curling Club, Singapore’s only curling club, at JCube. He was hooked.

“I love that it’s so strategic,” said the third-year NBS student, who then signed himself up for a curling camp in Germany. “It’s known as ‘chess on ice’.”

Singapore does not have an official curling team as the sport has yet to be recognised by the National Sports Association, but Loh signs himself up for competitions and competes

internationally for the club.

His latest competition was in Estonia last September, where he spent three days at the Tallinn Mixed Doubles International Tournament competing with a fellow Singaporean curler who lives in America.

The pair was the first Singaporean duo to win a match at the World Curling Tour in Tallinn, and finished 16th out of 18 teams.

“In Zurich, I can train at a curling club for two hours a week, but in Singapore, I can't even train at all.”

Loh Cai Hao, 23 Third-year student Nanyang Business School But Loh quickly realised that practicing in the ice hockey rink at JCube was not the most ideal practice ground as the sport is usually played on pebbled ice.

“The rock reacts differently on the ice-hockey ice, and I don’t have the chance to curl as much as I would like to,” he said.

As a result, Loh chose to spend his six-month exchange programme

in Switzerland last semester so he could have more opportunities to train at a more advanced level.

“In Zurich, I can train at a curling club for two hours a week, but in Singapore, I can’t even train at all,” said Loh. He hopes that Singaporean curlers can eventually get a dedicated curling facility, which will give them more time to practice. Since the rink at JCube is shared by different users, the curling club only has about an hour to train on Saturday mornings.

But this time is used to teach newcomers, leaving very little time for training.

He said: “That would definitely make it easier to pursue this sport professionally. But right now it’s tough.”

Figuring it out Alicia Chong, 23, feels the strongest when she’s on the ice.

She had tried out several sports like badminton, inline skating and cycling, but all of them made the recent School of Humanities graduate feel clumsy.

When she tried figure skating, however, she felt different. It came naturally to her, she said.

“It makes me feel strong,” said Chong. “When you achieve something new, like a new spin or a new move, you feel really accomplished.”

She now has about 11 years of experience under the belt, and trains and coaches other figure

PHOTO COURTESY OF CURLING TALLINN

skaters at least 12 hours a week at the indoor rink at JCube.

Chong chose to go to Canada for her exchange programme two years ago, where she trained under different coaches to learn new techniques. She also went to Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur last year to train.

“Every time you move up a level you feel great,” said Chong, referring to figure skating classifications that are similar to dance grades.

There are four core and 10 freestyle levels. Skaters accomplish certain skills to advance further.

While Chong has not been officially tested, she has accomplished many of the spins and jumps required for the higher levels.

“However, I’m stuck with my jumps because of my knee injury,” said Chong. “But I hope to reach those higher levels again.”

However, figure skating is an expensive sport to pursue in Singapore. Competition-level skates can cost up to $1,000 a pair, and lessons can set learners back by as much as $150 an hour.

Because of these costs, Chong’s training has been put on hold several times until she had enough money to start classes again.

While she no longer competes, she continues to train weekly and the sport still brings her joy.

“On days I can do everything right, when I make all my jumps and spins, it feels like I’m on top of the world.”

With the annual Career Fair just around the corner, why not join us for an afternoon of experiential event to maximise your readiness for the Career Fair!

KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS Find out the latest job trends, get first hand tips on getting the right start on your career pathway through a series of engaging talks!

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An event by: NTU CAREER & ATTACHMENT OFFICE