The Nanyang Chronicle Vol 16 Issue 03 by Nanyang Chronicle

CHRONICLE

Seize the night PAGES 18-19

THE NANYANG

SEP T EMBER 22 , 20 0 9 | V OL 16 NO 3 | IS SN NO 0 218 -7310 | W W W. N T U. EDU. S G / C HRONIC L E

Crossover talents

Keep an open mind to foreign talent: PM

Page 5

Wedding bells

A GLOBAL STAGE: The issue of foreigners and integration plays out in universities. PHOTO | ANDREW SUSILO

PM Lee says Singapore s future will depend on Singaporeans learning to accept foreigners as their own CHERYL ONG DON’T be so quick to judge foreign talent as a threat, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said, and Singapore may just have enough space for everyone to co-exist peacefully. Mr Lee was speaking at the Students’ Union Ministerial Forum 2009, about how Singapore and its people can continue to prosper while facing intense competition from foreigners. The Ministerial Forum was held at the Nanyang Auditorium from 7 to 9pm last Tuesday, with about 1,500 in attendance. The issue of integrating foreigners into the Singapore society is reflected in local universities, the “microcosms of our society”, he said. “Universities should get a good mix of students–Singaporean and international st udent s–becau se t h i s w i l l cr eate a stimulating environment,” he said. “And also provide opportunities for Singaporeans to build networks to operate all over Asia.” He acknowledged the challenges faced by universities, which have to address perennial problems like culture shock and a growing competition for grades, scholarships and campus accommodation. To be “ha r mon iously i ntegrated”, universities have to put more thought into encouraging diversity, such as in hall activities and clubs and societies. This will help both parties – locals and foreigners – learn to accommodate each other’s differences while Singapore stays competitive in the global arena. “(Segregration happens) because there

are higher numbers of foreign students, so it’s easier for two groups to stay apart,” he said. “I think local students have to make an effort to welcome the international students. Pool your strengths together and develop a quality product.” Besides integration in universities, Mr Lee also talked about immigration as a longterm issue in other aspects. While Singapore has taken in more than 100,000 foreigners in recent years, the government is aware that it cannot sustain this influx without considering society’s ability to adapt to these newcomers. “We have to continue bringing people in but we will adjust the inflow so we will not dilute our national identity or weaken social cohesion,” said Mr Lee. “(But) we cannot make it so onerous for PRs and non-residents that they do not want to come,” he added. Meanwhile, citizens will always take priority and their interests will be safeguarded for the long term, PM Lee told the audience, which comprised as many Singaporeans as there were foreign students. This policy of distinguishing between citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs), and between PRs and non-residents like transient workers, will apply to welfare such as Budget packages and housing priorities. He also promised “sharper” differentiation to reflect the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship, but did not elaborate further. Si ngapor ea n s mu st a lso be mor e accepting of foreign workers and their sizeable presence in the service industry, since they take on jobs that most locals do not want. See the competition they pose here as added vibrancy and more opportunities, rather than something negative, he said. As for the newly-minted citizens and PRs, Mr Lee said they will “raise the quality of the population, in terms of education, skills, and drive”.

While they are a minority in the country, their impact is felt keenly in the country. They include entrepreneurs like Hyf lux founder Olivia Lum to first-generation immigrants whose sons fulfill their National Service alongside Singaporeans. Just as they put in effort to smooth out social habits that Singaporeans fi nd annoying, the same effort is expected of Singaporeans to understand this is due to a difference in culture. “The government will strive to create pr econd it ion s for Si ngapore to stay competitive over the long term, but we rely on each new generation to push out the boundaries … breaking new ground to make Singapore a different and a better place.” Students’ reaction to the forum on page 31.

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University games in ACTION

R ECOV ERY IS D IFFICULT, BU T POSSIBLE HE ALSO touched briefly on the economic outlook in the two-hour-long forum, describing the situation now as “a hard climb back up” from the bottom. While the stock markets show a brisk recovery from the doldrums they were in early this year, he was quick to caution students not to expect too much good news, yet. “Please be psychologically prepared for a slow pickup and even for surprises,” he said. “Like a W-shaped recovery–up very fast, but there may be a second dip. It is possible.” He attributes one of the reasons why Singapore is coping well with the recession to the fact that foreigners bore the brunt of the downturn, so it is more important for citizens to be more tolerant of them now.

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游走特色博客发现网络新世界

24页

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se p t e m b e r 22 , 20 0 9

T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e

Start integration in the Halls Students agree with PM's message that integration needs to be improved Edmund Lee THE need for integration between local and foreign students resonated most strongly with students who attended the Ministerial Forum this year. Students generally agreed with Prime Minster Lee Hsien Loong’s message that local and foreign students are cliquish and they should make the effort to interact, as it will help raise the standards of universities and provide opportunities for local students to build networks. “Singaporean students are not really mixing well with other nationalities,” said Sri Lankan A rav inda Kar unaratne, 22, a t h i rd-yea r st udent f rom t he School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “When it comes to project work, I think some Singaporeans find it difficult to understand foreigners perhaps due to differences in culture and context.” However, he said that the university will soar higher if the gap between the foreign and local students is bridged. Tan Wei Ni, 21, a third-year student from NUS, said the lack of interaction could be due to foreign students not attending the hall orientation camps. “Hall orientation camps are where students really get to know each other and bond together.” While the purpose of orientation camps is to encourage students to interact, some questioned if those catering to specific nationalities are really useful in achieving this purpose.

S T U DE N T S joi n i n g N T U ’s newest Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes can expect a cross-cultural experience, with scholarships and internships in Germany on offer. In a signing ceremony on August 31st, NTU announced a new collaborative effort with top-ranking German university Technische Universität München (TUM). From January 2010 onwards, NTU and TUM will launch a joint PhD programme in Electrical a nd Elec t ron ic Engi neer i ng, specifically in Microelectronics, Nanoelectronics and Integrated Circuit (IC) Design. This will subsequent ly be extended to include other disciplines. T he four-year programme will see students spend around half of their candidature at NTU and the other half at TUM, with a minimum residency of one year

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew celebrated his 86th birthday in London while on an official visit. He held talks with top-level British politicians including Foreign Secretary David Miliband and other governing Labour Party figures. Temasek Holdings's portfolio value falls 30% on-year to S$130billion as of March 2009, according to its latest annual report. This means the portfolio has shrunk back to levels seen three years ago when its value was worth S$129 b. SINGA P ORE a nd Norway signed a protocol amending their standing agreement for the avoidance of double taxation. It was signed by Second Permanent Secretary (Finance) Peter Ong and Norway's Ambassador to Singapore Janne Julsrud.

UP CLOSE: PM Lee addressed questions from a smaller group of students at a reception after his address. PHOTO | ANDREW SUSILO

Instead of getting a chance to interact with the larger community, participants of these camps end up mingling with people from their own countries. “It is ironic that most foreigners join orientations organised for their own nationality,” said Goh Weihan, a PhD student from the School of Computer Engineering (SCE) during the question-andanswer session. PM Lee said that although the decision to determine how orientations are carried out lies with the University, he suggested h a v i n g a q u ot a of f or e i g n students in every level in halls of residence to increase chances of interaction. This is similar to the Housing D e v e lo pm e n t B o a r d E t h n i c

Integration Policy aimed at getting people of different races to connect with one another. T he policy requires ever y HDB apartment block to fulfil a representative quota for each race. Murshida Bte Mohd Mustafa, 21, a third-year student from School of Humanities and Social S c ie nc e s s a id : “ T h e e t h n ic proportion solution works for public housing, and may work if extended to halls here.” Other issues raised in the forum were the economic condition, political climate, media societies, and education policies. Cheng Lixing, 23, a third-year student from the Nanyang Business School, found PM Lee’s views on the economy refreshing.

“He did not paint a rosy picture for the near future but that is good because it doesn’t raise our expectations too much, since the economy is doing badly now,” she said. ”Nobody can be fully confident about when the economy will improve.” While many found the forum insightful, some were surprised that the bulk of the time was taken up by the emphasis on integration, and not as interactive as they expected. “It would be better to have more time for a longer conversation,” said Minh Duc, 20, a first-year student from SCE. “I expected to hear more of his experiences governing Singapore and building up the nation.”

East meets west in latest collaboration Trinetta Chong

news flash

at each university. Graduates will be awarded a joint PhD degree issued under the seals of both universities.

“We are confident that the programme will attract top Master’s students to apply.” Dr Pey Kin Leong Head of the Division of Microelectronics

The initiative will establish a wide base of PhD programmes to generate new research, as well as provide educational and employment opportunities for students attending both schools. In addit ion, st udents can

look forward to scholarship and internship opportunities with prominent German companies. T h i s i s due to t he c lose partnerships TUM has established with the industr y through its extensive Job and Internship Exchange programme as well as its annual hosting of IKOM, one of Germany’s largest career forums. At least five scholarships are offered by the two universities, including the Nanyang President Graduate Scholarship and the NTU Research Student Scholarship. Accord i ng to Dr Pey K i n Leong, Head of the Division of Microelectronics at NTU, this joint degree will complement the existing strengths of both universities. “It provides a unique platform for professors with common interests and complementary expertise to collaborate and work together in advanced, novel Nanoelectronics and Integrated Circuit Design.” “The research landscape in the world is evolving and this new

partnership will expose our young researchers to various research cultures at an early stage of their research endeavours,” said Dr Pey. Competition for entry is likely to be stiff, owing to some unique features of the programme. “The joint PhD programme allows for students to be supervised by professors of NTU and TUM; in addition, they will be spending a significant part of research candidature in both countries,” said Dr Pey. He added: “We are confident that the programme will attract top Master’s students to apply." Eu n ice Ong, 27, a n N T U alumnus who recently completed her Master of Science degree in Microelectronics, is seriously considering the programme. “Get t i ng a cross-c u lt u ra l experience while doing your PhD sounds pretty exciting, and I’m really looking for ward to the prospect of working in Germany in the future.”

FROM January next year, teachers who wish to focus on classroom teaching can move up the professional ladder to the new post of principal master teacher. Equal in standing and salary scale to a school principal, they will be considered national-level experts in their subjects. Learning English key in inte gr ating immigr ant s into Singapore society, says community groups and stakeholders. The National Integration Council's (NIC) S$10 million fund will help to provide for more language courses. Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE), along with financial planners IPAC, hopes to do improve the financial awareness of women in Singapore. They will conduct seminars for those who wish to improve their current financial situation and plan for the future. SCHOOLS would have failed in their jobs if after 10 years of mother tongue language lessons, students are put off from actually using the language, said Education Minister Ng Eng Hen. The focus will need to shift from teaching students to pass a test, to getting them to use and appreciate the language. MORE young people here have become mediums in the last decade. Believers say that mediums serve as messengers for deities. About seven in 10 practising mediums here are in their 20s and are often blue-collar workers, said Taoist Federation (Singapore) chairman Tan Thiam Lye. A new suburban shopping centre will rise in the west, at Clementi. The retail hub is tentatively called "Clementi Mall", and it is part of a larger development located at the former Clementi Bus Interchange. Tickets to this year's Singapore Formula 1 race are unlikely to be sold out, despite the fact that only 83,000 tickets were offered for sale compared to 100,000 last year. So far, 90 per cent of the tickets have been sold. the family of Malaysian-born terror suspect Noordin Muhammed Top and the Malaysian government say they want to bring his body back from Indonesia to be buried in his native land following his death in special forces raid.

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se p t e m b e r 2 2 , 20 0 9

T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e

Streamlining NTU-China relations New agency takes a more holistic approach to dealings with China

Media, for example, can contribute, because part of the objective of the Eco-city is to become a hub for new media.” Apart from the Eco-city, the Tianjin municipality had entered into preliminar y discussions with NTU to set up an overseas ca mpu s i n t he Ch i nese cit y, which has a population of some 12 million – more than double that of Singapore.

Kyle Leung In response to the increasing diversit y of the universit y’s dealings with China, NTU has set up the China Affairs Office aimed at providing administrative support on a larger scale. T he of f ice was of f icia lly o p e n e d o n A u g u s t 1s t , i n line w it h N T U President Su Guaning’s convocation address in July. In his address, Dr Su stated that one of the main objectives for the school is to become a knowledge hub with particular emphasis on China - the most populous country in the world with the fastest growing economy in the past decade. According to Dr Wu Wei, the newly appointed director of the China Affairs Office, his role is to oversee an organisation tasked with helping to fulfill the school’s grand ambitions in more areas than before. “Previously, the main focus of our support was education,” said Dr Wu. “Now, the research component is strengthened. NTU will be able to conduct research on Chinese

GRAPHIC | MUHAMMAD HIDAYAT

culture, politics, economics and environmental issues.” The office is slated to offer its support to a major undertaking between the Singapore and Chinese governments in the Tianjin Ecocity project. N T U wa s i nv ite d by t he Ministry of National Development to take part in the enterprise. The role of the China Affairs Office is to coordinate the expertise that the university will provide toward the project. Dr Wu said: “Our engineers are known for their expertise in environmental protection, water sanitation and other areas, which will be very useful in shaping a

sustainable city like the Tianjin project.” Located 150 kilometres south of Beijing, the Tianjin Eco-city will be home to 350,000 residents when completed in 10 to 15 years time. NTU engineers will work with their counterparts in China to maximise resource conservation in the eco-city and research new technology to minimise carbon emissions. Besides t he engi neer i ng sciences, Dr Wu also mentioned how all faculties and colleges in NTU can be involved in the project. “The School of Art, Design &

“By exploring how we can transfer and share technological expertise between NTU and China, greater breakthroughs and insights in various fields of research can arise.” Dr Wu Wei Director of China Affairs Office

The prospect of making such significant investments overseas has inherent risks, especially in

view of the current worldwide economic crisis. Dr Wu – whose expertise is in the field of communications and management – assured that t he potential benef its of t he school’s investments in China override the economic risks such a commitment entails. He said: “China’s population a nd e conom ic powe r mea n s that the university’s carefully planned invest ments t hat tap into t he potential of t he country’s huge domestic market a re sen sible a nd pr udent , especially in areas of research and education.” The China Affairs Off ice’s predecessor is the China Strategy Group, through which NTU had awarded Masters degrees to more than 8,000 Chinese government officials since 1992. The new office will provide the interface for cooperation with prospective par tners in China, where collaborative opportunities in research are abundant in largescale projects. “By exploring how we can transfer and share technological expertise between NTU and China, greater breakthroughs and insights in various fields of research can arise,” said Dr Wu. “The China Affairs Office, with wider support and coordination capabilities, makes the school’s aspirations foreseeable.”

Bus 179 to go green

A boost for female academics

Goh Kai Shi

Cerelia Lim

A hydrogen-powered bus is set to be the centrepiece of NTU and Land Transport Authority’s collaborative efforts to make use of clean energy on our roads. The Singapore Urban Transport Solution program, launched in November last year with the $50 million Land Transport Innovation Fund, provided the funding for the project. Also known as a fuel cell bus, it will follow the route of bus service 179 during the Youth Olympic Games in August next year. A fuel cell bus combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, with only one byproduct, water. The lack of carbon emissions reduces the levels of pollution. The collaboration came about due to NTU’s interest in saving the environment. “This is only the first step in our efforts towards clean energy application,” said Professor Wang Youyi from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), who is overseeing the fuel cell bus project. Professor Soh Yeng Chai, Associate Dean of Research at NTU’s College of Engineering believes that “one of the most impor tant benef its is that it brings about awareness of the possible use of technology to create more sustainable kinds of

transportation”. The team working on the project comprises four professors and two PhD students from EEE, School of Mechanical Engineering and School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering (CBE). The team will expand to include graduates and undergraduates in the future.

“This is only the first step in our efforts towards clean energy application.” Professor Wang Youyi School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Future clean energy research by NTU will focus on hybrid buses, which are cheaper to build. They run on a combination of diesel and fuel cells, hence pollution emissions will be significantly lower than normal buses. These buses may be put on our roads as public buses in the future. However, Aw Chee Yang, 23, a third year CBE student, is worried about the financial repercussions. “The high cost of the bus will result in higher operating costs, thus higher bus fares,” he said.

Women in engineering fields are under-represented in academia here, says resea rch-gra nt recipient Associate Professor Lam Yeng Ming. A/P Lam, from the School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), was awarded a $20,000 research grant at the inaugural L’Oreal Singapore for Women in Science National Fellowships in August this year. The award seeks to recognize outstanding researchers in their home or adopted countries. All applicants vying for the grant have to be Singaporeans or permanent residents. Jur y President Professor L e o Ta n sa id: “ T h i s awa r d should serve as an adrenaline b o o s t f or m or e wom e n to seriously consider science and engineering careers.” A/P Lam praised the award for being an encouragement to female scientists. She said: “Most women are not encouraged to pursue studying after their first degree due to family commitments.” This award is signif icant in that while Singapore has no shortage of female engineers at the undergraduate and doctoral level, most of them do not stay on in science beyond that, according to A/P Lam. “Women in general do not

BEAUTY AND BRAINS: An inspiration to female engineers. PHOTO | ANDREW SUSILO

consider a career at the PhD level which leads to research or academia,” said A/P Lam, who is married to a British researcher. They currently have no children. Christopher Neo, Managing Director of L’Oreal, said only 13 of the 528 Nobel Prizes awarded from 1901 to 2008 were given to women. In NTU, faculty staff from the College of Engineering showed the average percentage of female professors is around 15%. Elvin Liang, a final year MSE student, said that during his INSTEP program to France, 50% of the researchers he worked with were female. The 24-year-old said: “In

France, there are campaigns encouraging women to do post graduate studies.” He c ite d a n e xa mple of how authors are encouraged to write a few lines of pleasantries to their female counter par ts before submitting their research papers. To boost the numbers of female engineers here, A/P Lam suggests prospective students interact more with faculty members. “St ude nt s s hou ld s p e a k to r e s e a r c he r s i f t he y a r e interested. They can also apply to be a student assistant, which allows them to work with a professor on a research project,” she said.

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SE P T E M B E R 22 , 20 0 9

T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e

A new face for Student Union

Rolling good times Well known British company ties up with university for research Maryam Mokhtar

A NEW DIRECTION: Dimas hopes more students show their support for the Union. PHOTO | NG JUN SEN

Student Union to focus on boosting their image to engage student population Ng Jun Sen Do NOT expect drastic change from us this year, says the newly elected President of the 19th NTU Student Union (NTUSU). Dimas Harry Priawan, a final year student from the School of Electr ical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), was appointed President du r i ng a cou nci l meeting on August 28th, a day after Union Day. Council members, comprising representat ives f rom ever y constituent club, met to vote for their supported candidate after question and answer sessions, which took place behind closed doors. Indonesian-born Dimas, plans to concentrate on fixing the administrative inefficiency that he said plagued the Union under the previous administration. He said that the previous executive committee focused too much on event handling. Now, he wants to cut down on the number of events that the NTUSU undertakes. “We put too much effort and resources into different events, and I would say that the way we work now is to just concentrate on the event, and sometimes we neglect the rest of our job scope,” said the 22-year-old. The NTUSU was founded in 1991 to look after the interests of the student population. This year, it was chiefly responsible for organising events such as the Union Welcome Week and the Ministerial Forum. But still, some students do not

seem bothered about what it does and this can cause problems. “We generally operate on a ‘no-complaints-is-good-news’ basis, but even if we don’t get complaints, we don’t get compliments either,” said Ng Hwei Yun, 22, the former president, now a final-year student at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. As a result, she said: “We really lack the motivation and determination to keep fighting for the students.” Dimas blames this on the lack of credit to NTUSU. “Somehow, students just come for our events, but do not know who is organising or arranging them,” he said. Part of Dimas’ mission is to boost the image of the NTUSU. Over the next four months, he plans to conduct an awareness progra m me, ut i lising mass mailing and the Tr ibune, a newsletter run by the Student Union. In addition, Dimas said that students should be concerned because the Union ‘affects their lives’, and that changes and implementations by the NTUSU take a long time to finalise. He cites the Blue Ribbon Commission as an example, which was established in 2007 to conduct a bottom-up review of the university’s undergraduate e ducat ion ph i los oph y a nd curriculum. It is an ongoing project. Di ma s e mpha si se d t hat st udent s need to rema i n interested in the Union. “The school cares for them through the NTUSU, so it is important for them to support us and share their feelings with us. Students may have wanted a change, but they do not see it.”

A dream chance for students to work with power systems giant Rolls-Royce is now up for grabs for engineering students here. NTU and Rolls-Royce Group announced in August a f iveyear research agreement which will see the Rolls-Royce team collaborating with NTU researchers and students, working on areas in process technology, computational engineering, and power electronics. The research will be carried out on campus grounds. T he col labor at ive projec t could see about 10 final-year students involved each semester, earning academic units that will be counted as part of their Final Year Project (FYP), according to Dr Tseng King Jet, Head of Power Engineering Division within the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE). To qualif y, students need to ensure their grades are up to standard; at least a 4.0 Grade Point Average by their final year. Said Dr Tseng: “Students must have good academic grades and be willing to work hard”. P r e l i m i n a r y d i s c u s s ion s

between the school and RollsRoyce began in 2008, involving the Provost's Office as well as related professors from the research and engineering departments. He added t hat aside f rom being a golden FYP opportunity, the involvement could lead to participating students possibly secur ing jobs at Rolls-Royce departments here or overseas upon graduation.

“It'd be great to be able to experience working for a multi-national company overseas.” Mohd Muniruddin Khairuddin School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Year 3

Rol l s-Royc e’s r e s ea r c h departments in Singapore are currently located at the International Business Park in Jurong as well as in NTU. In July, Rolls-Royce announced that it will build an engine blade fan plant as well as a regional training centre in Singapore. The company said it will also be increasing its workforce here from about 1,400 now to 2,000 in the coming years, so

the collaboration comes at a timely juncture as Rolls-Royce continues to expand its facilities here. Engineering students here are celebrating the collaboration and the opportunities it could offer them. Mohd Muniruddin Khairuddin, a third-year EEE student, said: “Who wouldn’t want to be a part of this? It’s Rolls-Royce, a world-class name in the industry.” T h e 2 3 -y e a r- o l d a d d e d : “Right now, many of the jobs for engineering graduates are in local companies here. It’d be great to be able to experience working for a multi-national company overseas.” The agreement is a continuation of collaborative efforts between the two establishments. In February last year, Rolls-Royce set up a fuel cell systems process engineering a nd ve r i f icat ion f ac i l it y i n N T U, and in 2006, launched a scholarship programme for aerospace engineering students. Looking forward, Dr Tseng said that the five-year agreement could lead to an increase in the number of collaborative projects with Rolls-Royce, and perhaps with even more renowned companies. The list of collaborative partners that includes Siemens, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company and Thales looks set to grow longer, with Rolls-Royce the latest addition rolled in.

Breaking fast, breaking barriers Amirah Diyanah Kemat ‘Let's Have Dates’, the breaking fast session organised by NTU Muslim Society in conjunction with the Islamic month of Ramadan, at t r ac ted a n i nte r nat iona l crowd of more than a hundred participants. On September 2nd, the Student Activities Centre (SAC) rooms four and five were transformed into an international hub with students and staff from Indonesia, Iran, South and Central Asian, South Korea, Europe and USA. The event aimed to increase aw a r e ne s s a b ou t I s la m , it s followers and their practices, according to head programmer Muhammad Firdaus Bin Hamzah, a third-year student from the School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering. The 23 year-old said: “PM Lee urged us in the National Day Rally that we should not just tolerate other groups, but also open our hearts to all.” “For our international students, this was a taste of a slice of harmonious cake that Singaporeans have come to build.” A sh a r i ng s e s sion about Ramadan was conducted by Ustaz Iqbal Abdullah, an Islamic Scholar, and Abdur Raheem Stelzer, a recent convert to Islam. Guests lear nt about t he meaning of Ramadan to Muslims, that fasting

TIME FOR FOOD: Blondes blend in with the rest. PHOTO | COURTESY

is not just an act of prohibition of consumption but also an act of piety. In the month of Ramadan, Muslims are required to abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk. Some exchange students took the opportunity to learn more about Islam and Muslims. “I’ve heard about fasting during Ramadan but I didn’t know why,” said American Emily Flener, 21, a third-year student from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, adding that the event helped her understand the practices of Ramadan better. Swede Michaela Asp, a final-

year student from the School of Biological Sciences commented that her impression of Islam in Sweden was dominated by negative images in the media. The 24-year-old added: “After the event my perception has changed for the better, thanks to the explanations provided.” Nurhayati Zakaria, 21, a thirdyear student from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, noted t hat suc h e vent s a lso acted as a platform for cultural exchange between Muslims and non-Muslims. She said: “Let's Have Dates was a budding opportunity to start fresh, meaningful relationships.”

news

se p t e m b e r 2 2 , 20 0 9

T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e

New wave of scholarly talent Goh Kai Shi A record number of freshmen were awa rded prest igious undergraduate scholarships this year, according to Professor Lalit Goel, the Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. “Admission standards were some of the highest we have seen,” said NTU President Su Guaning, at the Nanyang Scholarship 2009 Awa rd Ceremony on Aug u st 28th. A total of 109 students were awarded the scholarships, with a fifth of the recipients taking both. Candidates for the Nanyang Scholarship are selected based on outstanding academic results, excellent CCA records and strong leadership qualities, while the CN Yang Scholars Programme is for students with a passion for science and technology. T he Nanyang Scholar sh ip includes an annual stipend to cover tuition fees (after the tuition grant) and other allowances of $8,250 every year, as well as a host of enrichment experiences like a unique leadership programme, and priority for NTU’s Global Immersion Programme to study and work abroad. T h e C N Ya n g S c h o l a r s Programme is an undergraduate programme launched in 2006 for e xcept iona l sc ie nce a nd engineering students. “The scholarship is a sign of recognition of academic excellence, talent, leadership, and a passion to contribute to the society,” says Prof Goel. BUDDING DESIGNER Hangzhou native He Dongliang, 20, has always had a thirst for

knowledge, since he was a young boy. He’s ambition f inally paid off when he was named as one of the recipients of the Nanyang Scholarship. Currently a freshman with a double major in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Economics, he feels both subjects are complementary, rather than contrasting. “In a world today, it is not enough to be specialised in just one field. Only by having the knowledge in engineering and understanding the economics to running a company can I head it,” he said. Mu lt i-ta lented He enjoy s putting his ideas into his poster and t-shirt designs, calling his work “simplistic and elegant”. His Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Economics teacher of two years, Ms Alice Tan, describes him as “someone who knows his capacity”. She said: “He is very confident in voicing his opinions and is especially good at framing and angling his arguments.” NO CHALLENGE TOO GREAT Jeremy Quek, 21, is no ordinary freshman. The School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences student was the recipient of two study awards this year: the Nanyang Scholarship and the CN Yang Scholarship. “I t houg ht it wou ld be challenging to commit to both scholarships,” said Quek. “You’re forced to broaden your scope because of the science curriculum provided.” However, there are downsides to the prestigious scholarship because of the controlled curriculum— scholars take different modules from the majority of students.

BRIGHT SPARKS: L-R Jeremy Quek, 21, Trinh Hoang Ly, 20, and He Dongliang, 20. PHOTO | RENALD TAURUSDI

“I may get isolated from them,” he said. A n a lu m nu s f r om S a i nt A ndrew’s Junior College, the mathematics major has always had an affinity for numbers. Jeremy hopes to find a way to use mathematics to benefit society one day, inspired by the popular American drama series, Numb3rs. Joel Lian, 21, Jeremy’s friend of 12 years said: “He’s not very outgoi ng a nd ca n be r at he r reserved. But he has a very wide range of tastes.” For the love of dance Trinh Hoang Ly, 20, applied for the Nanyang Scholarship because

of the leadership opportunities it offers. “If you are very interested in leading or organising events in the future, you should apply for this scholarship,” Trinh said, recalling her senior’s comments. A freshman at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Trinh was determined not to be defined by her Vietnamese heritage. In her days at National Junior College, Trinh gamely joined the Indian Dance Troupe. Despite taking a rarely chosen path, she developed a deep passion for the art. A seasoned performer now, Ly is keen to establish Indian Dance

as an extra-curricular activity in NTU. Tr i n h h ad e x h i bi t e d t he qua l it ies of a leader du r i ng her days at junior college. She juggled her dance commitments and her role of Vice President of Nat iona l Ju n ior Col lege’s astronomy club. Tr i n h’s for mer classmate, Andrew Cheong Zhiren, a 19-yearold student of Peking University in China, was especially impressed by Ly’s gung-ho spirit. “Trinh has been willing to enter unknown territory, push bou nd a r ie s a nd e x pa nd he r horizons,” he said. Additional Reporting by Elizabeth Law

Rekindling our connections with nature through art a nd ca n be u se d to pr e se nt d if ferent per spec t ives,” sa id Hagerman. “We used to have a close relat ionsh ip w it h ou r liv i ng la nd s c ap e but we h ave los t that kind of contact with nature. So it is worthwhile to challenge ou r selves to u nder sta nd ou r natural surroundings better.”

Mavis Goh Green climbing plants hanging f rom t he cei ling and orange spherical buoys floating in the air— these were part of an exhibition launched by the School of Art, Design and Media (A DM) last month, showcasing installations by two Mexican artists. Titled “SURROUNDED”, the ex hibition, which lasts f rom August 21st to September 21st, is a result of the collaboration between ADM’s Associate Professor Suresh Sethi and Mexico’s Laboratorio Arte Alameda. The artists combined natural elements like plants, soil and tides with the use of technology to create works, specific to the sites they are displayed in, to urge the audience to ponder upon the world they live in. Substrate (Below Level 0) by Jeronimo Hager man had tall acrylic pipes filled with a layer of soil, out of which emerged

“It’s a response to the use of technology.”

Associate Professor Suresh Sethi School of Art, Design and Media UPSIDE DOWN: Hagerman’s installation presents an unusual perspective. PHOTO | COURTESY

climbing plants that hung from the ceiling. He placed the audience’s point of view at the level of the soil to remind them of the many tiny organisms thriving in the rarely noticed substrate of the soil.

Explaining the idea behind his installation, Hagerman said: “My work was inspired by the ADM building, especially the grass ceiling and glass walls.” “Plants live and move ver y differently from humans

The other installation, Iván A br eu’s Hi gh Ti de, feat u r ed orange buoys hung to an electronic s y stem t hat made t hem bob according to the coastal currents forecast by Singapore’s por t , though at a very slow speed of approximately 1 millimetre every

four seconds. “Iván basically wants you to feel the physical-ness of the world. With the virtual use of gaming and Internet, you kind of lose touch of the things in your life. In a way, it’s a response to the use of technology,” said Professor Suresh of Abreu’s work. Rachel Ho, 21, a first year student from ADM, thought that the use of technology in Iván’s work was unique. “It is interesting how he made use of an electronic system in representing nature. It’s like a paradox,” she said. Wor k s b y t h e s e a r t i s t s , according to Professor Suresh, me lded a r t a nd sc ie nce a nd were most relevant to NTU and ADM. “The engineers work inside out, and we work outside in. But ultimately, we are doing the same thing, making things for humanity better, and these artists bridge that gap and make us come together,” he said.

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Bridging the gap between arts and science Chuang Bing Han The School of Art, Design & Media (ADM) will be where science and technology meet the arts. Recently appointed as Chair of ADM, Danish-born Professor Vibeke Sorensen said the arts can no longer be isolated, but an “understanding between artistic creative thinking and scientific thinking” must be built. “A r t i s t s now a r e h i g h l y educated,” she said. “Some at A DM even have engineer ing backgrounds.” With the broad application of the arts, the role artists play has expanded to be more than just illustrators. This is important for the intellectual life of the university, she said. The goal is to improve the dialogue between ADM and the rest of the universit y, and to stimulate collaboration between the schools. “The new areas to go into are in between the (established) fields,” she said. “We can draw some reference from the basic areas, and come up with new literature. The challenge is how to do that. But there is great potential in it.”

MULTIDISCIPLINARY: Professor Vibeke Sorensen wants to break new ground through unusual collaborations. PHOTO | LOONG YONG EN

For ADM, Prof Sorensen aims to have more participation from traditional arts, and have more crossovers between the digital and the physical arts. She did not elaborate on the changes, saying they are in the pipeline. Prof Sorensen said ar tists can no longer keep themselves in isolation to try to come up with an

original piece of work. Even more so in a highly connected place like Singapore. She revealed this is one of the reasons she chose to join NTU. Other factors for her are the multicultural society of Singapore and the intellectual resources available in the university. “The highly educated population and the high connectivity made

this place a rich repository and ideal for the exchange of ideas,” she said. Known for her track record of combining art and science and collaborations with scientists in developing new technologies, Prof Sorensen is a forerunner in being multi-disciplinary. She pursued a double degree i n Mat hemat ics a nd Eng l i sh

Literature before taking up arts in the Royal Academy of Art and A rchitect ure in Copenhagen, Denmark. Prof Sorensen came highly recom mended by Provost Ber til A ndersson and College of Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences Dean Lawrence Wong, said NTU President Su Guaning. Dr Su added t hat her specia l i sat ion , d ig ita l mu lt i media and animation, is pivotal to interactive digital media, a “high priority area” for NTU and Singapore. Prior to joining NTU, Prof Sorensen was the Chair of the Department of Media in the College of Arts & Sciences at the State University of New York at Buffalo, a position she has held since 2007. “ ( T he double deg ree i n Mathematics and English Literature) was not a popular choice back then,” she revealed. “I thought being educated means you have to study everything. But the problem is how to put everything together.” “And arts can be that bridge. Even the structure of ADM looks like arches that connect.”

Rebuilding education Business school alumni give generously to rebuild education facilities in China Mavis Goh Past and present came together for a good cause, donating over $200,000 to rebuild a quakehit school in China’s Sichuan province. NTU President Su Guaning and members from the Nanyang Business School (NBS) alumni flew to Deyang city and witnessed t h e r e n a m i n g c e r e m on y of Shuangdong Primary School on September 6th. The primary school had been damaged during the devastating earthquake in May last year. The reconstr uction project was sponsored by the Nanyang Love and Care fund for Education set up last Ju ly by t he N BS Chinese Executive Masters of Business Administration (EMBA) alumni in response to the Sichuan earthquake. The alumni also approached the Red Cross Society of China to manage the fund. Shuangdong Nanyang Primary School is the fund’s first beneficiary. EMBA alumnus Mr Zhao Wei, who spearheaded the cause, told the Straits Times on September 7t h t hat t he a lum ni decided to focus on education-related

programmes, as “education is still the best way out of poverty”. Besides rebui lding t he physical infrastructure, funds will also go into the improvement of teaching and management standa rds of what has since been renamed the Shuangdong Nanyang Primary School. In a statement by NTU, Dr Su said: “We will be sharing with the principal and teachers the latest management philosophies, with the hope of upgrading the management and pedagogy in the primary school. “We eagerly await the day Shuangdong Nanyang Primary S c h o ol b e c om e s t h e m o d e l school in Deyang and even in the whole of Sichuan province,” he said. The school’s built-up area will expand three-fold and will accommodate 12 classes of 540 students, some 200 more than before. Dr Su and the alumni were also in nearby Chengdu, capital cit y of Sic hua n prov i nce, a day earlier, on September 5th to attend a biennial business forum organised by the China Programmes Office under the NBS. The forum is held as a platform to unite all NTU and NBS alumni in China so that a vibrant link bet ween t he Un iver sit y a nd its alumni is maintained, said Professor Gillian Yeo, the Interim Dean of NBS, in her opening speech at the event.

“It also serves as a platform to foster dialogues and exchange of views among the distinguished speakers, academic, industr y leader s, N T U a lu m n i a nd pa r t ic ipa nt s f r om a d i ve r se background on major current business topics,” she said.

“We eagerly await the day Shuangdong Nanyang Primary School becomes the model school in Deyang.” Dr Su Guaning President, NTU

Titled "The New World Economic Order and its Implications for Businesses", the forum focused on how the economic landscape might change after the global financial crisis. “China was the first to respond to the crisis," said Professor Tan Tong Ya m, one of t he seven distinguished speakers at the forum. "For 2009, while it is projected that the US and Europe economies will witness contraction in GDP, China will witness a growth of 8.2 percent. This has implications for countries in Asia.”

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The future looks grim Heart work Be concerned about the Earth, warns distinguished lecturer

Melissa Lin

Lau Liang Tong Bio-terrorism, rising carbon dioxide levels and overpopulation were among the gloomy terms bandied about by Lord Martin Rees at LT 2A on August 27th. The Professor of Cosmology and Astrophysics and Master of Trinity College at the University of Cambridge presented his one-hour lecture, “The World in 2050”, as part of the Lee Kuan Yew Distinguished Visitors Programme. T he progra m me i nv ites outstanding academics and scholars to Singapore for guest lectures. “The 21st century is the first time human decisions can affect the entire planet and what happens in the future,” said Lord Rees to an audience of about 600. H is lec t u re bega n w it h a projection of the world population in 2050—nine billion people, about 2.7 billion more than the present estimate. With rapid modernisation and pollution, the question is whether the Earth can support the large number of people in time to come. Ac cor d i ng to L or d Re e s , reducing the world’s carbon dioxide levels by half before 2050 will ensure our survival on Earth. “Reducing the carbon dioxide emissions is impossible if no new advancements in science or technolog y are made,” he explained. Despite the grim outlook, Lord Rees highlighted the importance

EARNEST PLEA: Lord Rees warns of a bleak 2050. PHOTO | MICHAEL SUTANTO

of environmental conservation, as well as the benefits and risks that scientific advancements can bring about in a quest to save Earth. Lor d Re e s added: “ W h i le technology can save us, it can also be misused, triggering bioterrorism and cyber-attacks among others.” Wa ng Sheng tao, a t h i rdyear student from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS), agreed that advancements in technology are the best way for conservation. The 22-year-old said: “The only solution is to develop green technology and make clean energy cheaper and more accessible.” His view echoed that of Lord Rees and his concern with “clean energy”. “If the world is dependent on burning fossil fuels, the future will be in grave danger,” explained Lord Rees. Er C her n Ha n, a f i na lyear student at SPMS felt that

awareness on conservation among the public should be raised with the effort from government or non-governmental organisations around the world. “With the combined effort from every individual, the situation might be alleviated as the collective effect of our small actions can be huge,” said the 22-year-old. During the question and answer session, students asked about various topics like evolution of science, ethics and renewable energy. Wang said the talk benefitted him. “It made me realise how we need to develop cleaner energy technologies urgent ly as t he survival of Earth is will likely be dependent on it.” He added that he looks forward to the next guest lecturer visiting the school. Lord Rees concluded his lecture with the thought that: “We should be concerned about the Earth’s welfare. If not, we’ll be cursed by our children and grandchildren.”

A GROU P of N T U st udent s from Hall of Residence 4 spent a weekend raising funds for charity, prompting Minister for National Development, Mr Mah Bow Tan to jokingly label them “willing slaves”. The two day carnival, TOTS ‘4’ Milk at IMM Garden Plaza on September 5th and 6th was organised by Hall 4’s charity committee—Touch of the Hearts (TOTS). They raised more than $18,000 for their beneficiary, MILK (Mainly I Love Kids), a local charity that helps disadvantaged children. Presiding over the event was guest-of-honour Mr Mah. At the opening ceremony, he said: “Few people appreciate Singaporeans who take time off to do things for their fellow Singaporeans. Charities need volunteers to give their time, not just money.” This sentiment was echoed by his wife and President of MILK, Dr Sheryn Mah, who said she admired the students for taking the time to plan this event. TOTs ‘4’ MILK marked many f i r st s for TOTS, wh ich ha s been organising nationwide charity events annually since its establishment in 1992. It also took on a new form as a carnival, with a morning brisk walk with more than 100 participants, held in an open air area at the IMM Garden Plaza. This was different from previous events that were held in shopping centres. Attractions included stage performances, station games,

goodie-bag giveaways and teddy bears for sale. Wandering around the area were two mascots - students in a panda and tiger costume. They were a hit with the crowd, who took photographs with them and printed them at the photo booth for $2.

“The world doesn’t just revolve around your life or your studies. Spare a thought for others as well.” Robin Tan President Touch of the Hearts (TOTS)

The carnival did not only b e ne f it M I L K bu t le f t a n impression on attendees as well. Mrs Wong Siok Hoon, 35, who was there to support her daughter, one of the stage performers, said: “It’s a good event as it lets the young children realise how lucky they are.” A yea r of pla n n i ng, canvassing and finding sponsors went into ensuring the success of the carnival. The President of TOTS, Robin Tan, a third-year student from the Nanyang Business School, is glad to have done his part for society. The 23-year-old said: “The world doe sn’t ju st r e volve around your life or your studies. Spare a thought for others as well.”

Professors on the goggle box Edmund Lee Students m ight f i nd some familiar faces on Channel 5 on Tuesday evenings—three professors will appear as judges on the National Science Challenge 2009. Professor Kerry Sieh from the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) and Associate Professor Daniel Tan, Director of the Centre for Educational Development, will appear as guest judges. Associate Professor David Butler from the College of Engineering reprises his role as chairman of the judges and as resident judge for the fourth time. The seven-episode science game show is telecast on Tuesdays from 7.30pm to 8pm. Organised by A*STA R and the Singapore Science Centre, the show aims to spark an interest in science among students as well as members of the public. Participating in the competition as a judge for the first time, Prof Sieh said he was surprised to learn of the show’s existence. However he said it was fun to see the enthusiasm

and camaraderie of the groups. “Their playfulness reminded me that science is such a wonderful medium through which to swim,” he said. NTU has been contributing to the show for five years, providing outdoor locations, the faculty to set the questions, and judges for the studio rounds.

“Knowledge has certainly marched on.” Associate Professor Daniel Tan Director, Centre for Educational Development

This year EOS hosted the three semi-finalists teams for the sixth episode which will be screened on September 22nd. The teams spent a few hours at EOS on July 29th on a tour, and were treated to a short lecture on Sumatran earthquakes by Prof Sieh.

A s g uest judges, t he t wo pr ofe s sor s ma ke on ly one appearance. They assessed the groups on topics related to their areas of expertise. For A/P Tan, this allows him to enjoy the experience as a judge as he does not need to worry about logistics issues, handled mainly by the main judges. A/P Tan is no stranger to the National Science Challenge. He was involved as the chairman of the judges more than 10 years ago. However, he said that the questions asked in the current series are very different from those in the past. “K nowledge has cer tain ly marched on. The kind of questions we asked in the past and those of this current series are really different,” he said. Another difference which he noticed was the dress code of the judges. “Judges had to wear formal clothes then. Now, the dressing is more hip and casual,” he said. “The message, I think, is that dressing does not make a difference to what you know already.”

DRESSING UP: Student mascots engage young participants. PHOTO | DANNY FOO

Lifestyle Dining in an old chapel - Page 12

Here c mes the bride As couples tie the knot in the loving embrace of their schools, Wang Simin finds out why newlyweds favour their alma mater to start off their nuptials

CLOTHED in bridal white topped off by a veil of satin trimmed with delicate lace, the bride gazed lovingly into her fiancé’s eyes—a picture of perfection captured right outside the glass doors of Nanyang Auditorium, to the astonished stares of nearby bookish students. Clad in their wedding finery, Yeo Jhong Ren, 30, and Juliana Cheung, 29, chose to have their wedding photos taken in the academic grounds of their alma mater in June 2006. T he fountain outside LT2, Nanyang Auditorium and the slope behind Admin Annex were their favourite spots. “These were the places we frequented when we were students and our time here was really memorable,” says Yeo. The couple graduated from the then School of Mechanical and Production Engineering in 2004. Yeo, a programme and volunteer coordinator in social work, says: “This is the place where we met and we would love to be reminded by the wedding photos we took together.” The pair met at the Union Orientation Camp (UOC) in 2001, where Yeo expected plenty of fun and cheer. But what he did not anticipate was finding his wife. In a twist of fate, he picked welfare over logistics. Cheung, 29, a teacher, was then the welfare main committee member for the UOC camp. He was her sub-committee member, helping her provide food and beverages for camp participants.

HAND CLASPED TOWARDS A FUTURE TOGETHER: Against the backdrop of the Nanyang Auditorium and dressed in their wedding best, Yeo Jhong Ren and Juliana Cheung gaze into each other’s eyes. PHOTOS | COURTESY

The couple’s wedding shoot was filled with challenges. The final shots may look effortlessly graceful, but the idyllic pictures of a blushing bride in her flowing gown, sprawled daintily on a manicured lawn, were not easy to achieve. When they were shooting on the slope behind the Admin Annex, Cheung had to force herself to walk

GARDEN WEDDING: A floral affair at Yunnan Gardens for Gao Debin and Zhang Heng. The couple also had their marriage solemnised at the NTU Alumni Affairs Office.

on the grass, which she feared had “creepy crawlies among them”. On top of that, Cheung had half of her wedding gown sprawled on the grass on the top of the slope. Her gown was so heavy she had to be cautious not to lose her balance and roll down the slope. And they hit a snag midway through. Originally, the couple wanted to take photographs in LT1, where they always had lectures. But they forgot to apply for permits, and when they reached the lecture theatre, they found it locked. Nevertheless, the pair still reminisce about their shared moments in the lecture theatre. “When we walked past the LT, many sweet memories flashed back from dozing off during lectures to chit-chatting with friends over a cup of hot tea or coffee while the lecture was on-going,” Yeo says. The couple had their wedding celebrations at Holiday Inn Park View in Orchard on December 10, 2006. Yeo and Cheng are not the only couple who chose to return to school for their wedding. Recently on July 24th, Gao Debin, 32, an assistant professor, and Zhang

FOUNTAIN OF LOVE: A relaxed pose outside LT2, where the pair hung out as students.

Heng, 28, a real estate executive, became the first couple to make use of NTU’s new solemnisation room in the NTU Alumni Affairs Office. Both from China, Gao picked that day because it was also Zha ng’s convocat ion for her Master’s degree. Besides, Gao is also an NTU alumnus. “We figured it would be

fun to have both important events on the same day with our family and friends,” he says. Planning the nuptials was made easier with the help of the school. Gao says: “We approached Mr Soon Min Yam, the director of NTU Alumni Affairs Office, about seven weeks before our scheduled date. He agreed to be our solemniser immediately, and offered to have it in the new solemnisation room, where couples officially exchange their marriage vows. From the planning to the actual event, Mr Soon and his colleagues have been very helpful.” Mr Soon is NTU’s residential solemniser, who has been offering alumni solemnisation ser vices since he joined NTU five years ago. He i s a l ic e n s e d D e put y Registrar of Marriages and has been solemnising marriages in Singapore since 1992. The couple had their wedding shoot in the solemnisation room, t he “Dend robiu m Na nya ng”, named after the official f lower of NTU, a white orchid with a purple centre. In line with the spirit of love, it signifies “pure energ y a nd a ca r i ng hea r t”, says Soon. The newly-weds met via an online forum, and they plan to hold a ceremony with their family in China this December. It is not just NTU, either. In 2007, after a year of planning for their wedding, Eunice and Adriel Lim became the first couple to marry at Singapore Management University (SMU). The bride is a SMU alumna who loves her school so much, she wanted to capture the good memories. “SMU—it’s really one of the times when I spent the best years of my life so I wanted to bring it to my marriage, the next stage of my life,” said the bride. While her husband Lim was not from the university, he decided to go along with the plan because the couple wanted to do something new and different. The university went all the way to ensure that the wedding was a success. “When there was not enough grass, t he universit y star ted planting grass, cleaning the floor, flattening the grass, and that was very moving and we felt we were being supported,” says Lim.

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An active artist

underlining dreams behind the ways we interact with nature. Why do people who know that rainforests are being destroyed still go out and buy that endangered wood teak table even if they know it comes from Burma? There is a kind of disconnect. Art can’t change the world but art can help us understand such paradoxes. WHAT MAKES YOU WANT TO DEVOTE YOURSELF TO TEACHING?

I see my role in the university as both to research and to teach. I’m fortunate with the kind of classes that I teach as I’m able to share the research that I'm working on with my students and they too inspire me.

HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF GIVING UP?

No I can’t. It’s a drive, it’s more than what you get paid for. I think leisure makes no difference for artists and writers. The work-life division in which you go to work, come home and relax, does not really apply to artists. As an artist, your art is so much more involved it’s hard to differentiate leisure and work. There’s a drive with artists. I guess with activists too, to go beyond the norm. The bottom line is you care about what you are doing to the extent that you prioritise it the same way as you would prioritise your loved ones.

WHICH ONE EMOTIONALLY CONNECTS TO YOU MORE: AN EDUCATOR, AN ENVIRONMENTALIST OR A VISUAL ART PRACTITIONER?

I don’t think you can separate them. I’m straddling them all in an idealistic world. I’m interested in art and activism and I don’t privilege one over the other.

It is not easy to find time to support the causes you believe in amid the flurry of daily life. School of Art, Design & Media professor Lucy Davis makes time to care for what she believes in, blending artistic endeavours with passion for the environment. Zhao Boshu finds out more HOW DO YOU COMBINE BEING AN ARTIST AND HAVING A PASSION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

I am an artist. I don’t hope to be out there fighting the bulldozers taking down the rainforests in Indonesia. That’s not what I’m doing. It’s a question of where you are standing; you join in the conservation and concern that’s going on. I certainly don’t have any misconception that I’m going to change anything overnight. I am an activist, but activists don’t think that they are the only ones saving the world; you will find them a lot more humble than that. WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?

I am currently working with Double Helix Tracking Technologies which tries to combat illegal trade in wood items. They DNA test timber that comes to Singapore and trace its precise origins. For example, they can test very specifically whether teak wood comes from a plantation or rainforest in Burma. If it is from a rainforest, that is illegal. But I also want to know the personal story behind wood—who has touched it, where it has gone. Together with Double Helix Tracking Technologies, we are going to trace where objects come from. We're not just concerned with whether it’s legal or illegal, but we also take an interest in the human stories along the way.

IS DNA TESTING THE ONLY WAY TO TRACK DOWN THE ORIGINS OF WOOD?

art materials here are endangered wood. I refuse to use such wood, so I could not do my woodcuts.

There are a number of ways, but a DNA test helps get proof. Illegal logging is a fraught territory and it is difficult being out there fighting some of these guys—no one wants to get thrown in prison. With DNA proof, they cannot lie.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR PROJECT AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGNS?

WHAT ELSE ARE YOU DOING WHERE ART AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS MEET?

Another project is on the legacy of mode r n woodc ut a r t i s t s , predominantly by Chinese artists from Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s I’m also interested in t he c u l t u r a l c on c e r n s a n d t h e connection between woodcuts and the cutting down of rainforests. At one point, I wanted to do some woodcuts myself and went to some shops. Only jelutong was available and it is endangered, so basically the

YOU ARE QUITE AN ACTIVIST, SUPPORTING AND INVOLVED IN QUITE A NUMBER OF CAUSES. HOW DO YOU BALANCE THEM?

It is very difficult. I work on weekends. I have not had a weekend off for at least two months now. I work Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. I work all the time—I am exhausted.

PENGILLING KEMPAS: Assembled prints of found objects, kempas rolling pins with mixed ink & paper, dimensions = 105 x 75 cm PHOTOS | COURTESY

Art explores issues and areas of concerns from multiple levels. I’m interested in the reasons we are fascinated with wood. Somehow the tree is dead, but the wood is alive. You can say I’m interested in the histories of human relationships with wood. I do have an activist interest too. I’m looking to tell a story that is more complicated, less clear, more ambiguous, more poetic and more emotional than a documentary on illegal timber in South-East Asia. I’m concerned with exploring contradictions and paradoxes. I am involved in activist issues and art’s contribution is about picking up threads and continuing conversations about the ways we understand nature, and the

"IN MAY this year, I tried to re-create the memory of a tree from objects. For example, I re-created the tree, from which a rolling pin was made (see above), by making prints of the rolling pin. The tree (see right) is made exclusively from prints of the rolling pin. I rolled the prints, cut them into little pieces and put them back like humpty dumpty. I was interested not so much in making it completely realistic, but also in somehow keeping the spirit of the rolling pin in the tree, so it was like telling the story backwards from the rolling pin." ROLLING PIN TREE: Kempas/ Koompassia Malacensis Assembled prints of found objects, kempas rolling pin with mixed ink & paper, dimensions= 150 x 200cm

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instant pop-corn KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital 100 Bukit Timah Road

THE diminutive, fire-engine red contraption stands in the shadow of an industrial-sized vending machine. But its small size did nothing to deter 5-year-old Clarrisa Fong from making a beeline for it as her mother trailed behind her. Emblazoned with an affable caricature sporting sunglasses, the cheery red popcorn machine caught her eye. The machine first meted out a flattened cardboard box that had to be manually opened and put into another window. Then it churned out freshly popped corn within one minute. Be quick though, as the popcorn was dispensed with or without the box for gathering. The popcorn emerged piping hot and had a satisfying crunch, although there was no trace of caramel. A box of popcorn costs $2. The machine only accepts one-dollar coins; but a handy machine nearby offers coin exchange.

kings of convenience Umbrellas, condoms and costume jewellery— vending machines have come a long way from the usual snacks and drinks. Woo Sian Boon takes a closer look at the novelty and convenience of these machines

ferreting for fashion Plaza Singapura 68, Orchard Road 4th Floor (outside Daiso)

VERGING on clutter, the diverse range of pouches, barrettes and spark ly cost ume jeweller y is hard to distinguish. The eyecatching hot pink machine holds a range of accessories, from a siren red canvas pouch shaped like a sneaker ($12.50) to a luminescent orange satin barrette with shiny embellishments ($2). The items are packed so closely together that they boggle the eye. And this is not making a good first impression on some. “It is a gimmick, the accessories

hidden good cause Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal 50 Tanah Merah Ferry Road

THE machines may look trendy, all decked out in polished black and white, but it seems that many hesitate to use them. “It would be embarrassing since there are so many guys going into and out of the toilets. They would know what you are up to,” says Albert Ho, 25. An exchange student from Germany, Thomas Zetsche, 23, agrees. Singaporeans are squeamish when it comes to issues regarding sex, he says. “Perhaps people will be more comfortable buying the condoms when there is nobody staring at them,” he adds. These condom machines are installed in the male toilets at nightclubs and cruise centres. According to Ms Jesse Koh, program co-ordinator of Action for Aids, machines were installed at cruise centres because surveys showed that many men were visiting neighbouring Indonesian islands for commercial sex. Accepting only $1 coins, the machine sells a box of three condoms (regular or f lavoured) for $3.

fruitful on the go

look cheap. I don’t think that many people even stop to take a second glance at it when they walk past,” says programme coordinator Lee Shufen, 23. The diamond in the rough is a faux vintage brooch, detailed with delicate ceramic roses painted in the softest rouge, and accented with wispy lace ($6.50). Another is an ersatz “watch” for the bare wrist in army green ($8.50). Co-ow ner of t he mach ine M ic he l le Ta n s ay s t h at t he products target pre-teens and teenagers, and have been well received so far. To sustain interest, unsold items are replaced entirely with ne w stoc k – t r i n ket s sou r ced monthly throughout Asia.

KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital 100 Bukit Timah Road

EVERY day, chilled servings of crisp cut fruit are uploaded fresh into the machine. Sealed in plastic cups with a toothpick attached, bite-sized pieces of honeydew, papaya, pineapple, watermelon and guava cost $1 a cup. Choose from a mixed fruit cup for variety, or pick one type. “Buy i ng f r u it f rom t h i s mach i ne is more conven ient because it is just a few steps away from where I work. The fruit tastes fresh and I save time,” says Nicole Chee, 19, a student from Nanyang Polytechnic. Portions are generous, with crisply sweet cubes of honeydew and pineapple. But the papaya was overripe, and took some skill to pick up. The bottom of the cup held some dismally soggy pieces of fruit. But there have rarely been complaints since the fruit is replenished daily, according to director Leo Tan of supplier Geok Heng Enterprises.

rain or shine KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital 100 Bukit Timah Road

N EX T to t he standa rd wh ite post-office letter box, this light purple contraption dispenses small umbrellas in cheerful colours of fuchsia pink, lime green, sky blue and bright orange. It slides out onto a receiver curved to cradle it. This convenience comes at a price—$8 a pop. “It is convenient for rainy days when I do not have an umbrella, but I am put off by the exorbitant price. I can buy an umbrella for

$5 at Giordano,” says passerby Valerie Tan. Most NTU students think that an umbrella vending machine would be unnecessary on campus. “T he only time I need an umbrella is if I am going out of school and it is raining, but there are many sheltered walkways to the bus stops,” says Louisa Ho, 21, a student from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS).“I’ll make a dash for it since most of the buildings in NTU are quite close to one another. Or I would wait for the rain to stop,” says Esther Thean, 21, also from HSS. PHOTOS | WILLIS HENRY & COURTESY

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T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e

foodsnoop

Once upon a time

Diners have taken the place of firefighters and churchgoers in these new restaurants. Taking residence in an old chapel and fire station, Trinetta Chong and Natasha Hong see what they are serving up The white rabbit 39C Harding Road Tel: 6473 9965 Opening hours: Lunch: 12pm-2.30pm (Tue-Sun) Dinner: 6.30pm-10.30pm (Tue-Sun) Brunch: 11am-3.30pm (Sat-Sun) *Closed on Mon

WITH its long arched windows, aged walls and a courtyard, The White Rabbit looks like an old chapel that has seen better days. To an undiscerning eye, it is barely recognisable as a restaurant. Walking up stone terrace steps, we were greeted by the aroma of roast chicken, the soft tinkling of cutlery and a grinning head waiter. The former Ebenezer Chapel is now a ritzy restaurant by day and swanky bar by night. Formerly a garrison church serving the British in the 1940s, this age-old relic holds untold stories in its walls. Legend has it that a young boy who died in the war haunts the entrance at 4pm every day. Despite this, The White Rabbit is doing well serving up fine European cuisine amid a sense of tranquility and old-world charm. T he i nte r ior fe e l s l i ke a traditional English dining hall, with long banquet tables and lofty ceilings. The chapel’s intricate mosaic tiles and arched windows with elaborate iron-wrought grilles have been preserved. Stained-glass windows allow sunlight to stream in, while a circular light fixture hovers over the main bar like a halo. Yet, the elegance of this Gothicinspired architecture is contrasted with sleek modernity through immaculately clean, white walls and posh chocolate-leather seats. The menu, too, tempts patrons with classic comfort food with a contemporar y twist. The set lunch menu has either two courses ($30++) comprising a starter and main, or three courses ($38++) comprising a starter, main and dessert. We started with the tomato tart. A crust of browned, melted Parmesan and fragrant rocket leaves buried a generous topping of fresh tomatoes on puff pastry.It was sweet and savoury, tasting like pizza—only richer and better. We were also tempted by the eggs en meurette, the restaurant’s take on a French country classic. Thin, crispy slices of toasted bread are paired with two poached eggs drenched in sweet, burgundy red wine sauce. Stir the runny concoction and be rewarded with a splendid burst of tanginess interspersed with the faint aroma of red wine. For a main course, the pan-fried red snapper was refreshing and

not too filling. Served with shaved fennel, the fish was fresh, light and covered in vierge sauce which added a zesty hint of lemon and menthol. A not he r sat i sf y i ng ma i n course was the roast chicken leg—a sizeable helping of tender chicken on a layer of creamed spinach, complemented by smooth, velvety mashed potatoes with garlic butter. Dessert was the highlight. The White Rabbit black forest is presented in three disconnected portions—a scoop of chocolate ice cream blended with biscuit bits and nuts, a cylindrical serving of chocolate mousse resting on a bed of crushed cookies with whipped cream and lastly, scattered brandy soaked cherries encased in a fruity, gelatinous mould. In spite of the steep prices, The White Rabbit’s impeccable service and eclectic dishes, in a sparkling gem of yesteryear, make for an enjoyable meal. ELEGANTLY ARCHED WINDOWS: Sunlight streams through the stained glass giving an ethereal feel at The White Rabbit. PHOTOS | TRINETTA CHONG & NATASHA HONG

Firestation hillside gastrobar 274 Upper Bukit Timah Road Tel: 6465 0600 BLACK FOREST: Chocolate twirled atop a log of chocolate mousse.

Opening hours: 5pm-till late (Tue-Sun)

SMOKED DUCK PIZZA: A light thin crust topped with crusty cheese, smoked duck and crunchy arugula leaves at the gastrobar.

THE old fire station barracks now exude a more homely feel with retro-rattan chairs and wooden trimmings. Singapore’s fourth fire station ser v ing the western distr icts since 1956 has been taken over by this gastrobar. Vestiges of the past barely remain except for the occasional fire-engine red wall. Firestation Hillside Gastrobar fits in well with the bohemian vibe from the surrounding studios, galleries and art schools. Dim lights and alfresco seating form the main dining area—but this means you may become a blooddonating victim of mosquitoes. Thankfully, the gastrobar has mosquito coils if you ask for them, so you can enjoy the greenery and the night air in relative comfort. The staff recommended the Station f ire wings ($14) and calamari with tartar sauce ($14) for a start. The wings were crispy but otherwise pedestrian in spite of the promising name. The calamari were so uniform in appearance we took them for onion rings, but they were juicy and not too chewy. The side of green salad with balsamic dressing did its job of cutting the oiliness of the starters too. The widely raved about smoked duck pizza ($22), ser ved with button mushrooms, rocket leaves, truffle mayo and roasted garlic, was the highlight of the meal. The toppings were well balanced and the rocket leaves were crunchy to the bite. The rocket leaves and smoked duck counter balanced each other and every slice was light. We a l so t r ied t he potato gnocchi ($28)—potato dumplings served with pieces of duck confit,

wild mushroom, tomatoes, garlic and white truffle oil. This hearty serving felt bitter and dull, which needed a Singaporean solution— dousing it in Tabasco. The mild sauce did not bring out the flavours of the gamey duck or musky mushroom. It was overpowered by the large gnocchi and the white truffle oil also seemed to be absent. A group of return visitors swore by the restaurant’s apple crumble with vanilla ice-cream ($12) though after the ample main course there was little room for much else. After dinner, enjoy a couple of drinks, lounging on the resaurant's kitsch retro sofas, not so very far away from Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

CALAMARI WITH TARTAR SAUCE: Juicy and not too chewy.

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T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e

travelogue

travelling blind Forget planning trips down to the last detail. Stacey Chia plunges into the exhilaration of journeying on the spur of the moment

H U NGRY for some adventure while on exchange in Germany, my fr iends and I shelled out 4 0 eu ros (about S $ 80 ) for a plane trip. It was cheap for a reason—we did not know where we were headed. German Wings, a low-cost a i rl i ne, of fer s bl i nd f lig ht s. The catch with such f lights is t hat you don’t k now exact ly where you’re headed until you’ve conf ir med and paid for your booking. W h i le t hey a re not as dramatic as the 2003 film of the same name, we still set off with a great deal of trepidation. The only certainty was that it would be one of the 11 cities listed, each offering a great dose of culture. I was on an exchange programme in Stuttgart in Germany, and wanted to get out of the country for a change. Therefore, apart f rom t he t wo Ger man cities, Dresden and Leipzig, we were happy to visit any of the other destinations. As a first-timer using this offer, I was excited at getting away at such a bargain. But I failed to consider if our chances were good enough to get a f light to any of the other nine cities I wanted to see: Athens, Rome, Budapest, Barcelona, Istanbul, K ra kow, Lisbon, Mad r id and V ie n na . A nd of cou r se , i f something can go wrong, it will. We got five days in Dresden. On hindsight, it would have been muc h bet ter to book a blind f light further in advance, and with fewer people. I was with seven companions, a nd si nce t he s y stem work s on a l lo c at i n g u n s old s e at s , travelling wit h fewer people is a bonus—as f lights to t he more popular cities would not have as many empty seats. So much for the spontaneity—it has

TOWARDS THE LIGHT: A symbol of Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate, is a site of much political history, including Bill Clinton's 1994 plea for peace in post Cold War Europe. PHOTOS | STACEY CHIA

always been an absolutely foreign idea to me. Normally, I am the type of person who tries to plan ever ything. There was once I planned an itinerary for Vietnam right down to the hour, just so that I would not lose track of time and miss out on something. Dr e sde n i s a pic t u r e sque cit y. It sit s i n t he beaut if u l landscape of the Elbe Valley, which helped it to gain status as a U N ESCO world her itage site —but it ha s si nce lost it after the building of a bridge across the valley. It is a quiet, peaceful Baroque city, romantic and ideal for retirement.

COSY CUPPA: Locals relax at a quirky cafe in the Berlin neighbourhood of Prenzlauer Berg, a hotspot for students.

Many elderly couples are out on the streets, holding hands and kissing, still looking very much in love. A s st unning as it is, f ive d a y s i n a s le e p y tow n l i ke Dresden was more than enough. A split-second decision later, we found ourselves snug in the wa r m ca r r iages of t he wel lestablished Deutsche Bahn train ser vice, heading for Berlin. As Dresden is in the state of Saxony, we had to buy two regional Laender-Tickets; one for Saxony and the other for the state of Brandenburg-Berlin. Each Laender-Ticket allows u p to f i v e p e ople to t r av e l together on the same ticket for just 27 euros (about S$56) —a fantastic deal. T h r ee hou r s away f rom Dresden by train, Berlin was a good m i x of a rch itec t u re, nightlife and shopping. Ou r detou r sou nded so promising, more people joined us and booked a blind f light, with absolute faith that they would be sent to Dresden to make a similar trip to Berlin as well. The good thing about Berlin is that, compared with places like Paris and Rome, it does not abound in tourists. We f o u n d n o d i f f i c u l t y getting decent pictures at the E a s t Sid e G a l le r y—t h e b e s t preser ved par t of t he Berlin Wall. We also had snapshots taken at Checkpoint Charlie, which was the main gateway between

West and East Berlin and also the Brandenburg Gate, which represents the reunification of Ger ma ny—a l l of wh ic h were places I expected large crowds of tourists to be congregated

in. But getting to know today’s Berlin is more than just visiting the tourist sites. It is also an immensely livable city. Even within a small neighbourhood like Friedrichshain, where our hotel was, we could find restaurants serving anything from German to Vietnamese cuisine. Berlin is also less rigid than other German cities; there is mor e g r a f f it i a r t on pu bl ic buildings here than anywhere else in Germany. We lazed with locals at a café and watched ordinary people all dressed up cycle by, amid low pastel-coloured shop houses. I felt cosy within a big city. Another funky neighbourhood is Prenzlauer Berg, a quaint quar ter packed w it h v intage shops. This is really part of what gives Berlin its identity, which is that history is everywhere. Popular with the local student popu lat ion for it s n ig ht l i fe atmosphere, it is also the focal point for art in the city. But wh i le I si ng Be rl i n’s praises, I almost missed it. Knowing me, I would probably still be armed with my copy of Lonely Planet, doggedly trying to organise every single detail of my next trip. But I take comfort in knowing that spontaneity in travel is a fantastic way to unwind and loosen up—which is just what a holiday is for.

STREET PERFORMERS: Marking the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

travel tips booking, if there is a place you don’t want to visit, 1youWhencanblind remove up to eight cities from the package of potential .

destinations. However, it costs 2.50 euros (about S$5) to eliminate each city.

The Laender-Tickets are only valid on the slower trains. So before 2boarding, make sure you get on the right train. Naturally, the trains always run on time, so don’t 3beIt’slateGermany! for your ride. .

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T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e

review

BOOKS 206 Bones K athy Reichs $28.89, available at Kinokuniya Published by William Heinemann

S at u rat e d w i t h scientific jargon, Kathy Reichs once again takes crime investigation one step further by including a myriad of details that at te mpt s to fa sc i nate,

intrigue and boggle the mind. The twelfth book in the Temperance Brennan novel series, 206 Bones revolves around the life of the renowned forensic anthropologist. Teaming up with detective Lieutenant Andrew Ryan, who works for Quebec Security, the pair has to grapple with convoluted mysteries involving the deaths of three elderly women amidst accusations of Brennan’s incompetence. Weaving between Brennan’s past and present experiences, readers are kept in a tensed state, awaiting the merger of both temporal threads. Her bitter mood throughout the novel mirrors the brutal and unforgiving Montreal winter in which the novel is set. The novel is interspersed with French phrases – Montreal’s official language. However, the novel is let down by a predictable storyline and little relationship development between Brennan and Ryan – a disappointment for avid readers of the series, who would have expected more from this talented writer. For those unaccustomed to Reichs’ writing style, her encyclopedic knowledge of forensic anthropology woven into the novel may come as a surprise. As one of only 77 forensic anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, she certainly knows what she is talking about. This novel takes Crime Scene Investigation to a whole new level with exhaustive descriptions and analysis of skeletal remains. However, readers also see a human side of Brennan, who despite her brilliance at work, does not embrace change. She is also socially inept in dealing with her lab technician, Joe Bonnet. Surprisingly, the most poignant part of the novel is in its subtle examination of the role of forensics in modern day crime investigation. Questions on ethics are raised, and the reader is forced to consider that the evidence handled by forensics experts is subject to human error. The evidence never lies but human interpretation can often err, leaving readers awed yet cautious about science and evidence. This is exemplified in the character Marie-Andréa Briel, an ambitious newcomer who fabricates evidence in a bid to raise her standing in the community and promote her husband’s company. But by opening up this can of worms, this novel ends off by raising more questions than it answers.

“I always find MUSIC Everybody something ¯¯¯¯¯ sad. I'm half Swedish, and we are very depressed people. Well not depressed, Exposed but I think I ¯¯¯¯¯ always find darkness in light. "

Ingrid Michaelson (Indie /Folk) The bespected singer shot to fame after her song, The Way I Am, was used in Old Navy commercials.

EVERYBODY chronicles Ingrid Michaelson’s emotional pilgrimage, the questioning of her faith in love. Title track Everybody easily becomes a crowd favourite with its sure-win formula of a catchy tune and simple lyrics. Yet the upbeat pop numbers are worth a mention, where Michaelson gets experimental, providing a nice contrast to her otherwise repetitive lovelorn ballads. In a tune characterised by piano and electric guitar flickers, Michaelson shows her feisty side in Locked Up, singing of how a broken relationship has left her wary of love. In Soldier, she uses neo-military percussion to liken people who are in love to soldiers in a battle. Love is a word heard almost too often on the album but perhaps Michaelson can be forgiven for being influenced by an emotion that drives one to brillance, and madness. There is not much to dislike about this Staten Island native’s gleaming honesty in her latest offering, but fans may be a little disappointed at her lack of variety of songs this time.

-Foo Jieying

Kristinia DeBarge (Pop/R&B) America was first introduced to DeBarge in American Junior, the American Idol spin-off.

Ingrid Michaelson, in an interview with The Washington Post

-Mavis Goh

Hot Mess Cobra Starship (Synthpop)

¯¯¯¯¯

-Marie Lim

Cobra Starship was started by former Midtown bassist and lead singer, Gabe Sarporta.

Factbox

1 2 3

EXPOSED is the debut album of 19 year-old Kristinia DeBarge, who is described by critics as the next Rihanna. The daughter of James DeBarge from the popular ‘80s family band, she knew she wanted to be a singer at three, but did not take it seriously until her father brought her to the recording studio when she was 12. This album features mainly sweet, girly pop tackling everyday teenage issues like infatuations and breakups. It is broken up by darker pieces like Powerless, in which she expresses her vengeance and resolve in rendering a guy powerless, and Sabotage — a Rihanna-esque dance number about the bad girl in her. Despite the lack of worldly, mature themes in this album, Exposed showcases Kristinia’s abilities to handle everything from girly pop to emotional ballads.

FRONTAN Gabe Saporta must be thankful for the hit collaboration with Leighton Meester on the hit Good Girls Gone Bad. For judging the merits for most of Hot Mess, it appears that the galactic success of Cobra Starship would have to wait another light year. The first song off the album is the smugly named Nice Guys Finish Last where the band bursts out with all sirens blazing (literally). That is not to say Cobra Starship does not take its music seriously. Living In The Sky With Diamonds also stands out – if somewhat by virtue of it not sounding like the rest. The lyrics on Diamonds are refreshingly reflective and wistful. However, given Saporta’s gravitation toward all things outrageous and f lamboyant, such nuanced and tender emotions of vulnerability are regrettably few and far between – as if such expressions must be stashed away behind an alcohol-laced veneer of glitter and disco lights.

The character Temperance Brennan in the television series Bones is based on author Kathy Reichs. Reichs' forensic expertise has also taken her to Rwanda to testify at the United Nation (UN)'s genocide trials. Due to her involvement in Bones as a producer, Reichs had to give up working with UN and the military.

Pick up the next issue of The Nanyang Chronicle to read a review of Dan Brown's latest novel, The Lost Symbol. PHOTO | COURTESY

-Kyle Leung

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T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e

FILMS

The Ugly Truth Romantic Comedy(NC16) Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler 95mins

PHOTO | COURTESY

Gamer Action /Thriller (M18)

NNNNN

Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall, Ludacris 95mins

GA MER, it seems, was made for the testosterone-charged action movie fan. Scenes of violence and topless women making out overshadow the plot, making it all action (and sex) and no story. The premise is not new — death row inmates have to participate in a brutal game and complete 30 missions in order to earn their freedom. The twist is that they are flesh-andblood avatars in the first-person shooter game called Slayers; their every movement controlled by their gamers and watched by a global audience. The cult hero of Slayers is Kable, played by Gerard Butler, who is closing in on his final mission with the help of the teenage brat controlling him. But the creator of the game, Ken Castle, played by Michael C. Hall, does not plan to award him his freedom. Amber Valletta plays Kable’s wife, Angie, who works as an avatar in a video game, Society, a popular alternate reality game. She controlled by an obese man who lives out his sexual fantasies through her. To its credit, Gamer does have its brilliant moments, such as Kable’s daring escape and

Castle’s dance sequence where he forces all the prisoners to dance with him. Also, Butler is rugged enough to pull off a tough guy character like Kable, reminiscent of his role as King Leonidas in 300. Unfortunately, character development was sacrificed amidst the endless shots of explosions and gunfights. One does not feel as attached to Kable and his mission to be reunited with his family and with no sense of the stakes, the blood spilling seems more repetitive than thrilling. The premise that humans would one day abuse technology in this manner lacks credibility, although the idea of science leading humans astray is one that could have been further explored. Gamer is a movie that borrows its style from many films and would be of interest to the film buff. The movie has much potential as a cynical take on American culture and its implications, but failed to make the most of it.

KATHERINE Heigl plays Abby, an uptight television producer who has the perfect looks and body, but an emotional quotient of a three-year old. She adheres strictly to a bizarre checklist of ‘ideal male qualities’ and frightens a slew of potential partners with her extreme neuroticism. These unfortunate traits contribute to her non-existent love life, leaving her to pine and lust after her dream man in the loneliness of her own bedroom. Gerard Butler, on the other hand, is Mike, a boorish and outspoken 30something who claims to be an expert on romantic relationships. He dishes supposed ‘truths’ about men and women on his small cable TV show called The Ugly Truth. When Mike is invited by Abby’s boss to host ‘The Ugly Truth’ in a 3-minute segment of the daily news programme she produces, she takes an instant dislike to the illmannered star and is doubtful of his alleged super-ability to read men and women. Abby eventually strikes a deal with the confident Mike, allowing him to remain on her news programme if he can successfully engineer a romantic relationship between her and the handsome orthopaedic surgeon living next door. He puts Abby through a series of makeovers and gives her lessons on

-Melissa Lin

When five sorority sisters of Theta Pi cause the death of one of their own during a foolish prank gone wrong, they conspire to discard the evidence and never speak of the nightmare again. But when a mysterious killer targets the group a year later with a series of bizarre attacks, the women find themselves fighting for their own lives amidst the revelry of an out of control graduation party.

how to flirt. The end result, as all formulaic romantic comedies have it, is the creation of sparks between our two annoying, albeit attractive leads. Heigl’s acting is unimpressive at the beginning. Characterised by over-thetop acting, her por trayal of Abby in the first 40 minutes is un-relatable and unbelievable. Thankfully, she redeems herself in the second half of the movie. The Emmy-winning actress seems almost more comfortable playing layered characters; as the story unfolds and we see a softer, more multi-faceted Abby whom audiences would find easier to connect with. Butler does a decent job playing Mike t hroughout t he mov ie. It is however unfortunate that the writing does not allow much room for this character to develop into something more compassionate and likeable until near the very end. The movie deserves a little credit for daring to deviate from the usual romanticcomedy through its use of crude humor and candid dialogue. However, beneath the dirty jokes, the movie barely stands out among its counterparts of the same genre. And that, regrettably, is the ugly truth.

-Trinetta Chong

PHOTO | COURTESY

Based on the original screenplay, Seven Sisters, this modern tale of revenge served icily cold echoes the original’s mix of horror and humor while creating a fresh take on terror uniquely its own.

IN CINEMAS 8 OCT 2009

Stand a chance to win 5 pairs of in-season passes and 5 movie posters for Sorority Row. Visit www.ntu.edu. sg/chronicle for more details.

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se p t e m b e r 22 , 20 0 9

T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e

review

hearing a bitter heart

Borneo-born Zee Avi was posting videos of her singing on Youtube for a friend but it caught the attention of more than 3,000 viewers, including Ian Montone, owner of Monotone Records who signed her with the label. While she was in Singapore recently for an exclusive showcase at Movida, Yip Jieying caught up with her AS THE first female singer to be signed under Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records, it is cer tainly an indication of much greater things to come for Zee Avi. Best known for her YouTube videos, the 23-year-old capulted into fame when one of her videos caught the attention of Pat r ick Keeler of T he Raconteu r s who passed it on to band manager, Ian Montone. At a showca s e pe r for ma nc e la s t Tuesday night at Movida, the diminutive si nger reached out to fans w it h her unique jazz-inf luenced sound. From teenagers snapping away with digital cameras to the more sedate office crowd, the themes of love and heartache in Zee Av i’s songs proved to have a universal appeal. Calling herself “a stor y teller with melodies”, Avi meticulously introduced each song performed. Ever y song had a story behind it, making the showcase feel like the opening of a treasure chest of aural gems. There is a touching qualit y in the intimate honesty of her music because of how easy it is to relate to them. Fans sang along to most numbers, especially Honeybee, a song about the reunion of two lovers. She deviates from delivering only crowd-pleasers, slipping in new tracks such as Traveler in her repertoire. This is possibly what sets her music apart: not conforming to the norm. The audience erupted into loud cheers when Avi’s band performed a quirky trumpet solo during the song.

Such unpredictable touches characterise Avi’s sound, most notably in Kantoi, where the singer uses a fusion of Malay and English. Written about a cheating boyfriend, the song earned humorous jibes from fans who yelled “Bad Tommy!” Trading her guitar for a ukulele before launching into I Am Me Once More, Avi showed that no matter how quirky the instrument, it was ultimately the music t hat mat te r ed . Wr it ten about be i ng independent after a breakup, the song is an encouragement to all who have lost love.

“Every song had a story behind in, making the showcase feel like the opening of a treasure chest of aural gems”

PHOTO | COURTESY

Her strong Malaysian heritage came through when she admitted, “Not a day goes by when I don’t think about Nasi Lemak.” A self-confessed technological junkie, she updates her Twitter page regularly to keep in touch with her fans. While her sultry voice is her trademark, Avi still needs to gain more control over her voice, highlighting the fact that she is still a newcomer. Despite that, her larger-than-life personality manages to conceal her f laws.

tech review

blogging bliss on tumblr Audrey Lim BLOGGERS can now rejoice with Tumblr, a new blogging platform that makes it easy to post text, images, videos, links, quotes, and audio on their blogs. Tumblr is bliss for those who have never found the time to set up a site. Founded in 2007, Tumblr now has a high 85 percent retention rate—the percentage of users who retain their accounts—compared to 60 per cent for Twitter, introduced in 2006. This triumph over traditional blogging and micro-blogging on Twitter is due to Tumblr’s emphasis on customisation and ease of use. Additionally, the templates that users can choose from when they first create an account look pretty good, and require little tweaking. Tumblelogs, as they are called, flaunts quirky feedback options like the

“follow”, “reblog” and “like” buttons. Giant buttons on the Dashboard give one-click access to simple tools to add content. For music lovers, it is a blessing as users can post audio tracks simply by uploading the mp3 track straight onto their tumblelogs from their computer. Unfortunately, you can only post one audio track, no more than 10 megabytes, a day.

“With one million blogs now on Tumblr, it seems to brim with potential, giving Twitter a run for its money.” The “reblog” feature reposts content from another tumblelog onto yours. Without

additional steps, you simply add your words before sharing your post. Alternatively, this also works like a great online scrapbook for users who like compiling images, quotes and audio, but at the same time saving themselves precious memory space. Tumblr allows users to “follow” each other, very much like Twitter. After logging in, this feature brings updates in one stream on the user’s Dashboard. This is also the interface where they can “like” and “reblog” posts. The cute heart-shaped “like” button is similar to the one on Facebook. People express their liking for a particular post by clicking on it. The colour of the heart then changes from grey to red. Helping you climb Tumblr’s social ladder is “tumblarity”, a statistic Tumblr included to measure the popularity of your tumblelog. Its workings, however, remain a mystery. With one million blogs now on Tumblr,

TAKING A LEAF OUT OF FACEBOOK: Click the heart to “like” a post. PHOTOS | COURTESY

it seems to brim with potential, giving Twitter a run for its money. The founder, David Karp, revealed that the next phase of development includes an “answer” function, which creates an answer box for any post ending with a question mark. And if the question was uploaded by phone, the user gets the answers texted to them in real time.

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T H E NA N YA NG C H RON IC L E

tech ﬂash

tech review

Five tech items we d love to use as

firewo irewo d ROLL-UP KEYBOARD Don’t be ashamed if you have ever considered owning, have owned or own one of these; you are not alone. These water-proof, full-sized keyboards come in various eye catching colors, and are often created with some kind of highly flexible rubber compound, allowing it to be rolled up. This is perfect for people who love to bring their keyboards around with them. Unfortunately, a portable keyboard is completely pointless. You would not buy one to use with a desktop around NTU, Singapore or anywhere in the world. At the same time, all laptops come with keyboards attached. The only practical use for a roll-up keyboard would be for typing underwater, although you probably won’t find a working USB port on that soggy computer.

SEAN SEET IT has been an unmistakably chilly period here at Pulau NTU, and some of you may be thinking of burning your books to warm your hands. Hold your horses, for here are some tech-related items close at hand that we would love to set fire to. CEPAS EZ-LINK CARD From October 2009 onwards, all first generation ez-link cards will be replaced with the new Contactless ePurse Applications (CEPAS) ez-link card. However, the new CEPAS ez link card is currently only able to pay your bus and MRT fares. Existing card readers in shops, libraries and drink machines are not compatible with the new card. The only advantage the new one has is that it can now pay for ERP charges. It is going to take the authorities a couple of years to fully upgrade everything, from vehicle IUs to shop card readers. So we are stuck with a card that is in reality more backward than the one it is supposed to replace. Worse, the new card requires a minimum of $3 in the card for MRT rides and $1 for bus rides. Anything lower and you will find yourself stranded. While this is not exactly a tall order on paper, most students would milk their ez-link card to its last cent before topping it up. Perhaps those implementing the new system should stop driving their big cars for a year, and get to know our public transport system a little more intimately. NOKIA N-GAGE The Finnish multinational communications cooperation Nokia is currently the world’s largest producer of mobile phones, and is largely responsible for the GSM network we enjoy today. In 2003, Nokia combined a mobile phone and a portable gaming device to unleash the Nokia N-Gage. It was a nerd’s wet dream. In an attempt to coax customers away from the popular Gameboy systems, Nokia negotiated with game publishers to bring games over to the N-gage. However, its efforts were in vain, leaving the N-gage with a pathetically small library of unpopular titles. The N-gage was also shaped like a squashed taco, with its phone speaker and mike installed on its narrow dimension. This led to an often embarrassing phenomenon called ‘side talking’, making it rather awkward to answer calls in public. It was akin to stuffing a slice of pizza into the side of your face. To people still holding on to this device, shame on you.

IPOD SHUFFLE This tiny, music emitting device is already into its third generation, with improvements made with every new release. Nevertheless, we would still love to feed it to the bonfi re anyway. It is more expensive than any of its competitors with similar specifications. While capable of storing a thousand-odd songs, we are unable to select the track we would love to hear for the moment. You might actually appreciate your favorite song more after stabbing the ‘forward’ button 500 times to get there. The latest model has an in-built function that can pronounce the name of your songs and playlist. Totally awesome, except you still can’t pick the songs that you want. The sight of a little plastic rectangle burning would warm the bottom of our hearts.

PHOTOS | COURTESY

OVERHEAD PROJECTOR (OHP) The OHP barely made it into our tech list. It was simply not quite as high-tech. However, this archaic piece of classroom equipment is still found scattered all over our campus, sitting in their own little corners of our tutorial rooms and lecture theatres. On the other hand, the ‘high-tech’ alternative, Microsoft PowerPoint, saves us from having to read the presenter’s squiggly handwriting, and allows us to create snazzy presentation slides to impress our peers and professors. Adios, OHP. Our shirt sleeves would be free from marker smudges, and we wouldn’t have to hunt for OHP transparencies which are pretty much collector’s items anyway. Granted, the OHP probably won’t burn too well, but its sturdy metal body can be used to contain the warm flames.

Snow Leopard turbo charges your hardware MARIE LIM APPLE’S new Snow Leopard is noteworthy simply because it deals with hardware rather than software, paving the way for exciting technological advances in the near future. Visible results come in the form of increased performance and faster processing, which are perhaps what users truly need. Practical refinements have made daily tasks of starting up and shutting down, and opening applications take fewer seconds. This snappier performance makes using the Mac more gratifying.

Applications have been tweaked to be more intuitive and user-friendly. Organisation is improved with Exposé now integrated in the Dock, and windows are displayed in neat grids. Stacks are now scrollable. All this attention to details makes using the Mac a greater joy. Not all applications can enjoy the new 64bit system though. Serious compatibility issues arise, with some third-party applications ceasing to function. Even Adobe’s CS 3 is not spared. Yet more importantly for business users, the Snow Leopard supports Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, and for practical reasons, Mail, iCal and Address Book have built-in support for it.

As a bonus, users can enter Chinese characters by writing them directly on the Multi-Touch trackpad. These features make the Mac better suited to the corporate environment. The installation process is a breeze with no code requirements or activation processes. The upgrade is also not limited to Leopard users, so Tiger users can immediately upgrade to Snow Leopard. What is truly remarkable, and unexpected, is that Snow Leopard actually frees up six to seven gigabytes of hard disk space. The upgrade leaves you with more space than before, making the upgrade well worth it.

WINDOWS AND MAC USERS are equally at risk as Symantec Security Response observes that free online movie blogs are used to distribute malware. APPLE INTRODUCES NEW member s to the iPod f amily, among which is the shiny new iPod nano with built-in video camera, mic and speaker. PHILIPS RELEASES THE NEW 16 GB GoGear Mus e Por t able A u di o an d V i d e o P l a y e r, featuring FullSound and noise cancellation. PHILIPS PRESENTS THE LATEST r ange of in- e ar he adphone s featuring unique soft gel housing and ergonomically angled acoustic pipe design. ALTEC L ANSING L AUNCHES USB-powered portable speakers suited for netbook and laptop users who demand plug-and-play speakers with good quality audio. THE NEW 11.6 INCH HP MINI 311 Notebook takes advantage of NVIDIA ION graphics to deliver many capabilities of a full-szied notebook. IEEE FINALLY APPROVES THE 802.11n high-throughput wireless LAN standard, seven years from the day it was conceived. ASUS UNVEILED THE BRAND n ew ult r a - s lim D e sign o M S Series LCD monitors, combining exceptional st yle and picture quality. LG ELECTRONICS INTRODUCES the LG-GD90 0 Cr ystal, the world’s first transparent phone, featuring LG’s next generation t o u c h t e c h n o l o g y, G e s t u r e Command. SINGTEL FIRST IN A SIA TO launch INQ Mobile’s Mini 3G, the ultimate 3G social networking mobile phone. SEAGATE INTRODUCES NEW FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player, the home theater solution designed to instantly and easily connect your digital media library to your home enter t ainment system. SAMSUNG ANNOUNCES THAT consumers will now be able to view online YouTube content via Samsung Blu-ray Disc players. SONY INTRODUCES THE NEW f u l l - f r a m e D S L R w i t h 24 . 6 megapixel, featuring new Exmor CMOS sensor. WD SHIPS THE NEW SCORPIO Blue 640GB hard drives, sporting 30 per cent reduction in overall power consumption from the previous generation.

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Clockwise from top left: A young boy on board a launch throws his kite, designed like the Bangladesh flag, up in the air overlooking the Buriganga river. A mother and her son having a bath at the River Padma, one of the three main rivers that run through Bangladesh. A child labourer working at a ship breaking yard in Chittagong, where vessels are torn apart into scrap metal to be re-sold to mills for melting. Workers from a shipyard at Sadar Ghat in Dhaka hammering out steel sheets to be used for building spare parts of a vessel. By the Buriganga riverbank, one of the oldest waterways in Dhaka city, hundreds of small boats wait for passengers to cross.

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We see them working in building sites, driving in open lorries on roads. We see less how they have helped build Singapore as a port. Even less, we see their lives home in Bangladesh, a country built on rivers meeting the sea where they are rarely far from water. Students from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information travelled to Bangladesh on the Going Overseas for Advanced Reporting programme (GO-FAR), to explore ife around the sea and the waterways that feed into it. PHOTOS | NURIA LING, KONG YEN LIN AND ZAKARIA ZAINAL

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dapper: your essential style guide

In the still of the night When the city retreats into slumber, the once crowded streets are replaced with an air of still silence. A sense of stasis permeates every corner as trains empty and buses crawl to a stop. The city becomes the playground of the sleepless.

On her: Lightning bolt headband, $7, from Craftology; Purple trench coat, $167; Snakeskin clutch, $99; Studded heels, $217; Black glitter bodycon dress (worn underneath), $53; On him: Black loafers, $167, all from River Island; White shirt with line detail, $99, from Depression.

Black shirt with zip sash, $99; Blue skinnies, $99; both from Depression; Black loafers, $167, from River Island.

Black glitter bodycon dress (worn as top), $53; Purple and black bandage skirt, $67; Purple heels, $199; Black and gold necklace, $43; all from River Island.

Styling: Carina Koh & Audrey Tsen Photography: Foo Chee Chang (chang-photography.com) Digital imaging: Ivan Tan, Foo Chee Chang Models: Jamie Phua & Lee Chong Stockists Hair & Makeup: Lee Ruiqi River Island #01-41/42 VivoCity Depression #04-41 Far East Plaza Craftology (craftology.webs.com)

On her: Beige dress, $99; Black and silver blazer, $167; On him: Black shirt with tie, $89; Black pointed-tip shoes, $167; all from River Island.

偶像秘密成婚——是喜是忧？ —— 刊25页

新闻

首届中文系毕业生应该何去何从？陈婧●报道

首

届南大中文系学生毕业不到3个月，大多已经顺利就业。和以往的趋势一样，大部分中文系毕业生还是在教育领域和媒体行业发展。但是，也有一些“异于传统”的毕业生另辟蹊径，挑战其他领域。根据学生事务处（Student Affairs Office）的调查，65名中文系毕业生中大多已经就业。认为自己不适合教师职业的李玮婷（23岁）在找工作时先后申请了家具公司、服装公司和画廊的工作。其中，画廊老板得知她来自中文系后的第一个反应就是：“那你的英文是不是不太好？” 当李玮婷透露自己也副修翻译，中英语都有一定的水准后，对方的顾虑才消除。李玮婷所任职的画廊经常引进中国画家的画作，由于她对画作的时代背景和文化内涵相当了解，她在向客户介绍和解释时便格外得心应手。毕业生庄慧君（23岁）由于一直以来对市场营销就有兴趣，因此也选择跳脱主流的就业趋势，申请到银行就职。在花旗银行从事市场调查工作的庄慧君说：“虽然媒体与政府一直不断提倡与推广中文，但本地的公司对聘请中文系的学生仍有所保留。

“我们的课程重点是在人文基础的培养，而不是训练他们为了未来的职业做训练。” 柯思仁副教授中文系代主任

她补充：“中文系的学生往往不会在他们的考虑范围之内。” 庄慧君也指出，跨国公司比较开通，不像大多本地公司一样以文凭取人，因此她才有幸

首批65名中文系毕业生大多已找到工作，其中除了较受落的教育与媒体领域之外，部分毕业生选择另辟蹊径，挑战一些较为“冷门”的行业。照片|受访者提供从事自己感兴趣的工作。她认为中文系的专业知识虽然与自己的职业没有直接关联，但大学4年培养的独立思考与解决问题的能力却大大提升了自己的竞争力。针对雇主对中文系毕业生所存有的主观意识，中文系代主任柯思仁副教授认为，毕业生应该努力向未来雇主证明自己的实力。柯副教授说：“我想本地雇主会慢慢地改变自己的既定印象。就像我们的同学去实习时，雇主也对他们的表现赞不绝口。” 现今中文系课程内容较为广泛据历史资料显示，本地在 1980年进行大学教育整合，南洋大学并入了当时的新加坡大学，成为今日的新加坡国立大

学，南大中文系也随之走入历史。直至6年前，南洋理工大学才正式成立人文学院，当中包括全新的南大中文系。尽管面对成见，南大中文系独特的课程设计仍提升了文凭价值，使毕业生求职时更具竞争力。毕业自南洋大学中文系的国会议员刘程强指出，与当年南洋大学的中文系相比，今日的南大中文系所提供的课程选择不仅比以往多，还包含了许多新领域，与时并进。刘程强说：“随着中国的崛起和其对新加坡的重要性越来越大，加上目前中文系毕业的学生都兼通双语，中文系毕业生所能服务与做出贡献的领域也随之扩大。” 但也有校友认为，相较于更注重学术研究的国大中文系课

程，本校在内容深度上还有待提升。毕业自南洋大学中文系的资深华文教育工作者余平光说：“现在的课程比较泛，较讲求实用性，就不够专，应该加重中国语言文学的基础科目的分量，才能吸引新马港台大陆的学生前来就读。” 中文系重人文培养非职业培训不少毕业生认为，除了选修本科课程，中文系学生应该选修其他课程。在新加坡报业控股文化产业部担任助理编辑的黎秋仪（23岁）说：“多选修其他专业的课程，假期多打工，参加交流活动，都能帮助自己积累宝贵的经验。” 毕业生蔡竺耘（23岁）则指出，由于中文系课程并不包括

实习计划，学生们需要自己更努力争取实习机会，累积一些工作经验。部分学生呼吁，文学院应以工程系的学期实习计划为借鉴，代主任柯副教授则持不同态度。他说：“我不认为人文学院有这样做的必要。我们的课程重点是在人文基础的培养，而不是训练他们为了未来的职业做训练。” 柯副教授认为，相对的，中文系更鼓励学生参加交流计划（INSTEP），平均每年就有30%的中文系学生赴海外交流。他指出，学生应把握大学期间能出国游学机会，体验不同的人文气息。他说：“这跟工作不同，工作是要做一辈子的，为什么要那么急呢？”

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南大常年部长论坛2009

李显龙：体谅民忧调整人才流入速度滕思珂●报道

我

国政府决定调整外来移民流入新加坡的速度，减低他们与国人因就业竞争所产生的敌意，改善双方的关系。李显龙总理于上周二，在由南大学生会所主办的常年部长论坛（Ministerial Forum）上指出，新加坡在发展方面所面临的最大局限不是幅员过小，而是人才短缺的问题。李总理说，优秀人才能“激起更新鲜、更富创意的点子，扩大我国的发展空间”。他以纽约和上海的开明文化为例，说明这两座国际化城市的成功，并不在于优渥的天然资源，而是吸引外来人才的能力，新加坡也应该极力效仿。李总理说，我们日后无论如何都需要新移民，协助提升新加坡的竞争力，强化我国的地位。不过，他坦言，实行引进外来人才的政策需抱以谨慎

的态度。李总理承认，近年来因我国经济的强劲增长，每年都引进超过10万名外国人到本地工作。虽然当中客工占较大的比例，但新公民和永久居民的人数还是比往年多。李总理指出，他能体谅国人担心这些外国人会抢走自己的饭碗，以及与他们在文化和习惯上的差异。为了减低民众的忧虑，李总理在论坛上宣布，政府将调节外来人才的流入速度，以免冲淡国民认同感，或弱化社会凝聚力。对此，来自中国江苏的数学与经济系二年级生谢文俊（19 岁）表示理解我国政府的出发点。日后将在本地工作的他认为，这项决定不会影响到狮城求学的外国学生人数。他说：“学生和客工不同，我觉得新加坡往后还是会吸引很多中国学生到这里升学。” 来自马来西亚的机械与宇航工程学院二年级生蔡志明（20 岁）则指出，若国人感觉受到

李显龙总理除了针对演讲主题“新加坡：还有空间吗？”发表演说，现场也开放让在座南大生向他提问。摄影|Andrew Susilo 威胁，应更加努力为自己争取机会。他说：“找工作得靠本事，谁有本事，谁就拿得到工作。”

同样来自马国的中文系二年级生刘易蕙（19岁）对未来则是充满期许。 “我们和本地人的生活背

景不同，的确需要时间磨合，但我相信我们的关系一定会进步。”

（黄顺杰补充报道）

校内分派免费报章多数学生竟不知情

尽管多名受访的南大生不知道校内多处放置了免费报章，这些报架上的报纸每天仍被学生一扫而空。摄影|林佐伊

余思远●报道

虽

然南大校园内多处添置报架提供免费报章，多数受访的学生却不知情。自8月12日起，南大食堂 A、黄金辉传播与信息学院和国立教育学院每天早上都约有300份免费的《联合早报》

供索取。据了解，此项优惠是由新加坡报业控股赞助，旨在推广《联合早报》于每周一推出的全新特刊《新汇点》。《新汇点》是专门报道与本地新移民息息相关的课题的特刊。报业控股的发言人表示，该公司分别在南大、新加坡国

立大学和新加坡管理大学校园内都摆放了免费报章。发言人说，该安排为期3个月，将进行至11月8日。

的地点是许多学生聚集的场所，人流量较大。除了《联合早报》之外，报业控股每日也于商学院的电梯间放置约100份《商业时报》。此外，南洋大礼堂外也设有《国际先驱论坛报》（International Herald Tribune）及《我报》的报架。商学院一年级生施欣宜（19 岁）认为，《商业时报》的派发地点并不显眼。她说：“免费报章应该放在学生们较常经过的地方，例如电梯和课室外。” 商学院三年级生陈彦君（20 岁）则认为，校方可进一步宣传，例如广发电邮通知学生，让他们知道有这样的安排。李博也说：“（校方）希望免费分派报纸的活动能给学生多点福利，为他们提供多一个得知新闻的管道。” 虽然李佳蓁（21岁）对此安排一概不知，但这名数学与经济系三年级生认为这可大大鼓励学生多翻阅报纸，增广见闻。仍有学生知道并善用免费报章

设置报架的地点不尽理想负责为本校同报业控股接洽的南大中国学生会副主席李博（22岁）指出，摆放报纸

尽管多数受访者不知有免费报章可索取，仍有少数学生每天早上会特地前往报纸的派发处，善用这项安排。

黄金辉传播与信息学院四年级生宋佳佳（23岁），每天上课前都不会忘了先到电梯间的报架索取《联合早报》。她认为，这个安排可提供学生洞悉时事的机会。此外，由于她的好友并没阅读华文报的习惯，因此可借免费报章让他们多接触华文，也能分析英文报与华文报在报道方式和新闻角度上的差异。部分学生受访时也指出，他们虽然知道校内有免费报章，却一直拿不到，因为免费报章通常会在中午之前被拿光。报架不翼而飞原因不详记者观察，摆放在黄金辉传播与信息学院的报架自前周五就被移开。李博表示，将报架移开是校方的决定，但具体原因不详。记者尝试就此事询问校方，但该学院行政部门却不知情。对于今后无法索取免费报章，中文系二年级生苏文琪（21岁）有些失望。不过她认为，校园不再分发免费报章并不会改变她的阅读习惯。苏文琪说：“反正免费报章迟早会停止分发，重要的是，无论是通过报章或网站，我们仍需与时并进，了解世界动态。”

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游走特色博客发现网络新世界网络世界多姿多彩，博客的世界更精彩！但是，博客已不纯粹是抒发个人情感的平台，也可以是分享照片、美食资讯和八卦新闻的管道。不知从何开始？记者黄海和邝嘉慧为你搜出特色博客。

Felicias Rainbow

@ http://chenjingxuan.net/blog/

新

伟所欲为

传媒七公主之一的陈靓两年前开始写博客，曾写到： “我只想创造一个可以分享我的想法，记录我的每一天的博客，最重要的是同我的支持者和朋友保持联系和互动。” 博客上刊载了许多剧照，是了解公主工作过程的另一途径。不过，这个博客不仅仅是有关演艺圈中多次多彩的生活。上个月17日，陈靓就对本地某中文晚间报一则有关她“上半身都是假”的报道，表达了自己的难过与无奈。结尾的部分她写到：“幸好我还有自己的管道，能在这里把我最真实的心情与想法和大家分享，也能很直接地向关心我的人回复说：我没事。” 不管怎样，我们必须承认这个明星博客让我们看到平常看起来无忧无虑的陈靓，也有她的另一面，并不像一些人所说的虚伪。

曾任当时933醉心频道的明星DJ杨君伟现转而通过自己的博客探讨艺术和生活资讯。 @ http://blog.omy.sg/dannyyeo/ 不论是影评、旅游经验，还是舞台剧执导初体验，他都毫不扭捏地分享自己内心深处的想法与感受。在其中一则日志中，针对他人给予他的身份识别，杨君伟显得有点反感。他的工作范围从前DJ到主持人到导演到讲师，他如何设法维持所有身份的平衡？对于这个疑问，他认为热忱是非常重要的：“就像身体痒，不抓不行，反正就得多做事，才感觉充实，大前提是：我只做我感兴趣的。如果哪天不喜欢我从事的工作，就不做了。” 这一点或许是大家可以从杨君伟身上学到的。与其改变自己，不如相信自己，坚持自己的信念。学会冒点险，投入所有精力于自己感兴趣的事上，而不只是根据社会给予我们的期待活着。

八卦电视台

温馨小厨

@ http://blogs.xin.sg/baguatv/ 许多人大概未曾听过陈国明这一号人物，但必定会对他的博客内容感兴趣。因为他提供的是新传媒八频道艺人所有最八卦和最新的娱乐消息。涉及的内容有展开新恋情的艺人、准备结婚的艺人、新剧集参与艺人的角色等等，也有目前正播映的新游戏节目“我要唱下去！”，还有即将在11月上档的“当我们同在一起”。戏迷可以期待从这里窥看幕后所有没形象又搞笑的图像和叙述。也许陈国明的博客只是为了加强观众对本地节目的支持，而不仅是追看热播的台湾偶像剧/长寿剧和韩剧，但这个博客的确是非常容易引人上瘾的。

记忆。记录。记号。 @ http://blog.omy.sg/eikin/

摄影部落格如今也越来越多，但名为“记忆。记录。记号。”的部落格，无论是图片还是文字，都堪称精品。部落格主是一名刚从日本的武藏野美术大学（Musashino Art University）硕士毕业的年轻人，因此文章有时以华语撰写，有时用英语，有时还会用日语。博客是2008年3月开始写的，既有“记忆”——过往的记忆，又有“记录”——旅行的小笺，或许更主要的，则是“记号”—— 一种“易于辨识的标记，建筑中的实与虚”。喜欢欣赏照片的朋友不妨到他的部落格一览。照片｜网络下载

@ http://rachelhei.blogspot.com/ 食色，性也。如今很多人喜欢在部落格中与别人分享吃过的美食。年轻妈妈Rachel在美食部落格 “温馨小厨”上说：“做菜给所爱的人吃其实是一种幸福。想把这幸福的料理在这和大家分享。” 部落格上的“温馨の早餐”就记载着30几道为宝贝女儿制作的“ 小公主的早餐”。每篇文章记录了一种早餐做法，有蔬菜面包小寿司，有水果饼干小便当，还有许多用面包做成的卡通造型，让人垂涎！独具匠心的妈妈所经营的美食部落格，烹调创意佳，点点滴滴更尽显她对家人的关爱。

moooooooon

@ http://moooooooon.wordpress.com/ 在所有博客中，生活博客是最惬意的一种博客：记录生活，记录心情。 “ 按着我的真心、我的步伐和我的能力，享受身边的一切事物。”这是生活部落格“moooooooon”的格主的生活方式，也是她写博的目的。博客简约却不失细心，分为“生活札记”、“我的《国家地理》”等栏目，素雅大气，看得出博主的良苦用心。在这个博客里，读者看到的是一个普通人的简单生活，没有明星爆料和花边新闻，点点滴滴，记录的只是对生活的坦诚。

SE P T E M B E R 2 2 , 20 0 9

T H E NA N YA NG C H RON IC L E

言论校园大声讲

咖啡厅

勿以一根香蕉打翻整船人黄慧芬

上

个月底，南大体育迎新派对（NTU Sports Bash）的一张照片跃上本地晚间报章的封面头条，大尺度的行为震惊社会。但是，一张照片就足以代表所有本地大学生吗？照片中，男生手持香蕉，放在胯下，让女生弯着腰吃，动作明显隐射 “性”意识，甚至有点猥亵。将照片提供给媒体的消息人受访时说，照片中男女的动作使他对本地青少年思想开放程度颇有微言。他也萌生了这两个疑问：“为什么这样的事会在新加坡发生？而且这些年轻人还是来自本地出名的大学。” 这样的评价，无非是一竹竿打翻了全船人。原来我们这一代出自著名学府的年轻人，思想开放的程度始终不被长辈接受。胯下吃香蕉等于思想开放？诚然，这张明显隐射“性”的照片，难免会引起公众的炮轰。但关键点是，单凭照片，不足以直接评断大学生的思想开放程度。这张照片是消息人在社交网站 Facebook截取的。从报道中可看出，他是在没有了解到活动的语境和两人为何会做出这样的动作的情况下，简单地发表概括及刻板的看法：本地大学生思想开放；校方对迎新营活动的管制不够严格。就官方说法而言，这样的动作当然不该被允许，女生甚至成为了受侮辱的对象，必须追究。但如果这动作是在大家一笑置之的语境下做出，而女生也非被逼从事，就不算是欺负行为。事件的另一关键点，即是照片流传。照片里的 “猥亵”动作可能只为博君一笑，可一旦流传，就要负起社会责任。毕竟，社会是依照一套道德规范来运作。这就好比美国心理学家乔治·赫伯· 米德（George Herbert Mead）提出的“I and Me”（主我与客我）理论：主我是我们内心里真正的自己，只有自己才知道内

坦白从宽抗拒从严

心深处最真的思绪和欲望等；客我则是我们为达到社会要求，而在他人面前呈现出的我们。上传照片，就等于将客我和主我划上等号。如果上传者事先考虑到这个动作超出了社会所能接受的程度，相信他不会让照片流传。迎新营游戏，一生能玩几次？经历过迎新营的大学生，多半会觉得迎新营是他们在大学生涯启程之前，一段最难忘、最疯狂的回忆。说疯狂，指的就是游戏尺度。一直以来，像嘴对嘴或用身体传物件等让男女生有亲密肢体接触的迎新游戏，往往成为公众舆论的焦点。我们无可否认，涉及肢体接触的游戏在一般迎新营里已是司空见惯。报名参加的新生，多少都会从学长口中知道游戏的类型和极限。如果无法跨越心理障碍，大可选择不参加。迎新营之所以独特，是因为新生有机会在逃离世俗眼光的情况下，玩一些在安全和道德范围内许可的游戏。在社会眼中，用身体传酱料、夹乒乓球等都是无聊和肮脏的游戏，但对新生而言，却是独一无二的集体回忆。与其一味地给这类游戏套上“素质低”的污名，不如先考虑游戏的宗旨和年轻人的心态，再给予评价。受过高等教育的我们，不论思想多开放，心中都有一把道德的尺。迎新营游戏可以继续疯狂，但应该以安全、尊重和道德为优先。而且，要玩得尽兴，就要玩得起，毕竟我们只青春这么一次。

插图｜黄施嫣

插图｜林诗敏

宋慧纯

娱

乐圈中什么不多就是八卦多。但是在八卦、真相傻傻分不清楚的时候，其实不能说的秘密更多。艺人不敢坦白，不过就是担心真相曝光后，自己苦心经营的形象和事业会大受影响，之前的努力就功亏一篑，就像刘天王一样。天王刘德华24年来守护的秘密恋情在几个星期前因朱丽倩的父亲过世而被迫曝光。刘天王多年来建立起的正面形象顿时破灭，让他成为众人心中满口谎言的大骗子，全因他隐瞒了自己的婚事。纵然多位大牌艺人为他声援，但面对媒体时缺乏自信的样子却似乎凸显出刘天王也正为自己的行为感到心虚。结婚生子本应是人生中很快乐，值得祝福的事情，但碍于偶像包袱和事业发展，选择不说的不只是刘天王。像是吴宗宪、成龙等，都是东窗事发后才认帐的。最近，乐基儿大方承认婚事，黎天王却始终不回应。在这个是非难辨的圈子里，到底还有什么事可以说的呢？近来，媒体也揣测刘天王可能是为了避免黑道可能对朱丽倩构成的威胁，要保护伊人而打死不认。但不管原因为何，我认为反弹之所以如此猛烈，只有一个原因：因为他是刘天王。他乐于助人，致力于慈善公益，近日更为莫拉克台风灾民积极筹款。但这一切的努力却在一瞬间被遗忘，使他变成隐瞒婚事的骗

子，被众人唾弃。但试问，在我们发表看法之前，有没有想过，纵使刘天王理应履行一个公众人物的社会责任，这些其实都是他可以不用交代的私事。就因为他特殊的身份，想要保护的人却得和他一起承受舆论的压力。这样对朱丽倩和其他受牵连的人而言，又是否公平？在我们心想一览明星私生活、满足自身好奇心的同时，我们眼里看到的自然是一个无所不能的刘天王。但是，我们所忽略掉的却是一个很重要的事实：他不仅是大家心中的偶像，他也是人，也有犯错的时候。只因为偶像的一言一行往往在媒体的渲染下被放大，他需要付出比正常人更多的努力，最后换来的也未必是谅解，而仅是舆论的平息而已。当然，好几年前轰动一时的杨姓歌迷一事，或许让不少和刘天王同等地位的偶像都很惊慌。到底，偶像可不可以不顾一切的结婚生子，和平常人过着家庭生活？他们又是否有责任为了不理智的歌迷而隐藏恋情一辈子呢？偶像们不愿公开恋情，白马王子的形象让更多粉丝有了幻想空间，人气当然也会扶摇直上。但是，在铁证如山的事实被公开后，我还是觉得坦白公开一切最重要。如果到了这个时候，却只承认部分事实，最后的秘密只会是构成下一场轩然大波的导火线而已。所以，除了给予刘天王最衷心的祝福，希望事件尽快平息之外，我当然会选择相信，他这一次真的坦诚了一切，没有任何隐瞒。要不然，日后再节外生枝，就不只是开记者会说明清楚，形象受挫那么简单了。

SE P T E M B E R 22 , 20 0 9

T H E NA N YA NG C H RON IC L E

五月天新加坡创造DNA

上海热情开唱出动公安维安为了纪念五月天成军10 周年，五月天之前就向粉丝许下承诺，不唱到午夜12点不散场。原以为8月28日的演唱会若超时，29日的场次或许会提早结束。因此，我也参加了他们的上海的第二场演唱会，却因为第一晚超时被罚钱，第二晚准时结束，所以有点失望。相较本地的演唱会，于7 月4日在上海虹口足球体育

场举办的《上海DNA五月天创造演唱会》在人数方面显然多了许多。在露天的体育场，好几万名歌迷一同与台上的五月天飚唱感觉就是很不同。尤其是当晚风吹来，在五月天的抒情歌曲中摇摆，在摇滚歌曲中跳动，好几万人一同欢呼的气氛也感染了笔者。由于人数太多，主办单位还出动了好几十名公安维持现场秩序。

挥舞烟花棒歌迷High翻天五月天每到新加坡开唱都场场爆满，人气10年来居高不下。照片|滚石唱片提供

宋慧纯●报道

亚

洲摇滚天团五月天于 8月29日在新加坡室内体育馆举行的第二场《DNA创造新加坡演唱会》飚唱到12时 15分，和将近8000名歌迷一同 high翻天！虽然是第二晚，曲目也与 28日的稍有不同，当晚沸腾情绪却丝毫不输给第一晚。迈入第一个10年的五月天，人气依旧，就算经历了暂别乐坛、重返乐坛，每年开唱依然场场爆满，而高人气的背后，是那群永远支持他们的忠实乐迷。一开场，粉丝都迫不及待地站起来，很快就进入状况。五月天以《轧车》、《爆肝》、《爱情万岁》、《赌神》和《Hosee》一连5首快歌暖场，把歌迷情绪推到最高点。

之后，他们更一口气唱了《疯狂世界》、《知足》、《人生海海》、《我心尚未崩坏的地方》、《春天的呐喊》等十几首歌。演唱会上除了以专辑《后青春期的诗》的歌曲为主，许多耳熟能详的经典曲目也都让现场的歌迷如痴如醉，像是《温柔换你自由版》、《拥抱》、《终结孤单》和《一颗苹果》，都是在歌迷心中不可取代的主题曲。此外，除了卖力演唱，今年的舞台效果和影音制作都流露出制作单位的用心。为了符合演唱会主题，主办单位耗资50万新元，重金打造了一个巨大的细胞核，并利用“微物放大”与“精准投影”的舞台技术，呈献具立体感的视觉效果。演唱会更通过五月天的“电影”，以飙车、追逐、爆破的

逼真惊险场面贯穿全场。演唱会上较有趣的部分是鼓手冠佑和主场阿信顽皮地调换岗位，冠佑还献唱了伍佰的《墓仔铺也敢去》，虽然歌声略显生涩，但是诚意却是一百分。吉他手怪兽和石头“互尬”电吉他的表演，也让现场观众为之疯狂。演唱会的高潮，数接近尾声的时候，五月天难得诠释几首鲜少在演唱会上演绎的经典名曲。玛莎背着木吉他演唱他们较早专辑中的《明白》，国民情歌《志明与春娇》，还有让许多歌迷回味无穷的《爱情的模样》。因与第一晚的曲目有所区别，或许有的歌迷想听到的是《憨人》，但是五月天对歌迷们的诚意这十年来始终没有变，曲目上的划分或许就是要给每个歌迷独一无二的回忆。

以前去的演唱会不是在新加坡博览中心就是在室内体育馆，所以从来没有试过露天看演唱会。但是今年1月4日在 Stadium Green举办的五月天新歌飚唱会，就给了歌迷们一个难忘的经验。大家一同站在绿油油的

五月天的现场演唱魅力四射，所有歌迷无不随之狂欢。照片|宋慧纯提供

五月天伴随记者走过青春岁月五月天的歌曲不仅是萦绕在记者耳边的音符，更是她生活中的启发。

自

从16岁那年出席了人生中第一场五月天演唱会，笔者前前后后看了6场演唱会，看着他们从男孩蜕变成男人，听着他们的音乐从放荡不羁转变为充满对梦想的执着。他们追逐着摇滚梦的冲劲让我了解到追逐梦想的勇气有多重要，音符夹带着的坚持更带给乐迷们无止境的震撼。当我也慢慢成长，以为离年少越来越远的时候，五月天把我带回从前。 8月29日那晚，演唱会接近尾声时，阿信说要送给歌迷一首从来没有在演唱会上听过的《爱情的模样》，终于让我的回忆开始倒带。回想起稚气的中学时代，我一边追着五月天的身影，一边挥霍着属

草地上，一边欣赏五月天的演出，一边挥动着烟花棒。这是室内演唱时做不到的。虽说是新歌飚唱会，五月天也不吝啬地献上多首经典歌曲，唱足至少2小时，甚至因为音量太大而遭附近居民投诉，但歌迷们的热情却始终不减。

于自己的青春；现在的我已变成一个勇于追求梦想的女生了。依稀记得14岁那年因为读了一本小说而接触到了五月天的那首《爱情的模样》。故事里的男女主角们始终没有在一起，留着歌词哀伤地唱着：“你是谁／叫我狂恋／叫我勇敢的挑战全世界／在一样的身体里面／一样有爱与被爱的感觉”。那时候的我，就因为这首歌疯狂地爱上五月天。我喜欢他们歌词里的真情流露，欣赏那股为了梦想放肆地离开地球表面的倔强，更佩服他们咬紧牙关面对这个疯狂世界，依旧相信生命有一种绝对。新加坡演唱会的第二晚，当玛莎背着木吉他，走到台前，弹奏起《明白》的前奏时，想必唤起了很多五月天迷的回忆，尤其是像我这样从第一张专辑追到现在的歌迷。这些经典歌曲都代表了我们不同的成长阶段的重要章节，意义不在话下。怪兽和石头在演唱会上互尬电吉他的演出，尽管没有歌声的加持，但那份

弹指间穿梭于琴弦的一种执着却是摇滚最让人动容的地方。五月天让我明白，摇滚也可以很温暖、很温柔。最让我打从心底佩服，支持他们那么多年的原因是因为他们并没有因为走红而忘记追求音乐梦想的初衷。五月天的歌曲代表了许多青少年的心声，提醒着我们青春这卷一去不回的潮水有多么珍贵。演唱会的曲目以去年发行的专辑《后青春期的诗》为主，但是在走红之后发行了那么多作品，这张专辑却似乎让我们走入了时光隧道，回到了10年前五月天刚出道的时期，重温他们青涩却又满怀斗志的模样。不管你是什么时候才开始支持五月天的，只要你曾经被五月天的歌曲感动过，心理住着那一首由五月天演唱的主题曲，那就够了。在这一秒，快乐最重要，就像五月天唱着《笑忘歌》的时候，我们牵起我们朋友的手，拥抱着友情的温柔，就算我们后青春期的诗依旧写满了惆怅，我还是会记起那首五月天的《人生海海》唱的：“就算是整个世界／把我抛弃／我知道潮落之后一定又潮起／有什么了不起”。

SE P T E M B E R 2 2 , 20 0 9

T H E NA N YA NG C H RON IC L E

娱乐休闲厅

臭皮匠专访

乐评音乐Jukebox

臭皮匠：我们“越臭越团结”

专辑：《就是现在》歌手：臭皮匠推荐：《就是现在》《这一秒》

许

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久不见的臭皮匠最近发行了全新单曲，以一贯的坦率与真挚的态度酝酿出充满坚定信念的两首歌曲。从主打歌《就是现在》的层层乐器编曲中，不难察觉臭皮匠在创作时所付出的心血。快节奏的饶舌与动感的鼓声相辅相成，加上电子吉他庞克摇滚式的演奏，使人不由自主地随着音乐摆动。臭皮匠似乎是从西方摇滚乐中得到灵感，并将其元素运用在这首歌的编曲，让听惯中文主流音乐的人觉得颇有新鲜感。专辑所收录的歌曲虽在节奏、乐器编排、和意境都有所不同，歌词所表达的意念却十分一致。主唱以独树一帜的唱法在《这一秒》中唱出了一般陷入困境的人所体验到的沮丧与失落，通过浅白易懂、一针见血的歌词阐述对人生的渴望，给予团体与听众微薄的鼓励。尽管多年来臭皮匠只发行单曲，但还是听得见他们对音乐的坚持与不懈，让大家期待臭皮匠推出完整专辑。(文／陈静芳)

成军7年的本地乐团臭皮匠终于摆脱以往的嘻哈形像，摇身一变，穿上笔挺的西装，以焕然一新的形像推出最新单曲《就是现在》。照片|Ｕni7y Music提供

陈鑫琪●报道

成

军7年，本地乐团臭皮匠自嘲越来越臭！原来，“臭”指的是他们的团结精神，所以现在的臭皮匠比以前更团结了。平均年龄在30岁的臭皮匠除了“臭味加倍”，也更有男人味了。以前身穿宽松球衣的7位大男生换上了帅气黑西装，宣布：“我们已经是男人了！” 对于外表上从嘻哈到成熟的转变，主唱赵志伟笑说：“其实灵感来自于参加两位成员的婚礼。我们不想浪费为婚礼买的礼服，所以就去拍（这组宣传照）咯！” 日前，臭皮匠发行全新创作单曲《就是现在》，创作概念也更成熟，希望能够通过音乐鼓励陷入困境的社会人士勇敢

站起来，创造自己的精彩。为了老朋友继续玩团臭皮匠的成员其实都是全职白领一族，其中两位甚至已经成家了。吉他手韩俊旭坦言，他在成家之后，烦恼也变多了。但由于想见老朋友，才决定继续乐团生涯。吉他手张清汉说，若不见到团员们，反倒会不习惯。这样的依赖也让他更有毅力继续玩音乐。谈到乐团的历史，吉他手傅文华感触颇深。“当时组团是因为兴趣，而且玩音乐真的很开心。” 他补充：“这股团结的力量让我们很想进入全职的乐团生涯。和现在有什么不同呢？现在我们的团结力量更强！” 所以尽管团员们在白天都有

全职工作，也仍会在下了班之后，抽出时间练团，即使隔天还得上班，也会练到凌晨1时。

“当时组团是因为兴趣，而且玩音乐真的很开心。这股团结的力量让我们很想进入全职的乐团生涯。” 傅文华臭皮匠吉他手

虽然现在玩的音乐偏向饶舌摇滚，臭皮匠的团员们其实都曾尝试各种类型的音乐曲风。赵志伟坦言，早期曾组过类似苏打绿风格的乐团，令众团员相当惊讶。他接着急忙澄清：“我的乐团是属于比较alternative （另类）的Beyond。” 针对往后的音乐道路，臭皮匠希望有机会能够同较主流的歌手合作，带来不一样的听觉享受。至于最想和哪位本地歌手合作，赵志伟不假思索，选择了孙燕姿，因为久闻这位唱将和他们一样很有个性！预知更多有关臭皮匠的新闻，请即刻上pulse.sg的娱乐栏目。

走饶舌摇滚路线的臭皮匠，现场表演时感染力十足。

专辑：《木头人》歌手：阿穆隆推荐：《美好时光》《呼唤》

女

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生总说男生木讷，内蒙古歌手阿穆隆就通过首张专辑《木头人》唱出男生木讷的剖白。阿穆隆从中国《快乐男生》歌唱比赛中被发掘，首张专辑由两岸三地的音乐人联手打造。尽管主题鲜明，编曲和演唱方面却没有太大的惊喜。抒情歌曲《避风的港湾》更是在中间部分，穿插了一小段饶舌，显得既牵强又唐突。最令人印象深刻的是专辑里的蒙语歌曲《呼唤》。歌词大意讲述主人翁在候鸟归返家园的秋天，也忆起了家乡，尤其是想念自己的母亲。虽然大家也许听不懂蒙语，但肯定能感受到歌词里的哀伤。歌曲旋律很优美，犹如在宽阔草原中吟唱的歌曲，也充分表现了阿穆隆的背景色彩。总体而言，首次推出专辑的阿穆隆似乎还没有找到属于自己的定位，表现中规中矩，但进步空间仍很大。（文／黄施嫣）

专辑：《光阴的故事2－闪亮的日子》电视原声带歌手：合辑推荐：《再爱我一次》《恋爱症候群》

如

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果你看过台湾连续剧《光阴的故事》，曾经被罗大佑唱的那首主题曲深深感动过，那么《光阴的故事2闪亮的日子》电视原声带将再一次紧扣你的心弦，带你回味那段充满希望和梦想的年代。这张原声带收录了多首80年代的经典名曲，如刘文正《风儿轻轻吹》、蔡琴《跟我说爱我》，道出了《闪》剧中那四名民国54 年次的女孩在时代变迁迅速的台湾社会追寻着梦想的故事。强力推荐由胡彦斌重新演绎的刘文正经典名曲《闪亮的日子》。胡彦斌成功利用暖暖的口气道出歌曲的故事，轻轻地没有嘶吼，却深深地走进听者的心坎。因为生在这个年代，我们不能深切体会父母年轻时的苦与乐，所以要听这张专辑多认识以前的音乐，多体会歌里的故事，多靠近一点我们父母的心。就算不能切身体会那个年代，我们庆幸有歌曲说故事，让情感回归到最原始的感动。（文／宋慧纯）

Opinions

Student reactions to the Ministerial forum Page 31

frankly, my dear

EDITORIAL

A column by The Chronicle editors on issues close to their hearts

Why beauty and Singlish don’t mix The hoopla surrounding Ris Low, the beauty queen who had mispronounced some words in a video interview with Razor T V, has Singaporeans all worked up in a tizzy. The national broadsheet ran a feature in its Sunday edition defending Low’s mangling of the English language, with officials from the Speak Good English Movement taking the view that her unusual speech pattern is comparable to that of most Singaporeans. This argument should be taken with a pinch of salt, because it does not bear up to rigorous scrutiny. It i s not con st r uc t ive simply say ing t hat since most Singaporeans have a poor command of the English language, hence Low should be pardoned for her unusual choice of diction and pauses. If we were to extend the line of reasoning, it is not excessive to suggest that the Speak Good English Movement in Singapore be scrapped. After all, there is not much

hope for improvement if we all lack the ability to form coherent sentences. Furthermore, it is unlikely that Low’s thought process is similar to that of the average person on the street. C r it ic i sm s le ve led at he r a l so c e nt r e a r ou nd her answers, which do not resonate with the majority of netizens who have lambasted her. Her winning of the title of Miss Singapore World also adds to the issue–if we are to be taken seriously on the global stage, are we prepared to send somebody who is likely unable to hold her own in a speaking capacity? W hen join ing such a high profile competition, it is not unfair to suggest that she needs to be more accountable. A f te r a l l , we e x pe c t extremely high standards from our public f igures, so beauty queens like Low should hardly be exempt from the rules.

CH R O N ICL E THE NANYANG

chief editor Ng Yong Kiat Fabian

opinion editors Shereen Naaz Charles

MANAGING editor Ahmad Iskandar

sports editors Tham Hui Min Tiffany Xue Jianyue

sub-editors Ng Wei Chuen Caleb Vo Van Hung Chuang Bing Han Hong Shuheng News editors Cai Zhimin Alexis Yusuf Abdol Hamid Lifestyle editors Toh Li Min Kezia Wee Ling Li Cheryl

layout editors Cha Ee Ling Alexis Josephine K Chow Lee Shuxian photo editors Foo Chee Chang Tan Yi Leong Irwin Lim Joe Ee Zoe graphics editor Sarah Amnah Zaihan

Reviews editor Law Shi Ming Elizabeth

ONLINE editor Kuek Jinhua

TECH editor Wee Zhi Qiang Kenneth

business managers Teo Xin Wen Jean Yong Sze Yean Joyce

dapper editors Koh Fang Ting Carina Tsen Si Jia Audrey Chinese editors Seow Kia Hui Ng Soon Kiat

production support Ng Heng Ghee Teacher advisors Andrew Duffy Javed Nazir Xu Xiaoge

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 Unsigned editorials represent the majority view of the editorial board of The Chronicle and do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of Nanyang Technological University, its employees, the students or the Council of the University. Signed opinion columns, letters and editorial cartoons represent the opinion of the writer or artist and are not necessarily those of The Chronicle. Printed by KHL Printing Co. Pte Ltd, 57 Loyang Drive, Singapore 508968

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU News Hotline: 6790 6446 Letters: chronicle@ntu.edu.sg Opinions: chronicle.opinions@ ntu.edu.sg Please include your full name, contact number, faculty and year of study.

Snap out of it!

Hong Shuheng sub–editor

n International Museum Day this year, I took advantage of the free admission and went for the Christian Lacroix exhibition held for the first time in Asia at the National Musuem of Singapore. When I arrived at the gallery, I stood there gaping for a bit. Before me was a sea of cameras snapping rapidly at all the exhibits in sight. I felt as if I had arrived at a crime scene with detectives swarming the area collecting evidence. I soon realised these picturecrazy people were really as dogged as detectives. Squirming his way in front of me as I scrutinised one of Lacroix’s intricate sketches, a little boy brushed me aside from my serious attempt at artistic pondering to snap a picture. He did not even bother glancing at the real sketch. My friend, an art major, was rather disturbed. She did not see the need to take photos when the art pieces were there to be appreciated personally. “You can find photos online. Much better photos than whatever you’re taking. Coming here is for you to experience the art in itself,” she grumbled. I thought perhaps this is a Singaporean trait—till I went to the Louvre Musuem in Paris. When I finally arrived at the Mecca of museums, I found wellarmed hordes of tourists shooting Mona Lisa furiously. I ended up more amazed at the photo–taking frenzy than the famous painting itself, which with its petite size, turned out to be quite underwhelming. I bet Mona Lisa’s smug smile must be thanks to the sight of her legions of camera-crazy fans. And I admit, I took a photo of her too. How could I leave without her capturing her for eternity? But I made sure I took a good look at the painting and savoured the real McCoy before I snapped. On many occasions, photog r aph y s e e m s to be a distraction from the or iginal experience itself. The beauty of art lies in our personal reaction to it, not in thousands of similar photos of the

GRAPHIC | MUHAMMAD HIDAYAT

same object. In the midst of frantically tak ing photos, we sometimes forget to soak in the atmosphere of appreciating art up close.

I thought this was a Singaporean trait – till I went to the Louvre Museum in Paris Sometimes, I feel conf licted about whet he r to w it ne s s a beautiful sunset with my own eyes or snap furiously away at the magnificent phenomenon. Even with people, photography manages to hog the limelight. How many of you end up taking countless photos at a dinner with friends instead of talking? Perhaps the need to document our lives in photos arises because our hectic lifestyle has led to

beautiful moments being all too fleeting. Photogr aphy he lps create ta ng ible e v ide nce for u s to reminisce about. It is undoubtedly a social tool to display happenings in your life to others. Take Facebook, for example; the endless stream of photos from your hundreds of friends give you a glimpse into their lives. Indeed, life would be rather bland without photos. They invoke beautiful memories, help us to reminisce fleeting moments and satisfy our voyeuristic cravings. But please, let us try to avoid t u r n ing ou r obsession w it h photography into a barrier to the genuine experiences that life has to offer. When I am old, I would just want to remember how amazing the real Mona Lisa was, smiling at me coyly. Not being brushed aside by a photo-obsessed six year old.

opinions

MINISTERIAL FOR Finding the right mix for Sing The topic for this year’s forum was “Is there room for more?”. It delved deep into the locals and foreigners. Three students reflect on how this issue hits close to home

Shereen Naaz Charles opinion editor

Syariff

s I l i s te ne d to P r i me Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s speech during the recent ministerial forum, the image of the iconic Singapore Sling sprang to mind. Just as the drink is a mix of gin, cherry, brandy and Benedictine, so Singapore is a concoction of diverse races such as Chinese, Indian and Malay. Moreover, just as the Singapore Sling needs the right amount of club soda to suit someone’s taste, so Singapore should search for the optimal proportion of foreigners to continue thr iv ing amid the

ferocious global competition. Unfortunately, this is far from a simple task. So far, efforts aimed at encouraging Singaporeans to accept foreigners have reaped little success. As PM Lee mentioned in his speech, letters griping about foreign service staff’s dismal grasp of the English language continue to flood the media. They seem to indicate that a sweet blend of Chinese, Indians, Malays and foreigners remains elusive as ever. Clearly, there is a need for more drastic measures, if not a change in the mindset of many Singaporeans. Calls for enhanced integration make eminent sense, but they are unlikely to make a difference if many Singaporeans continue to perceive foreign talent as a threat

to their economic viability. The Singapore Government is apparently aware of this problem. In April, it set up the National Integration Council, which aims to boost the integration of immigrants into society. The council has recently unveiled a raft of measures expected to help it fulfill its mission. These include a $10-million fund which seeks to help organisations offer more chances for Singaporeans, foreigners and permanent residents to mingle with one another. It is also refreshing to hear PM Lee reassure Singaporeans that they would be entitled to more privileges i n t he lon g r u n . For e ig ne r s , meanwhile, have actually been a buffer during the current economic turmoil, sheltering a number of

Singaporeans from the onslaught of retrenchment. This being the case, it is perhaps better for Singaporeans to perceive their foreign counterparts as useful resources, rather than competitors.

Singapore is a concoction of diverse races Singaporean students would do well to bear in mind this advice, given the benefits they stand to gain from interaction with their foreign counterparts. Let me clarify something. By interaction, I mean more than just

occasionally smiling at foreigners and exchanging a few pleasantries with them on your way to school. Rather, it entails talking to these foreign friends, whether they are fulltime or exchange students, inviting them to lunch, gleaning insights into their culture and understanding how they perceive Singapore. In the end, Singaporeans may very well relish these new perspectives as much as their foreign counterparts enjoy local culinary delights. This is indubitably international exposure at your doorstep. Better still, it comes with virtually no price. Isn’t it perplexing, then, that some Singaporeans are willing to fork out $10,000 for a dose of international experience but reluctant to spend some time conversing with the

Our differences will bring us together Emanuelle Soultanian

have been in Singapore for over a month, and to be honest my experience thus far has been more than I could have ever imagined –in a good way of course. All except for one small factor: I have found it very hard to befriend local students. Coming to NTU as an exchange student from San Diego State University in California, I had few expectations, knowing what I knew from the Internet and guide books. But I decided I would come with a clean slate and open mind. My only hope was that I go back to the States with a whole new group of Singaporean friends. A month later, I have multiplied my friend pool threefold. But unfortunately, only a handful are Singaporeans. Initially, I wondered whether there was something wrong with me and my social skills. I ventured to see if my new international peers faced the same problems as well. To my surprise, they did. I cannot help but ponder what makes it so hard for exchange students to befriend locals? Determined to find an answer I asked around and came up with several conclusions. Local students, for the most part, have been acquainted with one another since the start of their university life while exchange students are faced with the challenges of meeting new people and adjusting to a new environment within weeks of getting off an aeroplane. Perhaps it is easier for international students to bond with each other as they tackle similar challenges together

while living abroad. Another reason to consider is that there is a notable language barrier between locals and exchanges as experience by Christian Hildbrand, from Germany. Exchange students are here as much for the academics as for the experience of living in a new and foreign country.

I wonder if we intimidate them that much that they do not ask us to join them? While we study and take school seriously, we also like to experience all aspects of Singapore. I mean, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, right? This is in stark contrast to the hardworking Singaporean student. When participating in social activities, exchange students tend to stick together. At night, I have noticed that many locals partake in group activities, such as barbeques. I wonder if we intimidate them that much that they do not ask us to join them? Exchange students hang out together instead at the bar on campus, around town and often around Clarke Quay. But with a little confidence, the task of meeting locals is not as hard as it seems. Common rooms in hall of residences are a great way to meet

GRAPHIC | ALAN CHOONG

locals as well, when everyone just wants to hang out in their own time. Also, making friends has worked well via recreational activities, such as playing on sports teams. Sven Fich, an undergraduate international student from NTU, has

remarked that although he identifies better with exchange students because of cultural similarities, he has made a few local friends mostly because of different perceptions of culture. But that does not mean that Singaporeans do not want to mingle.

Exchange students come here to experience something new, while locals have the chance of tasting a bit of every culture represented from almost every country on campus. Perhaps, our differences can bring us together.

se p t e m b e r 22 , 20 0 9

T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e

UM 2009 apore

canteen talk

Last Tuesday, the annual Ministerial Forum was held on campus. We ask students what they thought about the forum and get their opinions on the issues that were touched upon.

issue of strained relationships between here within Yunnan Garden campus

foreign friend next door? U ltimately, the issue is not whet he r Si ngapor ea n s shou ld tolerate foreigners or whether the latter should learn to adopt the Singaporean way of life. Instead, it is a question of whether Singaporeans can gain from each encounter, however brief and casual, to stay one step ahead in this increasingly competitive world. Opportunities abound, but it remains unclear whether Singaporeans, especially students, can make the optimal use of them. If they can, then time may come when Singapore will become a truly delectable concoction of different races and nationalities—something that locals and foreigners alike will revel in, instead of dreading.

It’s not surprising that international students feel left out especially when Singaporeans tend to be so cliquish and stick to our own Yeo Wei Tsin , NBS Yr 1, 19

“

omeone cheekily called me an SPG last week . Yes, the brutal Sarong Party Girl moniker. The offence? I was caught hanging out with some exchange students. I shrugged it off initially, but could not help but detect a duality in the Singaporeans when it comes to interacting with exchange students. Each semester, hundreds of students university wide fly off to have a taste of the grass on the other side of the fence, through exchange programmes. Friend feeds on Facebook provide glimpses of their life overseas and lo and behold, smiling foreigner faces will inevitably appear Yet when we return, we come back to life with friends of unsurprisingly similar backgrounds. That desire to make new friends from new backgrounds they may have had on exchange, soon fades to black. The gulf has always been wide, between ‘them’ and ‘us’. I am sure we have had tutorials where a group of students sit with a bewildered look on their faces while the rest of the class is in stitches at yet another Singlish joke cracked by that funny Singaporean professor.

Or the physical distance that arises from sitting far apart from each other in lectures. A student I spoke to put this down to the ‘Singaporean student mentality’. Students who are lucky enough to spend a semester abroad spend their time there with other Singaporeans, like his peers who were in Norway on exchange. Let’s face it: familiarity breeds comfort. This tends to be the case even back in Singapore, where our social circle is dominated by the same few faces. Local students do not see the need to put themselves in an uncomfortable social situation just to make new friends. Another friend shared that apart from having classes together, we have nothing in common with our international peers. There seems to be a lack of understanding among students here on what interests their foreign peers. Perceptions like these only serve to thicken the wall between both sides. It does not help that it is hard to talk to the exchange student that we may want to know better when they move around in packs. It makes it intimidating to approach them, and even harder to

strike a conversation. Local students also have a negative impression of Singaporeans seen too often with foreign students. Like experienced by yours truly. When I asked why I was called an SPG despite not fulfilling even half the criteria, my good friend put it down to how the real SPGs act. They muddy things for students who genuinely want to interact with international students. Case in point: Me. While I certainly do empathise with the initial difficulties in talking to these exchange students, the benefits far outweigh the initial discomfort you might place yourself in. In my experiences of forcing myself to talk to people who are not from Singapore, I have felt like my acceptance of the differences among people of different races and nationalities has broadened beyond my wildest dreams. My world view has changed because I have chosen to step away from the Singaporean stereotype. So call me an SPG if you will but I will still strive in my quest to get to know more students from all around the world. And what better place to do so than right here in NTU. What about you?

Another friend shared that apart from having classes together, we really have nothing in common with our international peers

The questions for Q&A were very interactive and thought provoking. It shows that NTU students are becoming more opinionated Lee Wen Pin Alan, MSE Yr 2, 22

GRAPHIC | SARAH AMNAH ZAIHAN

”

Birds of a feather flock together Natasha Hong

”

Maybe the low turnout rate was due to the constant Twitter updates so people didn’t see the need to attend the forum Lionel Siak , EEE Yr 3, 26

“

I feel that LTA should be more focused on more pertinent issues like overcrowding rather than drinking water on the train Sameera Siddiqe, HSS Yr 4, 22

I was shocked to see people wearing tank tops and mini skirts. Personally, I feel that it is inappropriate for such an event

”

Bibi Nur Shakirrah, HSS Yr 3, 21

TEXT | SHEREEN NAAZ CHARLES SYARIFF; PHOTOS | WILLIS TURNER HENRY

opinions

se p t e m b e r 22 , 20 0 9

T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e

Starts at at 40mm 40mm // 5mm 5mm apart apart from from top top story story Starts

Political apathy: A matter of perspective Bhavan Jaipragas

hile the dust settles on the debate ensuing Nominated Member of Parliament ( N M P) M r Viswa Sadasivan’s maiden speech in Parliament, an interesting issue he brought up seems to have been curiously sidelined. Mr Sadasivan suggested that universities should be repoliticised in line with a stronger alignment of “current policies and rules with conventional principles of democracy”. Although political activism was a mainstay of university life in the early years of independent Singapore, Mr Sadasivan asserts that strict rules on activism and political participation have created a culture of detachment from politics in our present day tertiary institutions. POLITICAL APATHY Generalising that our country’s youth are apathetic towards local politics and developments is somewhat a fallacy. Government policies over the years, while seeking to stabilise the volatile social climate in the 1960s and 1970s, have never set out to consciously depoliticise our youth. It would be safe to say that a sizeable number of young people today have access to various avenues through which they can participate in local politics and air their political views, and they have done so.

Pol it ica l ac t iv i sm a mong the youth, including university st udents, is ver y much alive t h roug h t he yout h w i ngs of political parties. In fact, in this writer’s first experience attending political rallies in the hustings of 2006, it was quite surprising to see that many of the volunteers and activists in both camps were relatively young. The local blogosphere has also burst into life in recent years with many young people writing eloquently and critically on local politics and current affairs among other things.

The government need not lose sleep over the perceived ‘political apathy’ among the younger generation Univer sit y st udents in Singapore today also have a broader world view as they have plenty of opportunities to work and study overseas through exchange programmes. They are able to build strong political values and beliefs based on their experiences and the circumstances of the societies they stayed in. While the government can definitely do more to encourage a greater level of critical discussion on local politics, they need not lose

in pen on paper

sleep over the perceived ‘political apat hy ’ a mong t he you nge r generation. Indeed, in a dialogue held i n 20 0 7 w it h Si n gap or e a n s studying overseas, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen voiced his belief t hat t he notion of political apathy in Singapore can be strongly challenged and that “the lack of strident views shou ld not be e qu ate d w it h political apathy”. Existing avenues to express political views in campus

Bringing you the thrills and spills of NTU life

GRAPHIC | JANELL HOONG

There are also a few avenues for students to air and discuss their views about politics and current affairs on-campus — rather than going online to make their voices heard. In NTU, the Current Affairs Club provides its members with opportunities to critically analyse local and international affairs, be they political or not. Events such as the recent NTU Ministerial Forum featuring Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong go a step further in allowing students to interact with the countr y’s top leadership and put forth their views regarding government policies. According to NTU’s Senior Associate Provost in charge of undergraduate education, Professor Er Meng Hwa, “Student groups are allowed to invite distinguished speakers from the political arena to address student members and the university community, on condition that these speakers

present balanced view points and attain approval from the appropriate channels.” I n N US, t he Democ r at ic Socia lists’ Club is k now n to organise dialogue sessions for st udent s to e xc ha nge v iews regarding political matters and interact with leading individuals from the ruling government, the civil service and the opposition.

We simply do not have a culture here where we agitate and participate in rallies SMU’s students are not left out too, as the Lee Kong Chian Scholars Programme organises annual ministerial forums for the university’s students. R e s p o n s i b l e p oli t ical discourse While it is in the interest of the universities to cultivate a vibrant culture of political discussion akin to the ‘marketplace of ideas’ concept that we encourage for intellect ual t hought, caution must be taken to ensure that conflicting groups with diverse, contrasting views do not breed a polarised and segmented student population. Within the Singapore context,

GRAPHIC | THU NGUYEN

students who participate in such discourse must also pay heed to sensitive issues such as race and religion. Flippa nt v iews e x pressed on these topics might have dire consequences in creating tension not only within the university but in society as a whole. Wit h t h is in m ind, M r S a d a s i v a n’s s u g g e s t i o n o f reintroducing campus rallies to reignite political interest among the youth seems misplaced. For one, Mr Sadasivan himself admitted in his closing remarks on the debate that we simply do not have a culture here where we agitate and participate in rallies whenever there is a disagreement on issues. In addition, rallies and the high passions that they tend to stoke is hardly the way to go in creating the critical and rational political discourse we seek in universities. M o r e i m p o r t a n t l y, t h e overriding point that negates the NMP’s suggestion is the fact that the country’s youth are very much in touch with politics, though their views might not be as strident as he would want them to be. Conclusion A closer look at our youth’s involvement in polit ics t hus does seem to point towards a bright future where responsible individuals will be engaged in civil conversation to evaluate policies and hold policy makers accountable for their decisions in the years to come.

sports

SE P T E M B E R 2 2 , 20 0 9

T H E NA N YA NG C H RON IC L E

bpl talk Lionel Messi: Construction worker

Nobody in an alternate reality PHOTOS | COURTESY

With Chelsea fighting their transfer ban over French starlet Gael Kakuta and UEFA and FIFA looking to ban all transfers of players under the age of 18, there is plenty of room for unintended repercussions. Lim Yufan examines the butterfly effect had the ban been enacted in 1989

Few can forget the image of Lionel Messi towering over Rio Ferdinand to score Barca’s second goal in last year’s Champions League final. Messi, at the age of 22, has already cemented his reputation as one of the world’s top players by guiding Barcelona to three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies. But here’s a little known fact—Barcelona is not the first club of this little wizard with the magic feet. When he was just 13, the Catalan giant signed the diminutive winger from Argentinean club Newell’s Old Boys. Barcelona also offered the family money for his growth hormone treatment. If Messi had been prevented from making the move, he may not have the chance to realise his phenomenal potential on the pitch and one of the greatest player the world has ever seen could have very well ended up a common bricklayer in Rosario.

Francesc Fabregas: Property agent SINCE the 05/06 Premier League season, Fabregas has been the crown jewel in Arsene Wenger’s starting 11. At 21, he was entrusted with the skipper’s armband following the turbulent reign of William Gallas. Now, he is battling Xavi to be Spain’s creator-in-chief. Yet, had Wenger not scooped Fabregas from Nou Camp, this young Spaniard might not be living the dream. Barcelona has Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta entrenched in the centre of their formation. Fabregas never had a sniff at the first team during his time with Barça. He would have found his chances limited with the starstudded cast which found Ronaldinho redundant. Unwanted by his childhood team, and prevented from moving elsewhere, he would have stagnated and may have de c ide d football is not his cup of tea. With Fabregas Senior the owner of a property company, Cesc might have found gainful employment as a property intern. Who knows, with his charm, he might have been Agente del Año (agent of the year).

David Beckham: Not so golden Golden Balls. England captain. Galactico. Love him or loathe him, David Beckham has left an indelible mark in the minds of football fans in his illustrious career. Yet history could have easily taken another path. Not many people actually know that Beckham had arrived at Old Trafford from Tottenham Hotspur when he was 16. If FIFA had their way, there would be no wonder goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon, no pinpoint crosses for Manchester United’s strikers to bang in their goals, no more spectacular freekicks to flummox the best goalkeepers. Golden Balls would have stayed at White Hart Lane and United may not have their Champions League triumph in 1999. It may seem ridiculous now, but England’s most famous footballing son might have ended up becoming just another Darren Anderton.

sports talk

To swim in the full-body condom TRIXIE YAP US UA L LY c ont r o v e r s ie s i n swimming involve drugs. This time, it is about a high technology swimsuit. These special ones have a higher concentration of polyurethane, increasing buoyancy in water. Thanks to this special swimsuit, dubbed a ‘full body condom’, 29 new world records were rewritten during the World Championships in Rome this year. Smashing, no? Instead of celebrating this, authorities from the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) have apparently banned these suits from January next year. Coaches such as Bob Bowman, who t r a i n s M ic hae l Phe lps , sparked this move by threatening to withdraw the superstar from international meets. But this technological advance benefits every swimmer in the world. Phelps would probably shave off at least a tenth of a second from his personal best, like Germany’s Paul Biedermann who recently used the swimsuit in Rome. It all boils down to morality, or what they think is morality. Si nce 2000, sw i msu it technology has been thought to be damaging the sport’s integrity.

Nonetheless, swimmers have embraced these advances all this while, even Phelps with his Speedo Fastskin LZR racer. After nine years, they decided that 40 per cent of polyurethane is a “moral” amount for a body suit. Needless to say, with that much polyurethane in a suit, the price tag is defi nitely higher. A suit costs between $250 and $580, depending on the model, and needs to be replaced frequently.

Swimsuit technology has been thought to be damaging the sport s integrity Prices may also bring about a slight disparity between the have and have-nots. Swimming is traditionally dominated by powerhouses like the United States, Japan, Australia. It could be because powerhouses have the financial ability to provide their athletes with this suit. Besides, the suits should not be banned just to accommodate the whims and fancies of swimmers like Phelps. Before donning the latest Arena-X Glide, Biedermann

was already ranked 9th in the world. Evidently, skills still plays a larger part than the swimsuit in winning. Why, in this case, should good swimmers worry? Moreover, this new rule of using 'textile' materials might still lead to a new discovery of a polymer alternative, which would mean banning a different material in future. The whole cycle might continue and controversy may end when swimmers are naked. Still, Phelps would not be the hardest hit. It would be swimmers with smaller and less streamlined body shapes, like Singaporeans, who will be at the losing end. For some competitors, the suit may help them break world records. But for Singaporean swimmers, it might only be good enough to bring them to the finals of the Olympics. True, the use of a 'full body condom' may seem unethical in some cases. But ultimately, who can stop the advance of technology? Almost every other advance in sports has been an improvement in both training and training equipment. The ban might see t he remova l of a n era f rom competitive swimming, which may be regrettable in future. Between wearing a full body condom a nd ta k i ng of h ig h perfor mance dr ugs, it's your choice, really.

GRAPHIC | SARAH AMNAH ZAIHAN

sports

se p t e m b e r 22 , 20 0 9

T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e

A dash for race slots Ronald Loh

Game On! PHOTO | WALLACE WOON

The Singapore University Games (SUniG) has seen action for over three weeks, with local universities competing in cricket, Ultimate Frisbee, tennis, and 9-ball pool. Defending women’s individual champion for 9-ball pool, Rasiah Raslyn Agatha, has won NTU's first gold medal. New sports in the Games include Ultimate Frisbee and handball. The following weeks will see intensive action from over 10 sports, with NTU defending titles at basketball, road race, soccer and squash.

Within six weeks, all 50,000 slots for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) on December 6th were sold out, causing mixed reactions among runners. Since registration opened on July 16th, slots were taken up at a rate of 70 runners per hour, according to the SCSM website. In addition, there was an increase in the take-up rate, with 82 per cent of the participants signing up for the race during the Early Bird promotional period. Runners who were unable to sign up in time were disappointed. Among them was Merrill Tang, a first-year student from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. “I deliberated for too long,” he said. “I figured there would still be slots left in the last few days but I was proven wrong.” The 21-year-old also believes organisers should increase the number of places “to accommodate the growing number of interested participants.” Mr Loh Mah Keong, an avid r unner, was relieved that he managed to sign up for the event in time.

GATHERING PACE: NTU runners training on campus grounds. PHOTO | ZOE LIM

“Every year the scramble for participating slots intensifies,” the 50-year-old said. “I’m quite lucky that I managed to get a place, despite not signing up during the early bird promotion.” Lim Zirui, president of the NTU Runners’ Club, is not surpised by the rush. He fee l s t hat t he e vent’s reputation is boosted with it Singapore’s first regular marathon, coupled with a large number of runners here.

Lim also believes the huge number of participants registering within six weeks was justified. “The running of a marathon requires regular training and planning. Anyone who wants to run should sign up early,” he said. He also said those who missed out on SCSM should not be too disappointed, for there is an alternative in the Adidas Sundown Marathon, which will be held in May next year.

sports

se p t e m b e r 2 2 , 20 0 9

T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e

sports profile

From sprinter to teacher Multiple IVP recordbreaking athlete Kenneth Khoo has been awarded NTU Sportsman of the Year. Maxie Aw Yeong finds out more DESPITE being a late bloomer in the sports scene, Kenneth Khoo has broken the Inter-Varsity and Polytechnic (IVP) Track and Field Championship 400m record four times. Through sports, the recently crowned NTU Sportsman of the Year had the chance to travel to places such as Jordan, Thailand and South Korea. “It was quite an experience to run in a desert environment – the air was dry, and we could see the sand blowing all over the track," said the recent NIE graduate. As a full-time teacher now, he gets to fulfill two of his passions, sports and working with young p e ople . A s bot h a Ph y sic a l Education and History teacher, he gets to do both. Sports has made Khoo a much stronger person. He has better time management skills and he feels that he does not give up easily. These qualities have been translated to his work and academic performance. He f e e l s t h at t he r e i s a

misconception that sports takes up time from one's studies. “I do not agree, as I feel that I’m not the kind of person who can be cooped up in the room and study," he said. He stresses that it does not have to be an either-or situation; it can be complementary. Also, with sports as a commitment, one naturally has less time to study so work is taken more seriously. The sports scene is more vibrant now compared to five years ago. For example, there are now more sports programmes on TV. Khoo hopes that the excitement and coverage is not short-lived, especially with all the hype about the Youth Olympic Games (YOG). “I hope that this is a start to a sporting culture that is enduring," he added. Khoo also commented that Usain Bolt is a freak of nature, and that his winning formula was an equation of talent and hard work. He feels that local talents exists, but Singaporeans falter on the hard work. It is very difficult to produce a world champion when students are training part time. He wished that there was more support in this area, financially. He believes Singapore seems very averse to the notion of having paid full-time players except in the local football scene where they pay for foreign talent.

they said that? “The problem might be we have to collect money from the players to pay his wages.” Blackburn Rovers footballer

Michel Salgado on getting David Beckham to play for his club.

“I'm a woman of great pride, faith and integrity, and I admit when I'm wrong.”

Serena Williams apologising after her outburst at the recently concluded US Open

ON YOUR MARK: Khoo gets ready to tear up the track. PHOTO | NG QING XIANG

Kenneth Khoo's Notable achievements

notable achievements for 2009 Event Title Position Timing (s) IVP Track and Field 2009 - 1st in 400m with a timing of 48.11s. IVP Track and Field Championships 1st 48.11 Singapore Open - 4th in 400m with a timing of 47.77s (personal 400m (new record) best). 2009 Wings Meet 400m Meet (hand-timed) 1st with a timing 48.4 of SAA-Canada Athletics - 1st in 400m 47.89s. ASEAN University Games 400m 2nd 48.62 Year

GRAPHIC | SARAH AMNAH

Eve Yeo Ultimate Frisbee was included as a sport in the Singapore University Games (SUniG) for the first time this year. The four universities met at Singapore Polytechnic’s stadium field on September 5th for a day of intense competition for the title of the first Ultimate Frisbee champion in SUniG. They played eight games, which ended in an exciting tie-breaker between the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), the organiser of the games this year. Despite NUS’ early lead in the game, SIM caught up and scored the equaliser right before half time. Both teams played point for point in the second half before NUS finally broke the deadlock and won by a score of 16-14. According to S. Sreeganesh, 24, tour director of the SIM Ultimate Frisbee team, the managers had been pushing for Ultimate Frisbee, commonly known as Ultimate, to be included since last year to the SUniG council. T he cou nci l compr ises managers of other sports from each university. However, they were rejected then because the proposal was “kind of last-minute” and the game was not a very established sport back then.

Catch the flying disc at SUniG

“You can't drive a space shuttle and expect not to have pressures.”

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic (above) compares himself to an astronaut ahead of the England game

“It’s not celebrating a goal that cause riots, it’s idiots who want to start riots.”

MAKING THE PASS: NTU Ultimate players, (in red), competing fiercely against rival teams at the games. PHOTO | JONATHAN SOON

“Judging f rom t his year’s showing, it’s likely that Ultimate will become a permanent fixture in future SUniG,” said the final-year student in the SIM-UOL Economics and Management program. Original plans for it to be held on university grounds were unsuccessful due to a shortage of facilities and location. A number of players also opted to play in body suits from the

Australian brand Skins. “It provides support and muscle alignment to the fabric-covered parts of your body,” said NTU captain Serena Tiong, 21. “It is not compulsory for the team to wear it,” the third-year student from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering said. “Another thing is that it keeps players from getting scrapes and abrasions when they fall.”

The NTU team gave a strong showing despite this being the first year it has included players from other schools apart from NIE. Though they finished in fourth place, spirits remained high and optimistic for next year’s IVP games. Ahmad Tarmizi, 25, a thirdyear student at NIE, said: “Play each point as though it’s your last. That is what our captain told us."

Tottenham's manager Harry Redknapp, on Adebayor's goal celebration in front of the Arsenal fans

“I still like to race on this kind of track—it's pure emotion.”

F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen on the upcoming race in Singapore

Sports

If a transfer ban had been enacted in 1989... Page 33

Charity run at F1 racing track

through different avenues to raise money. “We didn’t want to do a charity project that is the norm, where you do something and you don’t feel the exact kind of ownership from it,” said Denise Teo, Project leader of Ultimate Frisbee 2008. These events show that sports is a good way to raise money for social causes. The fi rst challenge though, is to get a sponsor for the start-up costs. “For such a basic set up, I will say it costs around $250,000,” said Mr Jeffery Foo, 37, the events management contractor of Run Singapore. Full or par tial sponsorship f rom corporations usually helps to offset the five figure organising costs. In the case of Run Singapore, their organising costs were fully covered by corporations such as Global Yellow Pages

Media. NTU also contributed by sponsoring the registration fees for the first 100 students who signed up. Mr Laurence Lien, CEO of t he National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) competed in Run Singapore, and said such sporting events are volunteer-driven and the participation of everyone is important. Students from Hua Yi Secondary School volunteered as designers for the appreciation tokens given to sponsors. Supporters of Run Singapore were treated to percussion items performed by SMU and Singapore Polytechnic students. NVPC hopes to attract more of these volunteers and to promote volunteerism as a regular way of life. “I’m running this race for charity,” said Zahrul Bahri, a first-year student from Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

FLAG OFF: Determination and perseverance powers these tough runners instead of diesel.

Thousands of people ran on the Marina Bay Street Circuit, raising funds for the needy in S pore CERELIA LIM THE action on the F1 circuit was slower than usual, as 4,000 runners made their way round the track. But what it lacked in drama, it made up for in heart, as the runners were raising money for charity. The run on September 6th was just one of several events where sports and charity mix. “Organising a run to raise funds is a mass e vent. It allows people to come together and bond as a community,” said Mr Stanley Tan, chairman of Run Singapore Organising Committee.

Combining sports with charity allows them to be a part of volunteerism and community. Katherine Teo Chairman RHB-NTU Goal for Fund 2009

First-year st udent f rom Nanyang Business School, Melissa Loo was one of 100 NTU students taking part in Run Singapore, a charity run organised by Singapore Cares. Each one paid for the privilege of being there. “$25 for the run is a bit steep,” said

Corinna Tan, a third-year student from the School of Biological Sciences. “But, since it is for charity, it is reasonable.” “I took part because I get to run on the F1 track,” Aniruddha Majomder, a thirdyear doctorate student from the School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, said. The event has raised more than $1 million dollars which will benefit charity organisations such as Beyond Social Services, Girl Guides Singapore and the Yellow Ribbon Project. Coincidentally, the Yellow Ribbon Run was also flagged off earlier in the day at the SAF open field near Changi Village. It raised $50,000 for the Yellow Ribbon Fund to help ex-offenders re-integrate into society. NTU’s Students’ Union has also used sports to raise funds, collaborating with RHB Bank Singapore to organise a street soccer challenge which raised $13,000 for needy NTU students in March. Although the amount raised fell short of its target of $40,000, it was clear that drawing on the popularity of soccer helped to attract more participants this year as compared to last year. “Yout hs ident if y w it h spor ts and combining sports with charity allows them to be a part of volunteerism and community,” said Katherine Teo, chairman of RHB-NTU Goal for Fund 2009. Mr Tan added: “Organising a run to raise funds is a mass event. It allows people to come together and bond as a community.” Last year, students from the Singapore Management University (SMU) and some junior colleges organised the Ultimate Frisbee 2008 competition to raise funds for Hope Centre, with 16 teams from different schools competing. The students said that they wanted to go

NTU SPIRIT: Chua Sin Yee and Lim Chee Kean, members of the NTU Runners Club at Run Singapore, doing their part for charity. PHOTOS | FOO CHEE CHANG