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Despite the ruling by the Land Transport Authority that bans passengers from standing on the NTU-Pioneer MRT station shuttle bus, the situation remains largely unchanged.
Be an ‘F1 Star’ Feed your need for speed by go-karting.
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The Girl Who Played With Fire This second book-tomovie adaptation follows the success of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. PHOTO | NG JUN SEN
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Next generation broadband Enjoy fast internet speeds with the newest technology in Singapore. PAGE 15
超龄女生 双双报到
第二届《绝对Superstar》 女子组冠亚军成用闯唱片界 24页
More incentives for scholars Shereen Naaz Charles chief editor
Some 400 Nanyang Scholars who stay on campus have received up to an extra $2,000 in accommodation allowance, thanks to a review in the scholarship system. Up until the last academic year, Nanyang Scholars and students under the CN Yang Scholars programme, who are also holders of the Nanyang Scholarship, received $6,000. The review was officially announced on September 9th during the Scholars briefing. “We realised that these days, the cost of living is very high—from their food, books and even other expenses,” said Assistant Director of Off ice of Admissions and Financial Aid David Loh. “After deducting all these from their $6,000, we realised that this amount is not enough to pay for their accommodation,” he said. The rationale behind the accommodation allowance is to help scholars enjoy their universit y education and campus life without “the financial burden”. T he new measu res bode wel l for Malaysian final-year student Lim Sim Ming, 22, who has been paying for her accommodation through her eUreka stipend in the past. “If not for the extra money, I would have to try and find a job to pay for Hall,” said the
School of Humanities and Social Sciences student, who is not doing eUreka this year. The amount of money each student receives varies with the Hall they reside in. For example, a student staying in an air-conditioned Hall will receive more money than a student staying in a nonair-conditioned Hall because of the higher rent that they are paying. However, not all Nanyang Scholars are happy with this new revision. “It doesn’t really affect many scholars because most of us don’t qualify for Hall rooms since the cut-off point was too high,” said second-year Nanyang Business School student, Melissa Ng. The 22-year-old added that she loses out because she does not get any extra allowance in place of the accommodation allowance. In addition, the number of scholarship receipients increased from 100 to 300, said Mr Loh.
“If not for the extra money, I would have to try and find a job to pay for Hall.” Lim Sim Ming, 22 Nanyang Scholar School of Humanities and Social Sciences
“We studied other universities and looked at past scholarship data, and found that more and more top students are applying to NTU. In order to capture this group of talents, NTU decided to offer more scholarships,” he said. The newest scholarship that NTU is offering is the College Scholarship, which saw about 1,000 applicants in its first year of being launched. The College Scholarship is part of the new two-tier system that the Scholarships unit has implemented. It places outstanding scholars in the first tier, and other deserving scholars in the second tier. In doing so, more students are given the opportunity to apply for and attain a scholarship. “If we see that even more top students are attracted because of the new revised framework, we’re definitely not ruling out the possibility of offering more scholarships in the future,” he said. For Li m, who has been liv i ng i n Singapore for the past three years, it is “a nice unexpected bonus”. “This makes the Nanyang Scholarship and the CN Yang Scholars Programme, and hence, NTU and Singapore universities more attractive to prospective students, especially to international students,” she said.
Additional reporting by Goh Siew Luan
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SE P T E M B E R 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
Women entrepreneurs share success stories over high tea Students interact with women entrepreneurs to find out more about running a business Ng Jun Sen While working for Samsung in Korea, Singaporean beauty queen Teo Ser Lee noticed that almost all top positions in the country were taken up by men. Not wanting to play second fiddle to men, Ms Teo returned to Singapore to start her own company. Today, she is founder of Protocol Academy, an etiquette school that teaches personal image management and communication skills to executives from multinational companies. Ms Teo was among eight highprofile women entrepreneurs who shared their stories of success and challenges with NTU students over high tea at the Research Techno Plaza Foyer on September 8th. Among the other guests invited to attend the event were Chef Janice Wong, founder of 2am: dessertbar, and Mrs Nanz Chong-Komo, founder of Nanz Inc. com and One.99 shop. Ms Teo, who worked as an auditor before deciding to start Protocol Academy, said: “At that time, there was a preconception that women were inferior to men (in the workplace). That was why I had to work doubly hard to present myself in front of everybody during negotiations.” Shermaine Lee, 20, a second-
year student from the School of Biological Sciences, said she was impressed by the confidence and tenacity of these women, despite the obstacles they faced. Her impression of women entrepreneurs in Singapore has changed for the better after listening to the guests. This session is part of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation (E&I) Week 2010, organised by the Nanyang Technopreneurship Center, to promote entrepreneurship
in the NTU community. Other activities include an E&I fair and corporate visits, as well as the erection of a Wall of Encouragement. This wall contains quotes from NTU students on the spirit of enterprise. Among the 285 people who attended the session, 65 percent were men. Nash Goh, 25, a final-year electrical and electronic engneering student, said: “I learnt that it is not the environment I’m in that is
important, but the person himself." Goh is currently trying to set up a tuition centre. Merry Riana agreed. She made her first million at 26, just four years after her graduation. The founder of the Merry Riana Organisation, which has several businesses in financial planning and executive training under its helm, said: “Don’t chase after money as it will run away. Chase after your passions and money will chase after you.”
Eminent Chinese scholar Wang Gungwu expressed sadness when he thinks about the loss of Chinese culture due to both historical events and people’s unawareness. To preserve and promote Chinese heritage, Professor Wang donated 20,000 works on overseas Chinese community from his personal collection to the Chinese Heritage Centre in 2003. The collection has since grown to 50,000, and these are now housed in the new Wang Gungwu Library, which officially opened on September 14th. Professor Wang said that he hoped this place “will become well-known for Chinese Overseas materials, and that anyone who wants to study about Chinese in Southeast Asia would start here”. The library is integrated with NTU libraries and aims to be the most renowned research centre for Chinese Studies in Southeast Asia. The only library in Singapore
fe wer f oreig ner s wil l be granted permanent resident status this year, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng. In an announcement in Parliament on September 16th, he said that the government will manage the numbers to ensure immigrant quality. microsoft has released A public beta version of Internet E x p lo rer 9, which p ro mis e s faster load times. It is available for download on their website. More than 60,000 PEOPLE attended the open-air Mass in Glasglow, where Pope Benedict X VI warned them against people who seek to resist "more aggressive forms of secularism". Singapore e xchange and NTU has announced a jointlaunch of the NTU-SGX Centre of F inancial Educ ation . T he e st ablishment of the c entre will contribute to SGX's plan to create an ideal environment for sophisticated Asian market p ar t i c ip ant s an d in v e s t o r s . a Sph vp was sacked for receiving illegal payments and misappropriating shopping vouchers . Peter Khoo Chong Meng, who served 22 years in SPH, has compensated $196,500. Ms Bertha Henson, A ssociate Editor of The Straits Times, has replaced Khoo as chairman of the organising committee that raises funds for The Straits Times S cho ol Po cket Mone y F und .
ENTERPRISING KNOWLEDGE: Ms Teo Ser Lee (right) passes on her knowledge and experiences to the attentive audience. PHOTO | NG JUN SEN
Library on Chinese Diasporas opens Cai Yun
news flash
that focuses entirely on Chinese culture and Chinese overseas, it is accessible to scholars, the public and researchers overseas. This is possible with the establishment of an online database system under the management of NTU libraries. Professor Wang said that his inspiration for such a library is due to personal contacts with book collectors in other regions of the world, such as those from Malaysia, Indonesia and even the USA. Tang Wei Mun, a second-year School of Humanities and Social Sciences student, 20, welcomes this step. “I have noticed that the books about Chinese culture here are not restricted to Chinese language but also in other languages so that people from non-Chinese background who are keen in learning about Chinese culture will also have the opportunity,” she said. NTU Senior Librarian Ruan Yang said that after their library orientation tour, more students are visiting the library.
Scholars from China, Hong Kong and Russia have also sent in viewing requests after they browsed the book collections from the library’s online catalogue. In conjunction with the
opening ceremony, there is an exhibition to showcase part of the collections in Wang Gungwu Library. Selected publications by Professor Wang will also be on display until September 24th.
ACCORDING TO JA PANESE officials, China has moved drilling equipment to a gas field in the East China Sea. This act over the disputed field may worsen diplomatic relations. Japanese officials are currently asking the Chinese for details of the move. SKILLS P ROGRAMME FOR Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR) has benefitted 259,000 workers, as at the end of July this year. According to the Ministr y of M anp ower, it is c o mmit t e d to help worker s c ontinually even af ter the programme ends in December this year. a pp l e officially launched the iPad in China on September 17th. Customers have been queuing since September 14th to ensure that they get the popular gadget, even though many have been buying the iPad off parallel markets. MORE CAR P ARK LOTS will be ready at the end of the year, at 26 carparks in public housing estates. This move by the government is to ease the car park crunch.
REVISITING CHINESE CULTURE: Senior Librarian Ruan Yuan (third from right) shows Professor Wang Gungwu (centre) and Dr Su Guaning (second from left)around the new facilities. PHOTO | WU HAN
a US cartoonist who inspired an Internet campaign of people attempting to draw images of Prophet Muhammad is now in hiding after FBI agents warned her that she was in danger. In her cartoon, Ms Molly Norris satirically proposed May 20th as an "Everybody Draw Muhammad Day", which eventually sparked outraged protests in Pakistan.
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SE P T E M B E R 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
From composting to enterprise Trinh Hoang Ly Worms may be frightening to some, but to a group of NTU students, they are the key to making money and living green. In late May this year, as part of a project for their Minor in Entrepreneurship, Chuah Chongxian, 21, Tan Wei Qiang, 23, Chew See Lek, 19, and Saw Chun Yu, 21, set up a company to sell composting bins. They aim to educate the public on making their waste work for them through worm composting. They feed specific types of worms recyclable organic waste such as leaves, newspapers and fruit skins, which is converted to worm castings or faeces, and eventually used as fertilisers. The group sells two different versions of compost bins. An adult compost bin is as big as a public bin on campus, and contains 500g of worms. The smaller version is about one-quarter the adult bin’s size and contains 50g of worms. According to the group, the system produces no smell as long as users avoid throwing in cooked food or acidic waste. In addition, the worms will automatically control their breeding once the population reaches an optimal number. “Our idea is not labour intensive, just something you can incorporate into your daily life to become a good habit,” said Tan, a final-year business student. At first, Chew was scared of
dealing with the worms, but she eventually grew to like them. “Initially I screamed and used gloves every time I handled the worms,” said the second-year Nanyang Business School student, who is also the only girl in the group. Since its founding, the enterprise has sold three compost bins. They need to sell 10 to break even. Despite the slow start, the group believes that sales will pick up in the long run. For now, the importance lies in educating the public about composting and leading an environmentallyfriendly lifestyle. They also have plans to
collaborate with schools. They hope to place compost bins inside Hwa Chong Institution’s premise and teach the students of Bukit Panjang Government High School to create their own compost bins. “Entrepreneurship is not just about making money. It’s also about giving something back to society and protecting the environment,” said Chuah, a third-year mathematical sciences student. The project is still ongoing and the group hopes to reach out to fellow NTU students through their website http://www.wormcompost-bins.com/.
COMPOSTING TOGETHER: The team of entrepreneurs hopes to expose the public to the idea of worm composting. PHOTO | FU WEIQUAN
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FYP:
The preferred choice Goh Siew Luan While some students from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) are eligible to opt out of their Final Year Project (FYP), most still say that they will take on the project. Si nc e t he s t a r t of t h i s semester, HSS students who have a cumulative Grade Point Average (cGPA) of 3.75 and below are allowed to skip FYP by taking two upper level modules. According to the English Division in HSS, only six out of 140 students have opted out. The number of opt-outs in other divisions is low as well, said the Head of English Division Neil Murphy. Associate Professor Murphy said: “Mathematically it works out that students with cGPA of 3.75 most likely will not be able to get a 2nd upper honours, and now the school is simply giving the students another option.” The workload required of the FYP is the main reason students choose to opt out. Melvin Tay, 25, a final-year Chinese major who decided to drop the FYP, said: “The FYP is a tedious task and if I do not intend to do a Master’s in this area, then there is no need to go through the hassle of doing it.” Also, some do not see the need to do the FYP. Final-year English literature student Grace Heng, 23, said: “FYP is difficult to cope with and there is no point if you still end up graduating with a 2nd lower
or 3rd class honours degree.” Huang Mingna, 23, a finalyear Chinese major said: “If someone is not interested in doing research, then FYP may not be so suitable for him. Furthermore it is very time-consuming.” Most would still choose to continue with the FYP even if their cGPA falls below 3.75. The experience of doing research outweighs the final grade of the FYP. Se cond-yea r l i ng u i st ic s student Eric Lai, 22, said: “Doing the FYP gives us an edge over others who do not do it. If you were to further your studies, for example taking the Master's degree, the university would usually prefer if you have done an FYP.” C h a r m a i ne C he e , 20 , a second-year psychology student said: “I will be able to put what I have learnt in the past years into practice." She is also uncertain about the modules they have to take in replacement of the FYP. “We can’t be sure that the level 400 modules are any easier. They are usually research related as well,” Chee added. Accor d i ng to A s soc iate Professor Murphy, doing the FYP requires more self-discipline than taking the two 400 level modules, even though they are just as research intensive. The new system gives the students more choices, he said. “Ultimately, we want our students to get the best out of their universit y education,” Associate Professor Murphy said.
More internships at fair for CoHASS Lei Jiahui The internship fair this year saw an increase in the number of companies offering positions to students from the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CoHASS). A total of 36 companies scouted for interns from all three schools under CoHASS which includes the School of Art, Design and Media (ADM), the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS), and t he Wee K im Wee School of Communication and Information. The number has doubled from last year’s 19 companies. Organised by the Career and Attachment Office (CAO) for the second time, the fair, which was held in the Nanyang Auditorium on the second day of the semester, was a platform for students to interact with potential employers. Second-year HSS st udent, Andrew Lim, 22, said: “I managed to talk to a few companies and learn that my major allows me to go into certain jobs which I previously did not know of.” For third-year Linguistics and Multilingual Studies student
Beverly Tan, the fair was an avenue for her to know what employers are looking for. “By ta l k i ng to va r iou s companies, I managed to narrow down to a few key players in the industry,” the 20-year-old said.
“The response is overwhelming and very diverse as there is a good mix of students of different nationalities.”
Ms Amber Teo Regional Assistant HR Manager Schaeffler Group
However, some HSS students still felt that there were limited choices for them at the fair. Tan said that though the fair was informative, it was still not enough variety for the HSS students.
“Even though there are more companies looking for HSS students this year, these companies basically accept every discipline,” she said. She added that it would be good if more specific industries, such as the healthcare industry, were brought in. Still, she acknowledges the efforts of CAO in bringing in more HSS-related companies and said that credit should be given to them as they are improving. Director of CAO, Mr Loh Pui Wah, was quick to assure that HSS students will not be sidelined in future internship fairs. “We will continue to push harder every year to bring in companies that are for the HSS students,” he said. The rise in the number of companies looking for HSS students was not the only increase in this year’s fair. More than 5,500 students, approximately 300 more than last year, thronged the Nanyang Auditorium to scout for companies where they can do their internship. “The response is overwhelming and very diverse as there is a good mix of students of different nationalities,” said Ms Amber Yeo,
MORE FOR STUDENTS: The second internship fair attracts more companies for more students. PHOTO | NG JUN SEN
regional assistant Human Resource manager of Schaeffler Group. Students from all faculties also had more choices this year as there were a total of 51 participating companies, up from 30 last year. Nanyang Business School student Eileen How, 21, was one of the thousands who joined the
crowd in search of a company for her internship programme, which she has to complete as part of her three-year course. Said the second-year student: “It was a meaningful and exciting experience as we got to network with various people and also gain a wider scope of knowledge.”
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SE P T E M B E R 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
Excess texts pile up Textbooks have been restocked while investigations continue at Yun Nan Book Store Cassandra Yeap Stacks of English texts have arrived at Yun Nan Book Store, but remain largely untouched as students have bought their texts from outside of NTU. The texts, prescribed readings of the HSS English Division, were the subject of controversy two weeks ago, when The Nanyang Chronicle reported on the sale of illegal photocopies of English texts due to shortages at the bookstore. The photocopies were pulled, and a steady stream of original texts have since taken their places. New stock has also arrived to make up for the shortage of textbooks of other schools. According to Yun Nan Book Store manager Madam Lim, 80 percent of all ordered books are now available, but a new problem has arisen with their arrival. “ T her e i s e xcess stoc k ,” con f i r med Mada m L i m i n Mandarin. “I just hope that it can be used next year.” English students who were interviewed said they turned to other sources when they could not buy their books from Yun Nan Book Store in the first week of school. Master’s student Goh Wee Kiat and his coursemates resorted to
buying their books from bookshops such as Borders, Kinokuniya, Page One and Select Books. Third-year English student Lionel Thiong, 22, purchased texts not sold at Yun Nan Book Store from online bookstores Book Depository and OpenTrolley. The running of English classes has also been affected due to students acquiring books from a wide range of sources, said Head of English Division Associate Professor Neil Murphy. He said: “If you give them (a class) a task and there are about six different versions of the novel, I can’t request page numbers, I can’t do anything. The practical workings of the classroom are affected.” Meanwhile, NT U has been investigating the photocopying allegations and working with the bookstore to rectify shortages. Act ing Ch ief Bui lding Infrastructure Officer Chan Keng Luck said: “We stated our position that the University does not accept unethical business practices that infringe copyright.” In the meantime, his department will gather and verify feedback from various parties involved. At present, the Universit y is not considering any form of penalty unless somebody produces evidence that the photocopies conclusively came from Yun Nan Book Store. “But nobody has come up with that kind of evidence,” said Mr Chan.
Clicking beyond NTU profit organisations, corporations and the public sector. Dora Yip, NVPC marketing communications manager said: “The feedback received from the participants was overwhelmingly positive, with most singling out the interactive element of the forum as of particular interest.”
CLICKING FUN: Attendees of a National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre forum PHOTO | NVPC try their hands at using clickers.
Lim Yi Han Clickers from NTU are helping external companies make their meetings and forums more interactive and meaningful. This year, NTU has loaned to two organisations spare clickers free of charge for their events. One of them is the Centre for Non-Profit Leadership (CNPL), which used the clickers in July for a get-together of executive directors representing non-profit organisations. manager of CNPL administration Karen Brennan said her supervisor first used clickers at an event and was so impressed that he wanted to try it with their own events.
The clickers added an interactive dimension. She said: “The results are instant and much more fun than a paper exercise." “We had guest speakers at the event and they even asked if they could join in,” Mrs Brennan added. The clicker is a wireless device with buttons that allows participants' responses to be immediately received and collated. NTU first introduced the clickers in the 2009 academic year to increase interactivity during lectures. All freshmen received one during matriculation. The National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) also made use of NTU clickers in July at a forum for leaders from non-
"The advantages were obvious— an increase in audience interaction and participation." Ms Dora Yip Marketing communications manager National Volunteer and Philantrophy Centre
NVPC has noted the usefulness of the clicker technology and expressed interest in using it again. “The advantages were obvious— an increase in audience interaction and participation, ability to engage the audience on a more personal and meaningful level, and the generation of interesting talking points as the keynote progressed,” Ms Yip added. Mrs Brennan agreed, describing the experience as “phenomenal”.
NTU debaters excel on world stage Despite initial challenges, NTU debating team does well enough to get into finals Siti Maziah Masramli Examinations ended later last semester, leaving the NTU Debate Squad with only four days of tournament training instead of their usual 10. There were also last-minute changes to team line-ups when parental concern over political unrest in Bangkok caused some members to pull out unexpectedly. As a result, one team was made up of members who had never debated together before prior to the competition. Despite t hese c ha l lenges, the squad’s four teams did well at the United Asians Debating Championships in Thailand.
Held in May, it is the world’s third largest debating competition, with more than 500 participants from Asia’s best tertiary institutes. Team A defeated 91 other teams, including those from the National University of Singapore and Universiti Putra Malaysia, to top the preliminaries. T he y e v e nt u a l l y lo s t b y one point to Ateneo de Manila University team in the finals. Member Sat yanarayana Venugopal, 23, won t he best speaker award. As Thailand was politically unstable during the tournament period, squad members did not venture out despite being located fa r away f rom t he t u r moi l. Fortunately, the events did not affect the tournament. “The organisers had made arrangements (to ensure our safety). We were constantly in touch with the Student Affairs Office,” said squad captain Jayesh Kannan, 20.
NTU also shone in other areas. Jayesh, a f inal-year Civ il and Environmental Engineering student, was elected treasurer for the United Asian Debating Union. Satyanarayana was appointed as a deputy chief adjudicator for next year’s tournament in Macau.
“It's an honour, and it's going to be a lot of fun."
Satyanarayana Venugopal, 23 NTU debater who was appointed to judge next year's tournament
This position is given to highly respected debaters and their role is to judge the debates and set the motions for each round. “It’s an honour, and it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Satyanarayana,
a final-year School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences student. “I’ll get to spend a lot of time with friends overseas and I’ll be working quite closely with them, and the organising committee for the tournament,” he added. The squad does not have a coach and many members have little or no prior debating experience. The club relies on seniors and alumni to pass on techniques, and members’ “passion, commitment, and interest” to maintain high standards,” says Jayesh. Tr ad it iona l ly, t he debate squad has perfor med well in competitions and has won many local tournaments. NTU teams finished among the top 50, with an NTU team ranked as one of the top three Asian teams during the Australian Intervarsity Debating Championships that was held in Auckland in July. S at y a n a r ay a n a wa s a l s o chosen to participate in a showcase
debate, which requires much wit and humour. In a team of three opposing the motion, “New Zealand should be the seventh state of Australia”, he successfully argued that New Zealand should instead be part of Asia. The good reputation of the NTU squad precedes them. Former debater Zhuang Er Jin, 27, asked about joining them after completing his polytechnic studies. The final-year NIE student described NTU’s training hours as more intense than any of his previous training. The squad plans to host the tournament in two year’s time and preparations are underway to make that a reality. Meanwhile, there is the World University Debating Championship in Botswana to train for. Traditionally organised after Christmas, the competition is likely to begin not long after this semester’s examinations end.
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SE P T E M B E R 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
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A special Indian initiation Vishaka Mantri It is a ritual that can happen anywhere, and at anytime, at 2am, in a bus, at the canteen, even on the pavement. Seniors would ask freshmen from India to introduce themselves, by stating their names, birthplaces, previous schools, current courses, Ha l ls of Residence, hobbies, achievements and the craziest things they had ever done. While doing this, they cannot smile, lean on the walls, put their hands in their pockets, or make themselves comfor table out of respect for the seniors. After introducing themselves, the seniors may mock them for it. It is a l l pa r t of a un ique initiation exercise, called ‘The I nt roduc t ion’, t hat f resh men who are Indian nationals have to undergo to fit into the Indian community at NTU. Seniors who were interviewed said that this ceremony is a method
they use to get to know the new batch, which is important as they want the freshmen to feel like they are part of the NTU Indian community. These initiation exercises are a part of the university culture in India, just that they are much harsher in the colleges there. Afshan Naheed Hussain, 20, a first-year student from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, said: “It’s a fun way of getting to know your seniors and interacting with them. It helps to increase one’s social circle as ultimately it’s the seniors who give you advice.” A number of Indian freshmen, however, said that it was initially uncomfortable and awkward for them to be judged based on either their hobbies or the crazy things they do. “The approach of the seniors was a little scary. It didn’t seem friendly at all,” one freshman said. Some went all out to avoid the seniors, refusing to leave their rooms for dinner. Others
NTU aids Pakistan flood victims
avoided carrying NTU maps as unfamiliarity with the campus was a sign of their freshmen status. Kanishk Kanoria, 18, a firsty e a r c om pute r e n g i ne e r i n g student, said: “It does to an extent help build character, but it should be done in the right manner and it shouldn’t offend someone.” NTU has an honour code that
Students raise funds to help Pakistanis Siti Maziah Masramli
Xue Jianyue
Miles away from Pakistan, two groups of NTU students are raising funds for the victims of the massive floods that began in July. Since the start of school, the NTU Muslim Society and the Red Cross Humanitarian Network NTU Chapter have placed containers for donations in the Muslim prayer rooms at the North and South Spines. They also collected donations on NTU shuttle bus services that send Muslims for Friday prayers. The Pakistan floods have to date caused nearly 2,000 deaths and affected more than 20 million people through injury or damage to households, according to a United Nations report. Muslim Society Humanitarian Head A zi ma h Mu ha mad, 22, s a id t he r e s pon s e ha s be e n encouraging. A zimah, a third-year N I E student, said: “When we were printing the posters (for publicity), the staff at the printing shop saw it and said she was interested to
This semester, exchange student Justyna Waldraz will be missing out on a side of NTU—Hall life. Due to limited places in Halls of Residence, the 21-year-old Maastricht University student had to rent a single room flat at Pioneer for $550 a month. “I heard many good things about the university before I came, but it was quite disappointing with the housing,” said Waldraz. Her woes are shared by many students. This year, the General Cut-Off Weight has hit a high of 17 points, a sign of increased competition for Hall rooms. This is because of the rise in points for local-international student room sharing and more event committees set up by students, said the Student Affairs Office (SAO). To encourage interaction be t we e n for e ig n a nd loca l students, those willing to share a double room are now awarded two points instead of one. St udent s a lso held more
donate, so she did!” The Muslim Society will pass the f unds collected to N T U’s Red Cross charter, which will then send them to Singapore’s Re d C r os s Headqu a r te r s for distribution. The Red Cross will also continue to raise funds for Pakistani flood victims during the coming month.
GRAPHIC | ALAN CHOONG
One freshman who avoided using a map decided to look on the bright side. He said: “In a way that’s good because I get to know the place better, and have almost figured out the bus routes.” Now, as these seniors and juniors are more familiar with one another, less initiation exercises are taking place on campus.
Hall points at record high New events and policies raise cut-off mark for entry to hall
EXTENDING AID: A donation box at a prayer room. PHOTO | FU WEIQUAN
states that any attempt to endanger another student or members of the university community in certain ways warrants disciplinary action. T hese include acting in a way that is detrimental to the reputation, dignity or interest of students or University staff, speaking or acting in a threatening manner or causing bodily harm.
events last year, resulting in more points awarded to members of the organising committees. It remains unclear if the demand for Hall rooms has outgrown its supply, causing the cut-off points to rise for several years. The cut-off for Hall admissions was 13 to 14 in 2007. By this year, it has risen by four points. More students are enrolling here. From 2005 to 2009, the u n d e r g r a d u a t e p o p u l a t i on i nc r e a s e d by ab out 5 ,0 0 0 , according to statistics from NTU. There are about 9,200 Hall
“I heard many good things about the university before I came, but it was quite disappointing with the housing.”
Justyna Waldraz, 21 Dutch exchange student who did not get a Hall room
places in 16 Halls today. 1,100 places were recently added over the last five years. To meet the growing demand, NTU will build another 5,000 more Hall places by 2015. This will allow over two-thirds of the undergraduate population to stay on campus. The Hall point inflation has eased early this month. In an email on September 2nd, the SAO offered some students with 16 points a place in Hall. Any new vacancies would be allocated by random ballot. For those who obtained 15 points, the cut-off for the past two years, the wait continues. Students have been adapting to the room shortage by squatting in Halls or renting flats outside. One such student is Fu Anqi, 19, a second-year computer engineering student who rented a flat at Jurong West with a friend. The former committee member of Runners Club only managed to get 14 points. “I initially thought that I had 16 points, but eventually I was only given five," she said. Exchange student Waldraz is f i nd i ng cheaper hou si ng alternatives. “Maybe find someone who can share the room with me," the final-year student said.
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news
se p t e m b e r 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
Car park woes for Hall 7 drivers
Residential car park charges due to close proximity to two schools Pearl Lee
Drivers parking at Hall of Residence 7 have to pay for parking, contrary to the stuation at other Halls of Residence. Since May, the car park at Hall 7 is the only one that charges for parking. Located near both the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, the car park is also frequently used by students from the two schools, resulting in congestion around the area. However, this arrangement means that Hall 7 residents who drive to school would have to incur the parking charges, even as residents of other Halls retain their privilege of free parking. Annette Chean, 20, a resident of Hall 7, feels that the current system is unfair. The second-year National Institute of Education student had to apply for a monthly season parking at $35, as she parks her vehicle in the car park throughout the week. “I don’t think it is fair that we are the only residents who need to pay for parking in our own Hall. But I wouldn’t be as upset if we
were charged a subsidised rate,” said Chean. Lim Wai Lun, 24, another Hall 7 resident who drives to school frequently, shares similar sentiments. “It is definitely not unreasonable of NTU to charge for parking, but perhaps there could be a way around this situation,” said the final-year School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering student.
“I don't think it is fair that we are the only residents who need to pay for parking in our own Hall.” Annette Chean, 20 Second-year student National Institute of Education
However, Senior Hall Fellow Quek Hiok Chai, felt that having to pay for car parks is necessary to ease congestion problems, and this includes the Hall 7 car park as well. “Hall 7 is in a very prime location, where it is very close to major academic complexes. This is a great advantage that its residents can enjoy, but at the same time it makes their car park attractive to other students as well,” said
Associate Professor Quek. He also pointed out that campus parking charges are much lower than the market rate, and there are also some free campus car parks. Assistant Director of the Office of Facilities Planning and Management, Mr Joachim Pang, who oversees the car parks, added that more staff are utilising the free car parks at the non-academic areas. In fact, some staff will park their vehicles at free car parks, and then walk or take a shuttle bus to their workplace. He added that the Hall car parks are not exclusively for residents, but are open to all drivers. Car parks within academic complexes are chargeable due to a higher demand for them. “Hall 7 is in a more centralised part of the academic zones, as compared to how other Halls are much further away,” he said. Associate Professor Quek felt that one should look at the bigger picture for this issue. He said: “It is a matter of how the campus has developed over the years; Hall 7 residents who drive make up only a very small minority of the student population." “We should be pushing for other bigger issues, like improving the quality of public transport within campus–that would benefit the entire NTU population and is also a more constructive way of dealing with the situation,” he added.
PHOTO | JASON QUAH
Exchange students go prawning AROUND 120 exchange students from NTU, National University of Singapore (NUS) and Singapore Management University (SMU) tried their hand at prawning, a uniquely Singaporean hobby, on September 4th, at a Jurong prawn fishing outlet. Besides prawning, organiser Desmond Choo, 26, a final-year student at the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, said that the event allowed participants to interact and network.
‘Freeloaders’ face tough measures Project group members who do not contribute are likely to face disciplinary measures Leonard How Students who “freeload” off their more efficient project group members may find themselves stuck in a ditch come submission time. A s i d e f r om t h e s o c i a l repercussions, such as getting ost racised , st udent s who “freeload”, or take advantage of their group members’ efforts, will also face disciplinary measures. T hese include receiv ing lower grades or even failing the subject, said Mr Ronald Halim, academic manager of the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS). Students in SPMS can exclude the name of a student who they feel is not contributing from their project submission. Tu tor s w i l l s t e p i n to investigate, and if both stories can be corroborated, the offending
student may be penalised, he said. Similar measures are in place in various schools in NTU to combat such behaviour. The issue of “freeloading” was thrown into the spotlight a few weeks ago when a student posted a blog entry about an ‘academic blacklist’ of foreign students. In his post, he accused them of not contributing to group projects and leeching off others’ work. T he blog pinpointed t he students involved by listing their course, year of study, nationalities a nd photograph s. Negat ive testimonials from students were also put up. The post was taken down after it was carried in the Temasek Review, an independent Internet newspaper. Howe ve r, se cond-yea r business student Reagan Koh, seemed to take it in his stride. The 22-year-old said: "I know of friends who have worked with exchange students who don’t put in a lot of effort, but that’s understandable, so they learn to live with it and let it go.”
NTU ranks 174th in the world NTU is ranked 174th in Times Higher Education’s (THE) World University Rankings this year. In 2009, it was ranked 73rd. T he d if ference in t he rankings, however, should not be compared as there is a change in the data collection method, said Chief Planning Officer and Registrar Chan Kwong Lok. For the first time, the British magazine is collaborating with media giant, Thomson Reuters, after ending its partnership w i t h e d u c at ion c om p a n y, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). Up to last year, the THEQS University Rankings was considered to be one of the most closely watched and influential. In the new methodology, data from 13 separate indicators were taken into consideration. These include teaching, research, citation, income and the mix of international students. W h i le t he new research method adopted for this year is said to be more rigorous, THE’s editor Paul Batey admitted that it is “the first year of a highly ambitious system”. He adde d: “I n a l l s uc h systems, compromises must be made, proxies must be applied and data-collection issues will arise.” With an overall score of 49.0 out of 100, NTU tied at 174th with the University of East Anglia and the University of Nottingham, both from the
United Kingdom. Si n g a p or e’s on l y ot h e r representative in the Top 200 was the National University of Singapore at 34th place.
“We will continue to focus on systematically improving the quality of our research, education and learning environment” Chan Kwong Lok Chief Planning Officer and Registrar NTU
But the University remains hopeful after coming in 74th in the QS World Universit y Rankings released earlier this month. This puts NTU among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Said NTU’s Mr Chan: “We w i l l cont i nue to foc u s on systematically improving the quality of our research, education and learning environment for our students and faculty to excel, while letting the rankings take care of themselves.”
Lifestyle Who says vegeterian food is boring? - Page 11
f1 dreams start in jurong Not for the faint-hearted, kart racing is a sport that allows drivers to unleash their inner speed demons. Edwin Loh tries living life in the fast lane
CUTTING CORNERS: Writer Edwin Loh (left) tries to overtake another go–karter at Kartright Speedway.
IT IS less than a week to the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix Night Race. I n s tead of be i ng conte nte d w it h watching the race, some may want a first-hand experience by getting behind the wheel of a go-kart. Kart racing is the pared–down version of driving a car. Imagine a regular car stripped of everything but the steering wheel, tyres, brakes and engine. One place to go is Kartright Speedway at 511 Upper Jurong Road. It has a technical and challenging 750m r aci ng t r ac k t hat i nc ludes 15 corners ranging from tight chicanes to complex multi-apex corners (a cur ve with several corners in it). Some corners go up and down which add a different dimension to the track, like a roller coaster dipping and cresting. Taking those corners at speed gives a rush of adrenaline. The rental kart consists of a simple land chassis, engine, enough to gain the experience of going fast. It has only a single seat and a small engine with a power output of six and a half brake horsepower (BHP). To put things into perspective, an F1 car puts out roughly 720 BHP and a
regular sedan car has roughly 130 BHP. The kart’s power output may seem paltry by comparison but it has relatively little weight, giving it a good power to weight ratio. With no power steering or anti-lock brakes, drivers have to use their arm strength to muscle the steering wheel and their left foot to deftly control the braking force. Ac c or d i n g to M r A nd r e w K on g , c o m m e r c i a l m a n a ge r of K a r t r i g h t Speedway, t he rental kar t can reach nearly 55km/h on the main straight. With the wind striking your face and the engine roaring at full bore, the ride feels more like double the speed. A dd i ng to t he s p e e d f ac tor, t he cacophony of screeching tires looking for traction leaves the dr ivers’ teeth chattering from bumps, which sends your sensory organs into overdrive. What is supposedly a short 10-minute session turns into an all-out race. The total amount of seat time may seem shor t. Each lap takes roughly a minute, so a driver gets about 10 laps per session. While Mr Kong says the fastest lap time is 45.2 seconds but most people
PHOTO | JEANETTE LIM
would take about a minute or just under, depending on skill level. The allotted time is a safety feature, a s t h e ph y s i c a l a n d m e n t a l s t r e s s experienced on track will start to take a toll on the body after 10 minutes. The rush of adrenaline in such a short span of time will result in trembling hands and a general inability to speak coherently. One student who relishes the thrills of speeding is Leon Tan, 24, a final–year student from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. “The excitement in karting is that it is so bare and raw. There is nothing between the driver and the road,” he said. He adde d t hat t he c ha l le nge of driving a kart fast is the need to manage t r ac t ion , acce le r at ion , ste e r i ng a nd everything by hand and not via a system that’s found in an average car. Joseph Lai, 24, a fourth-year student f rom t he School of Mec ha n ica l a nd Aerospace Engineering, has been kart racing for the past four years and loves the fact he can manoeuvre around sharp bends on the track. “The thrill and joy of kart racing is in pushing the limits (of the kart) and
perfecting the racing route, which is the fastest way to take a corner,” he said. “Furthermore, karting is convenient as you do not need to own the kart nor a driving license.” The high price is a stumbling block for some from joining the sport. “ K a r t i n g i n Si n gap or e i s r at he r expensive but is more convenient and with better equipment. But I will still kart in Malaysia as we drive up as a club,” Lai said. The N T U Motoring Club organises frequent trips for their members to Johor Bahru (JB), Malaysia, to the Plentong International Circuit to go–karting. Wa lte r Yeo, 23, P r e side nt of t he NTU Motoring Club said: “We bring our members up to JB to kart as the track has a good mix of straights and nice bends for you to drive aggressively. You can even drift with the karts.” “The karts seem to be more powerful and it cost only half as much as what it would cost here in Singapore,” said the f inal–year student from Nanyang Business School. While some of us probably have had childhood dreams of growing up to be a racing driver, karting is a good way to realise such dreams. As you barrel down the main straight of Kartright Speedway’s track with your foot pinning the throttle f lat on the f loor and the engine roaring behind you, the f leeting world of dreams becomes a temporary reality.
contest Held in conjunction with the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, the Avalon At Large GO! Party is a two-day music festival,held on September 23 and 24, featuring top music acts. Answer this question and stand a chance to win two tickets to Avalon At Large GO! Party. Question: Where is the Avalon At Large GO! Party taking place? Email your full name, mobile number, NRIC number and answers to chronklifestyle@ gmail.com. One winner will walk away with a pair of tickets to the party.
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lifestyle
se p t e m b e r 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
playing with your drinks Going to bars no longer involves just drinking and chat. Becky Lo seeks out three bars with sports and games to spice up an evening players
29 Carpenter Street Game Haven #02-01 Opening hours: Tues – Thurs & Sun: 12pm – 1am Fri – Sat: 12pm – 2am Closed on Mondays
AIMING FOR THE CUP: Customers at Camp Pong playing beer pong, a popular drinking game. PHOTOS | ELSA WANG, LAWRENCE LIAU & WAN ZHONG HAO
camp pong 2 Orchard Link *Scape #02-24
Opening hours: Sun – Thurs: 2pm – 12am Fri – Sat: 2pm – 2am
TABLE tennis and drinking are not usually found in the same sentence. But at Camp Pong, customers sip cocktails in between table tennis matches. Its grey industrial backdrop and br ight u lt rav iolet lights draw attention to the tables in the middle of the compound. T he f u ll–leng t h windows, which give a good view of the action, attract curious stares from passers-by. For $10, customers can have a game at one of the four ping pong tables.
Or if they are feeling less serious, they can play a game of beer pong instead. An eclectic mix of retro pop songs blasting in the background lightens up the atmosphere. This four-month old pop-up ping pong bar will be open only until October 7. Camp Pong hopes to end off with a big bang by rolling out a second ping pong championship for the public. W h i le detai ls of t he championship have yet to be r e lea se d , it se e m s l i ke fa n s have much to look forward to, judging from Camp Pong’s first championship in early July. A c c or d i n g to M s Tr ac y Phillips, creator of Camp Pong, t he f i r s t c h a mpion sh ip s aw players dressed up as characters ranging from school girls to the cast of Phua Chu Kang. Though not avid players of
HYDE
57B Boat Quay Opening hours: Mon – Thurs: 5pm – 12am Fri – Sat: 5pm – 2am
THIRTSY THURSDAYS: Hyde holds weekly quiz nights for tipple-happy drinkers.
WHAT is the tallest building in the world? How did Elvis die? When did the Titanic sink? I f y ou c a n a n s w e r t h e s e questions in a heartbeat, then Hyde might just be the place for you to showcase your knowledge. Hou sed i n a t wo-stor e y shophouse on Boat Quay, Hyde organises a quiz night ever y Thursday. T he t wo-hou r ba r qu i z challenges customers on their knowledge of a diverse range of topics from random trivia to music history.
ping pong, three friends and I challenged ourselves to a game on a Friday evening. On some weekdays, the more da r i ng c u stome r s a l so wea r neon-coloured table tennis gear from the Seventies. W hi le t he conv iv ia l and r e la x i ng a mbie nce made u s less self-conscious, table tennis turned out to be more difficult that it looked. We spent more time picking up balls than playing. “It’s becoming more like pick pong than ping pong,” joked Ho Gzee Ying, 22, a final-year s t ude nt f r om t he S c hool of Humanities and Social Sciences. She added t hat it is a comfor table env ironment for catching up with friends. After a good game, players can take a break on the benches, which f lank the windows and enjoy cocktails. The questions are set by the owner. Teams of t wo to four answer questions posed by the host on a worksheet, to win a bottle of house spirits. Accord i ng to M s Sabr i na Harrison, the bar manager, the ambience on quiz nights can get especially fun and lively. “The quiz is always popular among our customer s. T here are even groups of people who specially come for the game,” she said. For some quiet time, visit the private patio and immerse yourself in the chill-out music a nd t he e xot ic Ba l i-t he me d ambience. The overall ambience and interesting games at Hyde make a good choice for big group of friends, who are looking for wallet-friendly entertainment.
BARS along Clarke Quay are a dime a dozen. But Players stands out with its extensive line of drinking games. The one-year-old drinking ba r ser ves per sona lised cocktails and has live band performances at its groundf loor lounge, but its drinking games are the main draw for at least half its clientele. On the second f loor, there is a variety of conventional board games. If you want a wilder night, try out the wellreceived drinking games. Players has over 50 games which include categories like dice games, signal games and party games. Some of them even involve props like electronic toys that give out small shocks when a player loses. Drinking games are usually meant for two players and more, and involve drinking as the main form of penalty for players who lose in the game. According to the owner of Players, Mr Kenneth Kwok, drinking games can be culturebased too, and are often modified across countries. “Asians usually score in games that require skills and ref lexes while the Westerners prefer games involving sports, music and fast drinking,” he elaborated. To guide the uninitiated, the games are ranked on a scale of one to eight, according to their intensity and difficulty. A si mple Pa s s t he Dice ga me wou ld b e 20 on t he intensity scale. A game that requires props and action like Beer Pong ranks a seven. The menu also advises on
the number of players for the games. Most dice games involve around two or three players w h i le p a r t y g a m e s wou ld u sua l ly r equ i r e mor e t ha n four. T he games are f ree and customers only have to pay for their own drinks, which they can use in the games. However, Mr Kwok advises players to drink according to their ability. “Drinking games are just a way to facilitate interactions because they help people to relax, have fun and even act silly in a good way," he said. Others are original games created by Mr Kwok and his staff or contr ibuted by t he customers. Mr Kwok said: “I wanted to learn the drinking culture and drinking games from different countries and bring them to Singapore.” There is no better way to experience the excitement of the game than to try it, as Mr Kwok gamely demonstrated one of t he mos t popu la r games—beer pong. Originating from America, beer pong involves two teams of two players trying to throw a ping pong ball across a table into a cup of water or beer on the other end. I f a tea m s uc c e e d s , it s opponent has to drink from their own glasses. The game gets even better with a big group. Low Qiong Xia, 23, a finalyear student from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences said: “I feel that this game may get a little tiring a nd b or i n g w it h j u s t t wo persons, especially when we keep missing the shots and have to pick up the ping pong balls." Besides dr ink ing games, Players also sells cocktails pr ic e d b e t we e n $15 a nd $18 w h ic h c u s tom e r s c a n customise with fruits.
ROLLIN' GOOD TIMES: (Right) Mr Kenneth Kwok, owner of Players, shows student Low Qiong Xia (extreme left) and friend how to play a drinking game, Dice Sequence.
lifestyle
SE P T E M B E R 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
11
foodsnoop
Eat your greens
Meat-lovers can throw away the misconception that vegetarian food is bland and boring, as Ng Tze Min looks out for tasty meat-free substitutes 7 Sensations 16 Madras Street (Little India) Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
ACCORDING to popular myth, vegetarian food equates to healthy eating. It is a myth that 7 Sensations manager Alex Lian is quick to debunk. “Mock meats generally use preservatives, and some cooks are very liberal with salt and oil to try to make vegetarian food more flavourful.” But there is no cause for worry here at this spiffy eatery on Madras Street. 7 Sensations is located in a shophouse situated away from the bustle of Little India, where it exudes serenity with uncluttered décor and whitewashed walls. Now in its fifth year, it serves Western, Korean and Penarakan vegetarian cuisine. Here, vegetables are organic, preservatives are forbidden and ‘mock meats’ are surprisingly absent. If there were a need to sum up the dining experience at 7 Sensations in one word, it would be ‘deception’—in the best possible way. Painstakingly fermented for three months without yeast, the Red Dragon Fruit Enzyme and Mixed Fruit Enzyme ($5 per glass/$29.90 per bottle) are non-alcoholic drinks that taste uncannily like the real McCoy. The Red Dragon Fruit Enzyme is the sweeter of the two, and resembles a fruity sparkling wine, while the Mixed Fruit Enzyme has a smoother, woodier and more acidic aftertaste.
INTERNATIONAL DISHES: (From top clockwise) Avocado and Mango Salad, Korean Olive Brown Rice and Sambal Buah Keluak.
As far as appetisers go, the Avocado and Mango Salad ($9.80) is a plate piled with diced avocados and tangy mango chunks on a bed of fresh mesclun salad. A handful of chopped walnuts provide a delightful contrast to the creamy avocado, and it is tempting to lick the plate clean of its homemade honey mustard dressing. Still, perhaps sweeter mangos could improve the dish. Sambal buah keluak ($15) is a healthier rendition of the staple Peranakan dish, with braised Indonesian buah keluak (black nut) simmered in rich and nutty gravy, but with mushroom stalks in place of meat stuffing.
The similarity is so strong that it is not difficult to imagine those tender, flavourful morsels as the real thing. One of their bestsellers, the Korean Brown Rice ($10.80), deserves every ounce of its popularity. Two different grains of country brown rice are tossed with bell peppers, shredded mushroom stems and sautéed greens into an earthy and wholesome mix. The crunchy kailan and juicy bell peppers are scrumptious and each grain is perfectly cooked such that it is not overly smooshy. The piquant, woody aroma seals the deal. The meal is rounded off with Orni
NAïVE 99 East Coast Road Opening Hours: Mon - Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
LOVE POTION: A Japanese-style salad with pomelo chunks and diced strawberries.
NA ï V E is a small vegetar ian enclave tucked between swanky eateries on Upper East Coast Road. It is furbished in earthy tones and seats can be easily found. Also simple and undeniably chic, these are characteristics mirrored in their dishes. Interestingly, Naïve has a Japanese-inspired ritual, which they term the ‘Bloss Ceremony’, before the start of every meal. A wooden pestle and Japanese mortar filled with sesame seeds are presented to the table. The sesame seeds represent blessings in one’s life and grinding the seeds is a way of saying thank you. Diners are encouraged to pass the mortar around as a way to ‘share the blessings’ and to sprinkle the crushed seeds onto their food. The vegetarian menu ranges from noodle and rice-based mains
PHOTOS | LIM WEI LI
Orni ($4.50), yam paste with pumpkin and Ginkgo nuts. The soy-based dish is free of lard unlike the normal restaurant version and it is reasonable if one were to dislike the idea of the sinless rendition of this local favourite dessert. However, a few piping hot spoonfuls lays all doubts to rest. Thick, sweet and rich, the paste oozes with the kind of decadence found in the original. With affordable and healthy dishes that do not compromise taste, 7 Sensations makes it difficult for diners to find an excuse to step into another steakhouse joint.
to a variety of tofu sides. There are also various unique beverages, most of which are healthy tea-based blends. A touch of whimsicality can be seen in the names given to most of the items on the menu; kitschy terms reminiscent of fantasy stories. E n c h a n t e d F o r e s t ( $19 ) compr i se s of Mon ke yhead mushrooms and broccoli braised w it h wolf ber r y a nd Ch i nese angelica root. Looking like chunky chicken nuggets, the mushrooms taste uncannily like the former. Coated with a sweet Japanese sauce, they were flavourful and thoroughly enjoyable. The fact that they are healthy and meatless only enhances the guilt-free enjoyment. The prettily presented Love Potion ($13.90) is a refreshing Japanese take on a fruit salad. Generous por t ions of succ u lent pomelo chu n k s are lightly tossed with diced strawberries, crisp asparagus and dried cranberries. Each spoonf u l is a sweet ta ng y de l ig ht , whet t i ng t he appetite for the next course.
The Olive Brown Rice ($8) is a winner in its own right. The texture of brown rice is coarser than that of ordinary white rice, and has a nutty taste. A delectable combination of spices and kaff ir lime leaves permeates the dish. Exuding an aromatic olive fragrance, every mouthful is so seasoned that it does not really need anything else to complement it. In comparison, Naïve’s drinks were lacklustre. The Peaceful Grass ($4.50) is a concoction of fresh lemongrass and konnyaku, a traditional Japanese health food that looks and tastes like unflavored jelly. Unfortunately, the subtle taste of lemongrass is overwhelmed by the syrupy sweetness of the drink, with the clusters of chewy konnyaku being its only saving grace. But as far as vegetarian cafés go, Naïve serves up more than merely palatable renditions of meatless cuisine for non-vegetarians. Each dish is well executed and will make you forget that this is a vegetar ian restaurant if you are a meat lover.
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lifestyle
SE P T E M B E R 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
travelogue
Always, Auschwitz
The late philosopher George Santayana said: "The one who does not remember history is bound to live through it again." Er Yanbing revisits history at the concentration camps in Auschwitz
CAGED IN: Rows of barbed wire fences, once running with live electricity to prevent prisoners from escaping, still stand untouched in the camp although the current has since been switched off.
ON E of the most devastating genocides in histor y took place in K rakow. That alone was enough for some of my fr iends on exchange to strike it off the list for a quick cit y getaway while in Europe. On top of t h i s , Pola nd doe s not have the excitement of Spain, or the myster ious allure of Greece. And the depressing feel of a countr y st i ll recover ing f rom its com munist days can be a potential turn-off. But when I was on an exchange to Paris last semester, Krakow, the secondlargest city in Poland was high on my must-visit list. Especially after I had read literature by the survivors of its infamous concentration camps at Auschwitz. Krakow is also a good place to travel to, for students on a budget because it has a relatively low cost of living. Auschwitz, which is around t w o h o u r s a w a y f r o m K r a k o w, i s a n e x te n sive net work of G e r ma n concentration camps lef t behind from World War II. Here, over one m i l lion Eu ropea n Jews, mostly from Poland, were sent for exter mination when Germany was under the reign of the Third Reich from 1933 to 1945.
It was a macabre trip but I wanted to see for myself the suffering that occurred at these concentration camps, which now stand as a museum. The 99PLN ($45) tour included an English-speaking guide as well as direct bus transfers from the hostel or hotel to Auschwitz I & II. An hour into the journey, the driver popped a DV D into the van’s player, giving us background information of the atrocities committed during WWII. Children were mass murdered because they were too weak to work. Pr isoners were v ictims of ter r ible human experimentation. This was just a taste of what was to follow. A lt houg h t he comple x had be e n shut down decades ago, an eerie sense of foreboding and of inexpressible loss lingers in the nondescript buildings. The different blocks in Auschwitz I now house relics from when it was operational. Hundreds of thousands of pairs of spectacles fill a huge glass cabinet, as do bundles of human hair. “Each of these belonged to someone who was alive, and innocent, and sent here to die,” said our guide, as she urged
us to obser ve a moment of silence. We also went inside a gas chamber, where prisoners were exterminated by the deadly cyanide-based Zyklon-B gas. I t i s c h i l l i n g to s t a n d i n s i d e a clau st rophobic gas cha mber, ga zi ng up at little holes through which guards would drop cylinders of the deadly gas. Mugshots of pr isoner s, a long t he corridors, all wearing the same defeated expression was a haunting image. The bus then shuttled our group to Auschw it z I I—Birkenau, t he massive ma i n ca mp wher e pr i soner s wer e housed. The infamous railroad tracks in the camp remain, even as overgrown weeds threaten to cover up their existence. On these tracks, car r iages f ull of Jews were shipped into the camp, most of them starving and already dying from pneumonia. We were also shown the barracks in which prisoners lived. There were triple bunk beds and five of them had to squeeze into one louseinfested bed, with no insulation from the sub-zero winter temperatures. A nd w it h t hat, our sober ing si xhour tour at Auschwitz ended, and we were dropped back at our hostel.
PHOTO | ER YANBING
The buildings in K rakow live up to their unexciting reputation. Mos t of t he m have i nt i m id at i ng Communist-era architecture, complete with paint peeling off grey concrete walls. Despite this, our hostel was brightly lit and welcoming, with modern rooms and hot showers. T h i s i s a ref lec t ion of ma ny bu i ld i n g s i n K r a kow, w he r e old e x ter ior s now hou se ja zz c lubs a nd swanky restaurants, a metaphor for the slowly emerging vibrancy that the cit y is beginning to offer. T he c it y ce nt r e i s bu s t l i ng , a nd with Poland slowly opening its doors to visitors, small shops have quick ly sprouted up to cater to the tourist dollar. But it still is a refreshing change from the more commercially driven cities like Venice and London, where throngs of tourists flock to eat and shop. There are still many restaurants selling authentic Polish food at reasonable prices, where dining amid noisy Polish families is common and certainly has its charm. Poland is only just beginning to come to terms with its tragic past, and the city of Krakow seems to represent a glimpse of its future—bright, hopeful and ultimately progressive.
lifestyle
SE P T E M B E R 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
review
BOOKS Am I A Redundant Human Being? Mela Hartwig (Fiction) $24.95 available at Kinokuniya Published by Dalkey Archive Press
M el a Har t wig’s book Am I a Redundant Human Being? depicts the emotional journey humans take during points of self-loathing in their lives. It tells the stor y of A loisia Schmidt, an average secretary with no particularly outstanding talents. Every endeavour she attempts seems to fail. Protagonist Schmidt finds herself deeply in love with her boss Egon, who barely acknowledges her. As a result of her unrequited passion, she made plans to kill herself, sending melodramatic suicide notes to her parents and Egon, only to chicken out in the end. Embarrassingly, she later has to explain her suicide letter to Egon. While readers may relate to Schmidt’s insecurity and feelings of worthlessness, the situations she finds herself embroiled in, while bleak, are almost comedic in nature. The dramatic extent to which Hartwig stretches the story amuses readers more than it invokes any form of reflection. Schmidt’s tale is, by her own admission, “so laughably mundane, so incontestably banal”. The narrative, flat and detached, is told in short choppy sentences that further emphasise her dreary, lifeless existence. The simplicity of Hartwig’s writing does not attempt to disguise Schmidt’s unenviable circumstances. Her presentation is stark and as a result, Schmidt’s pain is made blatant. The ending of the story provides little resolution, and while this might prove frustrating to readers, perhaps the gist of the book lies in Schmidt’s pithy observation—‘It is my fate to have no fate at all’.
-Cheryl Cheong
“It often has the flavor of a guy who’s looking through a window at the rest of the world.” John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, in an interview with Independant Mail, on the inspiration behind his songwriting
MUSIC Something for the Rest of Us Goo Goo Dolls (Rock)
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The album took more than two years to record, with creative issues slowing down the production process.
For fans of Goo Goo Dolls, the wait is finally over. Their 9th studio album, Something for the Rest of Us, registers an attempt to deviate from the soulful tracks they have always been associated with, to varying degrees of success. Many tracks within the album are armed with powerful melodies that make them distinguishable to the listener. Tracks like As I Am and Home, which follows the formulaic chorus buildups of regular rock music, are outstanding and catchy with strong rhythmic beats. In penning the tracks, lead singer John Rzeznik spells out issues that deal with the uncertainty of the present day. One such track is Not Broken, which depicts the story of a woman who wants to let her husband know she loves him despite his shortcomings. The track’s gentle guitar introduction escalates as drumbeats build momentum and the chorus takes off into Rzeznik’s resounding refrain of Time will never steal my soul/ We’re not broken, so please come home. This production is slick and produced with mass consumers in mind, it’s main fault lying in its overly glossy finish. The title track suffers from this affliction as a mediumpaced rock number that features a catchy and soothing melody. Unfortunately, Rzeznik’s raspy and powerful vocals are let down by the unimpressive songwriting, with a highly repetitive chorus conceived with radio-friendly earworm potential in mind. Something for the Rest of Us is easy on the ears, with anthem-like numbers that bode well for road trips and singing along in the car. But those seeking the old-school inventiveness that produced 90s hits Iris and Black Balloon may find themselves left wanting.
-Lim Zuohan
Banged Up
Interpol
Ronnie Thompson (Non-Fiction)
Interpol (Alternative Rock)
$19.21 available at Kinokuniya Published by Headline Publishing Group
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Banged Up by ex-prison officer Ronnie Thompson gives us a noholds-barred look into the lives of the male convicts Thompson has spoken to throughout the years. He does this through Davey Sommers, a fictional character whose life story is based on an amalgamation of the men who have passed through the gates of the prison. Despite being a centre for rehabilitation, prison hardly provides a respite from crime on the streets. Drugs are smuggled in, turning non-addicts like Sommers into full blown ones, desperate for the next high. Prison guards turn the other cheek when gang violence emerges, choosing not to intervene until the last possible second. Sommers nearly loses an eye to an old enemy due to this negligence. Sometimes, even the prison guards partake in beating up the inmates to exert their authority and power. During a fight with the guards, Sommers’ disjointed thoughts portray the extent his sanity is being pushed to. ‘I could have smashed down a ******* concrete wall. The madness. The noise. The screams’. His inner thoughts rage, even as he struggles to control his emotions. Despite that, the book ends on a hopeful note. Sommer’s story is more than just a book about a criminal seeking redemption; it is also about life and the choices we make, an observation about society at large as it is about the incarcerated.
Bassist Carlos Dengler, who left Interpol shortly after the album's completion, will be succeeded by veteran David Pajo.
This self titled album bears with it the band’s usual hallmarks of lead singer Paul Banks' detached droning and their penchant for melancholic minor keys. On the first listen, familiar waves of subtly layered sonic textures wash over the listener but with one glaring oddity— there seems to be an absence of their trademark hooks. Banks displays adroit control over his vocals in Always Malaise (The Man I Am), weaving his captivating melodic timbre into soft rhythmic beats and a lilting piano melody. The result probably comes closest to Interpol’s equivalent of a pop song—catchy at some points, ethereal at others, but never conventional. The band’s atmospheric approach to this album is evident, the accompaniments nuanced and textured. But the new formula fails to carry them through the 10–track album and Interpol might seem foolhardy to deviate too far from their strengths of crafting simple yet highly catchy riffs. This is the last album that will feature iconic bassist Carlos Dengler, who has been with the band since their inception over a decade ago in 1997. Lead single Barricade serves as a reminder of how much Dengler’s buzzing, infectious basslines will be missed. The album also heralds Interpol’s return to indie powerhouse label Matador after a brief dalliance with major label Capitol, with which the band released Our Love To Admire in 2007. Expansive and inventive, the standout tracks are worth more than one replay. But as an album it is sub-par, and the band would do well tightening the direction of its many formless ideas. Instead of a reaffirmation, as evidenced by the self-titled album, it seems more like they are struggling to find themselves instead.
-Natasha Alvar
BOOKS FROM KINOKUNIYA
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PHOTOS | INTERNET
-Philmon Yip
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lifestyle
SE P T E M B E R 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
FILMS
The Girl Who Played With Fire Crime /Mystery/Thriller Noomi Rapace, Mikael Nyqvist, Erika Berger 129 min
T h e s e c ond b o ok-to -mov ie adaptation of the Millennium trilogy by the late Swedish author Stieg Larsson, The Girl Who Played With Fire, follows the unprecedented success of its predecessor, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Noomi Rapace reprises her role as the spunky cyber-guru Lisbeth Salander, and Michael Nyqvist, as investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist. This film picks up where the previous one left off, after Salander solved a gripping homicide and apprehended a serial killer. Blomkvist is embroiled in an attempt to expose a large-scale sex-trafficking ring, which includes even the powerful government in the Nordic stretch. But as the investigations get underway to bust the felons and their ring, two journalists Blomkvist was working with are killed—and Salander is a prime suspect. Thus begins an electrifying pursuit to put her in the clear. In this film, Salander’s character is fleshed out in greater detail, as the audience is made privy to her tumultuous past. Abused not only by her father, she was also violently mistreated
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by the psychiatrist who admitted her into asylum. The main drive of the storyline delves into the powerful force of male dominance and its destructive effects on Salander. Such sensitive themes meant Rapace’s role was a veritable minefield of controversy. However, despite treading on thin ice, she tackles Salander’s sordid past and the character’s layered personality sensitively. Salander’s fearlessness and steely strength hides her vulnerability, which Swedish actress Rapace teases out subtly yet expertly. Blomkvist, Robin to Salander’s Batman, undertakes a more subdued role in this movie. The chemistry between the two actors, which buoyed the previous movie, features less significantly due to their decreased number of shared scenes. But his allegiance to Salander is unwavering, and Nyqvist portrays this well. Convincing acting elevates his otherwise-tacky declaration of loyalty when Salander is in trouble, making his “I have to get to her, I owe her one” speech more important than it sounds.
Unfortunately, he got to her a little too late to join in the fun—and that dulls the light of the show. The film also loses some of its lustre because of the large shoes
The Infidel Comedy Omid Djalili, Yigal Naor, Amit Shah 105 min
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PHOTOS | INTERNET
it has to fill—the first film, which grossed S$140 million globally, became Sweden’s highest-grossing movie of all time. That said, the suspenseful and
nail-biting conclusion will probably blow your mind. A hint for those interested to know the ending? It’s all in the title. -Sarah Chang
A Muslim embarks on a crash course in being Jewish af ter discovering he is one by birth. This is both the premise and the promise of The Inf idel—a comedy that takes viewers on an exploration of two age-old cultures and celebrates the funny in both of them. Loving husband and father Mahmud Nasir (Omid Djalili) may not fast every day of Ramadan and enjoys the occasional sip of alcohol, but considers himself a Muslim at heart. His world is rocked by the revelation that he was adopted, his birth parents were Jewish and that his original name is Solly Shimshillewitz. On top of his full-blown identity crisis, Mahmud’s son Rashid Nasir (Amit Shah) is seeking approval from his fiancée’s new stepfather, radical Egyptian cleric Arshad El Masri (Yigal Naor). Rashid thus needs his family to be “the best Muslims (they) can be”. A s t he aud ience goes on M a h mud’s pe r sona l jou r of discovery, his humorous fish-outof-water situations are used to explore key issues of race, religion and identity in an unassuming yet thoughtful way. In one instance, confidence, confusion and dismay flash in turn across Mahmud’s face when two well-meaning middle-aged ladies ask him to sign a petition against the “demonisation” of Israel by the British media. Cultural clichés are also often uptur ned to hilar ious effect.
Watching Mahmud master the classic Jewish shrug, with its suggestions of oppression and resignation, is ironically a comedic highlight. As the movie plays on cultural stereotypes and idiosyncrasies, some of the jokes fly over one’s head, but viewers get the hang of it along the way. British Iranian comedian Djalili, whose previous stand-up routines have mined ethnic issues, does an excellent job handling his dualistic role. He entices the audience to delight in, rather than cringe at, his various culture shocks, and handles otherwise touchy situations with an easy affability. Also noteworthy is Emmy winner Richard Schiff’s performance as Lenny Goldberg, Mahmud’s teacher in the ways of the Jew. A crusty American Jew, Lenny fully embraces, yet scathingly comments on, every quirk of his culture. I n one memor able scene, Mahmud is caught wearing a Jewish prayer cap under his Muslim cap when at a pro-Palestine rally and burns the Jewish cap in an overthe-top anti-semitic display to cover his tracks. Charred cap in hand, his next stop is a traditional Jewish Bar Mitzvah. The visual contrast sums up what this movie does so well; it leaves audiences entertained yet thinking about defining issues of today. -Cassandra Yeap
lifestyle
SE P T E M B E R 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
FILMS Babies
Documentary
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Bayar, Hatti. Mari, Ponijao 79 min
Babies, a documentary film by French director Thomas Balmès, is based on the simple premise of charting the first year of four infants in different parts of the world: rural Nabila and Mongolia, as well as urban Tokyo and San Francisco. In Babies, there is no narration, only sequences of the daily lives of these babies. In the absence of voice-overs, the audience is able to carefully inspect and appreciate the relationship dimensions a baby shares with each member of its the family. The film does well in its portrayal of the differences in upbringing in various parts of the world. In urban areas Japan and San Francisco, the birthing scenes are similar to those in Singapore, in sterile rooms filled with masked nurses. This is in stark contrast to the birthing ritual performed in Nabila, in which a traditional midwife coats the mother’s stomach with a reddish, mud-like substance.
Balmès is clearly experienced in the field of documentaries, having helmed The Gospel According to Papuans, for which he won an award in the San Francisco International Film Festival. Babies, however is considerably subtler in its sociological and anthropological themes.
Its simplicity might be a doubleedged sword. Babies does not fit clearly into any particular genre—the film does not look to be commercially appealing to mainstream audiences. With its oddities, Babies is a film that caters to a specialised audience: you either swoon watching the babies or end up veritably bored to tears. There is little common ground between the two. Individuals who enjoy pursuing tangents beyond the documentary, might enjoy Babies. If not, consider watching a home video instead. -Aw Cheng Wei
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upcoming events PRE-REGISTRATION FOR YOUR FREE EYE screening Includes Eyesight Evaluation for Myopia, Hyperopia and Astigmatism, Glaucoma Screening (Tonometry), Cataract Screening, Presbyopia S c r e e nin g an d V is u al H e alt h Consultation. The event is organised by NTU Healthy Lifestyle Unit, SAO in collaboration with IGARD Eye Centre
genital warts awareness progra m m e R O A D S H O W Come and be informed of Genital Warts /Cervical Caner and other HPV diseases. Make a pledge and get a Free Polaroid picture taken with Instax Mini Fuji Polaroid. The event is jointly organised by the Risk Management Society (RMS) & Healthy Unit, SAO and supported by Merck Sharp & Dohme (I.A.) Corp.
21-23 SEPT 9.30am-5.30pm void deck@lt1 (north spine) For online registration, visit www.igard.org/ntu/registration
21-23 SEPT 11am-3pm void deck@lt1 (lot a, beside 7 eleven)
genital warts awareness programme health talk Find out more about Genital Warts and other HPV diseases. This talk will clarify common misconceptions ab out G enit al War t s , c er v ic al cancer and other HP V diseases and enlightens the audience on the causes, symptoms and ways to prevent against this deadly disease. Dr Su Lin Lin, Consultant Deaprtment of O&G (NUH) will be speaking at this even titled Warts Love Got To Do? Are You Protected? 23 SEPT 12.45pm-1.45pm lt4 (Ns4-02-34) PHOTO | INTERNET
tech review
Optic fibre—faster and better Kevin Lim SI NGA POR E A NS ca n e x pec t faster Internet speeds in their homes and offices by as soon as 2012. This is part of a new initiative, which aims to install fibre optic cables island-wide, creating a Ne x t G e ne r at ion Br oadba nd Network (Next Gen NBN). Next Gen NBN refers to an incredibly fast Internet connected by optical fibres. Optical fibres are thin, flexible and transparent fibres that carry light along its length. They are as fine as a strand of human hair and are immune to electromagnetic interferences, thus ensuring faster Internet speeds. According to the Infocomm D e v e l o p m e n t A u t h o r i t y of Si ngapor e, by i mplement i ng a nationwide network of fibre connections, users will be able to enjoy speeds of up to one gigabyte-per-second (Gbps). This is about 100 times faster than what cur rent home net work s support. In NTU, buildings have been connected to the Internet by way of optical fibres as well. Severa l block s in t he H a l l s of Re side nc e a r e a l so l i n k e d o p t i c a l l y, a l t h o u g h individual rooms are still using t he u n sh ie lde d t w i sted pa i r
network cables, as supporting i n f r a st r uc t u r e ha s not been built. Although these, along with wireless connections, are enough for short-range communication, opt ic a l f i br e s a r e t h e b e s t option to sustain a higher level of connection speeds at long distances. According to NTU’s Centre for I T S e r v ic e s ( C I T S ) , t h e University is already connected to the Internet via multiple one Gbps optical fibre connections, wh ich are hosted by severa l Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like SingTel, Starhub and Pacnet. This allows the University to buy inter national Inter net bandwidth at a competitive price. CITS will upgrade the links when the prices are more affordable. Unlike conventional copper wire connections, fibres use light to carr y signal and are more energy efficient. They retain signal strength even after travelling through a nationwide span. Copper, wh ic h i s u sed i n our current net work may get affected by electromagnetic or radio interferences and lightning surges. Huge bu nc he s of opt ic a l fibres run across ocean beds, connecting countries, families and loved ones from different ends of the earth.
The technology will further bring the world together when it reaches every doorstep. Fibre connections have been used in communication networks and consumer products for about 30 years. Most desktop computers use them to connect audio devices and they also have implications in the field of medicine by giving doctors an eye inside the human body. These thin fibres are used in surgeries to illuminate regions of t he hu ma n body t hat a re otherwise inaccessible to light. Most households here will soon have the capability for Next Gen NBN as the optical fibre rollout draws to completion. The ultra high speed offered by Next Gen NBN, however, is limited to local websites and ser ver s, a lt houg h t here w i l l be a general increase in t he speed of international Internet connections. T h i s s t i l l s p e l l s a h u ge improvement for homes, schools and off ices as they can look forward to faster Internet speeds and a larger bandwidth—meaning more people can surf the Internet while on the same network. Right now, four of Singapore's f i v e I S P s of f e r s e r v ic e s at an average of $60 for a 100 megaby tes-per-second (Mbps) download speed (refer to table).
PHOTO | COURTESY
SingTel
150 Mbps download 75 Mbps upload
$85.90
Starhub
100 Mbps download 50 Mbps upload
$68.27
M1
100 Mbps download 50 Mbps upload
$59
SuperInternet
100 Mbps download 50 Mbps upload
$53.50
LGA Telecom
To be announced next month
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SE P T E M B E R 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
dapper: your essential style guide
On Pearl (left): Green diamond motif bracelet, $75, Ohm Mani. On Cynthia (right): Ring Pop candy ring, $49.90, Victoria Jomo.
Secrets On Cynthia (left): Floral chiffon maxi dress, $34.90, Victoria Jomo. On Pearl (right): Navy striped military cardigan, $29, Neutral Plus; Black pleated culottes, $29.90, Hurs; White tank, stylist’s own.
OF
September
This September, allow the nostalgic allure of Fall colours, earth tones and muted palettes to take you back in time and rediscover childhood textures in wistful reminiscence. Recollect the days when promises were made and kept, and secrets shared and guarded fiercely, almost irrationally.
On Pearl (left): Powder blue polka-dotted blouse, $29, Neutral Plus; Pink bow front pleated shorts, $49, lumi. On Cynthia (right): Navy vintage maxi skirt, $99, Ohsofickle; Rabbit print tank, stylist’s own.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Tan Jingliang
STYLING
Audrey Lim & Tan Jingliang
MODELS
Cynthia Soe & Pearl Lee
HAIR
Mark Cheng
MAKEUP Fitrina Lim
STOCKISTS
On Cynthia (left): Yellow peasant dress, $32.90, Ohm Mani; Bronze locket ring, $39.90, Victoria Jomo. On Pearl (right): English floral round basket hat, $59, Wicked Laundry; Olive chiffon shorts, $32.90, Ohsofickle; Wolf print tank, $24.90; White criss-cross heels, $89.90, both from Victoria Jomo.
On Pearl (left): Black lace and fringe jacket, $35, Ohsofickle; Wolf print tank, $24.90, Victoria Jomo. On Cynthia (right): Navy chiffon tassel top, $35.90, Ohsofickle; Black pleated culottes, $29.90, Hurs.
Hurs Far East Plaza #04-124A lumi Far East Plaza #04-140 Neutral Plus Far East Plaza #03-49 Ohm Mani 29A Haji Lane Ohsofickle Far East Plaza #04-133 Victoria Jomo 9 Haji Lane Wicked Laundry 76 Haji Lane
The maritime industry... More than you imagine What comes to your mind when you look out to the sea? For Maritime Studies undergraduate, Raymond Tan, he saw an exciting industry which offers diverse career opportunities and exciting prospects to experience the world. As the recipient of the FSL Trust Management-MaritimeONE Scholarship in 2007, Raymond is amazed that many young Singaporeans view his major to be a niche course choked with technical jargons. The 24-year-old chuckled and said, “Unlike other courses, my major is actually quite interesting as it offers a well-balanced mix of broadbased and technical academic learning. The broad-based modules range from business management, business law and economics, just to name a few.” The real maritime sector is certainly not “niche” in terms of its depth and breath as many young people may think. In fact, the Singapore maritime scene is a bustling and dynamic one which is home to the best port in the world. There are 5,000 maritime-related companies and 150,000 people working in the diverse sectors of the maritime sector. Career opportunities for young talents are also increasing steadily as the shipping sphere of influence gravitates from
the West to the East. Raymond shared that some of the companies have expressed interest in hiring him upon his graduation next year. For him, ship broking, ship finance and marine insurance are among his top choices of specialisations in the maritime sector. When asked about his most memorable experience as a maritime studies undergraduate, the final-year student revealed that it was the six-month overseas exchange programme at the Norwegian School of Management (BI), Oslo, Norway during his third year. The opportunity to visit the award-winning Norwegian Maritime Museum and the leading marine insurer, Skuld were eye-opening experiences for him. Raymond also travelled extensively in Europe during his stint there. He said, “Funds from my scholarship and the housing subsidy from my school have allowed me to travel during my overseas exchange programme. For that, I am grateful as the overseas stint has taught me how to step out of my comfort zone and be independent. To be able to witness the Northern Lights was definitely a great way to conclude my amazing journey in Norway.” The strong commitment by the mari-
time community to nurture and attract young people to pursue maritime courses and the consistent efforts to engage the maritime students have made a lasting impression on Raymond. “The myriad of networking receptions, seminars, fieldtrips organised by the maritime community to expose maritime students to the actual workings of the maritime sector is great. These varied experiences are highly beneficial to students like myself as I have gained a better understanding of the maritime sector and have forged friendships with some of the maritime professionals even before I enter the maritime workforce.”
To find out more about educational and career opportunities in the maritime sector, visit www.maritimecareers.com.sg
神木转型会“娘”吗？ —— 刊25页
新闻
志愿小工作 为大世界服务 长达四个月的假期里，有些学生选择不游玩，反而成了志工。让记者张健俊和他们交谈，了解他们如何为世界尽力。
作为世博导游，除了介绍新加坡的点点滴滴，林仲骏 （右）也结识了即将来新深造的中国朋友。
过
去从没听说过上海 世博会的林仲骏， 今年不但参观了各国展 馆，自己也当上了导游， 介绍新加坡的展馆。 这名22岁的生物科学 院二年级生说，当新加坡 旅游局来到南大招募志工 时，他才晓得有这重大的 活动，因此决定报名。 他说：“我不想错失 这千载难逢的机会。” 与林仲骏同行的45名 志工包括叶嘉敏（20岁） 。相反的，这名商学院二 年级生一早就知道新加坡 会再度参与世博会。她认 为世博是所有国家的聚集 点，希望通过志愿工作充 实自己。 叶嘉敏和林仲骏的主 要工作是导游，每天都会 被分派到展馆不同的位置 站岗。 耗资3000万元建造的 新加坡馆以“城市交响 曲”为主题，让到访者了 解新加坡的特色美食、景 点和设计。 面积近600平方米的二 楼展厅有三间剧场，定 时播放本地艺人的表演 视频，从而展出新加坡的 “创新次文化”。视频播 放时，他们也必须禁止访 客在剧场里摄影，并在观 众离席后排好椅子。 至于三楼，他们俩会
介绍空中花园里多达20种 的胡姬花和其他的花卉植 物，让参观者“体验”花 园城市生活。
“能够驻扎海 外，向到访游 客介绍本地， 让身为新加坡 人的我，感到 非常自豪。” 林仲骏 生物科学学院二年级生
在工作的时候，林仲 骏除了使用中英双语，有
时也得以方言为到访者介 绍展览。 此外，他认为许多中 国民众对新加坡其实一点 也都不陌生，但是对于本 地历史和文化背景就没有 那么了解。 林仲骏补充：“当我 们介绍不同种族的传统服 装时，也会向他们阐述新 加坡是一个多种族、多元 化的社会。” 展馆每天有约2万人到 访，而管理人群对他来说 可算是场恶梦，但日子久 了，他也渐渐学会管理川 流不息的到访者。 问及参与世博的收 获，他们都认为在这两个 月的经历中获益良多。 叶嘉敏说：“我对新 加坡有更深一层的了解。 因为必须双语兼通，我对 那些娘惹的食物以及花卉 的名字更熟悉了。” 他们原本应在7月31日 结束志愿服务，但为了帮 忙筹办8月7日的‘新加坡 馆日’，他们因此决定延 迟回国。 对于整个行程，从对 世博毫无印象到成为本地 导游的林仲骏而言，是无 比充实的经验。 他说：“能够驻扎海 外，向到访游客介绍本 地，让身为新加坡人的 我，感到非常自豪。”
志愿工作之余，叶嘉敏也不忘和世博会的吉祥物“榴 小星”合照。
负责协调采访的陈慧雯（右起）和陈淑 运动员。
一
名当志工到“上 瘾”，和一名想 在毕业前尝试大型活 动——这两名志工经验 丰富的学生，为青奥运 出力的同时，也成了工 作上的好搭档。 陈淑 （19岁）和 陈慧雯（21岁）这期间 就任职青奥媒体通讯助 理。她们驻扎选手村 内，负责接待及协调媒 体和青奥运模范运动员 访问，而这些选手都曾 在奥林匹克运动会上获 得奖牌。 在青奥运前，陈淑 去年也曾参与妆艺大 游行志愿工作。 谈及为何她如此热 爱志愿工作，这名黄金 辉传播与信息学院一年 级生回应：“当志工能 够有机会遇到社会不同 阶层的人士，看到活动 顺利进行，满足感是非 常‘上瘾’的。” 另一方面，虽然青 奥运是陈慧雯第一次参 与的大型活动，可是她 过去曾到海外参与社区
与外国记者介绍可访问的青奥运模范
服务，所以对志愿工作并 不感到陌生。 这名宇航工程系四年 级生说：“能参与青奥运 是个很难得的经验，更何 况我已经快要毕业了，应 该不会再有机会参与这些 大型活动了。” 此外，陈慧雯向往和 媒体人员合作，她认为这 是个接触世面的好机会。
“青奥运就像 一个人类的庆 典，相信这样 难得的运动 会，让我对世 界和平有更深 的了解。” 陈慧雯 宇航工程系四年级生
问及成为义工的首要 条件，陈淑 说：“只有 在不要求回报的前提下， 你才能享受整个当义工的 经历。”
照片|受访者提供
位于南大的选手 村，除了设有世界文化 村，也是选手的住宿 区。世界文化村的展览 摊位每隔三四天会更换 主题，展示不同地区与 国家的特色。 本地学校自去年展 开“双联计划”，与青 奥运参赛国家配对，让 两国青年通过活动了解 对方文化与风土民情。 和不同国家代表互 动后，陈慧雯觉得运动 员都十分友善，而且相 当积极参与志工为他们 筹划的文化与教育计划 节目，让他们通过有趣 的游戏来认识彼此。 她认为这经验让自 己对世界各地不同国籍 的人有更多概念。 陈慧雯说：“青奥 运就像一个人类的庆 典，相信这样难得的运 动会，让我对世界和平 有更深的了解。” 与青奥选手同逛街 刊20页
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se p t e m b e r 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
课程调整余波未平 周诗娅●报道
即
使学期和课程已经做出 相应调整，不少学生仍 因上月举行的青奥运，在课程 方面上难免受影响。 来自化学与生物化学系的新 生黄伊睫（19岁）说，在不了 解辅导课（tutorial）功课量的 情况下就选定科目，可能会在 选课之后感到难以应对。 他说：“新生对学校环境还 很模糊。如果对这流程还存在 疑问，难免会感到无奈。”
“新加坡举办一次 这么大的青奥运， 因此大局的利益毕 竟胜于个人。”
退选期结束之前有第二周的时 间试听辅导课，借此机会了解 功课量以及课程安排，从而决 定是否要选择这门课程。 不过，今年新生因为开学时 间推迟，迎新周安排在开学之 后，因此在选定科目前没有上 过一些的辅导课。 据学校往年安排，每年上半 学期一般是在8月初开学，而今 年南大作为青奥运的选手村， 将开学时间延迟至8月30日。 然而，林子申（22岁）认 为，能否尝试辅导课并不是自 己选课的关键因素。 他解释：“毕竟我们都得修 读一些必修课，如主课课程， 所以在哪个学期选修也没什么 分别。” 目前这名数理科学学院一年
级生正在修读五门课程，而其 中一门是在迎新周开课的自由 选修单元。 在新学期第一星期定为迎新 周的同时，也代表新生需在12 个星期内修完课程。 教务处发言人表示，各校都 同意能在少一周的情况下概括 课程内容，如果有必要，也会 在期中假期（recess week）让 学生通过网上学习。 而据了解，商学院将在这一 周安排某一课程的讲堂课。 但电机与电子工程系三年级 生彭林（23岁）认为大家也应 谅解更改课程安排的状况。 他说：“新加坡举办一次这 么大的青奥运，因此大局的利 益毕竟胜于个人。”
（刘榛楠补充报道）
彭林 电机与电子工程系三年级生
然而，同样是新生的汪来 （23岁）认为，由于自己刚进 学校，没有体验过往年的例行 安排，因此没有感觉到学校改 变安排后所带来的影响。 这名中文系学生说：“应该 没有多大影响，新生刚进来其 实也没什么可比的。” 这一次，一年级生在加退选 期（add/drop period）结束之 前，或许没有机会试听一些辅 导课。 通常，学生在历时两周的加
青奥运闭幕典礼结束后，吴颖沁和多明尼加的代表一同狂 照片|受访者提供 欢庆祝。
张健俊●报道
超
越职责，一名国家奥委会助理与选手一同 逛街，也建立了非凡的友谊。 对于22岁的吴颖沁来说，青奥运是她首次参 与的大型活动。但是一向喜欢旅行，和不同人 交谈的她认为，青奥运是个学习他国文化和结 交异国朋友的平台。 这名中文系四年级生在本届青奥运担任多明 尼加国家奥委会（Dominican Republic National Olympic Committee）的助理。该国家奥委会由 八名运动员，以及五名教练和官员组成。 多明尼加主要的官方用语是西班牙语，由于 吴颖沁正在修读这语言，所以能够学以致用， 让她感到相当地兴奋。 在青奥运期间，吴颖沁除了陪国家奥委会代 表去比赛场馆，还充当导游，在比赛结束后带 他们到牛车水和福南科技广场逛逛。 她说逛街时，自己有时也要充当翻译员，因 为他们的英语并不十分灵光。 回想起志愿的第一天，多明尼加足球员在选 手村内边走边唱的一幕让吴颖沁印象深刻。 她说：“我深深地被他们这种惬意的情怀感 染，因此第一天工作的心情变得格外舒畅。”
青 奥 结 束 友 谊 永 存
插图｜钟佳唐
《飞乐时空》总决赛
努力创作终受肯定 蔡燕瑜●报道
坚
持到底，永不放弃，作 词人许羚和作曲人刘中 怡花了近两年完成的作品终于 在词曲创作比赛中受到肯定。 名为《天亮了》的作品，从 100多首参赛作品中脱颖而出， 荣获最佳作词作曲冠军，以及 摘下“最受欢迎歌曲”。 由南大中文学会主办的《飞 乐时空》，今年已迈入第16个 年头，决赛当晚有500多人出席 观赛。 作为评判之一的南大孔子学 院歌词创作导师王芮齐，在点 评时说，除了优美的旋律和有 画面感的歌词外，演唱人戴伟 贤也功不可没。她动听的嗓音 唱出了创作人的心声。 南大电机与电子工程系学生 许羚（21岁）说，不轻易放弃 是迈向成功的关键。 她说：“我也是尝试了三年
才获得今天的成就。所以对创 作有热诚的朋友请别灰心，继 续努力！” 主席谢灰羊说，筹办比赛、 寻找赞助商时曾触礁，所幸学 校赞助场地和提供财务援助， 让他们能够顺利筹备赛事。 去年获奖团体再度参赛 此外，这场歌词创作比赛也 得到异族同胞的支持，来自乐 团Josey的马来同胞小黑再度前 来挑战。该乐团去年参赛时， 还曾获“最佳演绎奖”和“原 创歌曲”亚军的好成绩。 这支参赛组合不但有歌手陪 唱饶舌，曲风也一领风骚。他 们以一首轻快摇滚的《一封四 季》，带动了现场的气氛。 出席比赛的特别嘉宾张杰， 对他们的演出也给予不错的评 价。他说：“这首歌有节奏 性，可以和现场互动，是件值 得鼓舞的。”
取得评审和观众欢心的冠军作品《天亮了》作词人许羚（右），从学生事务处主任骆达成副教授手中 接获奖座。 摄影|吴瀚 此外，《一》歌词的呈献方 式也有些不同，因为它是以对 角线的概念写出的，让著名音 乐老师陈彼得认为相当有趣。
虽然输了比赛，但这没熄灭 他们创作的热诚。正在服役的 团员布子恒（20岁）说，他们 还会以一贯的作风制作音乐。
他说：“不要向社会低头， 不要为了模仿其他（主流）歌 手而局限了自己创作的空间。 要敢于创新！”
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SE P T E M B E R 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
言论 编辑室
黄康玮 中文编辑
上
个月，笔者乘坐巴士 时，前方的丁字路口发 生一场车祸，结果巴士在转弯 处动弹不得。无味的等待，让 乘客渐渐失去耐心，纷纷上前 劝请车长改道。 可车长一再拒绝，并解释公 司规定不能随意改道，而且他 自己也不晓得如何在改道后继 续原定路程，也说受指示不能 离开案发现场，因此大家在原 处呆了20多分钟。 最后经交警的劝告，车长才 照着一名乘客的指路改道。 这事件可显现了国人墨守成 规，被规则套上枷锁的现象。 就像《小孩不笨》里的一句 话：“新加坡人做什么事都习 惯直直走，不会走捷径的。” 没错，我们时常依熟悉的方 式，或应遵守的规则做事。这 固然是理想的处事方针，但能 在窘境改变规则脱离困境，应 是更为理想的做法。
课 程新 交 易 不 应 成 交
应时舍弃 或有转弯余地
插图｜蔡毅佳
而在某些时候，舍弃自己的 职责，未必是错误的。 就如几周前，有一名《新 明日报》记者在接获建筑工人
张亦弛
学期伊始，我校学生买卖课程的现象频频见 报。然而校方老早在选课规章制度已经写得 清清楚楚，禁止任何类似行为，否则会被校方取消 该学期的所有选修课，并获严厉警告。 一切看似有“法”可依，但这现象自2007年浮 出台面后，问题似乎屡禁不止。 一方面，学校规定学生要完成一定数量的选修 课，但各年级选课时间不同，年级高的享有优先 权，许多考试或时间上较容易配合的课程很快就被 抢走。另一方面，也有同学申请副修，万一选不到 相应课程就无法完成副修的要求。 所以，尽管某些课程可用“天价”形容，还是 不乏感兴趣的学生。俗话说：“没有钱是万万不能 的”，但这不代表金钱能解决根本问题。 出售的课程中，很多卖课者一张口就是50 元、100元，甚至200元。在感叹价格如此之高同 时，笔者也不由得陷入沉思。 买卖课程浪费资源 污染教育沃土
学校是教书育人的沃土，进行课程交易已经使 这片净地变得物质化、商业化。课程设置是学校为 学生提供极其宝贵的资源，卖课者注册他们自己不 需要的课程本身就是一种资源浪费。 买课者除了缴纳学费外，还需要另付资金去购买本该属于 自己的资源，不能享受与学费等值的教育服务实在不公平。 尽管学校采取了一系列的措施改善选课制度，如增加某些 热门选修课人数、提供上诉机会，但是似乎还是没有根本解决 学生心中的疑惑。 笔者认为，大家先应要明确学习目的是摄取知识，而非成 绩。只要认真学习，无论修读哪类课程必能获益匪浅。 其次，根据自身需求安排相应课表，不要为了自己挣钱而 占用他人资源损害他人利益。最后，也希望校方能进一步完善 选课体系，让宝贵的教学资源真正让学生所用。 在这竞争激烈的时代，每学期选课都会被当作一场没有硝 烟的战争，既是和时间的竞争，也是与学长和同龄人之间的竞 争，毕竟谁都不愿意输在起跑线上。 学校需要的是书本中散发出的淡淡墨香，而不是金钱交易 的铜臭味。希望这场竞争日后能更加单纯，更加透明。
扬言自杀的电话后赶到案发现 场。那名记者本应报道新闻， 却成了建筑公司、警方和工人 之间的斡旋者。
记者的职责是要报道真相， 而不该参与事件的过程，以让 新闻保持客观角度。显然，在 生死攸关的一刻，那名记者选
还原苦难的真面目
插图｜吴威俊
闫安
在
今年国庆群众大会演讲 中，李显龙总理引用前 副总理吴庆瑞的话，为不曾经 历苦难的年轻一代深感担忧。 这样的担忧已是老生常谈。 出生于80年代末、90年代初的 我们，享受了无比优越的成长 环境。 与那些经历过战争、动乱， 曾在烈日下挥汗劳作过的先辈 相比，我们的确太幸福了。于 是他们担心，娇生惯养的年轻 人，能经得起大风大雨吗？ 面对这担忧，笔者不禁想： 没有经历传奇式的苦难，就意 味着我们软弱无能吗？ 不知从何时起，崇拜苦难似 乎成为我们文化的一部分，经 历过苦难的人才有话语权。 于是，每一代人都认为与
自己所经历的苦难相比，下一 代最多只经历了一点小小的挫 折，实在不足挂齿。
不同时代的人会 经受不同层面的 苦难，我们不能 粗暴判断哪一代 更有能力面对危 机。 不可否认，苦难的确是人生 中宝贵的财富——让人坚强、 勇敢、深刻。但没有经历那些 传奇式的苦难，并不代表我们 就无法面对任何风雨。 其实，幸福的程度与物质生 活的好坏并不成正比。
择拯救生命，避免悲剧发生。 舍弃职责，不能因为说救人 一命就可宽恕。但这也说明， 有些棘手问题，并不是单靠规 则、职责就能迎刃而解的。 美国普利策1994年新闻摄影 奖的得奖照片，叙述着一名骨 瘦如柴的小女孩前往救济中心 的情景。与此同时，有个秃鹰 正随后跟着。 在这20分钟里，来自南非的 自由摄影师凯文·卡特（Kevin Carter）将这幕拍下，而这张照 片轰动各地，使大家不停猜想 小女孩的最终命运。 虽然摄影师拍照后才将秃鹰 赶走，但这简单的照片却凸显 了非洲国家严重饥荒景象。如 果他没拍下那幕，而直接赶走 秃鹰，或许人们对非洲饥荒问 题还是不甚了解。 坚守职责、遵守规则固然重 要，但不同场合有不同的应对 方式。 因此应时舍弃，或许能称得 上是随机应变，而这才是大家 时时刻刻该遵守的法则。
中国著名导演贾樟柯在 《我不诗化自己的经历》中就 说：“我不认为守在电视边、 被父母锁在屋里的孩子比阳光 下挥汗收麦的知青幸福。每个 人有每个人的问题，一代人有 一代人的苦恼，没什么高低之 分。对待‘苦难’也需要有平 等精神。” 与前辈们的艰辛相比，其实 我们所承受的更多是精神上的 浩劫。 这个时代的物质很丰富，与 之相伴五花八门的价值观，常 让我们无所适从。急剧膨胀的 人口、时好时坏的经济，以及 不断加剧的竞争，都让我们从 小开始学着去面对压力。 相比之下，经历过艰辛生活 的先辈们在精神上是充实的， 他们有着单纯的理想和向前的 动力。 不同时代的人会经受不同层 面的苦难，我们不能粗暴判断 哪一代人更有能力面对危机。 更何况，任何事都有第一 次，我们总不至于在第一次面 对危机时就垮掉。而在战胜了 第一次危机之后，我们必能更 加坚强，甚至脱胎换骨。 哲学家周国平用《落难的王 子》呈现了两个定理。 定理一：人是注定要忍受不 可忍受的苦难的。由此推导出 定理二：所以，世上没有不可 忍受的苦难。或许，我们该还 原“苦难”本来的面貌，而不 是将其传奇化。 我相信不管未来迎接我们的 是太平盛世，是危机，还是战 争，年轻一代都能战胜苦难， 笑到最后。
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se p t e m b e r 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
生活
旧品味新形式 能否共存 冰冻咖啡、泡泡茶、花茶等对青 年来说，可算是热门饮料。但大 家对其文化和认识有了解多深 呢？这一期就跟随郭进华和王南 一探究竟。
摄影|黄俊森、王思贤
咖
啡是许多人生活上 不可或缺的东西， 和茶叶及可可并列世界三 大饮料的荣衔。 对于许多开夜车的大 学生来说，喝咖啡提神似 乎是件理所当然的事。 在本地，咖啡和国人 的关系可说是十分密切。 邻里咖啡店的传统咖啡有 唤醒人的飘香，咖啡店更 是老一辈消磨时间，和街 坊联络感情的地方。 本地咖啡学者邱少华 教授就指出，咖啡也进 入了本地人的词语里， 如“coffee licence”代表 乱开车、“被请喝咖啡” 则是被叫去问话。 各家连锁咖啡座则在 全岛各地落户，提供卡布 奇诺、摩卡等新颖口味的 咖啡，是许多年轻人爱去 的地方。 尤其到了考试期间， 边啃书边喝咖啡的学生， 踪迹更是处处可见。 喜爱咖啡 青年各有原因 就读中文系一年级的 雷慧媛（20岁）受家人 的影响，从小就开始喝咖 啡，而热喷喷的焦糖玛琪 朵（caramel macchiato） 更是她的最爱。 她说，焦糖玛琪朵带 有甜味，不像其他的玛琪 朵，所以每当想喝咖啡的 时候就会想喝这种咖啡。 雷慧媛补充：“热咖 啡香味浓厚，喝起来心情 也会变得好。” 艺术、设计及媒体系 三年级生林吟恩（21岁） 赞同她的看法。她就读初 级学院时，因为喜欢罐装 摩卡的甜味而经常喝，但 后来听说咖啡喝得太多牙 齿会发黄，所以为了照顾 牙齿而开始少喝咖啡。
但她说：“我偶尔还 是会喝热咖啡，因为咖啡 的香气太诱人了。” 对她而言，一杯好咖 啡的要素是口味，并且不 能太淡。 尽管受访青年都对咖 啡有偏好，但邱教授却认 为国人对咖啡了解不深。
日前，邱教授 在南大孔子学 院举办的“新 马咖啡文化” 讲座上，调侃 许多人都误以 为喝“黑黑的 龙沟水”就是 好咖啡。 邱教授虽然有“书法 三家”的美誉，但曾从商 经营咖啡制造，也是本地 首名创制小袋装即冲即饮 咖啡，并打入国外市场的 成功企业家。
他在1990年编写《咖 啡研究》专著，是第一本 华文版咖啡百科全书。 日前，邱教授在南大 孔子学院举办的“新马咖 啡文化”讲座上，调侃许 多人都误以为喝“黑黑的 龙沟水”就是好咖啡。 他曾尝试通过电视及 电台节目介绍咖啡，但他 说：“新加坡人很难教， 所以效果不大。” 然而，还是有学生对 咖啡认识不少，能分辨咖 啡豆种类。 许和志（24岁）准确 指出，狸猫咖啡豆是咖啡 豆中价格不菲的。 这名宇航工程系四年 级生说，父母虽然有喝咖 啡，但自己喝了咖啡反而 会睡着，所以比较喜爱非 咖啡饮料。 至于咖啡的冲泡方 法，雷慧媛则觉得选用好 的咖啡粉冲泡是最好的， 因为味道比较纯。 即使她希望将来能用 咖啡器冲泡，但她还是会 饮用三合一即溶咖啡。 她说：“现代生活太 忙碌，要抽出时间慢慢泡 咖啡，想必我做不到。”
过了10多年，泡泡茶热潮不退，而新进入本地市场的品牌，也大受国人欢迎。
一
罐罐冰凉清爽的罐 装茶，是吴秋萍对 茶的首个印象。 这名22岁的会计系二 年级生解释，相较咖啡， 自己偏好喝茶，但并不懂 得欣赏茶那独有的苦涩。 她补充，自己不太习 惯传统茶的苦味，因此平 常喝的是冰凉罐装茶饮。 吴秋萍说：“罐装的 茶比较甜，像是吃辛辣食 物的时候，我绝对不会想 以热茶解辣。” 对传统茶饮甚少兴趣 也包括来自国立教育学院 的李俊锋（25岁）。他则 取向于西式茶或拉茶。 他国文化冲击 影响本地茶文化
有关本地年轻一代对 品茗甚少兴趣的情况，新 加坡茶馆前营运经理王先 忠解释，新加坡是个多元 文化的国家，其茶文化受 到其他民族文化的影响。 再加上本地自开埠以 来一直受到西方文化的冲 击，所以本地人对茶的认 识和爱好不及中国人。 连锁咖啡店提供的舒适环境，让学生常前来聚会复习。 然而，现代都市也造
成喝茶文化在本地年轻人 中鲜有一席之地。王先忠 指出，本地茶馆不多，人 们与茶的接触有限，而且 多数设在年轻人并不常去 的地方。
“世上没有真 正的纯文化， 任何文化都会 受到其他文化 的影响，都会 融入其他文化 的某一部分。 这也是茶文 化发展的一部 分。” 王先忠 新加坡茶馆前营运经理
此外，年轻人喜欢去 的咖啡座卖的产品多样 化，既售咖啡也贩糕点， 而茶馆却只有茶。 再说，咖啡座可提供 一个休息聚会的场合，以 及无线网络服务，因此也 间接造成茶馆少有问津。
但还是有少数青年欣 赏中式茶，对林纯嘉（22 岁）而言，一杯温热的中 式茶，是每餐不可或缺的 饮料。 这名人文与社会科学 学院经济学系二年级生觉 得，喝传统茶自然比其他 风味茶饮来得更健康。 此外，去年到台湾旅 游时，林纯嘉也花了不少 钱购买多种茶类，让家人 一同享用。 不过，王先忠认为本 地茶文化和本地其他文化 一样非常独特——是融入 其他民族茶文化的一种混 血文化。 他举例，新马地区有 拉茶，这是欧洲、中华及 印族茶文化的结合品。 正统茶文化受到异类 茶文化的影响，从而产生 比正统文化还要流行的混 血文化，王先忠认为大家 也不应对这类新兴文化嗤 之以鼻。 他说：“世上没有真 正的纯文化，任何文化都 会受到其他文化的影响， 都会融入其他文化的某一 部分。这也是茶文化发展 的一部分。”
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乐评 音乐Jukebox
如何冲泡一杯好咖啡？ 用干净的咖啡酿造器(coffee brewer)或冲泡机，并充分使用全部的面积，别使用少 过75％的容量来冲泡咖啡。如果需要冲泡较少量咖啡，就应该使用小的酿造器。 咖啡杯用热水淋洗后抹干，每次使用后也需要再以热水淋洗抹干。 采用新鲜的咖啡粉，即磨即冲更好，最好不要购买超过一星期的用量。 用刚煮开的新鲜滚水，并准确测量咖啡和水分，两者之间的比例是每8至10克的咖 啡粉对150毫升的水；即溶咖啡精则是一茶匙对一杯水。 咖啡不可煮沸，以免变质。 冲好的咖啡应该趁热饮用，最好在15分钟内喝完，若要慢慢喝，只能以摄氏60度加 热保温，咖啡粉渣不能再冲泡第二次。
如何享用咖啡？ 喝咖啡是味觉和嗅觉的享受，还 有含一口在嘴里的芬芳香醇，并 和喉咙、身体状况及周围环境息 息相关，相映成趣。 刚泡好的咖啡滋味最香醇，苦涩 中透着一股甘甜味。 为了更深切品尝咖啡的滋味，应 该先用水清漱口腔，使喉咙湿润 后才开始喝咖啡。 先喝一口不加牛奶或糖的纯咖 啡，并含在口中慢慢品味一番。 喝了一口纯咖啡后，再加入糖， 通常100毫升的咖啡中只加2小匙 的糖，这时咖啡若是略酸带甘甜 味，表示品质好，冲泡恰当。接 着加入奶油，冲淡酸味。
专辑：《To Hebe》 歌手：田馥甄 推荐：“Love?” 《离岛》
, , , , , 女子乐团S.H.E展开为期一 年的单飞不解散活动之后， 人气成员田馥甄的首张个人专辑 《To Hebe》终于发行了！ 独特嗓音和重量级音乐人的精 心打造，这张备受瞩目的专辑成 为了今夏唱片中最抢眼的新星。 作为专辑开场曲，首播清新主打“Love?”就以神秘空灵的女声直 入人心，轻声哼唱的旋律里蕴藏着淡淡的忧愁，慵懒的低吟不禁将 人带进关于爱的音乐世界。 随后的小曲同样细腻动人，陈珊妮操刀的《To Hebe》道出了田 馥甄内心的坚持：总会有一首歌／唱清楚你的方向感。Hebe要的 “不只是偶像崇拜”，而是用谦卑的爱娓娓道来，传达内心的感动。 第二波主打《寂寞寂寞就好》则以成熟震撼的传唱性直入人心， 田馥甄多变的演唱实力在这里发挥得淋漓尽致，为专辑增色不少。 整体听来，11首歌曲不尽是空灵清透，更有诚挚温暖。除此之 外，专辑的音乐风格有民谣、爵士、抒情摇滚，堪称音乐性丰富的 精彩佳作。 （文／李玮妮）
继
专辑：《极限》 歌手：徐佳莹 推荐：《极限》 《迪斯可》 , , , , , 佳莹狂喜、狂爱与狂悲的一 面，凸显在专辑中，表达自 己在人生道路中的风景与成长。 除了制作外，她也包办了词 曲创作与合声，全方位下足了功 夫，使专辑里的个人特色非常浓 厚，主题也鲜明。 这次徐佳莹挑战婉约凄凉的歌 曲，冰凉的声音使感伤的歌曲发挥了效用，仿佛听着阿桑和陈绮贞 歌曲类似的感觉。 主打歌《极限》更把徐佳莹的心思道破，副歌中的：我的极限就 到这里／就算永远不能痊愈，对挫折的描写一针见血，词曲配合无 间。歌词方面简单易懂，拿掉花俏的因素，使心理写照更透明。 《迪斯可》中一句：我跳着迪斯可在你的胸口，有种画面感与童 话故事般的想象，也表达歌手对情人与情感的奢求。抒情快歌，可 惜缺少韵脚，否则必定有深一层的感动。 出身于星光帮，因而对专辑怀有一定的期待与惊喜，遗憾的是 歌曲中规中矩，没有明显的突破，缺乏耐人寻味又嚷嚷上口的主打 歌。曲风更是千篇一律，非主流的歌曲居多，从中找不到能登上榜 首的作品。听完了整张专辑，并没留下深刻的印象。（文／林维彬）
徐
（节选摘录自邱少华教授著《咖 啡研究》）
如何泡一壶好茶？ 泡茶除了需要茶叶，水和茶具也 是不可或缺的，因此必须选择质 量好的水及合适的茶具。 水可以选用自然矿泉水，或者是 自来水。但自来水最好要隔夜放 置，也可以在水中放入几粒麦饭 石，让水味自然。 宜兴紫砂壶采用五色泥土制成， 泡茶得其真味、隔夜不馊，而茶 壶使用越久，空壶无茶也能有茶 味，该茶壶被喻为最好的茶具。 传统的饮茶文化，多以热开水冲 泡。不过，最佳水温不应超过摄 氏90度，绿茶类的则最好不要超 过摄氏80度。 最近也兴起冷泡茶，即是将茶叶 浸泡于冷水中四至八小时。不仅 可以放在冰箱冷饮，也可在常温 下喝。冷水能减少咖啡因释放， 不影响睡眠。但冷泡茶应尽量选 择低发酵茶，如绿茶和乌龙茶。
如何分类茶的品种？ 茶是根据茶叶发酵程度归类，从无发酵排列起至全发酵，可分绿茶、白茶、黄茶、 乌龙茶、黑茶和红茶六大类。 茶叶从树摘下后，损伤部位和空气接触的时间长短代表发酵的程度。接触时间越 长，等于损伤部位氧化的时间也更长，因此味道上也会有所变化。所以要停止发酵 就得将茶叶翻炒，也称作杀青。 不同的发酵和杀青方式也能让茶叶进一步分类。因此就算归类为同颜色的茶，味道 上却大有不同，例如类别属乌龙茶的武夷岩茶和铁观音。
专辑：《新娘》 歌手：林宇中 推荐：《路过的新娘》 《活到一百岁》 , , , , , 别两年，实力兼偶像派歌手 林宇中带着他的第四张专辑 进入我们的视界。暗淡色调与慢 节奏渲染出淡淡忧伤与哀愁，奠 定了新专辑的格调。 照片｜网络下载 在主打歌《路过的新娘》中， 林宇中用那伤感的声音反复唱着“我不该当你是新娘”，传达了两 人仅仅“路过”的无奈与辛酸。在黑白背景下，担纲女主角的Linda 穿着特制婚纱不断奔跑，配合以缓慢的音乐节奏，一种感伤尽在不 言中。林宇中将自己曾经深刻的感受化成音符，深情且揪心地娓娓 道来。 而《活到一百岁》则应是大家喜爱的浪漫歌曲。从年少不懂情到 年老寂寞要人陪，虽历尽沧桑，却仍旧不放弃心中的那份爱。可以 说此歌虽然主题忧伤，但并不会让人失去对爱的信心，反而更能体 会爱的意义。 林宇中维持了他质朴简单的表演形式，也给活在喧嚣中的我们心 灵的宁静。即使歌曲偏于伤感，也值得我们去品味。（文／于佳冬）
阔
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se p t e m b e r 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
娱乐 插班生相互支持
不畏艰辛 一路唱下去 苏文琪●报道 中文编辑
从
比赛劲敌到同居密友， 如今更组成团体，陈迪 雅和杨佳盈将以“插班生”姿 态勇闯唱片界。 虽然组团制作等过程曲折
重重，但第二届《绝对SuperStar》的女子组冠亚军对音乐 的执着丝毫不减。 早在两年前，杨佳盈就提议 要同陈迪雅组团。但是，在之 前加入的唱片公司不到一年， 由于公司和自己的步伐不同， 她们因此选择提早解约。 离开了旧东家后，两人庆幸
能够得到本地著名音乐人林 玉的支持，担任这专辑的音乐 总监。 陈迪雅和杨佳盈亲力亲为， 从专辑封面设计、文案、摄影 等，都由自己还有朋友的帮 助，才顺利完成，但也欠了一 身人情债。 杨佳盈说：“朋友们还会转
熬了两年，陈迪雅（左）和杨佳盈终于圆梦组成“插班生”，唱出踏入唱片界的经历。
摄影|苏文琪
而找其他愿意帮忙的朋友，例 如 玉老师就请他认识的音响 工程师收我们友情价，所以很 幸运一直遇到好人。” 最后，两人把成品拿给本地 的滚石唱片，不久便加入滚石 大家庭。 陈迪雅指着杨佳盈笑说： “她啊，兴奋地和家人朋友说 自己正式成为五月天、陈绮贞 的‘远亲’了！” 相信取三字团名才会出名 谈到团名的起源时，陈迪雅 笑说：“我们起初觉得一定要 三个字，因为红的组合都是三 个字，就好像S.H.E和五月天， 哈哈！” 后来朋友无意中提起“插班 生”，她和杨佳盈都很喜欢， 而立刻决定采用。 陈迪雅认为，她们不老也 不年轻，而且尽管音乐的道路 走得艰辛，她们仍愿意继续尝 试，有插班生的精神。 她说：“其实每当我们进入 新的环境，大家都是插班生， 要以学生的精神面对每一天， 才可以学到新的东西。” 两人在这四年以来互相扶 持，一起度过低潮期，对彼此 可说是十分了解，也非常信任 对方。 陈迪雅笑着形容自己是个凭 感觉走的人，而杨佳盈是比较 理性的，所以很多决定如吃什 么，都会交给她。 杨佳盈也说：“迪雅则很有 创意，能给我很多点子，所以 我也很相信她的直觉。” 她们觉得最低潮的时候，应 该是去年参加第五届《超级星 光大道》海外PK的选拔赛，因
为陈迪雅入选，但是杨佳盈则 落选。 陈迪雅说：“她想为我高兴 但又感到失落，我想安慰她， 但又不知道要以什么立场，那 时大家心里都很乱。”
“其实每当我们进 入新的环境，大家 都是插班生，要以 学生的精神面对每 一天，才可以学到 新的东西。” 陈迪雅 插班生团员
配合首张专辑《人生实验 课》的概念，插班生在两人的 母校南洋女子中学的实验室内 和媒体见面，以被画得五彩缤 纷的白板为背景，为大家现场 演唱专辑中四首歌曲。 新专辑中除了有林 玉和柯 贵民的创作，杨佳盈也尝试歌 词创作，10首新歌就有八首出 自她的手笔，为此还多次和林 玉“吵架”。 在后者的鼓励下，自认中文 不太好的陈迪雅也试着作词， 当中《回忆，这东西》就由她 一手包办词曲。 她说：“我是一个不会逼自 己做事的人，所以通常需要其 他人在旁推我一下，我才会开 始行动。” 虽然是第一次写词，但杨 佳盈说，当初看到陈迪雅写的 词，让她感到惊喜，因为“一 个字都不想改”，可以说两人 在这次经验都有所突破成长。
了解郑和后代悲哀 郭慧盈
虽
以著名历史人物郑和的 一生经历为主要背景， 但更重要的是，这出经典反映 了现代人以及郑和之间的密切 关系。 《郑和的后代》的舞台设计 将人物欲望与现实困境之间的 冲突表现得更为紧张。 为了达到这效果，导演选择 将舞台上方微封起来，形成演 员类似从上方掉进这个空间的 感觉，而这是在其他舞台剧中 不常看到的。 此剧也采用了微弱的灯光效 果，带出如梦境般的氛围与人 物的迷惘和彷徨。 大量肢体动作 提升戏剧张力 此外，继《罗生门》之后， 导演郭劲红再次巧妙地把大量
肢体动作与戏剧相结合，将 《郑》的戏剧张力提升，同时 也挑战演员的体能程度。 《郑》里没有制定的角色， 演员只是一把把声音。所以， 当演员没有对白时，就会通过 身体位置的改变表达思想，协 助将那幕戏体现得更完整。 单凭剧本与肢体语言擦出的 火花，或许不是每个观众能深 刻体会到的，但丰富的历史背 景与戏剧冲突极具吸引力。 郑和是现代人的审查对象 其实，我们都在某个程度上 受到“阉割”。 已故的郭宝昆先生也曾说 过：“现代人也越来越自我 意识到得与失的 论。没有失 去，就没有得到。得到的是什 么，也必然失去的是什么？郑 和可以是我们现代人的审查对 象，郑和是一盏灯。”
《郑和的后代》通过微封的舞台上方，以及微弱的灯光，将人物欲望与现实困境之间的冲突表现得 更为紧张。 照片|实践剧场提供 郑和在事业上平步青云， 除了被明成祖赐姓“郑”外， 还被钦点七次下西洋。但他得 了“姓”却失去了“性”。 有了事业，却没了“根”， 而他这风光伟业或许不是人人
所向往的。 这不禁会让人思考，他寻找 的是否是肉体，还是灵魂上的 安慰。 生活在这繁忙都市的我们也 不过如此。我们的祖先漂洋过
海来到了南洋落地生根，虽过 了好几代，但我们仍受困于文 化失落的窘境中。 我们不断为所谓的梦想奔 波，但最后或许不知得到的是 什么。
25
se p t e m b e r 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
洪芷
神木与瞳校园音乐会
赖铭伟搞笑本领不赖
●报道
首
次以新造型在本地亮相的赖铭伟，被指造型很 “娘”！ 穿上红色长裤、涂上指甲油、烫个卷发、中分发 型，以及明显瘦身成功的造型，让赖铭伟在三周前举行 的记者会备受关注。 这改变让记者不禁问：“这样的造型对摇滚歌手 来说，会不会显得很娘？”黄美珍一旁帮腔笑说： “之前的长发应该更娘吧！” 为配合专辑的新风格，神木与瞳甩开之前摇滚歌手的 造型，穿上较简单，且较多鲜艳色系的衣服。 造型上的突破，对赖铭伟而言是一种全新的尝试。他 认为要以之前的长发来搭配衣服比较困难，反倒是剪了 短发好像比较多发挥空间，也不觉得自己有变“娘”。 搭档黄美珍的造型也有明显变化，甩掉之前“Rocker” 的首饰配件，穿上闪亮的紫色短裙，让她自己觉得更有简 单而华丽的感觉，看起来也比较舒服。 赖铭伟也分享，自己其实还蛮欣赏Justin Bieber，觉 得他很有才华，如果有机会想和他合作。 至于第三张专辑会否再有新的尝试，调皮的赖铭伟 说：“搞不好第三张专辑我们会有舞曲，类似Justin Bieber的‘Baby’！不过，如果有机会出个人专辑，我 比较想做一张不插电音乐专辑。” 黄美珍则比较想做一张两种不同风格，曲风属于两极 的专辑。她说：“就像专辑前段可能是很摇滚的歌曲， 那后面就接很厉害的舞蹈，干掉大嘴巴！”
影评 电影播映室
赖铭伟（左一）不忘发挥模仿才能，模仿YES933DJ陈艾薇（左二）的滑稽笑声，并且还叫黄美珍 跟着做，台上的互动让观众捧腹大笑。 摄影|黄俊森
柯怡
一
●报道
场校园音乐会，在主持 人独特的笑声和演唱嘉 宾连连搞怪下，弄得全场笑声 不断。 在神木与瞳校园音乐会上， 担任司仪的YES933DJ陈艾薇， 笑声非常滑稽，每说一句就露 出“嘿嘿嘿”的笑声，搞得全 场观众哄堂大笑。 但在状况外的赖铭伟和黄美 珍却不晓得同学们为何笑个不 停，一直追问着司仪。 当发现全场笑点源自主持人 的独特笑声，赖铭伟不忘称赞 自己模仿功力一流，接着就模 仿她那极具感染力的笑声，还 鼓励黄美珍跟着做，让在场观 众不由得又笑了起来。 不仅于此，爱搞笑的赖铭伟 继续制造笑料，反变司仪访问 陈艾薇，问她当天来音乐会有 何感想。
不让气氛降温，陈艾薇也 接着玩，感谢前来观看她的学 生，再度让全场笑声不断。 赖铭伟甚至故意问陈艾薇 到底发生什么事，但她故弄玄 虚，又“嘿嘿嘿”地笑了，吊 神木与瞳的胃口。 黄美珍还说：“你到底在 笑什么啊？”场面显得有些尴 尬，却又喜感十足。 校园记者 惊慌失措 神木与瞳三周前在由南大文 化活动协会举办的音乐会中， 开场演唱后和司仪交谈时，看 见位于观众席前排的同学在做 笔记，感到好奇。 于是，便走下台瞧瞧他们在 写什么，搞得记者群惊慌失措 忙收笔记本。 后来发现是校园记者的赖 铭伟也不忘逗笑，对他们说： “原来今天还有记者哦，要不 要喝杯热茶呢？”
神木与瞳把现场歌迷分成两组，以尖叫声进行较量，赖铭伟一脸 自信，觉得他带领的组稳赢了。
神 木 与 瞳 求 新 求 变
为了炒热气氛，神木与 瞳把现场歌迷分成两组，以 尖叫声进行较量。 爱挑逗的赖铭伟以经典 名句“Ladies First”要求黄 美珍带领的观众先开始，却 没想到她大表不满，开玩笑 指着赖铭伟对他说：“你 好贱！” 不仅如此，他们也带 动观众一起做波浪，还学 会了本地用语，知道这叫 作“Kallang Wave”。 两人斗嘴 不分高低 在音乐会后的专访中， 问及斗嘴时谁比较强，赖铭 伟一言不发，脸只转向了黄 美珍。后者想了想才说： “彼此彼此啦！” 神木与瞳在音乐会中演 唱了多首歌曲，除了新歌， 也包括大家耳熟能详的《草 戒指》。 音乐会来到尾声时，他 们也不忘以首张专辑主打 《为你而活》感谢学生继续 支持他们的音乐。 在这第二张专辑《守护 者》里，神木与瞳改变了以 往的摇滚风格，并加入内敛 的抒情歌曲《宽恕》作为主 打歌。 其中，《跟我一起怪》 也是黄美珍首次尝试可爱的 曲风。 她在演唱会后受访时 说，《跟》这首歌对她来说 是种新的尝试。 而当问及以后是否会走 可爱路线，黄美珍回答： “说不定哦！未来的事很 难说！”
照片|邵氏机构提供
电影：《精武风云·陈真》 导演：刘伟强 主要演员：甄子丹、舒淇、黄秋生、黄渤 , , , , , 说《精武风云·陈真》是部动作片，倒不如说是部抗日 片。虽然电影的抗日意识不如《南京! 南京!》等大制作 般强，但甄子丹饰演的陈真绝对证明了中国人不是东亚病夫。 不过就像刘爷（黄秋生饰）说的，单凭陈真和他，两个人 的力量并不能保卫整个国家。因此电影也包含了另一个重要讯 息——团结就是力量。 原以为电影会以倒叙的手法穿插陈真和精武门的纠葛，但 是编剧更巧妙地以一个“精武门”令牌将这段带过去。电影的 开场令人惊叹，同时身为动作导演的甄子丹一下飞檐走壁躲子 弹，一下手刃敌军，动作看似简约却又着实。 这部电影虽然以甄子丹为主，但女主角舒淇的锋芒却无法 被忽视。在这么一个阳刚味十足的电影，她的娇媚、潇洒，甚 至矛盾，更凸显了舒淇演技上的多层次。 由于故事的发展多半在卡萨布兰卡夜总会里，电影的配乐 也成为一大关键。很庆幸的是，导演的确成功结合音效和视 觉。因此不论是舒淇的“卡门”，还是甄子丹的琴声（很多人 或许不知，甄子丹其实琴艺了得），都相当引人“耳目”。 唯一美中不足的，或许是陈真化身为黑侠后的造型。说实 在话，黑侠与青蜂侠的造型十分相似。再来，甄子丹粘上假胡 子扮演齐天元的造型也怪别扭的。 但是这一切都不重要，因为《精》最大的卖点并不是造型 上的突破，而是它拳拳到肉的武打场面，所以《叶问》电影系 列的忠实观众，想必不会错过这部影片。 （文／白雪宁）
要
Opinions frankly, my dear
EDITORIAL
A column by The Chronicle editors on issues close to their hearts
A thinking society In a recent interview with The Straits Times, senior associate at NTU’s Centre for Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Professor Koh Tai Ann posed the question, “What good can we all do?” We have been bombarded with news of our school in the mainstream media, more often than not, in a negative light. However, what gets left out is the good that students and staff in NTU do. Over the past month, the NTU Muslim Society a nd t he N T U Budd h i st Society have been working to raise funds for charities of their choices. Eac h yea r, t he N T U Muslim Society organises an overseas expedition to less fortunate countries to volunteer, rebuild schools and spread some cheer. Si m i l a r l y, t he N T U Buddhist Society chooses a different charity each year to donate all their fund raising proceeds to. Or t he recent t ieup bet ween Na nya ng
Business School (NBS) and Association for Persons with Special Needs Centre for Adults (APSN), where NBS students manage a r e t a i l out le t feat u r i ng products made by the APSN clients, in order to raise funds for the centre. As we strive to be an “achievement-oriented and competitive societ y”, it is a refreshing change to see that our students are making a conscious effort to do good. We are not just occupied with our own grades or hav ing an ex t ra bus service. Instead, we have progressed towards becoming what Professor Koh says i s a “t r u ly thinking society”. Our students want to go the extra mile to make a difference. They have truly thought through it — and realised that while we may not have the best of everything, we definitely have more than what meets the eye.
CH R O N I C L E THE NANYANG
chief editor Shereen Naaz Charles MANAGING editor Law Shi Ming Elizabeth sub-editors Kwan Hui Xian Lau Liang Tong Lin Jieming Melissa Neo Wen Tong Shahida Bte Hassim Yusuf Abdol Hamid News editors Aw Yeong Jia Jia Maxie Wang Simin Lifestyle editors Goh Shang Zhe Kenneth Jennifer Dhanaraj
opinionS editors Chan Xiu Fen Rosemary Goh Jiamin sports editors Eve Yeo Yu Ping Loh Jiaju Ronald layout editors Loh Jun Qi Mak Jinfa Joseph photo editors Chan Wan Wai Eunice Ng Jun Sen graphics editor Choong Jia Tang Alan ONLINE editor Tan Jun Long Jeremy
Reviews editor Lock Mei Jin Clara
business manager Lim Pei Yi Vivian
TECH editor Goh Yimei Gillian
production support Ng Heng Ghee
dapper editors Lim Hui Ching Audrey Tan Jingliang
Teacher advisors Andrew Duffy Debbie Goh Xu Xiaoge
Chinese editors Su Wenqi Wong Kang Wei
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.
Not just for the elite
GRAPHIC | VISHAKA MANTRI
Ronald Loh sports editor
M
y recent spontaneous visit back to Catholic Junior College (CJC) c oi nc ide d w it h t he release of the news that my alma mater had produced its first ever President’s Scholar. It was a proud and defining moment for the school, as Joshua Goh became the first CJC student in the school’s 35 year history to receive this prestigious award. Students, alumni and staff rejoiced at the prospect of finally being able to match up to the elite junior colleges. But is that how scholarships are valued these days? H a v e t he y b e c ome me r e yardsticks for a school’s reputation? Until recently, scholarships were thought to be for only those with elite backgrounds. The common belief was that you had to be from a reputed junior college to covet highly prestigious scholarships such as the Public Se r v ice Com m i s sion ( PSC) scholarship and the President’s Scholarship. If t hat is tr ue, and given Singapore’s meritocracy, it would mean that average students like me would not stand a chance. Thankfully there are those like
Joshua outside the ‘elite’ circle, who dared to try, and succeeded. A friend of mine had scored straight As in his GCE ‘A’ Level examinations but was rejected for an NTU scholarship. Another friend, who had As and Bs, was chosen instead.
But is that how scholarships are valued these days? Have they become mere yardsticks for a school’s reputation? It is still a fact that one requires the necessary distinctions to be considered for a scholarship, as demand far exceeds supply. Howe v e r, t h e r e s p e c t i v e scholarship boards are looking be yond one’s academ ic achievements. The deciding factor has been revealed to be what is on the inside, and not on the piece of paper that one submits. Back in 2009, PSC Chairman Eddie Teo said that personality was one of the deciding factors in selecting their list of scholars.
Applicants for the scholarship are ranked based on the values of integrity, commitment, leadership skills and emotional quotient. Not ic e t h at none of t h e de te r m i n i ng c r ite r ia m a ke s reference to one’s background, and that grades are used solely for short-listing purposes. It is still a meritocratic society that we live in, which favours those at the top. However, that does not mean that others are not given a chance. To me, a scholarship recipient should be someone who embodies more than the academic excellence that he or she has achieved. Recipients have more than mere good grades. They won the award because they had displayed the utmost diligence, discipline and all-roundedness of a student. That does not mean they are of a higher stature than the rest. It simply means that they are given the responsibility to set an example for the rest to emulate. Scholarship recipients are also the ones who are earmarked to be sector leaders of Singapore. Hence they have to be strong characters that can helm their respective industries in the future. Scholarships are a recognition of one’s capabilities, and not something we use to ascertain one’s level of prestige, or just how ‘elite’ one is.
28
opinions
SE P T E M B E R 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
Negative “incentives” Said a student from the School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, “I think it is too much. If it was me, I would just make way for YOG buses. There is no need for a fine.” Others, such as popular Singaporean blogger Mr. Lee Kin Mun (aka Mr. Brown), have made fun of it. There is yet another group of people who think that it is a necessary evil. Said a student from the school of Humanities and Social Sciences “I think Singaporeans are conditioned to follow rules only when rules are in place.” While I do think that the government may be going overboard in micro managing Singapore, I have to concur that we are a people that do not take our own initiative in upholding good civic behavior as compared to other countries.
GRAPHIC | WANG WEI LOONG
Cheryl Cheong
I
n the bestseller Freakonomics, incentives are termed the ‘Cornerstones of Modern Life’. Singaporeans may know a thing or two about incentives based on those we have been given over the years. We have built a worldwide reputation of having one of the most appealing foreign investment policies in the world based on the foundation of numerous incentives. According to the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2007, Singapore was ranked number one for having the most attractive investment incentives. Our use of positive incentives to draw foreign investments has turned Singapore from a backwater mud-town to the metropolis of South East Asia. However, it does seem that when it comes to matters of local civic-mindedness, lawmakers prefer to use the stick to the carrot. More often than not, reminders of rules to follow are accompanied by fines. Furthermore, when we examine the extent of the crimes blanketed by negative “incentives”, it is no wonder that we are known as a ‘nanny state’. Are these negative “incentives” achieving their goals, and where should we draw the line? Using negative “incentives” to attain law-abiding citizens has proven to work in some cases. When we compare a government campaign that mainly motivates versus a campaign that is backed by legal punishment, the latter seems to achieve a higher success rate. One such example is the SMRT no-eating-or-drinking on trains rule.
For years, we have all heard the audio reminder that eating and drinking are not allowed in the stations or trains. Signs of that reminder are also clearly visible. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) even launched a 'gracious commuter' campaign on board trains and buses in May 2009. But it still did not manage to stop an average of 41 commuters caught eating onboard public transport each month. It is widely known that SMRT rarely enforces this rule. However, enforcing it has worked, it seems. Preliminary polls done by STOMP.com showed that 68% of commuters would think twice before eating on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) ever since the media broadcasted SMRT fining commuters.
Are these negative “incentives” achieving their goals and where should we draw the line? This cycle of only getting positive results when admonished brings up the next question: Where do we draw the line? When the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) was held in Singapore, using the bus lane designated for the YOG bus also fell under the negative “incentive” umbrella. Motorists were told to give way to YOG buses or be fined. Many have questioned the necessity of the fine.
If we want the government to slacken the reigns and let us take civic duty into our own hands, we need to prove that as a country, we can handle it. Judging from the way public transport is used, Singapore may seem like the disobedient and difficult child in class. In Japan and Korea, people line up outside the trains and allow other commuters to alight first. In Singapore, however, we tend to bolt for the entrance as soon as the doors open. If we as a country were able to exercise the civic-mindedness that we should have, the government would not need to resort to such measures. According to Statistics Singapore, as of 2009, 96.3% of Singapore’s population is considered educated, 10.1 million foreigners have visited our country and 48% of the population has traveled overseas at least once. Many in Singapore are exposed to different cultures and see both the positive and negative ways people in other countries conduct themselves. This can help us know better how we would like to conduct ourselves. If we want the government to slacken the reins and let us take civic duty into our own hands, we need to prove that as a country, we can handle it. These civic values cannot be imbued overnight and will require time to mature and grow, but unless we instill them ourselves, we should not complain the next time the government slaps us with a fine for something ridiculous.
canteen talk
With fines rampant in Singaporean society, we asked a few NTU students what they thought of such measures and if they would still abide by the rules without these fines.
I think fines keep a tab on people. I would still eat and drink on trains if fines were not in place.
”
Kavya Jahgirdar, EEE, Yr 1, 17
“
I think fines are a good deterrent. I was fined before and it made me more aware of and willing to follow the rules. Tan Hong Chin, CBE, Yr 1, 21
While I find fines necessary, I think actions like giving up seats to the elderly should be done based on conscience.
”
Cecilia Ang, CS, Yr 2, 19
“
Rules are around so that people are not inconvenienced by the actions of others. I do not think I need fines to follow them. Yasyeera Rahim, HSS, Yr 4, 22
Should there be no fear of punishment in Singapore, the message to follow the rules would not get across.
”
Kan Jiajun, CBE, Yr 1, 21 TEXT | GOH JIAMIN ; PHOTOS | NG JUN SEN
opinions
SE P T E M B E R 20, 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
29
a matter of perspective
National day rally reflections Sulaiman Daud
D
GRAPHIC | ALAN CHOONG
Jayashri Lokarajan
T
he recent announcement of providing National Servicemen with a $9,000 reward scheme has left many in various states of discussion. While most show support for this new scheme, some are left pondering why the women have not been duly recognised in this country. According to the Prime Minister, this award stands to emphasise the fact that the Government gives its citizens the utmost priority. Admittedly, it is a kind gesture on the government’s part to honour our men and their contribution to the country. However, it leaves some questioning, what about the women? Are they to be ignored simply because they are not explicitly serving the nation through regimes such as National Service? Should we then make it compulsory for women to serve their nation for two years through governmental schemes, just like the men, in order for them to be recognised as citizens who have sacrificed for their country? Many may argue that the women do not have to sacrifice two years of their lives to serve the
nation, and therefore seemingly have it easier. However, it is important to recognise the contributions of women in our society.
Are they to be ignored simply because they are not explicitly serving the nation through regimes such as National Service? Their sacrifice stems from what is mistaken to be a simple equation between career and family. This is more emotionally and physically demanding than many recognise. Many women who hold full-time jobs and maintain a household are unable to upgrade their skills and advance in their careers due to the fact that they do not wish to put an emotional or financial strain on their families. Instead of ignoring the contributions of such women, the government could come up with reward schemes that will help
URING the recent National Day Rally Speech, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recognised a ‘sandwich group’ of Singaporeans—couples who earn more than a combined income of $8,000 but cannot afford private property. He announced that there will be a new ceiling of $10,000 for this group to purchase flats and to apply for housing grants. This has implications for young couples, some of whom may be in university as it means they no longer have to make hasty decisions with regards to their relationship just to get affordable housing. Prior to the announcement, the Housing Development Board (HDB) required a couple to have a combined income of no more than $8,000 before they can apply for the housing grant. Considering that the grant takes an average of three years before approval, some couples are applying for the grant while still in university to ensure that their combined income does not exceed $8,000 before the grant is approved. Yet, the transition of a relationship from within the walls of a university to the professional one can be a jarring one. It is a change fraught with working women to upgrade their skills or take up diplomas and advanced degrees. To further support working women who are at the same time homemakers, subsidies could be provided to hire domestic help for the duration of their course. Such rewards will allow women to advance in their careers without neglecting or being a burden to their families. Apart from recognising the sacrifices of working women, the government should also recognise the efforts of working mothers who have to juggle their careers as well as care for their children. Many working mothers that I have spoken to have said that the toughest part about juggling the roles that they play is being able to provide the best for their children. When asked about her experiences, a working mother who is in her 40s, said that personal sacrifices would have to be made as the children, family and work are more important than herself. She also added that she had to resort to cutting down on her sleep in order to manage her workload. Another working mother who is in her mid-30s, expressed that she finds it difficult to manage her household financially as the fees for childcare centres in Singapore
unpredictable difficulties that not every relationship can adjust to successfully. The popular saying, ‘A week is a long time in politics,’ can be applied to relationships as well. A student from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI) agrees that this may be a problem should the relationship fail.
She is currently in her final year of study at NTU, and is considering applying for the grant with her boyfriend, also in WKWSCI. She commented: “In the unfortunate event that the couple decides to break up, I suppose the practical thing to do is to continue with the purchase and decide how to sell the flat upon completion.” While being practical, this situation is one that few may be able to tolerate.
This is even more so as regulations require the couple to live in the newly bought flat for a period of five years before resale. The initiatives proposed by the PM lessens the need for university undergraduates in relationships to rush into a decision they might not be prepared for just to qualify for the housing grant. It allows more time for them to consider marriage, and may even help prevent people from planning their relationship around buying a flat. While the new ceiling of a combined income not exceeding $10,000 provides couples with more time to make important decisions, it does not address the waiting period to obtain the loan. This would continue to pose a problem to couples that have already entered the workforce for a few years. The effects of the new ceiling might eventually be cancelled out by the waiting time as their salaries are much closer to it than those of undergraduates. The new initiatives are nonetheless something that undergraduates in relationships can benefit from. Hopefully, they will give couples additional time to focus on nurturing and strengthening their relationship. After all, building a future together out of monetary concerns is not the best of foundations for a strong marriage.
are rather expensive. To resolve this, companies can be made to provide childcare services for working mothers. This would leave a bigger portion of their salaries to them as less is spent on childcare while they are at work.
Alternatively, working women and mothers could also be given monetary rewards through their CPF accounts —similar to the scheme that rewards the NSmen. In this way, women too are rewarded for their contributions, which currently go unnoticed.
He announced that there will be a new ceiling of $10,000 for this group to purchase flats and to apply for housing grants.
GRAPHIC | JIANG ZHUO QING
sports
SE P T E M B E R 20, 2010
T h e na N ya ng c h ron ic l e
bpl talk
Twilight years of a footballer
31
they said that?
Age and injury are the determinants of the end of a footballing career
“Look, I'm a coach, I'm not Harry Potter.”
Bhavan Jaipragas
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho (below), on how he would require time to gel his squad together
“I AM getting old and my body is asking me to stop.” These are the words of three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Ronaldo, well aware that the end is nigh for his illustrious career in world football. The Brazilian striker, dubbed "The Phenomenon", will retire next year at 34. Moving to the less frenetic Brazilian league with Corinthians has not helped the former superstar of European club football extend his career, though several of his footballing peers have found a second lease of life on the pitch in more physical leagues. The Barclays Premier League (BPL), arguably the most physical of them all, has always been a place for seemingly ageless football artisans to thrive. Manchester United’s custodian Edwin van der Sar is t he figurehead of the league’s elder statesman, holding on to a first team place even as he approaches his 40th birthday. His colleagues in the middle of the park, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs—both of whom recently passed their 35th birthdays—are the twin engines of United’s midfield. The decision to retire from football typically stems from a serious injury, or simply being too old to keep pace with the game. However, some players have the rare gift of longevity. For Giggs and Scholes, the secret to remaining at the top of their game
GRAPHIC | NICHOLAS K. TAM CAUGHT BY AGE: Ronaldo (above, right) is feeling the strain of age.
is adapting their style of play to match their reduced fitness levels. Sc holes, ha i led by World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane as “undoubtedly the best midfielder of his generation”, is no longer the box-to-box player he was in the late nineties. These days, his team benefits from his preference to sit deep in midfield and dictate the flow of the game, while younger players surge forward. Not all share the good fortune of these older players, who manage to stave off retirement with their relatively good health and ability to recover from serious injury. Last year, former West Ham and
England striker Dean Ashton was forced to announce his retirement from professional football at the age of 26 after failing to recover from a long-term ankle problem. The robust nature of the BPL means that the threat of injury is always high, especially for older players past their physical prime. Rather than retire, some players are following in the footsteps of football legend Pelé, who moved from the Brazilian league to the United States at 35. Playing in the United States’ Major League Soccer (MLS) has become a swan song of sorts for ageing European football stars seeking an easy run-out before exiting the game.
PHOTO | INTERNET
Dav id Beck ham, t he most prominent European export to the MLS, is now joined by former BPL stars like Fredrik Ljungberg, Thierry Henry and Juan Pablo Angel. The decision to retire from professional football is probably the hardest one a player will have to ma ke i n h i s ca r eer. Sadly, players like Ronaldo chose to play well past their prime, an unfortunate blemish on an otherwise sparkling career. For many others, like Manchester United’s elderly triumvirate, age is but a number as they def y convent ion to remain at t he pinnacle of football.
sports talk
To coach or not to coach?
The relationship between athletes and coaches has become more uncompromising Alvin Chia
ON THE road to glory, athletes are finding that their symbiotic relationship with coaches can, and often must be broken. In an increasingly resultoriented atmosphere, coaches are taking the fall for the poor performance of their charges. Unsurprisingly, frustrated players are taking the initiative to seek out different coaches for a better chance at success. Even at the highest level, top ranked athletes are replacing their mentors. In 2007, former tennis world number one Roger Federer, 29,
announced his shocking split from his coach of two years, Tony Roche. Roche has been hired, ironically, to help Federer improve his clay court game and win the elusive French Open. Federer, who has been known to go without coaches for extended per iod s, event ua l ly won t he French Open in 2009 without a coach. For some, frequently replacing their coaching staff is no guarantee of success. At 23, British world number four Andy Murray has yet to win a Grand Slam, despite having gone through at least four different coaches. On the flip side, world number one Rafael Nadal has remained faithful to his lifelong mentor and uncle, Toni Nadal. The correlation between coaches and success, it seems, is a complex matter. T he ne e d s of at h le te s at
different stages of their career is also a major factor in deciding when to move on to a new coach.
For some, frequently replacing their coaching staff is no guarantee of success Nat iona l sw i m mer Tao Li par ted ways wit h her coach, 34-yea r-old Peter Chu rch i l l, early this year, claiming that she was “too familiar” with him and that she needed a different programme. The training regime of each athlete has to be tailored according
to their sport and calibre in order to maximise results. In this climate, coaches need to adapt to the changing demands of their protégé. As his or her success grows, players seek specific goals for improvement, like Federer’s clay court ambitions. T heir responsibilities also include managing their player’s emotional state, especially during crucial points in a game. The rallying cry of a coach from the sidelines can help ease a tense moment, or draw attention to some area of play needing immediate adjustment. Arguably, a strong personal connection between coach and player is most conducive for helping the player reach his full potential on the field of play. Cultivating this relationship requires longevity, something athletes should think about before they reach out for a new coach.
“In the hotel they have free shampoos, this kind of stuff. Maybe it could be a last minute present... But don’t tell him!” Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, on finding out that it was teammate Mark Webber's 34th birthday
“It's difficult to play as well as we did today.” Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, on his team's 5-1 Champions League win over Panathinaikos
”I want to be a legend.” Usain Bolt on defending his Olympic and World Championship sprint titles
”The guy who cracks least will be world champion.” McLaren driver Jenson Button on what it takes to be successful in Formula 1 racing
Sports
What happens when it ends? Page 31
Bulk up the correct techniques An orientation programme aimed at promoting a gym culture December Liow STUDENTS interested in learning correct gym techniques will be able to do so in the new gym orientation programme. The objective of the programme is to inform students about gym etiquette, rules and regulations, and proper use of machines to ensure their safety, explained Mr Darren Chua, assistant manager of the Sports and Recreation Centre (SRC). Gym etiquette has been a sore point, with some users dressing i nappr opr iate ly i n sl ippe r s , ignoring the registration book, or leaving free weights lying around after their workout. T h roug h t he prog r a m me, Mr Chua hopes to reduce these occurrences and encourage those who are inexperienced to use the gym. The gym orientation is part of t he Re’k r e-at prog r a m me organised by the SRC, which specifically targets new students and inexperienced gym users.
THE RIGHT WAY: The gym orientation aims to increase awareness of gym ettiquette and safety.
The one-hour session is divided into two parts. The first is a demonstration of
various machines, such as the multistation, and free weights exercises. The second half is a question-
PHOTO | JEANETTE LIM
a nd-a n s we r s e g me nt whe r e participants can pose specific questions with regards to training
tech n iques. T he sessions are conducted by a senior fitness instructor from the Singapore Sports Council. Most of t he st udent s T he Na nya ng Ch ron icle spoke to welcomed the idea of having a gym orientation program. “I believe that the programme will help me to be familiarised with machines other than the treadmill,” said Willis Turner Henry, 21, a final year student from the School of the Art, Design and Media. Of those who signed up, Ng Lay Yong, 22, a final year student from the School of Materials Science and Engineering, hopes that with better understanding of the equipment after completing t he prog r a m me, she w i l l be visiting the gym more often. “I would also like to know what workout is suitable for me,” added Ng, who aims to participate in a marathon in the near future. There will be two sessions of the gym orientation programme on September 23rd and October 7t h. Placement s a re on ly available through booking on the website. For students who miss it this time, plans for another series in the next semester are under consideration, said Mr Chua.
sports profile
Not plain sailing Ng Hoe Guan
WHAT does it take to become Sportswoman of the Year? Sk i l l, of cou r se, a nd determination. But many athletes have that. What sets yachtswoman Jovina Choo, 20, apart was the level of her commitment to sailing. Like paying out of her own pocket to travel round the world to try-outs and events. Choo spends hours weekly teaching young sailors to earn money for her travels, so that she would not have to ask her parents for money. She is also working with an events company to give the financial backing for other young athletes to help them realise their dreams. In some ways, Choo, NTU’s S p o r t w o m a n o f t h e Ye a r (2009/2010), is continuing a passion for the sport started by her parents.
Her father works in the shipping industry and enjoys sea travel. “My parents were the reason why I started sailing,” said Choo. “They even bought me a boat when I was 11 years old at the Optimist level so that I could continue training.” At the time, the yacht club was out of boats for charter. Beyond that, her parents made the effort to drive her down for training every weekend. “It was their push for me to get better that sparked my passion,” she added. That drive has shown itself time and again. She has represented Singapore in the International 420 dinghy sailing category, and was also one of the pioneer batch of students at the Singapore Sports School (SSS) in 2004. C hoo i s a se cond-yea r student in the Sports Science and Management course in NTU which began its matriculation last year.
To nurture the next generation of young sailors, she works as a part-time coach at several centres such as the National Sailing Centre and the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club. Working helped her to earn the money she needed to attend sailing trials and training in Europe. A s t he Singapore Sa i ling Federation does not fully subsidise these overseas trials, Choo paid about $1,500 to visit Kiel, Germany and $2,000 to Weymouth in the UK. “Apart from these overseas trips and entry fees for these trials, I also had to budget for the cost and maintenance of the boat, not to add sailing equipment which can cost up to $5,000 in total,” she said. Choo also wants to help other young athletes to fulf il their sporting dreams. With a few friends from SSS, she is involved in an events management company called
SHINING EXAMPLE: Choo goes beyond the expectations of an athlete. PHOTO | NG JUN SEN
Dream+ which specialises in sports teambuilding activities. It aims to use part of its profits to assist student athletes by supporting their sporting needs. Despite her remarkable drive, Choo failed to qualify for the ASEAN Games happening this November. But that has not dampened her passion for the sport.
“Sailing brings you closer to nature,” she said. Choo also added that she liked being out alone at sea where one has to rely on knowledge and instinct to sail smoothly. She sa id: “T he feeling of freedom and being in such close proximity to Mother Nature is also very appealing.”