The Nanyang Chronicle Vol 17 Issue 04

CHRONICLE Asian Sensation PAGE 14

the nanyang

n o v e m b e r 1 , 2 010 | V o l 17 n o 4 | is s n n o 0 218 -7 310 | W W w. n t u . e d u . s g / c h r o ni c l e

Make this your home: SM Goh SM Goh says Singapore should not only be a global city of buzz, but also a home for all Cai Zhimin A fragile sense of the Singaporean identity stood out as the top concern among students who raised questions at the Students’ Union Ministerial Forum 2010 last Friday.

The pessimistic view comes despite a healthy economy and promising job prospects they can look forward to, as shared by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong in his speech.

The forum was held at the Nanyang Auditorium with about 1,000 in attendance.

In line with the theme “Singapore: Global City of Buzz, Home for Us”, SM Goh spoke of the building blocks of a world-class city and home.

One such building block is the strong economy which has yielded many jobs for graduates last year and is set to do better.

“For those of you who will be graduating next year, your job prospects are good as the labour market is expected to remain tight,” said SM Goh. He added that the average gross starting pay for fresh graduates this year has increased from last year’s $2,800 to $2,920.

SM Goh also touched on the importance

of a vibrant lifestyle and staying engaged politically, reminding students to make full use of what Singapore offers.

“As someone observed, Singaporeans are strange people. They work so hard to buy their dream home, but have no time to enjoy it.” He urged the students to choose a lifestyle with family and home at its core so that “our city of buzz is a home as well”.

However, final-year student Lim Zirui from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) said he feels a “dilution of the Singaporean spirit” among the youth due to an influx of foreigners.

In relation to his experience in the army, the 23-year-old said: “I don’t know what I’m defending. We don’t really feel a sense of ownership anymore.”

Such sentiments are early signs of danger, noted SM Goh. “We’ve got to find out the core reasons.

It’s a serious question. The minority will never feel they belong here, fair enough. But if the majority feels this place doesn’t belong to them, they don’t belong here, we’ve got a fundamental problem,” SM Goh responded.

But there is no way we can completely keep foreigners out, said SM Goh. “If we do that, I think Singapore would have gone down much faster.” Rather, moderating the inflow >> CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Better transport and more Halls, please Students at this year’s Ministerial Forum were given a double treat when NTU President Su Guaning took to the microphone for a few minutes.

Mr Goh had invited Dr Su to respond to a graduate student’s question on whether the government has plans to help NTU build more Halls of Residence. The student said five new schools had been created during his six years here, but not new Halls.

Plans to build Halls to accommodate up to 5,000 students are in the pipeline, said Dr Su, who was greeted with raucous applause from the audience. He said: “It (the plans) has been approved by the board of trustees.”

Mr Goh probed Dr Su further, asking if the government could do more for the university.

“Do you need my help?” he asked, the audience roaring with laughter. Dr Su responded in an equally candid manner, asking for better transportation access to the university.

Not letting the NTU president off so easily, Mr Goh said there was no need for better transportation arrangements if there were more Halls. Dr Su echoed students’ sentiments with his reply: “Typically we want both.”

- BHAVAN JAIPRAGAS

Lifestyle

Tech

Super sized meals

PAGE 8-9

南苑

Bag it yourself Find out how to transform an ordinary bag into an extraordinary camera carrier.

Double the pleasure of feasting by sharing dishes in upsized portions.

ENGAGING YOUTHS: Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was at ease with the students, and answered questions humourously.

PHOTO | EUNICE CHAN

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Opinions

“I like it...”

团员缺席 苏打绿演唱会照举行 25页

Sexual innuendo may sell cars and beer but not breast cancer.

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what's up on campus risk management and compliance corporate talk

drama external performance 2010 《莱茵街》

Representatives from American Express International Inc. will share with students their experiences and insights about the risk management industry. Refreshments will be provided. Come dressed in Business Casual (attendees in appropriate attire will be requested to leave). Cost is $2 for non-members, complimentary for members. Seats are limited at 30.

Treat yourself to the NTU-Chinese Society's special biennial drama event. Also open to the public.

2 NOV 12PM-1.30PM ( R EG I S T R AT I O N S TA R T S AT 11.45AM) NBS STUDENT LOUNGE

Volunteer as a befriender or usher for the YMCA Opera Treats, a community service programme that promotes intergeneral bonding and aims to bring cheer to the elderly through an afternoon of opera delight.

more than jazz that

12 NOV 7PM GENE X IS THE AT RE, FUSIONOPOLIS YMCA OPERA TREATS

Groove along as NTU CAC Jazz and Blues explores not only Jazz and Blues but also other music genres such as Pop and Rock. Admission is free.

4 DEC 2PM-7PM YMCA, ONE ORCHARD ROAD For more information, contact Florence Lee (6586 2343)

4 NOV 1PM-3PM CANTEEN B (CONCOURSE)

If you have any exciting campus events, do contact us at chronicle@ntu.edu.sg

>> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

'I'm here, I can't duck' of foreigners should be the way to go, he added.

He encouraged the integration of foreigners into society and assured local students that the opendoor policy is for their benefit.

SM Goh also took the opportunity to gather opinion. “What do you want me to do to make you feel that you belong?”

Similarly, final-year student Garen Kwan, 24, from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences asked what it is about Singapore that makes it home, more than other globalised cities.

In response, SM Goh spoke of the emotional attachment one should be able to feel, given the shared values and culture, be it Singlish or passion for local food.

Besides issues on rootedness, students also hoped that the government could do more to connect with the people.

A third-year MAE student, Pee Xiu Yi, stood up and declared: “I’m 23 years old and this is the first time I can get a politician to answer my question.“ Although Pee added Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan on Facebook, he does not

expect to hear from Mr Mah, who heads Tampines GRC. Pee felt that ground sentiments are seldom heard and hoped that the opinions can be responded to, not merely summarised into statistics.

In response, SM Goh explained the practical constraints in spending time responding to all queries, adding that it might elicit more fruitless debates.

He also suggested students actively take part in discussions and raise questions to politicians face-to-face.

“I’m here, I can’t duck because I’m here for a dialogue session,” he said to a cheering crowd.

Questions were also raised on how the government can deal with an ageing population and help ease the future burden they have to face.

Ultimately, while the government has tried to “create as perfect a society” for the younger generation, SM Goh encouraged students to think beyond the topics discussed.

“Bear in mind you are the ones to hold Singapore up and bring Singapore forward,” SM Goh said.

Science maestros to head NTU Shereen Naaz Charles chief editor

NTU will see a change in leadership in the next academic year as Provost Bertil Andersson becomes the new President.

Professor Freddy Boey, currently the Chair of the School of Materials Science and Engineering, will be the new Provost.

These changes come after President Su Guaning announced that he will be stepping down after two terms as President of the university. The news was released to students and staff via email during recess week.

To allow enough time for a successful turnover, a six-month “transition period” has been put in place by Dr Su. In his October newsletter, Panorama, to all NTU staff, Dr Su said that during this period, Provost Andersson will take on “additional functions while also ensuring a smooth Provost transition to Freddy Boey”.

In a statement released by the NTU Corporate Communications Office, Dr Su will only step down “after putting in place a capable succession team”. This will take place from January 1st to June 30th next year.

Professor Andersson was appointed as Provost in 2007. With his background in plant biochemistry, he has helped redefine science and engineering for NTU. He has also been crucial to the upcoming medical school partnership with Imperial College London.

Professor Freddy Boey who joined NTU in 1987, has won more than S$30 million in research

grants in the last three years.

Through his commercial biomedical application breakthroughs, he has had several patents licensed to US biomedical companies, and has founded four start-ups based on patents from his research teams.

Dean of College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Professor Alan Chan said that a seamless transition is important for NTU. As Provost Andersson and Professor Boey begin their transition to President and Provost respectively, Professor Chan shared that it was important for students to understand the difference in the roles they will play.

He said that a President can be likened to the Chief Executive Officer of an organisation, and is “responsible for the entire operations of the university”.

On the other hand, the Provost tackles academic issues such as assisting the president to ensure the university offers a good education and research programme.

However, this distinction in their job scope is unclear to most NTU students.

Final-year student Diyana Lee, 23, admitted to not knowing much about their roles and responsibilities.

“I don't know the difference between them, or what they do," said the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) student.

“Occasionally we'll get emails from them about an event but that's about it,” Lee added.

Her sentiments are echoed by Amrish Nair, 24, a final-year student from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

“I don't think it's very nec-

news flash us president appeared on the satirical show The Daily Show with Jon Stewart to appeal for more time to carry out his reforms. The Daily Show is a satirical comedy show that draws its content from politics and the national media. Mr Barack Obama is the first sitting US president to appear on the show. singapore's capital and signed a US$4 0 million joint venture with Vietnam's No Va Land Investment Group following the meeting of the two Prime Ministers. The two countries also reaffirmed strong bilateral ties. apple has decided to delay its release of its white iPhone again until early next year. The original release was set in July but was delayed to later this year. hundreds of people are still missing af ter the recent tsunami that hit several Indonesian islands. Poor weather is slowing rescue efforts and the scale of damage in some worst-affected communities are still unclear. retirement age may have to be raised to 68, said Cabinet Minister Lim Boon Heng. Citing Finland as an example, he said Singaporeans need to work longer as their lifespan increase to save enough for old age. answers to the o-level Elementary Mathematics Paper 1 have been published online barely a day after students sat for the examination. This raised concerns from parents if the questions were leaked before. The person behind the website however said students gave him questions from memory and he worked out the answers himself.

correction “PUTTING THINGS IN MOSAICS PERSPECTIVE" (VOL 17 NO 3, PAGE 5) In paragraph six, producer Crispin Rodrigues' quote should be "The Singaporean society is very based on productivity. If you have a disability, you cannot contribute as much as a regular Singaporean. But these people are as normal as us."

In the photo caption, the name of the play's director should be Stephen Fernandez, not Farnandez. “moments of glory at the games” (Vol 17 No 3, page 35) In the section of WOMEN'S SOCCER DEFENDED THEIR CROWN, the name of the team captain is Ang Kuan Ren, not Ang Kwan Ren. NEW LEADER: Provost Bertil Andersson is due to take on the post of President come July next year.

PHOTO | NTU CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

essary for students to be aware of their roles because they don't deal specifically with individual students. I personally don't think that it makes a difference to the education we receive,” he said.

However, there are students like 22-year-old Sarah Chang, a final-year student from HSS, who understand their roles clearly and feel that it will be a shame if university students graduated with-

out this basic knowledge.

“It's only important that we know who is leading our school.

Wouldn't students want to know who decides their academic curriculum every year?” she said.

Both President-Designate and Provost-Designate, as well as Dr Su, were unavailable for comment at press time. An announcement about the future leadership will come within a few weeks.

“university sports go digital” (Vol 17 No 3, page 36) IVP stands for Institure-VarsityPolytechnic Games, not Inter-Varsity Games. “food for thought in sports” (Vol 17 No 3, page 36) The nutrition talk was organised by the Sports and Recreation Centre under the Re'kre-at programme, not NTU. We apologise for the above errors.

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Alumni award recognises family's contribution

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Brouhaha over food

Amelia Tan When Mr Chen Mong Tse sold the Shanghai Book Company, a family business for 83 years, his first thought was to donate $1 million from the sale to his alma mater.

With a matching government grant, a $2 million programme was created using Mr Chen’s donation for NTU students under the Bachelor of Art (Honours) degree in Chinese. It will offer four scholarships and 12 bursaries to students with values of $8000 and $4000 respectively.

Mr Chen, along with his wife Madam Chai Chu Chun and sister, Ms Chen Mong Sing, all from the pioneer batch of Nanyang University, were honoured with t he Na nya ng A lu m n i Awa rd on October 23rd, during NTU’s Alumni Night in the Nanyang Auditorium.

Organised by t he A lumni Affairs Office (AAO), the ceremony is part of NTU Homecoming, an annual event that invites alumni back to NTU. Mr Chen’s award is the first Alumni Award given to a family.

Said Mr Chen: “I’m glad this award is not presented just to me. It’s good that they recognised my family’s involvement as well.”

This year saw the most number of awards presented to alumni for their contributions to the University.

HUNGER BREEDS ANGER: A caterer (in black) tells an alumna that dinner is not ready while other hungry alumni look on.

ALUMNI GOODWILL: Mr Chen Mong Tse and his family receive the Nanyang Alumni Award from NTU President Su Guaning (far left) and Guest of Honour, Minister of Education Dr Ng Eng Hen (centre).

PHOTOS | NG JUN SEN

The awards also acknowledge NTU graduates with outstanding achievements, spanning the fields of academia, research, public service, sports, science and technology.

Awardees include Dr Chee K heng Hoy from the Science Class of 1962, a world expert on rubber tree diseases and Ms Pang Soh Chui Sophia from Nanyang Business School Class of 1999, who is the first Singaporean woman to ski to the South Pole last year.

Mr Stephen Lim, a graduate from the Commerce Class of 1975, was recognised for his performance in ultra-marathons.

At 57-years-old, he was the oldest participant to complete the 218km Run Round Singapore, which is the equivalent of five full marathons.

“I am honoured to be acknowledged despite having left my alma mater for so many years,” said Mr Lim, who is also listed in the Singapore book of records for completing the 217km Death Valley Challenge in the US in 2007.

“I believe that the awards are an encouraging way of recognising NTU students,” he said. “It shows that the school desires to treasure its connection with the alumni community.”

Hu ngry alumni who lef t the Alumni Night cultural performances midway to have dinner were stopped from eating, leading to a minor scuffle with catering staff.

The group of alumni wanted to start on the buffet at the Nanyang Auditorium as the food covers were removed at 8.30pm.

A staff from CJS Catering, which handled the dinner, said: “We were given instructions that the event was not over, so we asked them to stop.”

The performances eventually ended at 9.30pm.

Matters got out of hand when the staff removed the utensils to stop people eating. A staff member even accused an alumnus of lacking etiquette despite being a graduate.

NTU offers Arabic next semester

International flavours at the heart of NTU

Arab culture increasingly popular with students

Trinh Hoang Ly

Goh Siew Luan Students can look forward to a new Arabic language course next semester.

The Language and Communication Center (LCC) of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) decided to offer the language after its survey with students in 2008 showed the popularity of the language.

According to the Deput y Di r ec tor of LCC, Dr Sujata Kathpalia, LCC plans to offer Arabic as it is the second most popular Asian language after Thai, according to the survey.

In January, third-year biological sciences student, Siti Radiah Binte Safie, 21, initiated a petition for LCC to offer Arabic language.

The petition that was signed by 111 students reaffirmed LCC's decision to offer the language, said Dr Kathpalia.

In NTU's basic Arabic course,

students will learn Arabic alphabets, vowels and tones, build simple sentences, and appreciate Arabic culture and customs.

Students have many reasons for learning the language.

Siti said: “Taking language courses outside are expensive, so it would be good to be able to learn the basics in school.”

As she considers furthering her studies in Saudi Arabia, knowing the language would be useful.

Others want to better understand the exotic Arab culture.

First-year maritime studies student Samuel Cheng, 21, said: “Many people learn languages like French, Spanish and Japanese. I would like to learn something different from everyone else.”

The new module will make it easier for students to learn the language.

Final-year business student Shiang Qin Pei, 21, said: “I considered going to National University of Singapore for a semester to learn Arabic. Now that it will be offered in NTU, it is much easier for me to take it.”

instead of lunch at a crowded canteen, biological sciences PhD student Nguyen Kien Truc Giang, 24, was comfortably seated in the air-conditioned lounge of the International Student Center (ISC), relishing Thai green mango salad.

He was not alone. Around him were over 40 students from countries including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Italy, China, Germany and India.

They were attending the Thai luncheon organised by ISC on October 22nd.

The one-hour lunch is part of a ser ies to introduce food from different countries. They also feature demonstrations by international students on how to prepare simple dishes from their countries.

Since the semester started, participants have learned to make Vietnamese spring rolls, Japanese sushi and Indonesian ondeh ondeh.

Priced below $4 and capped at 80 participants, the buffet lunches are meant to be affordable and promote cross-cultural interaction

among st udents, said an ISC spokesperson.

Dean of Students, Professor Lok Tat Seng, a regular at these events, said: “I look forward to Middle Eastern food, Egyptian food, African food, even worms and grass.”

These sessions also help Hong Kong student Gigi Auyeung feel less homesick.

Alumnus Jee Su Giam said the caterers were hostile and handled the situation badly.

“I think it was miscommunication on their part. We were hungry and assumed that it was okay to start eating when we saw the food,” he said.

Mr Jee said: “The organisers should start dinner earlier for future events. There were older people among the crowd as well, and it’s not nice to make them go hungry.”

Head of AAO and organiser of the event, Mr Soon Min Yam, only found out about the dinner incident much later.

However, he feels that the incident should not detract from the main aim of the event, which was to cultivate good ties with the alumni and appreciate their long-standing efforts.

“It definitely helped me to get used to a new environment and make a group of fun international friends,” said the 22-year-old from the School of Materials Science and Engineering.

Besides the luncheons, ISC also organises regular coffee sessions that feature activities like Indian Bhangra dancing and Malay and Mandarin language workshops.

T hese event s a re open to all NTU students regardless of nationality.

Said Professor Lok: “At the end of the day you’re not here just for the food but to educate yourself.

Stretch your imagination.”

STUDENT DEMONSTRATION: The international crowd watches Thai students demonstrate how to prepare traditional Thai mango salad.

PHOTO | GOH CHAY TENG

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Parents get a taste of school Trinh Hoang Ly Sharifah Fadhilah Alshahab Food, workload, classrooms, living conditions and career prospects were aspects of school life that parents of NTU students wanted to know about.

Many of them came looking for answers when they visited NTU on Parents' Day on October 16th.

Some parents even flew in from other countries to attend the event.

Mr Hoang Quoc Khanh, 50, who flew in from Vietnam said: “I wanted to know what my son’s life is like and now I know. It’s definitely worth flying over.”

The father of a freshman from the School of Computer Engineering (SCE) said he could feel that the school cares about his son’s welfare. After talking to NTU President Dr Su Guaning, he felt that NTU gives students very good career guidance.

Parents' Day kicked off at Nanyang Auditorium with talks and performances, and parents mingled with the Dr Su and other faculty members over breakfast reception. Among the popular topics of conversation were cumulative grade point average, degree classification, hall points and ECA activities.

More activities were laid out for parents at their children’s respective schools after that.

At SCE, parents saw a demonstration of a rain detector. They

also got to try the system and ask the lab technician about the Final Year Project (FYP) and lab sessions their children go through.

Among the parents at the lab, Mr Prem Prahash, 57, said such activities enhance closeness between parents and the school.

“Through this, I get a feel and get connected with the school and the professors,” said the guardian of a first-year student at SCE.

“My son is definitely at the right place."

Mr Andrewinoto Hartono, 54 Parent of first-year Nanyang Business School undergraduate

In the afternoon, parents could choose to attend workshops, take a guided bus tour around campus or get a free medical checkup at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic. The last was highly popular with parents, as they filled the lobby signing up and waiting.

One workshop was about stress. Nearly 80 people attended the workshop and parents responded to questions from the lecturer actively.

“We are not just putting ourselves in our daughter’s shoes by attending this workshop, we learn how to manage stress as well,” said Mr David Lui, whose daughter is a first-year student at Nanyang

LAB EXPLANATIONS: Visitors were given an introduction to the ongoings in a computer engineering laboratory by lab technician Ms PHOTO | LAWRENCE LIAU Suzie Foo during the laboratory tour.

Business School (NBS).

Chairman of the Engaging Parents’ Working Committee, which organised the event, Professor Er Meng Hwa said: “The main idea of Parents’ Day is to impress (parents), assure them and walk them through the whole process.”

Parents who opted for the campus tour were taken around by a shuttle bus service that stopped at Lee Wee Nam Library and Hall of

Residence 12.

Madam Azizah Rahman, 55, was relieved to find that food was readily available for her son, a first-year mechanical engineering student who stays on campus.

Parents who toured the campus were most impressed by the unique design of the School of Art, Design and Media (ADM) building but many were disappointed that they did not get to explore it.

The activities helped reassure parents that their children are getting a world class education.

Mr Andrewinoto Hartono, 54, is the parent of first-year business student who originally wanted to go to the US for college but could not afford it.

After catching a glimpse of the campus and talking to his son’s teachers, however, he said: “My son is definitely at the right place.”

New tool to predict cardiac arrest BYOB becomes daily Current methods fail to predict needs of patients; new tool helps doctors better allocate treatment Candice Neo DOCTORS can now predict cardiac arrest risks more accurately, thanks to a new software invented by researchers from NTU and the Singapore General Hospital (SGH).

The tool measures the time interval of a patient's heartbeat, so doctors can determine if he is in danger of suffering from cardiac arrest, so as to better allocate the limited medical resources and treatment according to the condition's severity.

“It helps us categorise patients in a shorter time,” said Mr Garion Koh, 28, a research associate at SGH and NTU graduate, who is part of the research team from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) that developed the software.

This equipment is currently used in t he Accident and Emergency department at SGH. Currently, it is hard to tell the

different needs of patients because each of them has a different threshold of pain, Mr Koh said.

“This is a good opportunity for our students to interact and work with doctors and patients."

Associate Professor Lin Zhiping School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Studies show that there is a 50 percent accuracy increase in diagnosis from this tool and traditional methods, as compared to the 40 percent accuracy rate using purely traditional methods of diagnosis, such as checking of pulse rate, temperature, and pain threshold of the patients.

Researchers are keen to extend the use of this tool to other hospitals, both locally and overseas.

“Not only (would we extend it) in Singapore, but if it’s successful,

even overseas,” said Associate Professor Lin Zhiping from EEE, one of the professors leading the research team.

Associate Professor Lin also hopes that this new development will generate interest in biomedical engineering among EEE students.

“This is a good opportunity for our students to interact and work with doctors and patients,” he said, adding that such crossdisciplinary applications will be a learning process for them.

Researchers are now trying to perfect the new tool.

Final-year EEE student Vincent Xie, 24, seeks to overcome the limitation of data imbalance in the tool as his final-year project, which can raise the accuracy of the equipment.

Researchers are also improving the method of measuring patients' pulse rates of patients in ambulances.

Despite the challenges, the team ultimately hopes to improve the human condition through this advancement in the medical field.

“We hope to have a contribution to the society,” Associate Professor Lin said.

NTU shoppers will now have to pay for their plastic bags every day

Lim Yi Han The weekly “Bring Your Own Bag” (BYOB) campaign will soon be a daily routine for some shops in NTU. The stores participating in this campaign are 7-Eleven, Eight Flags Computer Systems and Supplies, Nanyang Mart, Nanyang Minimart, Nanyang Su p e r m a r ke t , T he G r o c e r, Yunnan Bookstore and Campus Book Centre.

Starting mid-November, the new campaign aims to encourage shoppers to use their own bags when they purchase items, to prevent wastage. It is initiated

by EARTHlink NTU. Alternatively, they can pay 10 cents for a plastic bag or purchase a reusable bag for about one dollar.

The proceeds will go to the BYOBDaily@NTU fund to be used for future green campaigns.

Shruti Doddu, publication officer from EARTHlink NTU,

said BYOB-weekly did not work out as well as expected because people avoided shopping on Wednesdays.

According to Doddu, posters, mascots and green ambassadors will raise awareness among students.

Some students are supportive of the upcoming campaign.

First-year student Liu Di from the School of Biological Sciences, 19, said: “It will take some getting used to, but after a while, I will just bring my own bag out of habit."

Final-year st udent Faith Tan, 22, from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) agreed. She said: “For students who are not so environmentally-friendly, this is a good opportunity to teach them, or force them to be."

Other students are not sure if the new campaign will make a difference.

T h i rd-yea r HSS st udent Selina Ong, 21, said: “I think not many of us would actually be deterred from using plastic bags because of the additional 10 cents, especially if you are already paying quite a lot for your items.”

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Business Library gets NTU wins first Learning Commons inter-tertiary Weiqi competition Revamp modelled after LWN library and promises new facilities

Candice Neo two months of gruelling training paid off when the NTU junior team clinched top honours in the inaugural Inter-tertiary Weiqi Youth League’s junior section.

NTU Weiqi Team played host to the competition.

The senior team finished runners-up, losing by one match to the National University of Singapore team in the competitions, which were held on October 23rd at Hall 10 function hall. A total of 70 players from seven local tertiary institutions participated in the competition.

Weiqi, also known as Go, is a board game played between two players by placing black and white stones.

The win by the junior players, who are newer and relatively less experienced, did not come as a surprise to the ex-president of NTU Weiqi Society, Ho Jia Xuan, who helped in organising the competition. “The junior team worked very hard and they showed potential,” said Ho, 24, a final-year student from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS).

This was NTU junior player Jiang Liying's second competition.

The 19-year-old from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS) started learning Weiqi about a year ago.

To her, the rules of Weiqi were easy to learn but it was difficult to be skillful in the game.

“I think this is a good platform for us to gain experience. (The goal) should not be purely to win,” the second-year student said.

As for the senior team, a mistake in a match against Singapore Polytechnic cost them the win.

“I had hoped to win all the matches,” said player Zhang Xiang, 21, who has been playing for 11 years. The first-year student from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering was disappointed with his loss in the first round.

Ho added that many senior players made their fair share of

mistakes that relegated NTU’s senior team to the third position initially. However, due to a seating mistake made by a Nanyang Polytechnic player, which caused his match to be forfeited, NTU moved up to second place.

Ho had initiated the bidding for hosting rights. “I feel that we’re equipped to hold the competition,” he said.

He felt that the new committee had the capability to manage such an event, as they had sufficient manpower and experience. “Also, NTU disappeared from the national scene a while ago and it’s good for the school to do something to boost its reputation,” Ho added.

“I think this is a good platform for us to gain experience. (The goal) should not be purely to win."

Jiang Liying, 19 Second-year student School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Some supporters who attended the event felt that it was run very smoothly. Karen Pooh, a national Weiqi player who came down to support the NTU team, said that the new computerised system that matched player pairings and calculated scores made the running of the event more efficient. “There are no hiccups,” Pooh, 23, a final-year student from HSS. “We intend to bid to host the competition again next year,” said the secretary of the NTU Weiqi Society Rui Ke, 21, said.

The second-year student from SPMS added: “It is the only Weiqi competition among tertiary institutes in Singapore, and it creates more team spirit, instead of just focusing on the individual player.”

FRIENDSHIP OVER WEIQI: Opponents shake hands in friendship after a match.

PHOTO | WALLACE WOON

Cassandra Yeap Blue couches and wooden tables will make way for gleaming chrome and glass and state-ofthe-art equipment at the Business Library.

These changes are part of the Learning Commons concept first introduced at Lee Wee Nam Library (LWN) in March. It will be extended to the Business Library due to students' positive responses.

Renovation will start after examinations end and will be completed a few weeks into the next semester.

The Learning Commons areas support group learning activities.

Head of the Library Facilities Planning Division Goh Su Nee said the library aimed to learn from its experience at LWN, leveraging on good aspects and trying slightly different things.

Discussion Pods, sleek spaces with smart boards or touch screens and f lexibly arranged furniture will be adopted at the Business Library. The main difference will be the full enclosure of pods for greater privacy and containment of discussion.

New features include language learning pods, a career research bench and cinema room.

Students were pleasantly surprised to hear of the changes.

CONDUCIVE WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Some economics student have a project meeting in a Discussion Pod at the LWN library.

PHOTO | LAWRENCE LIAU

Second-year business student Fawn Cher currently holds project meetings in the LWN Discussion Pods.

“We (group mates and her) usually don’t go to the Business Library because it’s tucked in a little corner,” said the 20-yearold.

The changes would be an incentive for her to visit, she added.

The LWN Learning Commons has seen a steady rise in users since its opening, with Civil and Environmental Engineering and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering students among the top bookers of Discussion Pods, according to the library.

Electr ical and Electronic Engineering Masters student Rajivijay s/o Goviendaraju was

studying with a friend in a Pod, which provided interactive learning facilities like the smart boards and ensured they did not disturb others, he said.

Added the 22-year-old: “For studying together, it’s the best option.”

The Pods offer an environment quiet yet suitable for discussion for Duan Yuanbing and Tang Yan Hua, teachers from China here for an eight monthlong course. They often walk over from NIE to use the Pods as they like the quiet of the contained spaces. Tang, 27, said: “I feel like the space is my own.”

According to Ms Goh, the Learning Commons ser ve as experiments for further library improvements.

Bachelors & Masters in 4½ years Leonard How ACA DEMICA LLY exceptional students will soon be able to graduate with both a Bachelors and a Masters degree under a new programme from the NTU College of Engineering – all in just fourand-a-half years.

Students in the Renaissance Engineering Programme (REP), which opens in Academic Year 2011, will go through a specially developed curriculum that marr ies engineer ing study with business and the arts. Graduates of the programme will receive a Bachelor s in Engineer ing Science and a Master of Science in Technology Management.

The goal is for such graduates to develop into “industry leaders who will be able to tackle the engineering challenges of the 21st century,” said Professor Er Meng Joo, professor-designate of the programme.

The selective programme is targeted at the top two percent of students in junior colleges, polytechnics and the region, with the course limited to 50 places.

REP’s curriculum is the first

integrated engineering-business programme in Singapore, with an added liberal arts flavour. Only 57 per cent of curriculum time will involve engineering study – 43 per cent will be set aside for courses in business and the arts.

“We want all our graduates to not just be good in knowledge, but also in interpersonal skills."

Professor Er Meng Joo Director Renaissance Engineering Programme

The ratio is 70 percent to 30 percent for the conventional engineering curriculum.

The integrative pedagogy will enable students to better solve complex real-world problems,

many of which extend beyond the scope of engineering, said Professor Er. Students also get to spend their third-year at the University of California, Berkeley, and work with engineering professionals in Silicon Valley, where they will have a hand in developing realworld industrial applications.

Upon their return, students will engage in a research project where they will use their industrial experience to put together a product and then develop it into a viable business model.

“We want to produce engineers that are able to deliver integrated solutions to engineering challenges and effectively lead interdisciplinary teams,” said Professor Er. R E P i s a r e s u l t of t h e Blue Ribbon Commission on U n d e r g r a d u a t e E d u c a t i on .

L au nc he d by P r e s ide nt Su Guaning in 2007, the commission was set up to assess and develop undergraduate programmes at NTU into a holistic, liberal model.

“We want all our graduates to not just be good in knowledge, but also in interpersonal skills and leadership,” Professor Er added.

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Innovative filter allows clearer reception Lim Yi Han NTU researchers have developed a filter that greatly improves reception on mobile devices by removing nearly all signal interferences.

The low-pass filter is the world's smallest and it allows low frequency frequency signal to pass through while reducing unwanted high-frequency signals from passing through.

The newly developed filter occupies a small area on integrated circuit chips, which can be found in portable devices such as mobile phones and laptops.

The man behind this invention is the Head of Circuits and Systems at the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Professor Yeo Kiat Seng.

“This results in clearer reception and enhanced clarity for mobile phone users. If you are speaking to your friend on your mobile phone in a noisy food centre, you would still be able to hear him clearly,” he added.

This filter is also environmentally-friendly as it consumes less power.

Professor Yeo said that his team of postgraduates took less than a year to come up with the new on-chip low-pass filter, which is 1,000 times smaller than existing off-chip filters.

He gave credit to his team of researchers for this breakthrough.

“There was good synergy and everyone worked very hard. During Chinese New Year, the whole team stayed back. “But we were very passionate about it,” said Professor Yeo.

“We will come up with more inventions."

Professor Yeo Kiat Seng Head of Circuit and Systems School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

The successful completion of this research project was announced at the official opening of VIRTUS, the Integrated Circuit Design Centre of Excellence which was launched by NTU and the Economic Development Board 10 months ago.

NTU President Dr Su Guaning said: “Over the next five years, VIRTUS is dedicated to training more than 100 postgraduate students and researchers with the objective of nurturing a cluster of oustanding integrated circuit (IC)

design professionals for IC companies in Singapore.”

Integrated circuits are complex electronic circuits etched onto tiny chips of silicon, which are electrical semiconductors.

Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Education Mr S Iswaran was the guest-ofhonour for the official opening of VIRTUS at NTU on October 20th.

“VIRTUS will be a pioneer in the field of IC design in Singapore.

It will develop talent, offer leading technologies and create industry spinoffs,” said Mr Iswaran.

He added: “VIRTUS reflects the key role that our universities continue to play in helping Singapore achieve its goal to be one of the most research-intensive, innovative and entrepreneurial economies in the world.”

Professor Atila Alvandpour has been appointed Director of VIRTUS since October 1st. He is also the Head of Electronic Devices Division at the Department of Electrical Engineering at Linköping University, Sweden. He said: “The way to impact is to really push for more scientific excellence.”

When asked about VIRTUS' future, Professor Yeo said: “We will come up with more inventions."

CONNECTING COMMUNICATION: Mr S Iswaran (left) congratulates Dr Su Guaning (right) on the opening of VIRTUS. PHOTO | NTU CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

Muslim Society goes pink Strong interest in e-books Library builds up collection of e-books for education

Muslim Society aims to raise awareness about both Islam and breast cancer

Cassandra Yeap

Lei Jiahui There was no pink in Mudh Muniruddin’s wardrobe. In fact, he has never worn anything pink.

However, the 24-year-old from the School of Electr ical and Electronic Engineering was seen in a light pink polo T-shirt on October 27th, in support of the Pink Hajib Day (PHD).

As part of this year’s Islamic Awareness Program (IAP), the NTU Muslim Society (NTUMS) participated in PHD, a global movement that encourages Muslim men and women to raise breast cancer awareness by wearing pink on October 27th.

NTUMS represented Singapore in this event, as it was the only local organisation registered with the Official Global Pink Hajib Day website.

Many NTU female Muslim students donned pink headscar ves while men showed their support by dressing in pink.

“This is a good way to get guys involved, to create awareness and to spread the message to everyone,” said Muniruddin, a final-year student, who bought his pink shirt just for the event.

School of Humanities and Social Sciences student Amina Maisara, 21, came to school in a pink hijab despite her dislike of the colour.

“It is for a good cause,” said the secondyear student, adding this was a “smart” way to raise awareness. Her friends, who were unaware of the event, asked her why she and other girls were wearing pink headscarves that day.

AWARENESS OF PINK: Women dressed in pink form a ribbon to raise breast cancer awareness.

PHOTO | JEANETTE LIM

The 11th IAP was held on October 26th to October 28th. The theme “The Call for Mankind” aimed to convey the universal values of Islam and show how they are applicable to everyone, including non-Muslims.

Besides taking par t in PHD, the NTUMS held exhibitions on Muslim women and Islamic teachings on cleanliness, animals and goodness at Canteen B and Canopy J. A series of talks and video screenings were also organised for those interested to find out more about the religion.

Sleek e-book readers made their debut at the library’s annual e-Resource Fair, held on October 27th and 28th outside LT1A. The models, ranging from the USproduced Amazon Kindle and iPad to the South Korean iRiver and Taiwanese Oaxis, drew ogles from many students. A large number of them asked the booth’s librarians where the readers could be bought.

Far from being a sales platform, however, the e-book readers were brought in to help promote the library’s e-books and educate students on how to access them, said Assistant Director of Services Development for the library, Ms Phoebe Lim. Downloading e-books to a desktop or laptop was a straightforward process, she said, but not all e-book publishers support direct downloads to e-book readers.

Ms Lim said: “You can use the computer to download the PDF (of the e-book) and then move it to the e-book reader.”

Most of the students handling the e-book readers at the booth named the Amazon Kindle as their favourite.

Said third-year student from Nanyang Business School, Eileen How, 21: “I like the E Ink technology because it’s easy to read, easy on the eyes and it has a keyboard.”

E Ink is the company producing the virtual ink that makes words easily readable on the Kindle device.

How usually downloads classic literature novels, like the Count of Monte Cristo, from the library’s e-book collection for leisure reading.

Also eyeing the Kindle was third-year student from the School of Art, Design and Media, Timothy Tan, 23.

When in the United States, he tried three other brands, all of which are not available here, he said. The Kindle was the only model among the five e-book readers on display that is not sold in Singapore.

Said Tan: “I’m running out of space for books at home. It’s pretty irritating that I can’t find these e-book readers in Singapore.”

The e-Resource Fair introduced him to Asian brands of e-book readers like ECO Reader and Oaxis.

The library has been building up its collection of e-books since 2004 and has over 250,000 titles ranging from engineering textbooks to literature novels. These can be accessed online through the library’s catalogue.

In July, the NTU library became the first university library in Southeast Asia to purchase the Early English Books Online collection, which comprises English texts printed from 1473 to 1700.

Earlier this year, the library also conducted a survey on e-book usage, and found that NTU students from the engineering and science schools tended to use e-books more than others.

Students visiting the e-book reader booth were usually curious about but uncertain of what e-books titles were available in NTU. The most commonly asked question was what kind of e-books the library had, said Ms Lim. Polish exchange student from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Zbigniew Szawerdo, 21, owns a Sony e-book reader that he mainly uses to read novels. His home university in Poland does not emphasise the use of e-books because professors are more traditional, he said.

Added Szawerdo: “Back at home, we don’t really have e-book libraries, we just have normal libraries. Now that I know about NTU’s e-book collection, I’ll check it out.”

Lifestyle Get tipple-happy at beer festivals in Munich - Page 12

monster

meal S

Good things are meant to be shared. Becky Lo explores five food places that offer monster-sized dishes to share with family and friends PEPERONI PIZZERIA 6 Greenwood Avenue Hillcrest Park Opening hours Mon - Sun: 12pm – 10.30pm

PIZZ AS have always been a favourite dish for sharing at parties.

Peperoni Pizzeria’s 21-inch XXL pizza ($50) is specially made to cater to families or groups of four to five people.

About 10 times the size of a normal pan pizza for one, the thin-crusted XXL pizza takes only about seven minutes to bake in a big old wood-fire oven.

Without any additional cost, diners can split the pizza into two flavours for more variety.

Po p u l a r c h oi c e s i n c l u d e Prosciutto Crudo di Parma which comes with mozzarella cheese, par ma ham and a garden of rocket salad leaves; and Suprema with chicken sausage, onions, cheese, chilli padi and shiitake mushrooms.

A group of four friends was seen enjoying a XXL pizza.

While conversations flowed easily with the help of good food, there were still a few fist-sized pieces left at the end.

Merrill Tang, 22, a secondyear student from the School

of Physical and Mathematical Sciences visits the restaurant up to three times a year for social gatherings.

“It is a good thing to be able to mix two flavours in one huge pizza, and it makes a full meal for me and four other friends sharing it,” he said.

I f you a r e eat i ng w it h a smaller group, opt for the pizzas in smaller sizes ( 9 or 12-inch).

Located in a secluded residential enclave at Greenwood Avenue, Peperoni Pizzeria has a wa r m a nd u npretent iou s ambience suitable for gatherings of people with ravenous appetites for mega-sized pizzas and beer.

TREASURE TROVE: The Anbiry Baburu is packed with ice cream, fruits, cake slices, wafer sticks and pudding.

PHOTO | WAN ZHONG HAO

BENTEN CAFE Jurong Point Shopping Centre #03-20/20A Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 11.30am – 10.00pm

IF YOU think birthday cakes are a bit childish, here is some t h i ng d i f fe r e nt: t he Anbir y Baburu ($38.80) at Benten Cafe.

The name of the jumbosized ice cream aptly translates to a good har vest in Japanese, and like farmers gathered round to share the bounties of harvest, diners can tuck into this icy delight in a glass bowl bigger than the size of your head.

It is a feast for the eyes.

The bowl brims with three flavours of ice cream on a bed of corn flakes.

Cu stome r s ca n c hoose from a wide range of f lavours, including mocha and green tea.

The ice-cream is crammed w it h sl ic e s of k iw i a nd strawberries.

Adorning the ice cream’s peak is an eclectic variety of SUPER-SIZED PIZZA: Mix and match two flavours on the wafer-thin XXL 21-inch pizza at Peperoni Pizzeria.

PHOTO | GOH CHAY TENG

ingredients like mango pudding, chocolate cake slices, wafer sticks and fruit like pi neapples a nd honeydew melon.

The crunchy cornflakes provide a pleasant contrast to the smooth and rich icecream T he colossa l desser t ser ves up to eight people and is especially well-liked among students and families, according to Manager of Benten Cafe, Mr Tomohiro Suzuki. “ T he Japa ne se be l ie ve that sharing, together with teamwork and patience, will create wealth. We extended this spirit to the ice cream to create more fun for the customer’s dining experience.”

Hubert Chan, 22, a thirdyear student from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineer ing said: “My friends and I meet for desserts like shaved ice and icecream but this is even better.”

He love d t he plea sa nt surprises in each layer, with its different ingredients and flavours.

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THE KING LOUIS GRILL & BAR VivoCity #03-07A Opening hours: Sun–Wed: 12pm – 10pm Thu–Sat: 12pm – 11pm

THE bare brick wall of the castle’s facade and knight statues that guard the entrance of The King Louis Grill & Bar prepare customers to step back into the medieval times.

They feast in the company of metal-clad knight statues that adorn the themed restaurant, which has full-length windows that provide a splendid sea view.

Operations director Mr David Ng said: “All the King Louis were

famous for their appreciation of the art of eating. We want to create an environment for our customers to do that—to feast and enjoy drinks and live music, but at an affordable price.”

Diners with king-sized appetites are rarely disappointed by the Knight Lancelot’s Platter— but then, for $79.50 they should not be.

The dish is a mishmash of beef steaks, boneless chicken legs, prawns, mussels, grilled fish fillets, butter y vegetables and potato wedges on an intricately crafted silver platter.

It is the size of a ser ving tray, accompanied by sauces like onion sauce and garlic cream.

Though it takes 15 to 30 min-

utes to prepare, it is worth the wait as the chargrilled meat and seafood is mostly done just right, still juicy and tender.

“We like this platter because we get to try different types of items while sharing it with others,” said Loh Jia Hui, a finalyear student from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information.

She managed and wipe the plat te r c le a n w it h he r fou r friends, despite being initially overwhelmed.

Though meant for sharing between two or three people, this heavyweight champion can easily feed four to five, especially when you have to leave space for the desserts.

GUAN HENG DESSERT STALL 724 Ang Mo Kio Ave 6 Ang Mo Kio Central Market and Food Centre, #01-22 Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 10.30am – 8.30pm Closed on Thursdays

PARAD-ICE:Mr Chan takes two minutes to make Ice Mountain. PHOTO | ELSA WANG

NEW YORK NEW YORK CityLink Mall #B1-47A Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 11.30am – 11pm

AT NEW York New York, a casual A mer ican-st yle eater y, t hei r Giant Yankee Burger ($34.90) looks more like a cake than a burger.

Customers have a choice of 600 grammes of either grilled beef patty or fried chicken fillet.

For the former, a thick beef slab covered by a blanket of cheese is sandwiched between two cushiony buns custom-made to the size of a dinner plate.

A mass of lettuce, onions and tomatoes completes the package, and the burger nestles in a bed of golden fries.

Charlotte Kee, 22, a final-year student from Nanyang Business S c hool , sh a r e d t he m a s si ve burger with four friends.

"My f r iends and I played mini games among ourselves such t hat t he ones who lose have to finish up the remaining portion,” she said.

Since they introduced the Giant Yankee Burger in 2006, New York New York gets about

Participants who finish the dish within an hour can eat it for free and get prizes like a t-shirt and a free root beer float.

12 orders per day.

A s a s pe c ia l te s t for big eaters, there is even the Giant Yan kee Bu rger cha llenge for

THE menuboard at Guan Heng Dessert Stall makes customers steal a second glance, thanks to its monster-sized ice kachang, known as Ice Mountain.

It is a py ramid of shaved ice as tall as a half-litre plastic bottle and almost half a kilogram in weight.

Owner Mr Chan Choo Hoi t a ke s t wo f u l l m i nute s to assemble t he monster concoction, compared to just 30 seconds for the regular version.

T he Ice Mountain was introduced in 1987, after some of the stall’s customers asked for it.

Today, National Servicemen and students are its biggest fans, of ten ar r iv ing in groups for social gatherings.

With competition from aircondit ioned food cour ts and restaurants, Mr Chan admits that his business has taken a dip.

O r de r s for Ic e Mou nt a i n have dropped from 30 a day two decades ago to just five a

individuals to brave the burger on their own.

Participants who finish the dish within an hour can eat it for free and get prizes like a t-shirt and a free root beer float.

The top ten fastest finishers of the burger will also have their names displayed on the “honour board” at the restaurant.

Around six people try every day, and the speed stands at 21 minutes. Most people, though prefer to share this enormous burger with two or three friends.

“It's a good bargain, and provides a good photo-taking opportunity a nd chat t i ng topic du r i ng a gathering,” said Goh Rui Long, 22, a final-year student from the School of Humanities and Social Science.

But not everyone is impressed.

“It would be good if we could have some customisations to suit different tastes,” said Yang Boyang, a third-year student

MEAT MIX: The Knight Lancelot’s Platter has chicken and beef.

day. Mr Chan regularly receives orders for food fairs in schools and business events.

It is a pyramid of shaved ice as tall as a half-litre plastic bottle In July, he prepared 60 bowls of the gigantic ice kachang for a club event within an hour.

Like a traditional ice kachang, the Ice Mountain sits on top of half a bowl of ingredients like chendol, a worm-like green jelly, sweet cor n, red beans, at tap chee, a translucent jelly made from unripe nipah palms and canned longans.

On top of these, the simple backdrop of ice provides a palette for multi-coloured syrups.

The Ice Mountain comes in two flavours—chocolate ($5) and classic ($4).

T he for mer i s l iber a l ly splashed with chocolate sauce whereas the classic is dressed in red, green and yellow sugar syrup. One tip, though: Eat with three or four friends with quick scoops.

from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

He thought that it is a meat a nd br ead overk i l l w it h t he heavy work load on the mouth.

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PHOTO | EUNICE CHAN

other places that serve food in gigantic portions 1) Lincoln Tunnel Burger What: Each burger comes with a 250 gramme beef patty, which is 14cm wide and 2cm thick Where: Seah Street Deli, Raffles Hotel. #01-22 How much: $22.90 2) The Cobb Salad What: A hearty salad with grilled chicken, crisp bacon, avocado and cheddar cheese Where: T.G.I. Friday's, The Heeren, #01-K5 How much: $18.90 3) Cookie Monster Mud Pie What: Double chocolate chip and mocha almond fudge ice-cream, nestled on an Oreo base Where: NYDC, Wheelock Place, #02-19 How much: $10.95

“ T he bu rger shou ld come with something green and fresh li ke unsa lted f r ies and have coleslaw so the whole meal is not starchy and filling,” he said.

EAT ME IF YOU DARE: Students about to dig into the star of the Giant Yankee Burger Challenge, which looks more like a cake than burger.

PHOTO | VIONA WANG

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quiet is the new loud

TREASURE HUNTING Lifestyle Editor Jennifer Dhanaraj looks out for rare but cheap gems in thrift stores.

SALVATION ARMy 500 Upper Bukit Timah Road Singapore (678106) Opening Hours: Mon - Thurs: 10am - 6pm Sat: 10am - 9pm ALONG Upper Bukit Timah Road, next to the popular Rail Mall, is the largest of the six Salvation Army outlets in Singapore.

The thrift store is massive, with huge rooms for various types of goods, and clothes and accessories at the front.

Although the clothes may look dowdy and unexciting at first, there are treasures to be found at every corner for those with a keen eye.

Patience is a virtue when browsing at the Salvation Army, and you need time to sift through all of the racks in search of something special.

When a pretty vintage dress or a fitting pair of pants each priced

at less than $8 pops up, it will feel rewarding.

There is also a small but notable section of DVD and VCD box sets of popular shows such as HBO series The Sopranos and the much loved Taiwanese series Meteor Garden.

The quality is never guaranteed, but $8 is a small price to pay for a leap of faith.

Further in is a large room filled with bags, shoes and musical instruments.

The bags come in all different shapes and sizes ranging from picnic baskets to large canvas overnight bags.

It is time consuming but equally fun to sift through heaps of bags (some branded) to find that one-of-a-kind bag with unique embroidery that will definitely set you apart.

The challenge is to tell apart the real goods from their imitations—look for stitching, tags and material as telltale signs.

Be prepared to set aside at least 3 hours for a visit to the store.

THIEVES MARKET: (From top clockwise) A wave of nostalgia hits you as vendors sell plastic toys, manual cameras and cassette tapes.

thieves market Sungei Road Near Sim Lim Square Opening Hours: Mon - Sun: 1pm - 7pm AT THE fringe of Little India is Sungei Road, where coloured canvas tents and a mass of people make the Thieves’ Market.

The Thieves Market, one of the oldest flea markets in Singapore, is so named because in the past, thieves went there to sell their stolen wares.

There is a saying that if you had something stolen, you could always buy it back here.

Lined along the roads, karangguni men haphazardly lay mats on the ground.

They then arrange their goods on the mats, waiting for potential customers.

There are a few gems among the goods, such as old electrical appliances

that range from gramophones to old television sets.

There are also trinkets and accessories, such as vintage brooches, belts, watches and sunglasses.

While they are not of high quality, they are still useable and cost a lot less than at vintage stores.

Classic belts and bags can range in prices from $2 to $15.

You can bargain with vendors, unlike most places in Singapore.

Make sure to point out flaws of the items to convince the vendors that the price should go down.

Some of the items induce feelings of nostalgia.

As I spied a pile of phonecards on one of the mats, I was brought back to a time when my younger self had to endure long queues at the public phone booth to tell my parents where I was.

With its huge weekend crowd and old songs blaring out from stereos, this market is enchanting and differs from the cohesive, organised and clean shops just across the street.

SALVATION ARMY: (From top clockwise) Different products are organised into different sections including PHOTOS | VIONA WANG many shelves of books, stuffed toys and office wear.

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foodsnoop

Time to spill the beans With examinations looming, coffee has become a student’s best friend.

Becky Lo sniffs out three local coffee places that roast their coffee beans for fresh brews PAPA PALHETA 140 Bukit Timah Road Opening Hours: Tues – Fri, Sun & Public Holidays: 9am - 7.30pm Sat: 9am - 9pm Closed on Mondays

YOU KNOW the owner of Papa Palheta is serious about coffee when he does not charge for his in-house blends.

Mr Leon Foo lets his customers leave tips as a token of appreciation for a brew well done.

Among the 100 customers who come ever y day for their caffeine fix, many know Papa Palheta for its fresh, aromatic coffee beans which they buy home to brew.

The name has its origins in the story of Lieutenant Colonel Francisco de Melo Palheta from Brazil.

He smuggled the first batch of cof fe e s e e d l i ng s bac k to SERVE AND BE SERVED: Besides serving coffee, Highlander offers barista and coffee appreciation courses.

HIGHLANDER 49 Kampong Bahru Road Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 9am - 6pm Closed on Sun and Public Holidays

CAFFEINE lovers can be served and lear n to ser ve coffee at Highlander by tak ing up the barista course where they can find out what goes into brewing a blend of coffee.

The six-year-old coffee joint also conducts monthly coffee workshops and cupping classes that teach those with discerning tastebuds to evaluate coffee aroma and flavour.

ORIOLE CAFE & BAR 96 Somerset Road Pan Pacific Serviced Suites #01-01

Opening hours: Mon – Thurs: 11am - 11.00 pm Fri - Sat: 11am - 11.30pm Sun: 10.30am - 11.00pm

WITH intricate white craftings on the frothy top of your coffee, it is a little heartbreaking to disturb such “drinkable art” with a sip.

They call it latte art, stylishly drawn patterns in the foam on a cup of coffee.

And who else better to serve you that than Singapore National Barista and Pura National Latte Ar t champion, Mr Keith Loh, who owns Oriole Cafe & Bar. His bar ser ves 300 to 400

PHOTOS | OW YAN LAN

Highlander is opened by two brothers, Phil and Cedric Ho, who left their engineering jobs for a more fragrant gourmet coffee business.

Coffee made from Sumatran coffee beans tend to turn sour when cooled, unlike coffee made from the Brazilian ones, which has a lingering lively, earthy taste.

A cappuccino ($3.90) made from the cafe’s house blend of beans from Brazil, Costa Rico, Ethiopia and Sumatra, is pleasingly complex. T he coffee is rich, smooth and finishes with a subtle citrus aftertaste.

While being slightly milkier, the latte ($3.90) retains its origi-

nal flavour with a potent kick, giving a heavy, multi-flavoured taste.

The owners are trained as baristas in Australia and receive up to six students in each barista training and cupping class, while their coffee appreciation workshops draws about 25 customers.

“It is an uphill task to try to overcome the local coffee culture, where an 80-cent local coffee is still preferred among typical Singaporean customers,” said Phil. “But we can see that more coffee places are doing now what we’ve always been doing, so we know we are on the right track.”

cups of coffee a day and is well known for its latte art.

The cafe’s popular Piccolo Latte ($5.80) is a good canvas for Mr Loh to showcase his skills.

First, he holds a jug of milk frothing and deftly turns it in gentle circles.

Then, shaking it slightly, Mr Loh guides the milk into a cup of coffee.

T he ordinar y milk slowly spreads out and a silky tulip starts to take shape—two white hearts compressed together to for m a f lower-l i ke pat ter n— juxtaposed against the smooth brown coffee.

This process takes about two minutes.

Other patterns that are usually done on milk-based expresso drinks include hearts and rosettes.

The latte art is done free of charge.

Mr Loh, who started studying about coffee six years ago, shared the secret behind latte art.

“Latte art is a lot of things —the speed, symmetry, how to allow the crema (foam) to stay intact, how the white contrasts with the brown and a lot about hand-eye-coordination,” he said.

The Piccolo Latte is made from Oriole’s house blend Yellow Bird, named after the mascot in the cafe’s logo.

It comprises of green beans collected ever y three months f r om pl ac e s l i ke Br a z i l , E l Slavador and Colombia, with slight variances to the mix each time.

In this particular concoction, beans are gathered from Brazil,

SWEET SWIRLS: The house-blend latte bears a chocolate taste.

Fa z e nd a C api m Br a nc o a nd Ethiopian Sidamo Valley.

Aromatic, light and bittersweet, the drink is especially delectable even with little milk.

Even half way through the coffee, the tulip remains fairly intact, which adds to the visual pleasure.

Another item to look out for on the menu is the Single-cup Filter Coffee ($6), with beans gathered from Sidamo Valley, Ethiopia.

Light and faintly tangy, the invigorating drink tastes best without any addition of milk or sugar.

Mr Loh said, “I’m passionate about what I do and naming the roaster is an extension of my passion. It’s not just a machine to me but it also has its own personality.”

his homeland from French Guiana.

Mr Leon Foo said: “Local coffee (kopitiam coffee) is we l l establ i shed her e a lready. Singapore is different because of our exposure to gourmet coffee in the timeline of coffee."

However, he added that Singaporeans are catching up as there are more and more people taking coffee seriously.

T he beans, sourced from places like Papau New Guinea and Peru, are bought locally or personally brought back from the owners’ trips abroad.

A 250 gramme packet of beans costs between $12.50 and $18.

Roasted and packaged by Papa Palheta, the beans are best used within eight weeks from the day of roast.

The signature blend, Terra Firma, is made from beans grown in Brazil, Guatemala, Ethiopia and Sumatra.

T he y ma ke a lu sc iou s latte, with a delicate balance of ear t hy tang and sweet chocolate taste.

Smooth and full-bodied, the drink is a firm favourite.

After a long day of burying your head in the books, t he la id-back at mosphere here offers an excellent respite, a peaceful place for you to unwind.

The cafe boasts an oldfashioned backyard, which leads into an unassuming, intimate sitting area.

The cosy area is decorated like someone’s living room crowded with an eccentric assortment of furniture to go with your drink.

BEAN THERE, DONE THAT: Owner Keith Loh shows how to brew an aromatic cup of coffee.

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travelogue

SOME DRUnken fun Goh Siew Luan braves the drunken men and the smell of stale beer to explore the beer festivals in Munich.

HEAVY HANDLER: One of the servers effortless balancing 12 mugs of beer for the festival goers.

UNDER the blue and white striped tent, ladies dressed in puffy pinafores so tight at the waists such that their breasts cast huge shadows over their bellies, busied themselves. One of them came to our table asking for our orders.

Minutes later, she slammed down 12 mugs of beer carried all at once.

All around, men and women were merrymaking in their traditional leather trousers and puffy dresses, known as lederhosen and dirndls.

As they danced to the traditional Bavarian folk music on the dance floor and wooden tabletops, each had a mug in their hands.

This noisy, almost chaotic scene is Burschenfest, a beer festival in Munich, Germany.

This is not an unusual sight in Munich beer tents, which are part of a bigger landscape of the celebration.

These blue and white tents are also where Germans find a reason to celebrate with beer.

Ever y year, the Paulaner Bier fest in March mark s t he star t with the festivities that end w it h Oktober fest in late September.

Although the reason to celebrate may differ with each festival, the iconic beer tent always remains.

At the Frühlingsfest, a spring festival held in April, a tent twice the size of a football field is placed next to a theme park.

The Oktoberfest is designed in a similar fashion, only on a much larger scale.

The story behind Oktoberfest bega n w it h t he ma r r iage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig a nd Sa xon- H i ldbu rg hau sen

Princess Therese.

Celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, the Oktoberfest was a spectacular event, lasting 16 days, two days longer than previous years.

With “O’zapft is!”, which means the keg has been tapped, Munich mayor Christian Ude declared the opening of Oktoberfest 2010.

This year’s festivities kicked off with a procession of traditionally clothed men, acrobats and musicians, which begin in the city centre and end at Theresienwiese, the site of the festival.

At Theresienwiese, there is a re-enactment of the legendary wedding, with horse racing.

The annual Oktoberfest is organised by a collective of breweries in Munich.

PHOTOS | JACQUES HE

Ever y brewer y would have their beer tent.

This year, there were more than two dozen such tents in various sizes, with the largest having a capacity of 8,000.

In the tents, wooden benches as far as the eye can see were completely filled with merrymakers.

All that could be heard was incessant chatting, the clanging of beer mugs and Bavarian music. It was impossible to have a conversation without shouting.

Getting around the festival grounds, with at least half a million others, was no easy task.

M a ny we r e v i sitor s f r om Australia, Italy and America.

Despite the noise, the crowd a nd t he occa siona l sme l l of stale beer, everyone was in high

TRADITION: The blue and white tent is a common fixture during beer festivals.

spirits.

Oktoberfest is a family affair as parents with young children in tow are a common sight.

Girls wearing dirndls that nearly reach the ground and boys in oversized lederhosen laugh and enjoy themselves just as much as the adults.

Beer festivals are only one of the means to unwind and meet with old friends and family members.

Biergarten, which translates to beer garden, is the other.

When the weather is f ine, people go to one of these outdoor beer places for a picnic under the chestnut trees.

They are allowed to bring their own meal but they have to purchase a beer to secure a bench.

Biergartens are at the heart of the Bavarian lifestyle just like how Kopitiams are in Singapore.

People spend hours sitting around, drinking and talking.

The festivals and beer gardens are undeniably important to the Bavarian culture but it is also the taste of the beer that the people love.

The sweetness of it is unlike any other beers I have tried in Singapore. It left no bitter after-

taste in your mouth.

Beer usually contains about five per cent of alcohol, often consumed in a litre mug.

During special festivals, such as the Oktoberfest, the alcohol content of beer is upped to eight per cent.

This might be too much for someone not used to the higher alcohol content and it is not surprising to see many drunk people at the festival grounds.

After two large mugs and some dancing, weaving my way out of the tent to the washroom became a huge task, not to mention the constant effort in trying to avoid broken glasses and spilt beer.

Others were more delirious than me. A stranger began conversing with me in German, unaware that I could not understand half of what he said.

All I could say in response was “ja, genau," which meant yes.

Looking back at everything, we may scoff and think all the Germans in Munich are drunkards.

Yet t he i ndescr ibable joy found in this drunkedness is so contagious that we cannot help but be charmed by the joy that the city exudes.

STARTING YOUNG: Beer is an important part of Germany's culture.

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review

BOOKS Player One

"I would prefer MUSIC Tiger Suit to be criticised ,,,,, for opening myself up and laying myself on the line than be criticised for not doing that."

KT Tunstall (Pop)

Douglas Coupland (Fiction) $30.94 available at Kinokuniya Published by William Hei

What does one do at the end of the world? How does one come to terms with the demise of humanity?

As oil prices skyrocket, terrorist riots leave the entire world on the brink of a global apocalypse. Four characters find themselves caught in a state of transition, literally and figuratively, in an airport cocktail lounge.

Douglas Coupland voices the inner thoughts of the four characters—a single mother searching for new love, a lonely bartender, a disillusioned pastor who has lost his faith and a beautiful, autistic teenager who is incapable of emotions like a normal human being.

The story is set in just five hours and narrated by an omniscient voice, Player One, who foreshadows the events to come. Disorientation builds up in readers as they question the origin of the voice, which hints at a divine presence.

Religion is brought into question as the characters debate over the existence of a divine creator. Coupland weaves the series of questions with insights into the lives of the characters, creating a hollow sense of emptiness and paralysis—the sense that humanity is forever seeking but will never find fulfilment.

Although slightly repetitive in its thematic explorations, Coupland manages to drive home his message that humanity is helpless against time and itself. Player One makes for a thoughtful and poetic read, especially for lovers of existentialist themes.

This is Tunstall's first solar-powered album, recorded using a system that obtains electricity from the sun.

KT Tunstall, in an interview with RTE Ten, on opening up through her music

A compilation of up-tempo, spirited pop meditations on love, lust and discovery, KT Tunstall’s third album Tiger Suit sounds like the life of a sophisticated woman who finds herself falling in love but loses everything else instead.

The record opens with the tribal-esque chants that dominate the background of Uummannaq Song, leaving an unfamiliar yet curious impression.

The song, named after the hunting and fishing town of Uummannaq in Greenland, was inspired by Tunstall’s visit during her three-month sabbatical.

It is a tantalising hint at the promise the album holds.

The Brit Award-winner takes a bold step with a deviation from her previously folksy albums, and dubs the results ‘Nature Techno'.

The refreshing presence of electronic orchestration blended with dance-friendly tunes elevates the album beyond its predecessors Eye to the Telescope and Drastic Fantastic.

Yet Tunstall’s vocals never take a backseat, and the Scottish singer strikes an expert balance between that and her experimentation.

She demonstrates this in (Still A) Weirdo, melding quirky beats with a lilting, reflective refrain: Still a weirdo/still a weirdo after all these years.

Tunstall also reveals a spicier side with Push That Knot Away, which features a grinding bassline and pulsating rhythm, just the thing needed to get crowds to hit the dancefloor.

Madame Trudeaux is another punchy and empowering up-tempo track, rounding up the album on a high.

Overall, Tiger Suit is a triumph, with Tunstall having created a brilliantly diverse album.

This is one sassy lass who has evolved tremendously from her Black Horse and the Cherry Tree days.

-Charmaine Yap

-Candice Neo

Write About Love

Twitchhiker

Belle & Sebastian (Folk)

Paul Smith (Non-Fiction)

,,,

$28.38 available at Kinokuniya Published by Summersdale Publishers

BOOKS FROM KINOKUNIYA

,

Carey Mulligan and Norah Jones provide guest vocals for two of the album's tracks.

Some of us might find this familiar: We think of a good idea, only to hear that someone else already did it while we procrastinated. What we need are the guts to do it, and a book like Twitchhiker to set us off.

One mundane day at the supermarket, freelance journalist Paul Smith hits upon the idea of travelling around the world.

However he can only rely on the goodwill of users of microblogging website Twitter, which allows users to share real-time updates with one another.

Smith sets off from his Newcastle home and aims to reach Campbell Island near New Zealand in 30 days. He creates rules for his mission, like how he can only accept travel and accommodation offers from people on Twitter.

He travels by road, boat, plane and train to cities like Amsterdam, Paris and New York. Some nights are spent in luxurious five-star hotels while others are on the floor in the room of a stranger. Along the way, he meets characters like a quirky university professor, a wildly enthusiastic fan and even a famous Hollywood star.

Smith keeps the story real by portraying himself candidly, as someone with faults. He makes the reader laugh with stories like how he endures loud snoring from a Dutch bunkmate.

Twitchhiker successfully highlights the sense of community and generosity in the virtual world for fans and non-fans of Twitter alike.

-Becky Lo

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PHOTOS | INTERNET

After a four-year hiatus since The Life Pursuit, Belle and Sebastian make a comeback with their eighth studio album Write About Love.

But do not be mistaken by the title—this new album is not about love.

Instead, it tells stories most of us are familiar with: the monotony of work and the struggles in relationships.

In this album, Belle and Sebastian attempt to weave in some happier melodies in contrast to their previous albums, which are mostly melancholic in nature.

Title track Write About Love tells of the protagonist’s office-bound life and how he is jaded by his job. In the song the character explains that he was instructed by his manager to write about love.

This clever twist in meaning, coupled with the cheery tune, makes it a light-hearted and enjoyable number.

The songs in this album may not captivate one’s interest on the first play. Yet they grow on the listener over time, as one uncovers the thoughts and emotions of the songwriters.

For instance, I Can See Your Future describes an old, forgotten friendship that has long passed its expiry date, a tale of missed opportunities and the slender hope for reconciliation.

Buried beneath its jaunty tune, the meaning of this song can only be uncovered with a careful listen to the lyrics.

For those who have yet to hear of the seven-piece Scottish band, their latest work might be a good place to start before moving on to the highs of their earlier days like the 1998 album The Boy With The Arab Strap.

Write About Love contains heart and depth so often absent in commercially crafted music these days. And that is enough to make it a keeper.

-Goh Siew Luan

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lifestyle review

n ov e m b e r 1, 2010

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Sugar

& Spice

Both of these young singers exude saccharine charm and disarming smiles, but one has a self-professed ‘wild side’ while the other describes herself as ‘sweet, soft and mellow’. Sarah Chang catches up with Singapore Idol alum Sylvia Ratonel and Filipino acoustic singer Sabrina and finds their personalities worlds apart.

Sabrina You’re just 20 this year. How has entering showbiz at such a young age changed you?

It hasn’t changed me. I grew up in a very strict family and thus already have discipline to manage my time well.

I entered the industry when I was studying, at 16, so I had to juggle my schoolwork and performing at the same time. I don’t really go out to drink with my girlfriends because I have to sleep early for my shows.

When you sing, you can’t sleep late because it affects the throat. I am not really the outgoing kind, so it’s not difficult.

I’m just simple. I like spending time alone in a coffeehouse; alone time is very important for me because I like to take this time to think about what I really want and feel.

Besides singing, is there anything else you want to accomplish?

My family taught me that education is important because when fame fades, you need a a stable job to fall back on.

Perhaps eventually, I will go back to the Philippines to study law because I want to be a lawyer.

I wanted to be the president of the Philippines when I was younger and I joked with my family that l would have to be an artiste first, since people will vote for you when you’re famous. That’s what happens in politics in the Philippines. But now I don’t want to be the president, I want to be a lawyer. I have high respect for women and I want to protect them from abuse. Initially, I wanted to be a free lawyer but it wouldn’t feed my family.

Sylvia Ratonel

You’ve released two acoustic albums so far comprising of covers. Any chance you might venture into songwriting?

The difficulty is that I compose songs only when I’m sad.

And I’m a very happy person, so it’s rare that I get very sad and depressed. So right now, I’ve only ever written two songs. They are very depressing love songs and I pour out my feelings in them.

I’m very sentimental, but also quite logical. I don’t really like drama. My girlfriends run to me when they have problems because I’m cool and I don’t cry that much. I’m not dramatic, and I try to solve things logically because when you let yourself be overwhelmed by emotions, there’s really nothing much you can do. You can’t find solutions when you’re sad.

How do you feel about your international success?

It feels like a dream, I can’t believe it. I just thank everyone. And I pray and thank God who made it all possible.

I actually feel quite happy that even though I’m not so big in the Philippines, I’m known internationally. It’s my secret happiness. It’s so magical because we’re from different countries but we like the same music. It’s like we’re crossing boundaries together.

Would you like branch out to other genres of singing?

I started as a bossa nova singer, and now I’m an acoustic singer, which suits my personality. I also do rock and R&B. I think that eventually I'll branch out into different genres because I'd like to be a versatile artist. I would also like to learn how to dance so that I can be a total performer. But there’ll always be an acoustic touch in my music because I’m an acoustic sweetheart.

What are the inspirations for the songs in your self-titled debut album?

The album was based on my life experiences, the different things I did or the relationships I have gone through. The very first song I wrote, Foolish That Way, expresses my emotional experience.

But most of the songs are very upbeat and Don (Richmond, her producer) really has a bigger play in those songs. He is the master behind the beats. I love the hard beats and songs that I can dance to. Whenever he shows me the hard beats, I know whether it will work because I also dance and club during my free time with my friends, just to let loose.

What has the music industry taught you since your Singapore Idol days? Is it different from what you had expected?

Things are really quite different. The industry is very tenacious. You have to trust your gut instincts and believe in yourself. You also have to trust your producers. I really trusted Don during the production of my album. After the album was completed, I listened to it and I realised that it sounded really good; I liked what I was hearing.

Has your music taste changed through the course of making the album?

PHOTO | Viona Wang

My music taste is quite influenced by Don. I did quite a lot of ballads during Singapore Idol. It was very heartfelt

PHOTO | Charmaine Yap

and many people, including most of the judges, really liked this style. But that doesn’t work for everybody and might be too sappy for some.

That’s why I went for a R&B style and for the hard beats. I think the album reflects my taste—it's a bit on the wild side, a little naughty and quite playful. It’s just the idea that you want to have a bit of fun, relax a little, and not be too serious.

Given the chance, who would you like to collaborate with musically?

I would say Alicia Keys. She’s my idol. Even if I don’t have the chance to collaborate with her, I would like to follow her around for a day and ask her teach me to play the piano. I would like to sit down with her and find out more about her inspiration in writing those great songs and listen to her big voice. I think she's independent and a very powerful singer. She’s very talented.

Tell us about the process of producing your album. How tough was it?

Recording took about four to five months, so it began around May or June. I was filming Buffetlicious at the same time, so it was fun but very hectic. It was tough because there were so many things going on at once I liked it though. I like the hecticness of it all. I had to sit down to think of the songs that I wanted to work on for the album, so it was challenging. But I love the process of digging really deep and finding something there.

lifestyle

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15

FILMS

The Social Network

Biography/Drama Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Rooney Mara 121 min The Social Network is a story of how the popular website Facebook came to be, focusing on its creators’ motivations.

It has been called “a classical story of friendship, loyalty, betrayal, and jealousy” by scriptwriter Aaron Sorkin, of The West Wing fame.

The movie opens with creator Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) and girlfriend Erica A lbright (Rooney Mara) conversing at a pub, grabbing the audience’s attention immediately with their rapid-fire dialogue.

After getting dumped for his condescending ways, a drunken Zuckerberg creates FaceMash, a website where users rate female students based on their attractiveness.

Zuckerberg’s overnight success with FaceMash captures the attention of the wealthy Winklevoss twins, Tyler and Cameron (Armie Hammer), who approach him for help in developing their idea for an online Harvard network.

He agrees to the offer but decides to create his own portal instead, delaying and eventually abandoning the Winklevoss’ project.

Zuckerberg’s best friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) provides the money for the initial start-up and is made co-founder.

As Facebook expands from

,,,,,

Har vard to other universities, Zuckerberg is first sued by the Winklevoss’ twins on grounds of idea theft. He is also sued by Saverin after he was swindled out of his stock in the fledgling company by Zuckerberg's new partner, Napster co-founder Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake).

The script moves chronologically from the beginnings of Facebook’s creation, and the events are cleverly interspersed with scenes of pre-trial hearings for the two lawsuits.

Directed by David Fincher of Fight Club fame, the movie has already generated Oscar buzz.

Eisenberg’s impenetrable facial expressions convey Zuckerberg’s haughtiness very well, while his delivery reflects the character’s intelligence.

But it is Garfield’s portrayal of Saverin that stands out.

Providing the emotional core of the movie, he expresses bewildered betrayal with nuance and reminds the audience that it is the friendship, not business partnership, being torn apart.

One memorable scene features Zuckerberg and Parker discussing business at a club. The music is intentionally loud, requiring viewers to strain to listen to the conversation, as in real life.

The lighting and framing also works to great effect here.

Tighter shots put Parker’s face up close and centre, while the club's strobe lights play hypnotically over his features to paint him like a devil, influencing Zuckerberg to distance

The Last Exorcism Horror Patrick Fabian, Ashley Bell, Louis Herthum 87 min

,,,,,

PHOTOS | INTERNET

himself from the likeable Saverin.

Writer Sorkin has said that the main character spends much of the movie as an anti-hero and the last five-minutes as a tragic hero.

The movie’s multiple perspectives thus lets the audience decide

who the heroes and the villains are.

The Social Network makes one think about the need for connections, understanding what people want, and doing whatever it takes to reach the top in an elite society.

-Siti Maziah Masramli

After his first pseudo-documentary feature film A Necessary Death in 2008, director Daniel Stamm returns with a similarly styled horror feature, The Last Exorcism.

The film begins with the history of Reverend Cotton Marcus (Patrick Fabian), a charismatic pastor raised in a religious household. His name deliberately echoes the historical 17th-century witchfinder Cotton Mather.

Yet he is a sceptic, and performs pseudo exorcisms on people believed to be possessed, while simultaneously recommending them for psychiatric treatment.

But Marcus is no con artist, and sees this as the lesser of two evils for the victims, rather than having them fall prey to religious fanatics who inflict injury or death through the course of an overly intense exorcism.

Nea r h i s r et i r e ment , t he Reverend receives a plea from farmer Louis Sweetzer (Louis Herthum) to drive the demon out of his teenage daughter, Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell).

Believing it to be a routine job, he recruits a camera crew to document his last exorcism to expose the frauds in the business.

But midway through the bogus exorcism, Marcus realises Sweetzer is afflicted with something much more terrifying than he expected.

The film takes time to set the characters up, and may not appeal to audiences looking for overt horror effects and shocking thrills.

Those seeking psychological scares will be well rewarded.

Stamm shines in his ability to build up the audience’s anticipation of a sudden scare, before quickly swerving in a different direction.

This keeps viewers on their toes throughout the film.

Lead actors Bell and Fabian display competent performances, playing off each other’s onscreen energy to deliver their roles.

Fabian’s contrast of Marcus’ personality before and after witnessing the possessed Nell was stark, yet nuanced.

The confident, fier y pastor accustomed to holding a crowd’s rapt attention with his captivating sermons, morphs into a man at a complete loss when presented with a chaotic situation.

Fabian pulled off this plethora of emotions adeptly, with controlled, yet gripping expressions.

Newcomer Bell’s physical portrayal of the possessed Nell deserves a mention.

The gutsy young actress performs all her stunts and contortions in the film without turning to a stunt double or computer-generated imagery.

The use of a “mockumentary”, or narrating a fictitious tale in the style of a documentary, adds a dose of reality, and makes the film hit much closer to home.

Given half a chance, this is one disconcerting film that will probably get under your skin.

-Ow Yan Lan

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photo: spotlight

All in a day’s work We see them but we do not register their presence.

They are the cleaners, the drivers and the security guards. Their contributions are priceless and indispensable—from ferrying people around the campus to cleaning up after students. Goh Chay Teng and Wan Zhong Hao took a trip around NTU to meet a few of the unsung heroes who work tirelessly to keep the university running.

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: Ms Theresa picks up the litter left behind after a lecture at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information. “The students are quite messy,” she says.

At Canteen A, Mdm Ng Chwee Kian replenishes the supply of clean cutlery to the Japanese stall after the end of the lunch hour.

Mr Ng Liang Hong, a security guard, keeps a watchful eye at the entrance of Lee Wee Nam Library. His one job—to protect the valuable properties of the library.

School attendant Mr Seow Ang Teng gets to work and removes the twigs and leaves clogging up the drains near the Humanities and Social Sciences Library. He cleans the area every morning, preventing mosquitoes and other pests from breeding and spreading diseases.

The smell of waffles from Canteen 2 is a crowd-puller at Mdm Annie Ler’s waffle store.

During rush hours, she can hardly afford the luxury of rest, just so that she can satisfy the long line of customers.

Mr Shi Da Jie, a Bus C driver, is no stranger to the routes in NTU as he spends seven hours everyday ferrying students to and fro. He has been driving in NTU for the past two years.

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tech review

Build your own bag Sometimes, you may just want to sling your camera into any sack, get out onto the street and start shooting. Tech Editor Gillian Goh shows you how economical and easy it is to turn an ordinary canvas bag into a stealthy, steady camera carrier.

What you will need

1. Canvas bag: From Beach Road army market, $5 for a normal canvas bag, $6 for the waterproof version.

2. Plastic Boards: From any craft store like Art Friend.

3. Sponge foam: From any craft store like Art Friend.

Priced at $4.50 for 50 cm x 50 cm piece.

4. An old shirt 5. A pair of scissors 6. Velcro 7. Craft glue 8. Sticky tape 2

1

5

3

Step 1: Measure the width and height of the bag and cut the plastic board to match.

Step 2: Arrange and stick the plastic boards around the width and height using sticky tape. This provides a firm structure for your camera bag. Cut the foam to match the width and height as well.

Step 3: Cut up the old shirt. The material will be used to wrap the foam pieces.

Step 4: Use the cloth to wrap the foam pieces, like how you would wrap a gift, using glue or sticky tape to seal them.

Step 5: Repeat the process with foam of varying sizes and attach velcro. These foam pieces will be your padded inserts.

Step 6: Attach the padded inserts to the plastic boards around the bag using velcro.

Step 7: Arrange all the padded pieces in any way you see fit. These foam pieces act as separators and padded support for your camera and accessories.

4

Your final product should look something like this—a fairly inconspicuous, stealthy camera bag that costs you less than $30.

6

7

PHOTOS | EUNICE CHAN

lifestyle

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19

tech review

listen up, stand out

Usually chosen based on how advanced the technology is, fashionable headphones have been the rage this year, and more companies are taking the fashion route to produce headphones that not only offer decent sound quality, but also take your wardrobe into account.

Kenneth Wee shortlists five headphones that will help you stand out from the crowd.

WeSC Alp Horn S$239.90

Panasonic RP-HTX7 S$87.00 Not much needs to be said for this pair of old school Panasonic headphones because they have been a popular favourite for some time.

It remains a bestseller for both its sound quality and looks.

Still, wearing them for long periods of time can be quite uncomfortable.

The glossy surface is also prone to scratches, so extra care must be taken when handling them.

Available in seven colours, including “retro green" and “creamy beige", the headband comes in matching leather, which provides more comfort.

Aerial7 Matador Graffiti S$90.90 One line could sum up this headphone—you either love it or hate it.

Geared toward the DJ and “rave” scene, this headphone is for those who want to make an even bolder statement.

While it looks like a toy, its audio quality is anything but. It has good bass, and handles high volumes well without being distorted.

The ear cup also swivels out, which is a design many DJs favour.

On the other hand, the overzealous use of plastic makes the headphone feel brittle, and seems like it may spoil easily.

For those less adventurous in their accessory choices, it is also available in black and grey.

Eskuché Control CPU S$77.90 Eskuché is a new manufacturer jumping on the retro bandwagon with this pair of alluring headphones.

The headphones are shaped like rectangular square cups, which reflect the Hi-Fi studio monitor headphones from the 1970s.

Available in black and beige, the glossy finish may be a turn off because they leave fingerprints.

The ear cup cushions are comfortable, and block out ambient noise to deliver crisp highs and deep lows.

In addition, the headphones also come with an interchangeable cable equipped to be used with music-enabled mobile phones.

EAR CANDY: Started in 2009, Scandinavian headphone maker, Urbanears, made headlines with their multi-coloured offerings.

PHOTOS | INTERNET

Urbanears Plattan S$99.00 This new line of headphones allow you to share your tunes by plugging another headphone into a socket on the right, called the “zound plug."

T hese ret ro, DJ-st yled headphones come in 14 colours, including a green “salad” shade, two shades of grey, and three shades of blue, enough to suit any taste.

Featuring a matte finish, they are definitely attractive. Each even comes with an integrated mic and call answer button, which come in handy when plugged into a phone.

One gripe is that the headphones are made a little small.

On top of that, they also have an on-ear design.

So after hours of use it feels too tight as both sides are pulled together too strongly by the headband.

On the other hand, the audio quality is good, but the bass is a little muddy.

When the "zound plug" is in use, sound quality is not compromised.

Nevertheless, these headphones are all about style, which is what the manufacturer, Urbanears, is gunning for.

Their headphones have appeared in notable fashion publications like Vogue.

They also come up in online stores like Amazon.com as both “Accessories" and “Clothing."

These Plattan headphones are the most compact among the five.

They can be folded into a bundle slightly larger than a fist.

So if you are looking for a portable alternative to earphones, these may be as close as you can get.

The steep price tag of this pair of headphones may have people assuming that the audio quality is outstanding.

Unfortunately, it is not.

Before scorning this headphone, however, there may be a good reason for its price.

For one, it is truly an eye catching design with its angular plastic frame and square ear cups.

And when it comes to personal expression, it certainly qualifies as an attention-grabbing fashion accessory, dubbed by Stuff magazine's fashion editor as “headphone brand du jour.”

The materials used feel expensive and are durable.

Despite its odd shape, they fit snugly and comfortably. However, it is made slightly small, and may not be ideal for those with larger skulls.

Still, many would feel that there is little to justify the price, except the wide range of colours and combinations to choose from.

Colours like “chocolate brown", “marshmallow yellow", red, black and white are available in various combinations.

One reason could be that the headphone is from a popular apparel brand, WeSC, which stands for WeAreTheSuperlativeConspiracy.

It is one of the more popular Swedish urban street wear brands, with heavy influence from skateboarding culture.

So it would be worth every penny if you are part of the young and hip crowd.

where to buy All headphones are available at Funan IT Mall, Premium Apple Resellers, and most electronic stores. shop online They can also be found on: www.urbanears.com shop.eskucheme.com www.tillys.com www.urbanoutfitters.com

网上选购精致饰品 —— 刊22、23页

新闻 南大常年部长论坛2010

观众: 学生问题素质欠佳

首任财政部长吴庆瑞博士之名 为商学图书馆命名、年轻国人 应如何为国家做出贡献，以及 国人如何忽略巴士车长。 黄金辉传播与信息学院三年 级生黄顺杰（23岁）认为，部 分发问者表达能力不足，支支 吾吾，似乎不清楚自己想要问 什么。 他说：“要在这样的场合 向资政提问，应该先组织好思 绪和问题，不要浪费宝贵的时 间，如此一来才算是尊重嘉宾 与观众。”

“要在这样的场合 向资政提问，应该 先组织好思绪和问 题，不要浪费宝贵 的时间，如此一来 才算是尊重嘉宾与 观众。” 针对学生在常年部长论坛上的提问，国务资政吴作栋耐心解答。

萧佳慧●报道

问

题缺乏建设性，多数参 与常年部长论坛的学生 认为，发问者应先做足功课， 提出更符合时事的问题。

现 两 场 乐 队 创 戏 剧 新 元 素

在上周五由南大学生会主办 的常年部长论坛上，许多学生 提出身份认同、外来人才，和 人口老化等问题，国务资政吴 作栋也重申政府一贯的立场。 社会系四年级生刘秋凤（22 岁）认为，在这样的场合，大

年一度的戏剧演出首次加入现场乐 队元素，随着舞台剧桥段变换的音 乐，让观众有多重感受。 由南大中文学会学生自编、自导、自 演的音乐舞台剧《莱茵街》，预定有10多 首原创音乐，全由两名音乐总监完成。 在国立教育学院副修音乐的黄文恩 （23岁），就运用其所学的专业知识和自 己的摸索包办了其中大半的作曲和编曲。 导演周翔（24岁）对他的“戏剧梦” 有着很多想法和坚持。这名会计系二年级 生说：“我们会设立一个开放式的结局， 给予观众更丰富的理解空间。” 《莱茵街》的故事围绕着生活在复杂 环境中，却不放弃追求目标的女孩及她身 边人的经历展开。此剧将在11月12日于 Fusionopolis, Genexis Theatre举行。 谈起戏剧筹备，电机与电子工程系三 年级的筹长邹佳强（23岁）说：“音乐能 够很好的调动观众的情绪，快慢不同的节 奏配合着情节发展带来不同的冲击。” 担任演出指导的戏剧老师黄奕磊（58 岁）说：“我希望这活动能长期推广，并 不限于固定时段演出，在平时就为热爱戏 剧的学生提供训练。这样学生整体戏剧素 质在需时就能体现出来。”（文／蔡韵）

黄顺杰 传媒系三年级生

摄影|陈蕴慧

家应该针对一些跟多数学生有 关的课题发问。 她说：“有些发问者的看 法太过偏激或太个人，无法取 得大家的共鸣。” 当晚的发问者所提出的看 法就包括：以我国前副总理兼

其实，论坛筹委事先已针 对主题列出一系列课题，如教 育、娱乐、经济、体育、艺术 和国人身份认同供学生参考。 但是，众多发问者却只对其

中的艺术与身份认同课题较感 兴趣。 筹委主席刘诗梦认为，学生 没有提出这些预设课题确实有 点可惜，可是发问权还是在于 学生。 她说：“今年的学生所提出 的问题，偏向于国人的身份认 同感。” 外籍涌入 冲淡国家归属感 宇航工程学系四年级的林子 睿（23岁）就提到，面对外籍 人士大量涌入新加坡，他感觉 到自己对国家的归属感越来越 薄弱。 他透露，身边一些教育程度 较低的朋友也有同感。 针对林子睿提出的问题， 吴资政再次强调，新加坡少了 这些外籍人士，竞争力会被削 弱，国人也无法像现在一样以 新加坡为荣。 他说：“如果归属感也要灌 输，那将会非常烦琐。” 尽管多数受访学生对论坛上 提出的问题持负面看法，宇航 工程学系二年级生李俊毅（22 岁）却认为今年的论坛更贴近 社会。 二度参与部长论坛的他 说：“这次学生提出更多与政 治相关的课题，问题也比去年 来得好，所以还相当充实。”

在中国发展 本地私企竞争待进步 鞠欣航●报道

中

国商机处处，在当 地经商并非难事， 然而本地私人企业在亚洲 市场竞争力却逊色些。 斯恩威集团（中国） 董事长兼总裁翁良荣博士 说，新加坡是专注培养大 量专业人才的地方，不像 台湾，特别有创业氛围。 他补充：“比起台湾 和香港丰富的经商历史， 新加坡是个新的国家，有 生意头脑的人还不多。这 也解释了为什么亚洲500 强华裔公司里面，新加坡 公司的数量很少。” 翁良荣是在由通商中 国和南洋理工大学联合举 办的《C-商数校园系列6

之绿色中国》中，和南大 学生分享到中国工作的经 验和见解。 此次讲座也邀请了圆 基环保资本创始合伙人陈 翰明先生主讲，吸引了近 百名学生出席。 即将在明年6月毕业的 陈庆贤，非常看好中国的 发展前景。 这名24岁的机械与宇 航工程系四年级生曾参 加南大的全球教育计划 （GlP），在上海工作生 活过六个月。而他目前正 在积极寻求到中国工作的 机会。 翁良荣也分享在中国 的经商经验。他认为本地 人一定要学会中国的“社 会知识”，才能更好地了 解当地国情在中国发展。

翁博士说，中国购买的过滤器和本地及日本比起来更 便宜，但质量却和他国比起却相同。 摄影|柯岱玮 他说：“中国和新加 坡有着截然不同的社会体 系，而且有着很大的市 场。有些商人因为不了解 中国，进入中国生意失败 以后怨天尤人。他们要知

道失败在哪里才能重整旗 鼓。” 翁良荣补充：“如果 你可以在中国和台湾生 存，你可以在世界上任何 地方生存。”

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言论 编辑室

备战本领 短期难以印证

黄康玮 中文编辑

近

几个月来，国防部属下 的cyberpioneer TV在视 频网站Youtube上载有关基本军 训的短片，记录着一群青年在 德光岛上接受数周军训，正式 成为军人的过程。 共18集的“Every Singaporean Son”，至今上载了17 集，而每周观看这短片难免会 想起三年前同样岛上经历的类 似事件，喜忧参半。 与此同时，首批基本军训结 业典礼（POP）上月在滨海湾 浮动舞台举行，打断结业典礼 一贯在军营操场举行的传统， 让身边朋友也感到相当惊讶。

过去充满未知数的军人生 涯，在网络和主流媒体的报道 下，现在变得更加透明，而大 家对国民服役这概念也不会感 到那么陌生了。 除了让基本军训获得更高的 曝光率，国防部也在近期更新 服役制度，例如设立室内实弹 射击场所、让新兵也在入伍时 获得手提电脑、更新障碍挑战 场（SOC）等。 这一个又一个的改变意味 着，军人的素质、福利、训 练等都有所提升，必然是件好 事。然而，其中一集看见现代 士兵过着“舒适”的日子，在

野外训练时就轻易落泪，让老 一代的国人质疑我们是否有能 力在危机来临时保家卫国。 此外，三个月前设立的国民 服役奖赏计划（NSRA），让 全职或活跃战备服役人员获得 9000元或1万零500元的奖赏， 更让长辈们大表不满——自己 辛辛苦苦保家卫国，最后却没 受到丝毫认可。 诚然，自二战后我国度过65 年的和平日子，或许让一代又 一代的士兵变得更安逸，但这 也并不意味现代国人越软弱。 现在的士兵，除了天天锻炼 体能，也需要上讲堂课，以及

参与考试。 和长辈服役时代比起来， 体训或许会逊色些，但因科技 日新月异，我们同时也需要学 习更多，了解如何操作更多器 材。当时服役身兼多职的笔 者，有时也会忙得不可开交。 也记得许多上司常责骂我 们，在野外战斗训练时行动怠 慢，毫无紧迫感——因为士兵 认为此类训练没必要的同时， 也不想趴在泥土上弄脏衣制 服，以及被一堆昆虫咬。 然而，有一名导师却说： “但真正战争来临的时候，听 见枪声，我保证全体军人趴在

地上一动也不动，哪还有人敢 站着还火迎战。” 这句话体现国人“怕死”的 心态，让我们一群士兵大笑， 因为大家都同意他的看法。 毕竟，视频记载了士兵两三 个月的训练过程，结业后他们 还有一年多的服役期。这还是 条漫长的学习道路，所以有能 力迎战与否，也还是未知数。 对于服完近两年兵役的笔 者，鉴定自己再周观朋友后还 能肯定，大家都具备着这能力 与毅力。 然而，更大的挑战却是： 让这一代国人产生，以及维持 归属感。拥有归属感，才能让 我们有保家卫国的决心。显然 的，现代国人或许缺少的，正 是这个。

放宽限制 解绑方言 张健俊

每

插图｜蔡毅佳

跨 越在 平 台 欺 凌 加 剧

林佐翰

10年前，本地发生一起令人发指的校园欺凌事 件：一名女中学生遭七名青年禁锢虐待达17天。 该事件让学校、社会和政府更加重视这问题，有关 当局也展开一系列的反欺凌运动，主要教导学生如何保 护自己，懂得向他人寻求援助。 来自西澳埃迪科文大学（Edith Cowan University） 儿童保研究中心的唐娜·克罗斯教授（Prof Donna Cross）日前指出，一些在学校被欺负的人，有可能会 转而通过网络对欺凌者进行报复，例如散布谣言等。她 说，这样会形成连锁反应，让问题变得更严重。 当然，有些欺凌者会声称只想戏弄朋友，不是真的 要危害受害者名誉。不幸的是，这些未经考虑过的行为 通常侵犯私隐，让受害者饱受舆论。 随着科技进步，校园欺凌问题已经扩展到网络。通 过这平台，欺凌者可轻松地将信息传播出去，运用更多 手段损害他人的声誉。 一个明显例子是美国大学生泰勒·金文（Tyler Clementi）因为被两名同学陷害而选择自杀的事件。两 名同学在网络上载有关泰勒是同性恋的视频，而在学校 迅速传开。他受到同学嘲笑，最后决定自杀解决问题。 另一例子是英华初级学院事件：该校两名女学生在 校内厕所里做了不寻常行为，而过程被同学拍下。随着 视频迅速地传播，两名女生结果不但要受学校的处罚， 也要面对激烈的尴尬和耻辱。 上传视频者或许只是觉得有趣，想和其他朋友分享，又或想和 朋友开个玩笑，却没预料这行为所可能带来的后果。 令人困扰的是学校很少会举办专题研讨会来帮助学生了解网络 欺凌的后果。只有面临惩罚的时刻才后悔，但往往已经太迟了。 要解决网络欺凌的问题，家长和旁观者如老师也扮演着至关重 要的角色，提醒和帮助学生不要成为悲剧的始作俑者或受害者。 可是，如果作为学生的我们不先觉醒，悲剧仍会不断上演。

天黄金时段，守在电视 机前的观众都能听到原 汁原味的方言电视主题曲—— 或许国人对这方言会有些陌 生，但旋律却是如此令人印象 深刻。 审查检讨委员会在最近出炉 的报告书中，建议放宽方言影 片和电视节目限制。 然而，新闻、通讯及艺术部 基于国情和教育制度考量，否 决了此建议。 虽然政府必定是经过深思熟 虑后做出决定，可是笔者认为 方言和讲华语运动至今已没有 冲突。 落实32年的讲华语运动成绩 有目共睹，越来越多学生在这 项制度下已经能够灵活地使用 双语。 在推行“讲华语运动”初 期，对方言进行一定的限制， 固然有其积极意义；然而在华 语普及的今天，方言已经出现

颓势，不可能对主流语言形成 多大的影响。 这个放宽方言影片的建议， 相信主要是针对身为华人第一 代移民的年长者。 在安享晚年时光中，能在免 付费电视上观赏方言节目，无 疑是不错的消闲选择。

然而在华语普及的 今天，方言已经出 现颓势，不可能对 主流语言形成多大 的影响。 就如陈子谦指导的《881》 和脍炙人口的梁智强电影，这 些草根味十足的本地电影不仅 在本地获得很好的票房，也在 海外打响了“新加坡电影”的 品牌，让海外的华人也熟悉新 加坡的文化。

插图｜姜卓晴

《881》通过生动有趣的福 建对话，以及绚丽的舞台设 计，成功把歌台文化搬上大荧 幕，取得热烈的回响。 可惜这些电影在限制下，无 法原汁原味地呈现给电视前的 观众。经过配音处理的电影可 能会抹煞不少观众继续观看的 兴致。 条例限制会冲击本土的文 化，也影响制片人的锐气。 国会议员马炎庆就放宽条例 建议，可考虑采用双声道科技 来播放方言节目。 他解释，这将能照顾到不懂 方言的群众。而电视台在选择 引进节目时，也无须再顾虑节 目的语言播放，最重要是节目 的内容精彩。 笔者认为，播放方言影片可 以限制在“非黄金时段”，让 有空的退休人士观赏，这样一 来也就不用担心影响年轻一代 学好华语。 而海南会馆文教部主任韩山 元也说：“如果电视台担心观 众群小，不符合经济效益，其 实可以找会馆赞助。为了推广 方言文化，相信会馆都会鼎立 支持。” 有语言学者认为，孩子在16 岁以前有“语言不定性”的问 题，因此方言的参杂对纯正华 文的学习存在一定影响。 如果换一个角度看待问题的 话，小孩在“不定性”时能在 好奇心的驱使下，通过发音独 特的方言对华文产生浓厚的兴 趣，那么一来促进讲华语运动 就多了一个新的渠道。 由此可见，放宽对方言节目 的限制并非难事，只要采取更 开放的心态，不要和方言“划 清界限”，就能让方言继续传 承历史的文化。

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生活

手工制品 精心制作 一群心灵手巧的博客店老板，选择发挥自己的手艺和创意，为顾客制作出限量设 计的布包和首饰。就让记者樊笛为大家介绍一些特色手工制品。 AmeVi Designs 自制饰品 网址：amenfel.vze.com

桌

因收到朋友亲手制作的手链，何其玲开始接触饰品制 摄影|欧彦兰 作，并将此作为自己的事业。

凭

着自小具备的缝纫功 底，再加上近来对创业 的热诚，两名女大学生就进入 网络销售行业。 售卖各类自制布包袋，名为 SoFabric的博客店，是由南大 传媒系四年级生黄佳敏，以及 国大建筑系四年级生陈文娴创 办的。 这两名22岁的青年很早以前 就与缝纫结下不解之缘：黄佳 敏受到从事服装制作的母亲不 少熏陶，而陈文娴也曾向一名 裁缝师学过手艺。 去年5月，陈文娴兴致勃勃 地告诉黄佳敏，自己只花了10 分钟，便缝出类似本地品牌的 布包。 由于二人都热爱缝纫制作， 因此相互学习鼓励，接着便萌 生售卖自制布包袋的念头。 经过两个月的细心筹

上摆放着琳琅满目 的饰品，而家中也 有不少装满自制饰品的大 袋子和大盒子——这就是 AmeVi博客店店主在家中 储存的产品。 然而，网上所展示的 商品却不多。店主何其玲 （23岁）解释，她网上兜 售的商品，只不过是她所 有商品的“沧海一粟”。 原来，AmeVi的饰品 主要是在集市（bazaar） 上售卖，而网站主要是何 其玲与顾客联系的平台。

划，SoFabric就在网上开业 了。而不出五天，黄佳敏和陈 文娴就接到首张网上订单。 然而，面对源源不断的订 单，让具备缝纫功底的她们起 初还是会感到有些吃力。 但经过一段时间的实践和揣 摩，黄佳敏和陈文娴都找到各 自的缝纫风格和捷径。 现在不论是缝制手提包、手 提电脑包、iPhone袋、文具袋 或化妆品袋，都难不倒她们。 SoFabric布包袋都是限量 的，所以每种款式的成品不超 过五件。 能依据顾客需要制作 若顾客有需要，黄佳敏和陈 文娴也会免费给布包添隔层， 或做其他小更改。 此外，她们也能为顾客定制

此外，何其玲也常会在南 大集市售卖饰品。 四年前，朋友送给何 其玲一条自制手链，让她 有所启发，认为自己也同 样可以制作饰品。 于是，她开始向朋友 学习，并从网上获取制作 饰品的技巧，过不久就上 手了。 何其玲先尝试将她自 制的饰品卖给亲朋好友， 结果很受欢迎。 接着，她又开始到集 市上去卖，并在2006年8

布包袋。博客店上展示了10几 种布料，任顾客选择搭配出喜 欢的样式，再依自己喜欢的设 计图让黄佳敏和陈文娴量身定 做。但是，她们坚持不仿造名 牌货。 今年，黄佳敏和陈文娴还推 出新品牌SoFabric Delux，意通 过高档布料制成的产品吸引更 多顾客。 有些人对网上卖的手工制品 颇有成见，认为工厂制作的比 较耐用，或是成品的照片是经 电脑美化过的。 对此，陈文娴认为凡是购买 过SoFabric产品的顾客都应会 感受到她们的真诚。 黄佳敏更是自信地说：“我 这个自己缝制的帆布包，用了 两年都没坏，也没开线脱色， 所以SoFabric的产品，绝对品 质保证。”

月设立了AmeVi Designs 网店。 AmeVi是何其玲的英 文名Amelia和母亲名字 Vivien的合称。 何其玲负责设计和制 作饰品，母亲则帮她在集 市上售卖。 何其玲曾修读职业治 疗，但已毕业的她反而决 定从商，而AmeVi就是她 的事业之一。 制作饰品能帮助减压 她说，在求学时压力 非常大，因此制作饰品成 了解压的途径，而且压力 越大，她的灵感就越多。 为了让顾客有更多选

SoFabric 手工布包 网址：sofabric.livejournal.com

黄佳敏（左）和陈文娴也在位于武吉士的The Blog Shop摆卖手 工布包，让更多人知道他们的品牌。

Grandeurina 日韩系饰品 网址：grandeurina.webs.com

随

Grandeurina所售卖的手工饰品非常多样化，小小的陈列箱被挤 照片|受访者提供 得满满的。

着日韩风在本地狂吹， 购买日韩饰品的顾客想 必不少。 而Grandeurina正巧以可爱 甜美的日韩系商品，抓住顾客 的心。 曾经从事服装行业的店主 Wrisney，因不想被潮流局限， 便决定投入手工饰品制作。 虽然商品以日韩系居多， 但22岁的她在制作饰品时，都 不会有固定的构想，而是按灵 感“临场发挥”。 她说：“我的灵感可以是某

择，何其玲每个月至少会 出国一次，到世界各地搜 购坠子及其他材料。 这样，顾客便可从各 式各样的坠子中，搭配出 款式独特的饰品。 她选用的材料都很特 别，例如以Scrabble图板 来做戒指，又或将纸鹤打 光做成项链坠子，点子都 挺别出心裁。 何其玲说，自己本以 为只有女生会买她的饰 品，可没想到不少男生也 光顾她的店。 她补充：“男生通 常都爱买挂着小金盒 （Locket）的项链，然后 将情书或照片夹在盒子里 面，很浪漫的！”

个人、事或物的启发。如果一 定要有一个风格的话，那么应 该是随心所欲吧！” 对于制作饰品，Wrisney可 说是无师自通。她主要是翻阅 饰品制作书籍学习，并自己做 调查，进口适合材料。 她起初把制作的耳环卖给亲 戚和同事，反应相当不错。于 是，她的母亲便鼓励她通过网 络兜售这些耳环。 博客店开业后，Wrisney也 将自己设计制作的饰品从耳环 增加至项链、手链和发饰。

不过，她的专长还是耳环 制作，光是纽扣耳钉，款式就 有250种之多，可爱型、复古 型、抽象型、花卉型等应有尽 有。纽扣耳钉也是Grandeurina 销量最好的商品。 Wrisney对所用的材料非常 讲究，大多数是从美国，日本 和韩国进口的。这些国家的材 料品质较好，手工也较细。 她更是对日本布料赞不绝 口，说比起其他布料，以日本 布料制作的耳环就算是洗澡时 戴着，也不会脱色。 现在除了博客店，Wrisney 也在怡丰城的Toy Outpost和 Toy Outpost SCAPE摆卖饰 品，每月的最后一周她也会在 国大医院的集市里设摊。

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推荐商品

乐评 音乐Jukebox 专辑：《星月神话》 歌手：金莎 推荐： 《星月神话》 《我知道我们不会有结果》 , , , , , 度被网民喻为“炒作女 王”，三年没发专辑的 金莎终于推出了《星月神话》 。这张专辑呈现她比较成熟的 一面，少了许多甜腻的口水 歌。但是，她的声线比起其他内地女歌手，还是显得有些薄弱。 现在事业重心主要放在内地的金莎，近年来参与了许多电 视剧的制作。主打歌《星月神话》便是她参与演出的连续剧 《神话》插曲之一。歌曲带有浓厚的中国风，让人想起90年代初 琼瑶连续剧的主题曲。 喜欢以往金莎甜心形象的歌迷也不用失望。拥有巴萨诺瓦式 （Bossa Nova）编曲的《最近好吗》，唱出小女生对过往恋人的 心情。 经过多年努力，金莎终于扭转负面形象，可称得上是中国当红 女星之一。这很可能是她登上新高峰之作。 （文／廖哲豪）

1. 玫瑰花戒指 用软陶泥制作的戒指，精致 高雅，有多种颜色选择。 售价：每个12元

一

2. 日本UV Tensha珠子项链 在阳光下，白色的珠子会变成紫色。 售价：每条18元

2. 手工布包系列6 ——花样杂物袋 售价：每个8元

专辑：《unforgettable忘不了的》 歌手： 刘德华 推荐： 《孤儿泪》 《阿信的故事》 , , , , , 道30年之际，刘德华特地 精选20首他所喜爱的国语 和粤语经典歌曲，向众多华人歌 手巨星致敬。 不少歌手翻唱过的80年代校园 民歌《踏浪》，刘德华仍唱得出 自我风格，诠释自己所想表达的 情感。同样的一串“啦啦啦啦” 声在新编曲下，原本清新的曲风，倒变得满有趣的，也含有新鲜 感，足见他调皮的个性。 邓丽君的《孤儿泪》不但是一首充满人文关怀的动人歌曲，对 刘德华也可说是别具意义。这首是小黑柯受良曾给刘德华哼唱的 歌，这次他挑选《孤》加入专辑，就是为了表达对黑哥的怀念。 而专辑的最大特点相信就是刘德华首次公布自己的私密生活照 片——从刷牙、洗脸、刮胡子、吃早餐——体现一个卸去光环， 平凡真实的歌王。 虽然专辑缺少些新作品及歌曲，但谁能否认刘德华有把令人陶 醉和无法忘怀的美丽歌声呢？ （文／叶淑慧）

出

1. 手工布包系列5——手提电脑包 售价：每个26元

3. 手工布包系列10 ——简笔彩画手机袋 售价：每个10元

专辑：《爱我恨我》 歌手：吴克 推荐： 《我能给的》 “Run”

, , , , , 违两年多，吴克 一改《为 你写诗》中邻家男孩的形 象，以拥有“巧克力肌肉”的成 熟猛男姿态，带来了全新创作专 辑《爱我恨我》。 专辑里收录了11首全新创作， 再加上贯串专辑概念的歌曲《爱 我恨我序章》、《中章》以及 照片｜网络下载 《末章》。 首播主打《没关系》的R&B编曲搭上简单的歌词，讲述男人爱 情上的挫折。听着吴克 反复唱着“没关系”，反而感觉心揪痛 了起来。唱片公司将其选为主打，或许是为了配合他的新形象， 但《我能给的》这首抒情歌更触动人心，更像典型的吴氏情歌。 专辑中多数歌曲都偏向轻快曲风，可看出他想转型的企图心。 尤其是“Run”的强劲节奏非常吸引人，很有主打歌的风范。而 《破心脏》曝露了他对快歌的演绎受到了些许声线上的局限。 《爱》专辑中的编曲都很精彩，音乐概念也贯彻始终，可以说 是保持了一贯的水准。然而，笔者还是有些想念以前唱情歌的吴 克 。 （文／李蕙钰）

睽

1. 南瓜皮筋

2. 日式娃娃发夹

以和服布料制成的皮筋，传统且华贵。 售价：每个8元

用日本进口的布料制成的 发夹，小巧可爱。 售价：每个4元9角

3. 色铁线耳环 （珍珠花卉款式） 售价：每对$20 每只$12

把这篇报道拍下来或写出 Grandeurina 的风格（四个字），然后传至grandeurina@hotmail.com，每买两对耳环便可 获取免付费的普通邮寄，买四对以上便 可以免费索取一对玫瑰耳环 （紫色或粉 红色）。

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娱乐

回顾新谣 旧时情怀 最近梁文福博士获颁年度新加坡文化奖，表扬他对新加坡音乐，尤其是新谣的贡献。身为新谣始祖之一，梁文福 结合了文学与音乐，写出脍炙人口但极富文艺气息的作品。这一期就让李蕙钰整理分析三首新谣作品。

《童谣1987》

亲爱的爸爸 给我一个窗口 给我留一片还没有 污染的天空 在层层的重重的铁窗后 让我望一望草地上 绿色的自由

爸爸说我出世在六十年代 一岁多国家才算诞生出来 那时候没人相信新加坡牌 还有人移民海外

亲爱的妈妈 给我哭闹的时间 让我迟一些才学会 标准的笑脸 也许你可以先给我一点空间 让我喜欢自己 才接受文明的训练

旧家的戏院建在六十年代 我钻在人群里看明星剪彩 那时候粤语片是一片黑白 有些来新加坡拍

亲爱的老师 不要那么紧张 不是所有的歌曲 都要规矩地唱 一切的ABC可以慢慢地学 不要教我争先 让我从容一点

渐渐地我们进入七十年代 一穿上校服我就神气起来 裕廊镇烟窗个个有气派 比我长高得更快

亲爱的世界 给我一个黑板 让我快乐地画一幅 自己的向往 其实你不该教会我太多黑白 让我长大后不会 对着灰色无奈

那时候林青霞的电影最卖 凤飞飞抒情歌曲全班都爱 孙宝玲赢了一串金牌回来 我一夜兴奋难捺

《童谣1987》写出了梁文福对教育孩子的观感——让孩子慢慢成长，别剥夺他们的 童年。笔者认为这首歌反映了新加坡80年代教育体系的调整，尤其是分流制度对学生 的影响。歌词从小孩的角度出发，透过对父母、学校及社会说的话，进阶式表达孩子 对单纯童年的向往。 其中，第三段“不要教我争先／让我从容一点”，有趣反映了本地人特有 的“Kiasu”（怕输）心态。原来这种心态是从小培养成的！而最后一段的：让我快乐 地画一幅／自己的向往——也强调我们不应该把太多压力加注在孩子身上，让他们有 想象、学习自行判断和成长的空间。有趣的是，经过了20多年，歌词更贴切地形容今 天的孩子。 童年时候多自在 样样都可爱 哥哥天天上学去 我等着他回来 我问爸爸何时我 也让那校车载 爸爸笑着对我说 一步一步来

什么时候驾着车 往儿子学校开 放学的儿子告诉我 他明天考天才 天才不是人人做 平凡也不坏 我说搭巴士也要把队排 你要一步一步来

上了学校才知道 考试不可爱 上课总是看手表 哎哟假期几时来 我问老师何时才能 将那方帽戴 老师笑着对我说 一步一步来

太阳下山明早依旧爬上来 高楼再高它还是要爬上来 花儿谢了明年还是一样地开 只要空气还没污染得太坏

太阳下山明早依旧爬上来 夜里不要通宵看那录像带 花儿谢了明年还是一样地开 考不好未必有机会重头来

太阳下山明早依旧爬上来 我的青春匆匆地铁那样快 花儿谢了明年还是一样地开 人生最好还是一步一步来

十七八岁多古怪 学人谈恋爱 情书写了十多封 在车站苦等待 吃饭跳舞真不坏 送她回家说Goodnight 她的妈妈开门说 你给我一步一步来

我们已搬家住得舒服自在 旧戏院变成教堂做礼拜 有时我独自回到旧地感怀 惦记那昔日小孩 朋友们说我越活越不赖 像岛国一样实在 到底是它给了我胸怀 还是我给了它爱？ 一晃眼已经来到九十年代 爸爸你再唱一遍往日情怀 我们的故事我们自己记载 未来就看下一代 别人将苹果派都送过来 我们也可以创造新加坡派 现在是别人纷纷移民前来 谁不爱新加坡牌 I LIKE IT SINGAPORE PIE 我最爱新加坡派

《新加坡派》 插图｜钟佳唐

毕了业我才知道 社会更可爱 应征前后几十次 只有一次没失败 薪水不敢说出来 夜里要把工开 现在行情坏我的老板说 你要一步一步来 太阳下山明早依旧爬上来 星期天能不能慢点爬上来 花儿谢了明年还是一样地开 哪家公司今年又将人员裁 结了婚我才知道 什么叫做债 老婆总算娶回来 没钱生小乖乖 家具电器真不赖 价钱更精彩 夜夜缤纷看开怀 其他一步一步来

当我们不觉来到八十年代 地铁将这个传奇讲得更快 大家都忽然要向自己交代 将新谣唱起来

《新加坡派》叙述新加坡从建国 至90年代的生活，几乎是每名新加坡 人的共同记忆，也记载了新加坡成为 先进国家的发展过程。从刚独立时， “没人相信新加坡牌”，到“现在是 别人纷纷移民前来”，新加坡显然的 成功了。 歌词也描述影视工业的发展史。 从60年代的“粤语片是一片黑白”， 到70年代将重心转向台湾电影和唱片 （“林青霞的电影最卖”），到80年 代“大家都忽然要向自己交代／将新 谣唱起来”——我们不再盲目地追逐 别人的脚步，而终于开始有了自己的 声音。 此外，70年代和80年代的间奏穿插 了三首当时脍炙人口的歌曲：“I Just Called to Say I Love You”、“We Are The World”和《明天会更好》。 歌曲里囊括了太多有本地色彩的 人、事、物，无法在此一一节录，其 中就包括60年代的露天戏院、裕廊镇 工业区、在第八届亚运会为国争光的 游泳选手孙宝玲、地铁、组屋等。这 首歌是各年代生活形态的缩影，是非 常有代表性的一首歌。

《一步一步来》

对中文音乐熟悉的朋友们，都应该听过《青春舞曲》这一首中国的 民谣。 梁文福挪用了原词首两句：太阳下山明早依旧爬上来／花儿谢了明 年还是一样地开，写成这首《一步一步来》。 歌曲延续梁文福擅长的手法，以叙事方式记录了人生的变迁。歌词 也充满了本地色彩——高楼爬上来、空气污染、地铁等——都是我们 熟悉的意象。 歌中写到人生各个重要的关卡，从学前、学生时代、青春期、就 业，直到结婚、有小孩，非常写实地描述人生每个阶段会遇到的趣事 和烦恼。小时候的我们总是要急着长大，巴不得马上上学、即刻毕 业，长大后才发现，人生是需要一步一脚印慢慢走的，凡事都急不 来。 歌词内容围绕着平凡人的心声，通过轻快的节奏，以逗趣的方法呈 现主题。但是，这也让人听完后不禁感慨，这的确是人生的写照—— 现代繁忙的生活让我们忙于学业工作，忽略和亲友相聚，以及忘了停 下脚步，给自己呼吸的空间。

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团员不齐 苏打绿演唱会照样精彩 阿福说：“其实，我们从学 生时代就开始一起组团，现在 居然要分隔那么久，无法一起 玩团！” 小威说，阿福每次都会问， 演出是最后第几次了，让他们 一开始觉得挺感慨的。但是， 过了几次，他们也渐渐觉得还 好了。 随即小威补充：“他太早做 这个动作，反而让催泪的效果 变得更低。” 问及团员是否有送阿福礼 物或给予鼓励的话，小威说： “他现在去当兵，休假时还是 会回来，又不是去坐牢。我们 不需要隔着玻璃窗跟他说话， 问他：‘阿福你还好吗？’” “韦瓦第”延迟却必定完成

即使团员无法参与演出，阿龚（不在图中）和阿福（左一）的精神仍与苏打绿同在。

雷慧媛●报道

虽

然年底演唱会无法全员 到齐，但苏打绿准备 好“秘密武器”，确保演出一 样精彩。 苏打绿上星期来本地宣传 《各站停靠》演唱会时，吉他

手阿福在记者会上透露，他将 在这个月入伍，因此无法出席 表演。他是继键盘和中提琴手 阿龚之后，第二名要入伍的苏 打绿成员。 鼓手小威说，为了要弥补苏 打绿“六缺二”的遗憾，本地 演唱会将有新键盘手以及幕后 工作人员赤木老师加入演出。

摄影|颜家骏

他补充：“我们也积极地在 和‘秘密武器’一起练团，阿 福也有指导他们吉他的和弦要 怎么弹。” 小威笑称，阿福对于离别 非常不舍。现在每次表演结束 后，他都会走到每个人身边摸 一下大家，阿福解释用意是要 大家记得他。

苏打绿原本要在两年内发 行四张专辑，但这“韦瓦第 计划”却在他们发了《春·日 光》和《夏／狂热》专辑后， 由于两名团员服役被迫暂缓。 对于《秋》和《冬》专辑的 发行遥遥无期，主唱青峰感慨 说：“如隔三秋啊……只能继续 倒数。” 不过，贝斯手馨仪表示，他 们一定会完成这计划，但什么 时候完成，就必须靠缘分。 虽然无法发行新创作专辑，

但阿福透露，自己计划能在入 伍之前推出一本分享书。 他说：“坊间和网络都有我 们歌曲乐谱，但不一定正确， 跟我们写的和弦也有所不同。 发行这本书是要分享苏打绿创 作时的想法，也算是留给大家 的一个纪念。” 做足心思 让演出回归音乐本质 问及新加坡站的演唱会会给 观众带来什么惊喜，家凯和馨 仪回答，这次的演唱会融合了 各团员的想法，曲目和之前的 有所不同。他们在编曲上也做 足心思，让大家耳目一新，回 归音乐本质。 小威说，这次的演唱会虽然 少了两名团员，但他们的精神 和想法仍与苏打绿同在。 然而其他团员都纷纷表示， 他们之后的表演会更加辛苦。 小威说，阿龚的键盘在苏打 绿音乐当中是不可或缺的。他 入伍后，其他团员就会比较辛 苦，馨仪甚至还得背着贝斯弹 键盘。此外，少了阿福的木吉 他，鼓和贝斯的声音会显得有 些单薄。 他补充：“而且没有他，苏 打绿的平均身高也会下降，我 们会失去和其他团或艺人匹敌 的优势！”

为新辑 莫文蔚揭露生活 王辰宇●报道

想

知道莫文蔚近期的生活 状况和内心世界，不一 定要问当事人，著名填词人林 夕和李焯雄也能有所解答。 在8月份发行，反映莫文蔚 现状的创作专辑《宝贝》，里 面收录的歌曲全部都由她自己 作曲的。 而林夕和李焯雄在写词前会 和莫文蔚交谈，刺探她近期的 感情生活，以便让她唱歌的时 候有共鸣。 所以莫文蔚开玩笑说：“大 家有关于我私人生活的问题都 可以去问他们。” 她还分享，其中四首歌曲的 灵感来源是，有一天晚上在浴 室中写出来的，浴室仿佛成了 她的工作室。 她说：“我每天花很长的 时间在浴室。这是最私密的时 间，泡在浴缸里讲电话，再往 脸上擦很多东西，大概已经有 两小时了吧。” 另外，专辑里收藏的《完美 孤独》是莫文蔚最喜欢的一首 歌曲。 她说，有一天在陌生的酒

店，躺在一张陌生的床上，忽 然觉得自己四海为家。 副歌的部分连词都没有，只 是由莫文蔚将调子哼出——她 和林夕都觉得这样更显得孤 独。莫文蔚说：“有时候，少 即是多。” 对宝贝定义有独特见解 问及专辑名称指的是谁，莫 文蔚简单回答：“做自己的宝 贝，也做别人的宝贝。我的生 命里有很多宝贝，而且不一定 是人啊。” 此次为新专辑，莫文蔚也远 赴澳洲拍摄MV，在那里有很 多难忘的经历。 有一次在拍摄时，远处的草 地上的牛群开始朝她移动。莫 文蔚说，自己听到有脚步声， 然后转过头，发现它们就在身 后停下来，接着吃草。 她说：“这样的机会多难得 啊，于是我们就把这些牛当作 背景，拍在MV里面。” 但是，拍摄过程也有艰苦的 成分，莫文蔚说，他们六天得 拍摄六首歌的MV。因为需要 日出时的阳光，因此每天凌晨3 点就需起床准备。

她补充：“我在拍《完美孤 独》的MV时，因为晕船，我 们所有的人都呕吐了，非常的 狼狈。” 不过，这次专辑的服装都很 保守，似乎不够“露”。莫文 蔚解释：“在昆士兰那么美的 地方，大自然太好看，它和音 乐配合就好。我的穿着要搭配 恰当，况且这盘专辑的歌也不 是‘diva-ish’的。” 面对新生代甜美女星，莫文 蔚也从未感到威胁，她自信地 说：“你开玩笑吧？难道我不 甜美吗？” 最后，她又认真地说：“你 必须要能展现出多种风格，而 且你的形象，应该是为你的音 乐服务的。” 莫文蔚曾经表示，《Live is… Karen Mok》是最后一张以 CD形式出版的专辑，之后她以 数字下载形式出版了翻唱专辑 《回蔚》，而这次新专辑又以 CD形式推出。 对于自己是否改变了当初 关于专辑出版的判断，她否认 道：“我从来都没有改变过想 法。现在的策略，就是要坚持 CD的发行，同时也要尝试其他 所有别的发行方式。”

莫文蔚认为一名歌手要有不同的风格，而且她的形象有助于衬托 摄影|王扬 音乐。

Opinions frankly, my dear

EDITORIAL

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

Who are you, Mr President?

Two weeks ago, the NTU population learnt of Dr Su Guaning’s decision to step down as President of NTU next August.

Tak ing over his role as President is cu r rent Provost Bertil Andersson, and Professor Freddy Boey will be the new provost.

For most, the news of the change in presidency was rather unexpected with students unaware of the search for a new President and Provost.

A Provost of a universit y plays an impor tant role in deciding academic matters such as the choice of modules, the hiring and appointment of Professors, and the education policies that affect us as we go through our education in NTU. The Provost then works closely with the President, who in the analogy of a corporation is the Chief Executive Officer, ensures the smooth overall operations of a university.

As students, it is neces-

Hitchhiking surprises The driver was on his way home from his friend’s daughter’s funeral.

He has a daughter in elementary school, a very strong midwestern accent and a kind heart too.

The conversation ended with a “Thank you and good bye!”

Our meeting was brief.

But I learnt something from this beautiful stranger and his culture.

Without taking the risk, I would never have had this chance to learn about an American.

I happened to be reporting at that same neighbourhood another day.

Again, I missed the last bus on a Friday night and I did not have money to take a cab home.

A driver who recognised me from the church I was reporting at asked if I needed a ride home. I nodded and gave him a big grin.

sary for us to question who our future leaders are and why they have been chosen to help NTU progress further as we attempt to become a global institution.

Most students are unaware of the roles played by the President and Provost, and, more importantly, are uninterested in knowing why their roles are important.

But suc h at t it udes should not be adopted.

Students should want to know who their leaders are in order to get a holistic education.

In k nowing t heir strengths, weaknesses and visions, students will be able to understand the decision making process behind the education they receive.

While the media has been focused on Dr Su’s contributions to the university, what’s more important is to ask: Why, Professor Andersson and Professor Boey, are the you the best people to run NTU come January?

GRAPHIC | ALAN CHOONG

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 News editors Aw Yeong Jia Jia Maxie Wang Simin Lifestyle editors Goh Shang Zhe Kenneth Jennifer Dhanaraj Reviews editor Lock Mei Jin Clara TECH editor Goh Yimei Gillian dapper editors Lim Hui Ching Audrey Tan Jingliang Chinese editors Su Wenqi Wong Kang Wei

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 business manager Lim Pei Yi Vivian production support Ng Heng Ghee Teacher advisors Andrew Duffy Debbie Goh Xu Xiaoge

A students’ newspaper published by the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI) Nanyang Technological University 31 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637718 Tel: 6790 6446 Unsigned editorials represent the majority view of the editorial board of The Chronicle and do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of Nanyang Technological University, its employees, the students or the Council of the University.

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

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

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

Wang Simin news editor

W

hen I went out news repor t i ng du ring my exchange at Un i ve r sit y of Missouri-Columbia, I was stuck in the middle of a remote mid-western neighbourhood in the States because I had missed the last bus.

I had no way of getting back to my hostel one evening.

Missouri is a place with no MRTs. Instead, it has expensive cabs, and buses that stop running after seven. Since it was winter, there was no one in the neighbourhood, either.

I tried to follow the brightest star, hoping it could lead me to the main road or expressway where I could hire a cab, or even better, magically get out of the winter wonderland back to my cosy room.

That, however, was not about to happen.

I had to think of another way to get home.

I spotted a car nearby and must have looked so lost that the driver stopped to give me a ride.

That night, I managed to get home safe and sound.

But when I told my senior about it, he was furious that I had put myself in potential danger.

Hitching a ride from strangers is dangerous, I agree.

But it does not mean that we should not take the risk at all, especially when that was the only way out.

When we were younger, we trusted people.

We listened to what they said, without letting the skeptic within us take control. We were curious about life, and wanted to embark on adventures.

Why can we not do the same now that we are older? Danger aside, hitching a ride from a stranger was very rewarding.

We talked about our lives, what we were doing before we met, what we work as, where we came from and so much more.

I even learnt a little about his character and habits.

Hitchhiking brought me conversations with people I would otherwise never have come into contact with.

This time it was a man in his twenties with rebellious hair and a friendly voice.

He studies in a private school, went to church and was going to party with his friends at a club.

Hitchhiking brought me conversations with people I would otherwise never have come into contact with.

I brought the habit of hitchhiking back to Singapore.

The idea of hitching a ride h e r e s e e m s we i r d , b e c au s e Singaporeans are stereotyped to be less spontaneous and friendly than Westerners.

But I realised this was not true.

When I only had an hour or so to rush a story for The Nanyang Chronicle about the Youth Olympic Games at NIE in August, I hitched a ride from an NTU campus security.

I will never forget the rides I have hitched and cherish every stranger I meet in my life.

Sometimes plans may fail, but taking a risk in making a daring choice might surprise us instead.

opinions

N ov e m b e r 1, 2010

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

27

Sex may sell cars, not cancer Eunice Ang

“

GRAPHIC | NICHOLAS K. TAM

Siti Maziah Masramli

E

arlier this month, I found on my Facebook newsfeed many ambiguous, sexually laden posts of where my friends ‘like it'.

The posts were really about where women like to place their handbags, and were made after they received a private memo explaining the attempt to raise awareness for breast cancer.

Not having received the memo, I thought it was a matter of friends parroting a funny line heard on a recent episode of some television series.

The comments that came after were mostly agreements or exclamations of pretend outrage.

As more people jumped on the bandwagon, trying to beat previous posts in outrageousness, what I felt was more annoyance than any inclination to learn more since I had no idea what the posts were about to begin with.

There were no accompanying hyperlinks that explained the real significance of those posts, nor directions to avenues for donating to breast cancer research.

I feel that the success of this

drive to raise breast cancer awareness is questionable.

It might have succeeded in making people ask questions to find out what the campaign is about. However, such an unconventional advertising tactic also had the potential to deter some from finding out more about the campaign.

How many people were led to buy a pink ribbon or encourage their mothers to go for breast screenings afterwards?

A second-year student from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering agrees, stating “the posts irritated me and I did not feel like finding out what it was about.”

I finally learnt the real purpose of these posts when the topic came up in a conversation with friends, showing that the cam-

paign drummed up some interest.

But the discussion was more about its sexual innuendo than breast cancer awareness.

Participating in campaigns driven by online social media makes people feel that they are contributing to a cause when really they are just perpetuating a saucy message.

How many people were led to buy a pink ribbon or encourage their mothers to go for breast screenings afterwards?

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Singapore. About 1,400 women here are diagnosed with it every year.

And there are still women who find out too late that they have advanced breast cancer.

More recently, friends on my Facebook feed have been making more informative posts about Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

These posts called on other users to repost the message if they too want to celebrate cancer survivors and those who have lost their lives to the disease.

These messages might not be as titillating, but they make their point more clearly and with greater respect for all.

I like it on the floor”, “I like it on the kitchen table”, “I like it on the...”. If these sound familiar to you, it is probably because they appeared on your Facebook newsfeed earlier this month.

Social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, is a good platform to spread awareness of causes and to educate people about important issues.

One such cause that realised the efficiency of social media is Breast Cancer Awareness.

Last year, a message was circulated to women to update their Facebook statuses with the colour of the bra they were wearing.

This year, the message was to update their statuses on where they liked to place their purses.

There is no doubt that the quirky way the campaign was carried out on Facebook was somewhat of a success.

It piqued the interest of people and resulted in many searches on Google regarding these status updates.

A second-year student from Nanyang Business School said that she was curious as to why people were posting such messages on Facebook. She said: “At first, I did not think much of it.

I thought people were airing details of their private lives.

“It was not until more people on my friends’ list did it that I realised there was something fishy going on.”

Similarly, a third-year Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI) student said: “I asked my friends to explain, after seeing two consecutive statuses about where they liked ‘it'.”

The circulated message regarding the statuses was meant for women only, and alienated the men.

The basic premise was to unite women in support of breast cancer awareness.

But why should this be limited to women?

While everyone was rallying for breast cancer awareness for women, the men have been neglected.

Raising the awareness of breast cancer among men is just as important.

Women who suffer from the disease do not suffer alone.

The people around them are also affected and they may not necessarily be women.

Greater awareness among both men and women would enable better support to be rendered to women affected by breast cancer.

All the secrecy may have been because breast cancer is often perceived to be a 'female' disease, but the fact is, men are vulnerable as well.

When diagnosed with the disease, male patients often face complex psychological issues as a result of the ‘female disease’ mindset.

Studies have shown that breast cancer is more common in older men.

Also, both men and women with the same stage of breast cancer have a similar prognosis.

According to the statistics by the American Cancer Society, the estimates for 2010 are that about 1,970 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among men, and about 390 men will die from breast cancer.

Therefore, instead of just promoting awareness of breast cancer to women, the campaign could definitely have done better by also including the men.

A fourth-year student from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences agreed that men should be included in the campaign as well.

All the secrecy may have been because breast cancer is often perceived to be a ‘female’ disease but the fact is, men are vulnerable as well.

“Maybe the idea was that by sending the message only to women to update their statues, it would make the guys curious, but as to whether the guys took the bait or not, I don't know.”

The third-year WKWSCI student who did not know men could get breast cancer added that “since there are a significant number of men who are affected, there is case for men to be alerted to the disease.”

A first-year engineering student suggested that letting men’s voices be heard in the campaign might be helpful in debunking the ‘female disease’ stereotype.

Just recently, a 43-year-old man died of breast cancer because he thought what he had on his chest was a simple rash.

According to The Electric New Paper, he had a “lump the size of a tennis ball on his chest [but] Mr Han Ming Chour was in denial about having breast cancer” because he thought only women could contract it.

This brings to mind the need to bring awareness of breast cancer, not just to the women, but to the men as well since they too are just as susceptible.

After all, it is National Breast Cancer Month, not Female Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

28

opinions

n ov e m b e r 1, 2010

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

No to shame game Or does the former view mask the larger problem of today’s society – a disregard for the privacy of others?

A final-year undergraduate from accounting comments: “there is a great difference between taking video of someone littering and recording a video of two individuals engaging in obviously private acts.”

He finds it hard to justify filming and circulating the video.

While the girls are not faultless, the act of filming them was inappropriate.

Secondly, the argument of some centers not on the incident but that it involves two girls – same-sex relations.

Quoting students who have viewed the video and psychologists on the nature of the case, words such as “disgust” and “especially disturbing” were used at the start of the report by The Straits Times.

GRAPHIC | ALAN CHOONG

Chan Xiao Yi

E

arly this month, The Straits Times published a report on a sex video involving two female firstyear students in a toilet in Anglo-Chinese Junior College.

Other students filmed them and the video was circulated to several others in the college.

A psychologist interviewed by The Straits Times views the incident as “something that the society may not accept yet”.

The media’s attention focused largely on whether the girls have been punished or expelled.

Immunity appears to have been given to those who take and post the pictures and videos This raises several disconcerting issues.

Firstly, it is frustrating that the students who recorded and circulated the video, though not celebrated heroes per se, are nowhere as ‘condemned’ as the two girls who have transgressed society’s acceptable code of conduct.

While the girls were not in a private setting, they probably chose what they believed to be the most private location within a

public space.

Ultimately, they did not want to be filmed or seen by others.

Avenues such as Facebook and STOMP are available to facilitate the larger scheme of naming and shaming in our society.

The spreading of the girls’ video can affect them for the rest of their lives.

Immunity appears to have been given to those who take and post the pictures and videos.

But the consequence can leave lasting scars on those who were filmed.

In a lecture given at Princeton University by Daniel Solove, an expert in privacy law, he stated that “Internet gossip can leave a permanent mark on its victims.”

He also added that some information “when circulated widely, can bring more infamy to its subjects than their actions might deserve.”

The spreading of the girls' video can affect them for the rest of their lives.

The media focus on them magnifies this consequence.

Should these students who filmed the girls therefore be looked upon as civic-minded individuals doing our society a favor by pointing out social ills?

A country that aims to be inclusive and understanding towards others can advocate compassion instead of obsessing over punishment.

A final-year English literature undergraduate believes that ethical concerns about the filming has been overshadowed by the media’s focus on the two girls.

Singapore society is one that can be considered conservative.

However, there is also a need to be aware of various projects and organisations aimed at creating a more compassionate society.

These include ‘We Believe in Second Chances’ and the ‘Yellow Ribbon Project’, the former being a “campaign that focuses on being allowed to try again when we fail”.

The Yellow Ribbon Project, on the other hand, encourages the community to give ex-offenders a second chance at life, accepting them into our society.

Also, Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (SCORE) has recently awarded 27 employers for giving ex-offenders a second chance.

A country that aims to be inclusive and understanding towards others can advocate compassion instead of obsessing over punishment.

This can be achieved through focusing on possible ways to help the girls recover from the breach of their privacy.

More can also be done to educate youths on the importance of respecting the privacy of others.

This, instead of concentrating on punishment, will make Singapore more tolerant than it currently is.

canteen talk

In light of the ACJC video scandal involving two girls, we ask students what they thought of the culture of naming and shaming in Singapore and if issues of privacy should have been focused on.

People tend to do things without thinking about the consequences. I will not get myself in such a situation.

”

Foo Cher Lee, EEE, Yr 3, 24

“

I think the people who spread the video should have gotten it worse than the two girls. I sympathize with the two girls.

Khairi Johann, NBS, Yr 2, 22

I think the issue of privacy is not well developed in Singapore which is why the two girls’ deed was focused on.

”

Benjamin Tan, SPMS, Yr 2, 22

“

I do not think that naming and shaming works. It only allows for criticism without getting to the root of the problem.

Tan Xin Qi Lisa, WKWSCI, Yr 2, 20

It is an invasion of privacy but avenues like STOMP encourage naming and shaming which can breach privacy.

”

Wee Zi Ning, HSS, Yr 4, 22 TEXT | GOH JIAMIN ; PHOTOS | NG JUN SEN

sports

N OV E M B E R 1, 2010

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

bpl talk

What lies at the end of the storm Sulaiman Daud FOR Liverpool fans, drama took place not on the pitch but in the court of law. A battle, fought in The Royal Courts of Justice, was to decide if Liverpool Football Club (LFC) could legally be sold to New England Sports Ventures (NESV).

Liver pool fans have been through some nail-biting situations previously, most memorably the 2005 Champions League triumph in Istanbul.

But even that legendary moment paled in comparison to the elation felt by supporters with a few simple words from Judge Justice Floyd, who presided over the case.

“The owners (Tom Hicks and George Gillett) do not have the right to veto a sale.”

Fan dissatisfaction with club owners have been rife in English football.

Manchester United fans have mounted their own ‘Green & Gold’ campaign against the Glazer family. Newcastle fans have abused Mike Ashley for failure to provide funds for the team.

It is said that the quickest way to lose one's fortune is to invest in a football club.

Fans are therefore suspicious of owners who buy football clubs, as it takes massive amounts of money to keep it competitive.

The cautionary tales of Leeds United and Portsmouth are reminders of failures that can arise

if club owners fail to provide sufficient or sustainable investment.

What’s next for LFC? New owner John Henry has made all the right moves and said all the right things, chief of which was that he would “listen to the fans”.

His team has taken the unprecedented step of meeting with Spirit of Shankly, an independent supporter group.

NESV has had a brilliant track record when it comes to reviving flagging fortunes of sports teams.

Two years after they bought the Boston Red Sox, the baseball team broke its 86-year drought winning a World Series title.

A stable boardroom and actual investments should alleviate the problems that have plagued the club for the past few years. It is no coincidence that the last trophies won by Liverpool were in 2005 and 2006, before the start of the Hicks and Gillett era.

Injecting huge sums of cash into the team, like what Chelsea and Manchester City have done, is not how NESV does business.

Fa n s s h ou ld n ot e x p e c t Holly wood-st yle transfers of £50 (S$102) million and above.

However, Liverpool will not be outspent in the transfer market by the likes of Stoke City, Wigan Athletic and Sunderland. This will bring out the true potential of a club expected to compete in the Champions League.

The question then arises: can

29

they said that?

“Lately, it was Slumdog Millionaire. Well, at least a little.”

F1 driver Michael Schumacher on which movie made him cry

SENT OFF: The departures of Gillett (left) and Hicks (right) may lead to an improvement of the club's fortune PHOTO | INTERNET

fans trust the manager to get it right with proper backing this time?

The answer, sadly, is no. Roy Hodgson, while a decent manager for a mid-table club like Fulham, is shockingly out of his depth in the Anfield hotseat.

His tactics have been subpar, his press conferences bizarre, and he has frozen out key players like Daniel Agger and Fernando Torres.

Recent transfers like Christian Poulsen and Paul Konchesky have proved disappointing.

As a result, Liverpool are currently in the relegation zone at 18th place.

Hodgson’s position is untenable and he will probably resign before the January transfer window opens.

His replacement will represent a statement of intent by NESV. Within eight days of taking over the Red Sox, John Henry fired the incumbent general manager and appointed the youngest ever manager in the team’s history in his place.

A similar move to appoint an ambitious manager like Frank Rijkaard or Manuel Pellegrini to replace Hodgson will be seen as a forward move by the fans.

Liverpool fans are hoping that NESV will replicate their previous successes.

But amidst the speculation about what is to come, most are happy to recall the prophetic words in the club’s famous anthem, “You’ll never walk alone."

“When I arrived in this country, players were on £200,000 a year.

Only 15 years later, it is that per week, a bit of a shock for me.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on the rising wages of footballers

sports talk

The virtual experience of live sports Annabelle Liang GONE are the days where sports video gaming involved racing a pair of athletes in a grainy two-dimensional medley. Now, think multi-player entertainment, motion-sensing controllers and high-definition gameplay.

The days of the Playstation and its pirated replicas have since been preceded by improved versions of the console and the X-box.

These advancements brought games like Winning Eleven, NBA live and FIFA series into the list of must-haves for sports fans.

Soon after, the Nintendo Wii console was launched, which brought sports video gaming to a new level.

Gamers were no longer inactive couch potatoes. They needed to swing the Wii controller to hit tennis balls and flick it to throw vir tual frisbees in respective sporting games.

Besides the sole value of enter tainment, t he Wii Fit has also racked up points with the weight conscious. British media personality Kelly Osbourne, 24,

incorporated the Wii fit into a fitness routine to balance off her “terrible diet”.

S h e t o l d B r i t a i n's n e w !

Magazine: “I don’t really work out either. I play on my Wii machine—I love the Wii Fit!” Although a success on the aforementioned levels, the artificially constructed atmosphere in

today's sports video games is still far from reality at sporting venues and stadiums. This is despite game companies' efforts to improve the realism in games.

It is not possible for video games to replicate the suspense spectators feel at a stadium, or the glory and celebrations of the athletes. Nor is it able to recreate

GRAPHIC | Pham Hoai Nam

the smell of grass on the field, or the priceless first-hand gestures of elation or regret from the athletes.

Cynics who challenge the vibrancy of a stadium’s crowd can just look to Paraguayan model Larissa Riquelme. The World Cup fan promised to strip naked in Asuncion central square, should Paraguay reach the semi-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, she did not strip as Paraguay was knocked out by Spain in a 1-0 quarter final match.

Even the enthusiastic Kallang Wave of Singaporeans at the National Stadium is a good example of a creative and united show of support for the football team.

Compare that to the flat and replicated sounds of encouragement or dismay from “spectators” in current video games.

In the future, the realistic atmosphere of live sports in video games could be possible with improvements in technology, like full surround sound systems.

But for now, video-game fans who want to soak in the intense sporting atmosphere of suspense and cheering will still have to head down to the stadiums.

GRAPHIC | ALISIA NING

“Players are pieces of meat that's how I look at it. When your time's up, your time's up.”

Roy Keane on his footballing career

”What's good in new FIFA? I've been Pro Evolution Soccer all my life.”

Tennis player Andy Murray, through Twitter, to Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand on football video games

30

sports

N OV E M B E R 1, 2010

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

RECOGNISING THE BEST Wang Chenyu

A TOTAL of 176 NTU athletes were recognised at the seventh Sports Awards Ceremony held at the Nanyang Executive Centre on October 23rd.

The athletes were honoured for their sporting achievements with the Half Colors, Full Colors, Sports Grants, Dragonboat Endowed Bursaries, SPIRIT Award, University Red Award and Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards.

Ashley Ong, who graduated from NTU this July, became the first winner of the University Red Award, which was only introduced this year.

Recipients of the year’s Sports Grant were Derrick Tan, and Serena Tiong.

The SPIRIT Award was given to Anne Goh, coach of the NTU touch football team.

It is awarded to longserving coaches in who have contributed to the university.

Jovina Choo (right) received the Sportswoman of the Year award and Adriel Chua was awarded Sportsman of the Year.

Director's race returns THE last stretch of the NIE Director Race, along Nanyang Walk, was certainly no walk in the park for Associate Professor Tay Eng Guan.

Running up the 400m-long slope proved exhausting, but his efforts will make the lives of the physically handicapped easier.

“I find it tiring because I’m already too old,” Professor Tay said. “At the age of 48, my knees are aching.”

But together with many others from the NIE community, Professor Tay’s effort helped raise more than $50,000 for the Society of the Physically Handicapped (SPD) since the race on October 15th.

The Director’s race coincided with the 60th anniversary of NIE, making a comeback after an absence last year.

The money raised will go to SPD’s tuition subsidy scheme.

It awards annual bursaries that help students with physical disabilities or with

physically disabled parents, according to Mr Winston Ngan, Honorar y Assistant Treasurer of the society.

The fund also provides academic support such as tuition to physically disabled students to cope with their studies, he said in a speech before the race.

Organised by Mr Muhammed Azhar, the race attracted approximately 500 runners from NTU and other schools.

For NIE student Aloysius Ong, 23, the Director’s race brought back fond memories of his classmates.

During his first year, the team formed with classmates came in second, and they used the prize money for a barbeque session.

“This is a landmark event that helps to bond us together, that is why we always come back,” he said.

He added: “Running and winning is a bonus. But when we join and we know it is for charity, it gives us an added incentive.”

RUN FOR A GOOD CAUSE: Runners set off from NIE.

PHOTO AND TEXT | XUE JIANYUE

PHOTO | WU HAN

Running in numbers to victory NTU maintains winning streak in annual NIKE 10km city race Alvin Chia

NTU successfully defended its title as champion of the School Challenge Category (Universities) in the Nike City 10K Singapore run.

The winning school was decided by the number of participants who

signed up for the run.

384 NTU students were part of 12,000 runners at the event which flagged off near the Marina Bay Floating Platform on the morning of October 24th.

Running along the marked route in the heart of Singapore, they went on Nicoll Highway, and passed by landmarks like the Singapore Flyer and F1 Pit Building, before arriving at the finish-point at the Floating Platform.

“NTU's win today may encourage more NTU students to participate.”

Sumiko Tan, 25 Final-year student from National Institute of Education

A RUN IN THE CITY: Participants sprinting off from the start point.

PHOTO | WU HAN

Member s of t he N T U Spor ts Club were par t of the NTU contingent in the School Challenge Category (Universities).

“We see this event as a good opportunity to interact with one another, and we came down as a group to challenge ourselves,” said its President Ang Yi Cheng, 22, a second-year student from the school of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

However, other students from NTU had different objectives for participating.

For Mabel Low, 21, a thirdyear student from the School of Biological Sciences, the run allowed her to relax mentally and gear up for the second half of the semester.

NTU received a cash prize of $5,000 and NIKE vouchers of the same amount.

Cheng Chen Hui, a first -year student from the School of Chemical Engineering, hopes NTU can keep up its winning streak, and the 21-year-old believes that many, or even more NTU students will return for next year’s edition of the run.

Final-year student from the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tzyy Kae, said: “NTU’s win today may encourage more NTU students to participate in 10km runs as it is more manageable than a half or full marathon like the Standard Chartered Marathon.”

Final-year National Institute of Education student, Sumiko Tan, observed that there were a lot of “young blood” participating in this year’s race.

The 25-year-old, who was also last year's winner in the women's under-25 category, believed that the distance appeals to that age group.

Besides NTU's victory, Tan had something else to cheer about. She crossed the finish line as the fourth fastest female runner and clocked a personal best timing of 40 minutes 32 seconds.

sports

N OV E M B E R 1, 2010

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

31

Keeping pace with contemporary doping Anti-doping advice by experts in conjunction with Sweden Day Siti Maziah Masramli WITH the pharmaceutical industry producing new drugs rapidly, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has to keep ahead of sportsmen and coaches seeking new drugs and methods in doping.

Scientists and sports leaders fear that advances in the genetic field may become misused for doping in sport, said WADA’s Vice President Arne Ljungqvist.

Dr Ljungqvist was in NTU on October 20th to speak about the progress of research in detection methods for doping in sport.

Doping is the violation of one or more anti-doping rules set by the WADA Code. The use or attempted use of a prohibited substance or method by an athlete results in the harshest punishment.

Other violations include refusing to be tested and distributing doping agents.

“Virtually all doping substances and methods are medical treatments that have been developed for the purpose of curing diseases or alleviating symptoms,” said Dr Ljungqvist, who has a degree in medicine.

“Therefore to use such medical treatments on healthy people, like

athletes, is against medical ethics,” he said.

Testosterone is a common doping agent that has harmful side effects when consumed in excess.

Insulin is another hormone substance that can be dangerous if abused by non-diabetics.

One possible new way of cheating in sport is gene doping. It is the transfer of cells of genetic elements like DNA, RNA or other biological agents that change a person’s own production of proteins and hormones.

“Scientists in my field have said that once the technique is used, you will never be able to detect it,” said Dr Ljungqvist.

However, he remains optimistic that WADA is moving in the right direction. WADA has a research budget of US$25 million a year, with US$12 million allocated to research in detection methods for gene doping.

In September, two independent groups reported in scientific journals methods for detecting foreign DNA after gene manipulation, a step towards beating gene doping.

During Dr Ljungqvist speech, he shared the history of doping in sport and used an example in field athletics to show how sporting results have been normalised as a result of anti-doping efforts.

He said: “At throwing events like discus, you will today get gold medal results that will not even qualify you for the finals 30 years

EXPERT ADVICE: Professor Arne Ljungqvist addresses key issues of sports doping.

ago. So something has happened, there’s no doubt about that.”

Dr Ljungqvist also emphasised the importance of education to reduce doping incidents in sports, especially for young athletes.

A s a member of t he International Olympic Committee, he praised Singapore for its efforts in hosting the inaugural Youth Olympic Games.

PHOTO | JEANETTE LIM

Two WADA booths were set up in the Youth Olympic Village to educate the youth athletes and other visitors about anti-doping.

The athletes also underwent doping tests, which were meant to educate them rather than to identify cheats.

Dr Ljungqvist’s speech was one of two talks by distinguished Swede professors, held in conjunc-

tion with Sweden Day at the School of Biological Sciences (SBS).

The extent of doping in sports surprised Ms Ramya Ramadoss, 23, who attended the talk.

“I was not aware that the history of doping was so bad, starting from the 1960s. I got some new knowledge and good facts,” said the project officer in genetics and genomics with the SBS.

sports recap Success on the football pitch The NTU women’s football team won the Football Association of Singapore Women Youth League for the first time, coming out victorious in seven out of eight matches.

The competition, which concluded on October 16th, is the premier youth competition for Women’s Football in Singapore.

Skipper Nuriah Noor, 23, a recent graduate from the National Institute of Education, was the tournament's top scorer with 21 goals.

PHOTO | SPORTS AND RECREATION CENTRE

NTU women paddlers do country proud NTU displayed their athletic prowess at the Asian University Table Tennis Competition this June.

The women’s team, which comprised of four NTU paddlers, finished third after losing out to top-seed China in the semi-finals.

The competition, which was held in Hong Kong, had eight athletes from NTU, out of the ten that represented Singapore.

PHOTO | SPORTS AND RECREATION CENTRE

Sports

NTU runners take to the city on Page 30

SUniG champions at long last NTU ends four year wait to claim a historic victory over its closest rival Lai Junjie A CLOSE fight between two old rivals eventually saw NTU toppling NUS to emerge as champions of 2010.

NTU won the championship on the last day of the Singapore University Games (SUniG) with 20 gold medals, edging out National University of Singapore (NUS), which had 19.

The victor y comes despite the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) hampering athletes’ preparations for the SUniG. Many teams were forced to find alternative training grounds during this period of time. Some even had to forgo training at times as they were unable to make suitable arrangements.

Colin Tung, 22, part of the gold medal winning cross country team, acknowledged that the YOG caused a lot of inconveniences for his team.

“Our athletes had to train outside of school because the track was closed for the athletes of YOG. We started our train-

ing later than everyone else and this affected our momentum,” the second-year student from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences said.

As the SUniG came to a close, athletes reflected on their experiences leading up to the end.

Darren Tan, 23, captain of the NTU biathlon team, said, “We prepared for 3 months and it was a tough time, [but] my team overcame many obstacles.”

For some athletes, this was their last chance to actively participate in their favourite sport before graduation.

“This could be the start of NTU winning more competitions.”

Samuel Wong, 23 Captain of the NTU squash team

One example was captain of the men’s rugby team Fadzil Wahed, 23, who was doubtful that he would be able to hold a job and carry on with his athletic pursuits at the same time.

“After you graduate, you will

have work and family commitments. So time constraints will be pretty much a big factor,” he said.

He added: “If you do have an extra bit of free time, you can play for private clubs, which is a totally different experience from playing for a school.”

M s S h e r y l L o w, D e p u t y D i r e c tor of t he Sp or t s a nd Recreation Centre, credited the victory to the athletes’ determination to become champions despite trailing behind NUS for the past four years.

“Four years was a long time, but we did it. Even though we have come close in previous years, we still pushed on until we finally won,” she said.

In agreement with Ms Low was Samuel Wong, 23, a member of the squash team, who clinched the silver medal in the men’s individual event.

“I think when we’re always second for a long time, usually there’s more motivation to actually become champions,” said the third-year student from Nanyang Business School.

He added: “It’s like a feeling that we’re catching up to someone.

This could be the start of NTU winning more competitions.”

SWEET VICTORY: NTU clinches the SUniG overall champion’s title for the first time since SUniG was formed.

9 Ball Pool Aquathlon Basketball Bowling Cricket Ultimate Frisbee Cross Country Rugby 7s Soccer Squash Swimming Tennis Touch Football Volleyball Waterpolo Rugby 10s Handball

Sports Mixed Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Mixed Men Women Men Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Women Men Women Men Women Men Women

Overall Champion SIM NUS NTU NTU NTU NTU SIM NUS SMU NTU NUS NUS NTU NTU NTU NTU SMU NUS SMU NUS SIM NTU NUS NUS Exhibitional/Invitational Exhibitional/Invitational Exhibitional/Invitational

PHOTO | WAN ZHONG HAO