The Nanyang Chronicle Vol 17 Issue 07 by Nanyang Chronicle

THE NANYANG

CHRONICLE

VOL. NO.

07 14.02.11 ISSN NO. 0218-7310

NTU: INTERACTIVE By 2018, a new NTU will emerge with a host of opportunities for greater interaction among students and faculty, at work and play, in the library and even a pub.

NEWS | 03

SWIFT LOVING REVIEWS | 13

DISCO KING ROCKED! SPORTS | 32

02 NEWS

THE NANYANG

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CHRONICLE 07

News Bites NTU NBS REMAINS AMONG THE WORLD’S TOP 35 BUSINESS

NEW COMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH CENTRE

NANYANG Business School (NBS) is ranked 33rd in this year’s Top 100 Global MBA by the Financial Times. Its alumni have the highest average salaries among the graduates of Singapore’s MBA programmes with an average salary of US$104,592.

A NEW research centre by NTU, ETH Zurich and UNC-Chapel Hill will make virtual communication a reality. NTU, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (Switzerland) and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (the United States) will jointly set up a $23 million international research centre for telepresence and telecollaboration. These new technologies allow people thousands miles away from each other to interact as if they were all together at one location.

MEMSYS - NTU TO ENHANCE WATER DESALLNATION TECHNOLOGY MEMSYS Clearwater Pte Ltd. and NTU are collaborating to enhance a patented technology to allow treatment of water contaminated with oil. This joint project has received $400,000 grant from Singapore’s Environment and Water Industry Programme Office (EWI).

CONFUCIUS LEADS THE WAY CONFUCIUS Institute, NTU, was recently recognised as one of the best-run Institutes among over 300 Confucius Institutes worldwide. The institute, which was first established in 2005, was re-named Confucius Institute of the Year (2010) at the 5th Confucius Institute Conference held in Beijing in December.

NTU TO CO-ORGANISE WORLD ENRTREPRENEURSHIP FORUM THE FOURTH World Entrepreneurship Forum meeting will be held in Singapore from November 2nd to 5th 2011. It is being co-organised by NTU and Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE).

SINGAPORE GROWING TREES IN CONTAINERS

11.6M VISITORS TO SINGAPORE IN 2010

SINGAPORE National Parks and NTU have jointly introduced a new way to plant trees — growing trees in containers. A total of 27 trees (Bintangor bunut) were first to be placed in tree containers along Cashew Road in Singapore. The Centre of Urban Greener y and Ecology said the container is designed to facilitate the transporting of the tree.

SINGA PORE has attracted 11.6 million visitors to its shores in 2010, hitting its target of 11.5 million to 12.5 million tourist arrivals. Tourism receipts were estimated at $18.8 billion, topping the year’s forecast range of $17.5 billion to $18.5 billion. Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Australia andIndia were the top five visitor arrival markets for the year.

14 YOUTHS SUSPECTED OF AIDING ILLEGAL MONEYLENDERS A 15-YEAR-OLD was among those arrested by police for suspected involvement in loan-shark ing activities during an islandwide operation from Monday to Tuesday last week. Officers from the Jurong Police Division nabbed 14 suspects in total, and most of them were students aged between 15 and 21.

PUB OFFICER JAILED 4 MONTHS FOR CORRUPTION

ROAD MISHAPS OVER THE CNY WEEKEND

A PUBLIC Utilities Board (PUB) senior technician was jailed last Wednesday for four months and ordered to pay a penalty up to $2,299 for corruption. Jumat Omar, 41, attached to the Sewer Repair Section of the PUB, pleaded guilty to three charges.

THE FOUR-DAY weekend over Chinese New Year saw quite a number of accidents. These included a bus mounting a kerb, a lorry crashing into the road divider, and 12 cars catching fire in a car park.

HK EXCHANGE ADDS VOICE TO MERGER FRENZY

STRIKES BREAK OUT IN EGYPT

WORLD ‘SCHOOLBOY ‘ BOMBER KILLS 31 AT PAKISTANI ARMY BASE A SUICIDE bomber has attacked an army facilit y in Pakistan’s troubled north-west last Thursday, killing at least 31 people and injuring another 40. Police described the bomber as a male teenager dressed in school uniform. A Taliban spokesman said the militants had carried out the bombing.

FIRST LADY SAYS US PRESIDENT HAS STOPPED SMOKING THE FIRST Lady says President Obama has stopped smoking. Last Tuesday, First Lady Michelle Obama said that the president Barack Obama has finally kicked his craving for the occasional cigarette. She beamed with joy that Obama has not had a drag for about a year and was “very proud” that the US president can look his kids in the eye and say he doesn not smoke.

TAIWAN ARRESTS GENERAL ACCUSED OF SPYING FOR CHINA A TAIWANESE major general, Lo Hsien-che, was detained on suspicion of spying for China, military personnel said last Tuesday. Local media reported he had leaked details of Taiwan-US programmes from 2002 to 2005. It could be the most serious espionage case in Taiwan in decades.

THE HONG KONG stock exchange last Thursday said that it would consider international alliances after Deutsche Boerse and NYSE Euronext announced plans to form a global trading powerhouse. But it had not identified any opportunities yet.

Upcoming Events 17 February Jazz In A Can Jazz In A Can is an annual outdoor performance which aims to promote the appreciation of jazz music in NTU. There will also be performances of other genres of music such as pop and rock. Time: 11 am to 3 pm Venue: Ca nopy K ( out side LT1A), North Spine

20 February TRANSIENT REMINISCENCES 2011 An annual concert held by NTU Chinese Orchestra, Transient Reminiscences will depict stories of people from different walks of life. Tickets are available at $12 and $15. Time: 7:30 pm. Venue: Singapore Conference Hall

ANTI-MUBARAK protesters remain defiant. Thousands of Egyptian workers went on strike last Thursday to demand better compensation and transparency in executive salaries, adding pressure on a government staunchly resisting massive protests calling for the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.

correction 21 to 22 February Earthlink Environmental Awareness Campaign An event meant to raise environmental awareness within the student population. Time: 9 am. to 5 pm. Venue: Outside LT2A

IF you HAVE ANY EXCITING CAMPUS EVENTS, DOn’t hesitate! just CONTACT US AT

chronicle @ntu.edu.sg

”lIBRARIES AND READING ROOMS TURNED HOME” (VOL 17 NO 5, PAGE 7) Our article stated that Liu Shun did not manage to get a hostel room this academic year. The Student Affairs Office has clarified that Liu did get a room in the Hall of Residence 15 and has been staying there since September 4,2010. We apologize for the error.

News

Feel the love on Valentine's Day – Page 5

Holland Village vibe coming to NTU NTU reveals its campus master plan for the next 15 years Cassandra Yeap news editor THE rumours of a pub and cinema coming to NTU have finally been confirmed. First sparked off by comments made by NTU President Designate and Provost Professor Bertil Andersson in an interview with the Straits Times late last year, the buzz became fact on February 7th, with the unveiling of NTU’s campus master plan. Meant to inform NTU’s physical development for the next 15 years, the plan was announced at a press conference held by Dr Andersson and NTU President Dr Su Guaning. Estimated to cost around $500 million by Dr Andersson, the earliest projected date for construction to begin is two years from now (see infographic). For Dr Andersson, the culture of a particular place in Singapore sums up the future spirit of NTU’s campus. “If we succeed in creating this campus village, it would have a Holland Village atmosphere. For me, that is interactivity,” said Dr Andersson. Dr Andersson gave examples of professors meeting graduate students in a restaurant or coffee shop instead of the traditional classroom, and undergraduates from electrical engineering going for a movie with their counterparts from communication studies. “If we succeed with that, NTU would have come a long way,” he said. The new Campus Centre is the crown jewel in this vision. The pub and cinema, as well as retail shops, cafes and restaurants, will be part of the Campus Centre to be built along a road near the School of Art, Design and Media that leads to the Administration Building. In planning for the centre,

some of the dimensions of Holland Village were indeed used as a reference point to ensure visitors would enjoy gathering in the space, revealed the lead consulting architect Harold Guida of Guida Moseley Brown Architects. Greater networking between faculty and students, as well as Singaporeans and foreigners, would drive innovation and collaboration across disciplines, said Dr Andersson. He explained that the plan to add 5,000 new hostel places for undergraduates by 2015, and housing for graduate students and faculty members, was also to ensure a “mixing of different categories of people”. Another key focus of the master plan is the changing way students learn. The infrastructure is meant to support the findings of the Blue Ribbon commission, a review of undergraduate education that has recommended a more collaborative and proactive model of learning. Accordingly, existing tutorial rooms will be converted to “Classrooms of Tomorrow”, featuring clustered seating for discussion, and technology such as LCD screens and SMART Boards that will replace whiteboards, starting from the middle of this year, said Acting Chief Building and Infrastructure Officer Chan Keng Luck. The Office of Facilities Planning and Management will also be on the lookout for other spaces where informal learning and interaction can be created. A Learning Hub, housing about 70 “Classrooms of Tomorrow” will also be built. In addition, an Interdisciplinary Research Building and facilities for the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine have been included in the master plan. According to Mr Chan, existing buildings will, on the whole, not be affected when construction starts. However, Hall of Residence 2, which sits where the campus centre is intended to be, is slated for demolition in 2015, after a replacement hall has been built for its residents, said Mr Chan. Some

A SENSE OF ARRIVAL: Proposed entrance to the Campus Centre, which is planned to house a cinema, pub, cafes and retail outlets Graphic | office of facilities planning and management

CAMPUS LIVING: Sections of the academic complexes could be converted to apartments for graduate students Graphic | office of facilities planning and management

faculty housing in Nanyang Terrace will also have to make way for new buildings. Canteens 1 and 2 could po-

tentially be affected, as well as Hall of Residence 7 at a later stage, added Mr Chan. More coverage on Chinese pg18>>

TIMELINE OF MASTER PLAN PROJECTS MEDICAL SCHOOL BUILDING HOUSING/RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES LEARNING HUB INTER-DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH BUILDING

COMMENCEMENT

2012

2013

CAMPUS CENTRE

2014

2015

2018

COMPLETION MEDICAL SCHOOL BUILDING LEARNING HUB INTER-DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH BUILDING

HOUSING/RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES CAMPUS CENTRE

NTU Evolutions This master plan marks the fifth major development of the Yunnan Garden campus. The first plan launched was for Nantah in 1953, followed by the development of north and south spines over 19811990, the expansion to accommodate NIE over 19912000 and the addition of three new schools in 2003.

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Research centre brings virtual reality to life BeingThere centre will develop 3D interactive communication technologies Shannon Chau A professor teaching in a crowded classroom. A rock band playing to thousands of screaming fans. The twist? The professor and the rock band are not physically present. These scenarios could soon become reality with the launch of an international research centre, the BeingThere Centre, said NTU’s President-Designate Dr Bertil Andersson on January 26. Slated to open in four years’ time, the centre works on sophisticated forms of interactive 3-D communication known as “telepresence” and “telecollaboration” solutions, he said. “Telepresence” indicates that an individual’s presence is felt although he or she is physically away from the scene, and “telecollaboration” refers to software technologies that allow highdefinition videoconferencing. The centre is a collaboration between NTU, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich from Switzerland, the University of North Carolina and the Media Development Authority (MDA) and represents a $23 million investment by the parties. According to a press release issued by the three universities

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VIRTUAL POSSIBILITIES: Professor Nadia Magnenat-Thalmann, one of the three directors, with the 3D camera PHOTO | WAN ZHONG HAO

and MDA, the BeingThere centre makes a face-to-face interactive encounter virtually possible with high-definition and state-of-theart equipment. Director of the Institute for Media Innovation Professor Nadia Magnenat-Thalmann said that this project will be especially beneficial to professionals who find themselves unable to attend important conferences or meetings physically. She added that compared to the 2-D traditional video system, the technology used for this project will bring a stronger feeling of presence when people communicate across geographical boundaries using their 3-D forms. NTU will contribute research towards the 3-D Capture Lab, where high-definition images of real humans will be achieved

through huge data streaming, the Animatronics Lab, which develops human-sized mobile avatars, and the 3-D Behavioural Lab, which develops the memory, speech, vision and behaviour of the avatars. Driving the research efforts will be Dr Magnenat-Thalmann, 10 professors from various engineering schools, and 25 NTU doctorate students. The doctorate students will be selected with input from the Graduate Office and relevant professors, according to Dr Thalmann. “Students (hoping to be selected) should be vision based, know robotics and telepresence well and have good teamwork. They should also be motivated, ambitious and open to international exposure,” she added.

Wanted: Stylish students Felicia Lim Burberry and Jimmy Choos may not be fashion choices for many students, but a new fashion campaign in NTU aims to show that one does not need to be togged in expensive brands to look unique or stylish. Nail That Unique Style (N.T.U.Style) spotlights 10 students with unique dressing flair every month in the Nanyang Chronicle. In 2008, a poll by the Straits Times ranked NTU students lowest in terms of physical attractiveness, behind students from SMU, NUS and other tertiary institutions. Our poor showing was attributed to sloppy dressing. That could change with the campaign, which started in late January this year by The Nanyang Chronicle and NTU’s Corporate Communications Office (CCO). The Nanyang Chronicle’s two Dapper editors will go on the hunt each month for 10 students who are dressed to impress. The students will have their photographs taken and featured on N.T.U.Style’s Facebook page. Two winners will be decided by how many people like his or her

photograph and will receive a $100 shopping voucher. One voter will also receive a $50 shopping voucher. The Dapper editors’ idea of a street style column featuring NTU students coincided with CCO’s proposed style contest, thus the collabortion, said Dapper editor Gladys Ng. The first round of competition showed that not all NTU students dress shabbily. Electrical and electronic engineering student Venessa Chua, 22, was wearing high-waisted denim shorts with a green sleeveless top on the day she was spotted. Said Chua: “I like to look easygoing and sociable, and so my style reflects that..” Humanities and social sciences student Melissa Sutrisno, 21, was another contestant who stood out. Said Sutrisno: “I like to look casual but presentable. I read magazines for inspirations and to mix and match different looks.” Nevertheless, Ng said that NTU has a long way to go to become a fashionable campus. “NTU students tend to dress on the safe side. Many students think that they might be overdressed if they dress up,” she said.

GLAMMING IT UP: The Nanyang Chronicle is on the hunt for students who dress well PHOTO | WAN ZHONG HAO

NTU attracts top scientists with Asia's first solar fuel lab The new Solar Fuel Lab aims to create efficient and sustainable sources of solar fuel Ong Yong Roy A team of world experts in biochemistry and materials science are working in a new NTU lab, Asia’s first to develop hydrogen-extracting technology to help meet the world’s demand for clean and renewable energy. The Solar Fuels Lab, opened by NTU President-Designate Professor Bertil Andersson on February 8th, aims to develop a device that extracts large amounts of hydrogen from water using sunlight. The hydrogen would serve as fuel energy, replacing crude oil. NTU’s Provost-Designate Professor Freddy Boey said: “This is a grand challenge project that will involve different disciplines. What we are doing is to connect ourselves with the best

in the world.” One key objective of this research program, according to Dr Andersson, is to expose the students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, to the key energy challenge of finding cheap and robust material to devise the solar fuel technology. “NTU students have to be the

“What we are doing is to connect ourselves with the best in the world." Freddy Boey Provost-Designate Nanyang Technological University

experts in the world. We are going out to help the world, Britain or US with such a challenge. This is something we have to be proud of,” he added. Heading the lab are luminar-

ies such as Flintoff Medal winner by the Royal Society of Chemistry Professor James Barber, deputy director of Helios Solar Energy Research Centre at Berkeley National Laboratory Dr Heinz Frei, and winner of the 2010 Millennium Technology Award Professor Michael Gratzal. Professor Barber, visiting professor from Imperial College London said that NTU’s strength in multi disciplinary fields across materials engineering, chemistry and biology attracted him to join the research. He is also the key advisor to the Solar Fuels Lab and a world authority on photosynthesis research. “This research is like a space race challenge. We need to bring together the multidisciplinary talents and NTU is well placed to deliver this,” he added. Two of NTU’s homegrown talents Assistant Professors Joachim Loo and Lydia Wong are also involved in the research.

Dr Loo, 34, the Principal Investigator for the solar fuel program, pursued his undergraduate and doctoral studies at NTU. He was nominated for the prestigious Singapore Youth Award in Science and Technology 2010 for his

contributions to the scientific community. Dr Wong, 30, was previously a Visiting Scientist at Stanford University, and was the third prize winner of the Young Persons’ Lecture Competition in London in 2004.

BUBBLY: Professor Joachim Loo and his lab assistant conduct a procedure to extract PHOTO | WAN ZHONG HAO hydrogen from water

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Crossing boundaries, together Candice Neo As a university with 23,000 undergraduates and 10,000 graduate students from 72 countries, NTU is a backdrop for people of different cultures to come together. In this Valentine’s Day Special, two cross-cultural couples share the stories of how they met and eventually got together under the unlikeliest situations.

would be upset by her excessive partying and drinking. But they slowly worked things out, she said. He also accepted her part-time job as an IT showgirl, where she dresses skimpily to attract customers. “I enjoy my job,” she said, “but many Singaporean guys don’t like having a girlfriend who is in this industry. It’s not the type of girl that their parents would accept,

his girlfriend has done for him, he said: “The most special thing she’s done for me is to be my girlfriend.” “She has changed my life in many ways,” he admitted. Although Nguyen often returns to Vietnam during school vacations, Kim said she does not feel lonely because they are not a couple that needs to be together all the time. Still, she confessed that she misses him when he is not around.

WHEN PARTY GIRL MEETS BOYNEXT-DOOR

One is a Singaporean party girl. The other is a Vietnamese boy-next-door. But for Kim Chee Yun and Nguyen Quang Huy, who have been attached for four years, sparks flew because they are so different. “Opposites attract,” Kim summed up. The 23-year-old student described herself as an outgoing person, while her 22-yearold boyfriend is an introvert. Kim is from the School of Computer Engineering. Nguyen graduated from the same school last May. Their differences in personality were apparent on their first day as freshmen in school four years ago, when they first met. Kim arrived late for class and sat at the back of the room while Nguyen sat alone. Kim kept laughing in class but Nguyen paid attention throughout. Kim related with a laugh. “I think he was scared of me!” “I think that’s why he caught my eye,” she added. They discovered that they were lab partners for one of their engineering modules, and so began to interact more. Kim said that no one she dated has been as “soft-spoken and sensitive” as he is. She would chatter on and he would always listen patiently. She would also comment on his style of dressing. “I thought my dressing was nice,” Nguyen said. “She said I looked like a country bumpkin.” There were more differences. Nguyen comes from a traditional background while Kim hails from a liberal one. They often argued when they first got together as he

happy together: Morgan Kwan and her boyfriend Kartik Bhandari in Singapore PHOTO | COURTESY OF MORGAN KWAN

and it becomes troublesome to date her.” However, Nguyen “never forces me to do anything. He’ll let me reflect on things and make my own decision,” she said. Nguyen, who is stronger academically, often helps her with her schoolwork. “Without him, I may have gone down the wrong path,” she said. Nguyen has no regrets about being with Kim. When asked about something special that

Nguyen may take up permanent residency in Singapore and Kim does not mind moving to Vietnam eventually.

the best travel buddies

Lost in a foreign place, they found each other. Exchange students Canadian Morgan Kwan and American Kartik Bhandari met on the second day of school last semester. Kwan is half Chinese, half German-Canadian, while Bhandari is Indian.

“We were both lost,” Kwan said. They met each other right outside the International Student Centre. Kwan, 21, is on exchange in the School of Chemical and Biological Engineering until the end of this semester. Bhandari flew back to the United States last semester. After much friendly interaction, Bhandari finally summoned the courage to ask Kwan out for an official dinner date. “I wanted to do things right and ask her out properly,” Bhandari said. Their first date was almost a disaster because Kwan invited a guy friend to come along. Luckily, the night turned itself around and they had a good meal at Newton Hawker Centre. Being in a foreign land has fuelled their relationship as there were ample opportunities to try new things. “We loved to try out Singapore food,” Kwan said. “We would eat at both hawker centres and restaurants.” During recess week last semester, they went on backpacking trips to Cambodia, Bali and Bangkok. “We both like travelling and eating,” Kwan said. Bhandari said: “Travelling is a way to really get to know someone...To really understand how they think, what they value, and how they handle themselves in stressful situations. I loved travelling with Kwan. I really liked the unfiltered version of her I saw on our travels.” They have shared their different cultures with each other and connected over similarities. Both of them have Asian blood and parents who place a lot of emphasis on education, Kwan said. Bhandari said their parents approve of their relationship. When Kwan’s parents visited them in Singapore last Christmas, her dad was really excited when Bhandari took everyone out for Indian food. Although distance separates the couple now, they remain close. “We talk regularly on Skype,” Kwan said. “We’ll also organise trips to visit each other.” She hopes to move to Texas to be with Bhandari eventually.

Course registration woes of exchange students Exchange students faced complications during the recent add/drop period Kenneth Foo The school’s add/drop period this semester may have ended, but some exchange students are still unhappy. They are complaining of difficulties getting the modules they want, because they face a more complicated registration process than NTU undergraduates. During the add/drop period, exchange students and current undergraduates in NTU fight for limited places in modules on a first-come, first-served basis. For exchange students, the process involves more than just adding courses through the school’s course registration system (STARS). They must submit an e-Request form to the Office of Academic Services (OAS) and also e-mail their home university for approval to register for the course.

“This process of approving new courses for exchange students usually takes three to five working days, depending on his or her school and course of study,” said a spokesperson from the OAS. This lengthy process has frustrated many exchange students. American Nathan Raiders, 20, a third-year exchange student at Nanyang Business School, said: “ It takes a few days for us to get permission to register a course, but any course vacancy is taken up in a matter of minutes.” In light of the difficulties faced, the OAS strongly encourages exchange students “not to deviate from the initial list of approved courses” matched before their arrival. Communication Studies exchange student Tenesha Jones, 20, from San Diego State University in the US, failed to get her modules because by the time she received approval, she realised that timetable clashes ruled most of her course choices out. As a result, she had only one module registered, barely a week before the se-

mester started. Although a briefing on course registration is conducted for exchange students by the International Student Centre every semester, American exchange student Carmen Coddington, 19, felt that the briefing she attended was “too short and superficial.” The issue with NTU’s course registration process simply boils down to demand and supply, said Civil and Environmental Engineering exchange student Viktoria Odmark, 21. “Back home, the local and exchange students do not have to fight for modules, as the school provides more than enough vacancies for everyone,” said Odmark, who studies at Sweden’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology. There is, however, one solution. Jones has since resolved her situation by taking the unofficial route of contacting the lecturers in charge of the courses she wanted. “The professors understood my predicament and created a spot for me in their classes,” she said.

SEEING STARS: Exchange students Peter Cohan and Tenesha Jones frustrated with the lengthy course approval process which makes it difficult for them to pick up new courses. PHOTO | KENNETH FOO

Lifestyle

Cheap, cheerful Valentine’s dinner – Page 12

The Popcorn Awards With the 83rd Annual Academy Awards just round the corner, it is time to bring out the popcorn. Only... which is best? Malvin Chua and Lam Zhao Yao dig into numerous packets of the timeless movie snack to give you their take on which are worthy of walking the red carpet. This review comes complete with winners for “Best…” a la the Oscars, so you know which cinema serves up the best popcorn, and also what is perfect to curl up with on a movie night at home.

In cinemas (sweet and saltED mix): Cathay Cineplexes

ENG WAH CINEMAS

Filmgarde Cineplex

GOLDEN VILLAGE

Shaw Theatres

engsfotr B ba

THE popcorn smells sweet, with the distinct aroma of corn. The salted ones are mildly crisp, a tad dry, and slightly over-salted. The sweet ones fare better—crunchy and buttery.

THE sweet and salted popcorn comes thoroughly mixed, instead of layered as it usually is in other theatres. As such, the distinction between the sweet and salted pieces is blurred because the sweet ones pick up some salt. The popcorn is likely stale as it is often soft and lacks crunch. The bigger problem, however, is the numerous un-popped kernels stuck on the caramel and within the popped corn.

THE popcorn gives off a strong, buttery aroma. The sweet ones are liberally coated with glossy caramel—fussy eaters sharing a mixed tub would be able to pick their preferred popcorn even in the dark of the cinema. Taste-wise, the salted ones could be crispier and milder— they are simply too salty. Expect to finish your drink within an hour. The sweet ones are crunchy enough, although we noted a slight bitter aftertaste—perhaps the caramel was a little burnt.

b uc

THE sweet popcorn is generally covered in an even coat of caramel, and is crunchy while the salted popcorn is soft. As there is only a hint of the aroma of butter, the taste likewise lacked a buttery flavor, especially for the sweet popcorn.

ON THE COUCH: Garrett Popcorn Shops

Orville Redenbacher’s Popcorn

BCeOUsCHtION

Poppin Microwave Popcorn

ALTHOUGH the popcorn looks plain, both the sweet and the salted have just the right amount of crunch and a buttery, sweet fragrance to them. Shaw Theatres’ sweet popcorn is unique in that its sweetness tastes like pure sugar instead of caramel. Costing $3.90, the mix is a steal with the same quantity of popcorn as Eng Wah Cinemas’—but at a fraction of the price and double the quality.

DIY: MAKE YOUR OWN POPCORN

BeFOsR t

COMPAN

th He al

GARRETT’S popcorn comes in a striped translucent bag and entices with its colourful contents. We tried The Chicago Mix—a mix of caramel and cheese popcorn. The caramel ones are a glossy brown, and the cheese ones are bright canary yellow. The former is fragrant and crunchy while the latter gives a strong, salty punch. Also, the fullness of the cheddar cheese hits you as an aftertaste. Although it is the priciest of the lot, at $8 for a small bag, its taste justifies the price.

THIS microwave popcorn smells strongly of butter upon popping, and the portion of butter is indeed generous—the popped kernels are all coated an even yellow. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the salt. Inconsistently distributed, it makes the popcorn mostly bland, with cringe-inducing salty bits in the mix.

IT COMES out of the microwave looking an unappealing faint shade of yellow. Taste-wise, however, the popcorn is consistently crispy and buttery. Neither bland nor overly salty, it makes a great choice for those health conscious.

See www.garrettpopcorn.com for locations.

Available at all major leading supermarkets.

Ingredients (serves two): 1/3 cup popcorn kernels 3 tbsp canola oil Butter (to taste) Salt (to taste) Method: 1. Heat the oil in a saucepan on medium high heat. 2. Put a few popcorn kernels into the oil and cover the pan. 3. When the kernels pop, add the rest of the popcorn kernels, spreading them out in an even layer, and cover the pan. 4. When most of the kernels have popped, turn off the heat and pour the popcorn into a serving bowl. 5. Melt the butter in the hot pan. 6. Add melted butter and salt to the bowl. Mix well.

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CAMPUS CORNERS for couples Want to avoid the high V-Day prices? Create your own candlelit dinner in school on a shoestring budget. Lifestyle Editor Kay Tan shows you how to set up a cheap and cheerful dinner on campus grounds. After all, true love shines through no matter where the setting.

corner benches, canteen or cafe tables

1 2

4 3

A CLASSIC DINNER: Dress up a bench or cafe table with a tablecloth and table runner.

PHOTOS | JOANNE QUEK & GOH CHAY TENG

• Caffe Express • Café Al Fresco • Café by the Quad 1. Cover the table with a f lat

sheet or duvet if you don’t have a tablecloth handy. 2. Fold a bath towel or throw in half or thirds for the table runner, or use a long shawl or scarf. 3. M i ssi ng ca nd le holder s or taper candles? You can use pillar candles (shown above), or drop tealights into shot glasses or bowls of water for floating candles. 4. Scatter hear t-shaped craf t paper cutouts, cr ystal beads,

BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE: A table with a view.

glitter, sequins, or pearls along the table runner. Better still, get fresh rose petals or heart-shaped chocolates. You can also use these materials to form words as a message to your Valentine.

rooftops, walkway, or flat grassy area

2 3 1

PICNIC FOR TWO: Grab a large piece of cloth and a wicker basket and you are set.

• School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering • School of Art Design and Media 1. If you don’t have a picnic blanket, a large piece of cloth such as a tablecloth, flat sheet, quilt or duvet will do. Layer them for increased comfort. 2. Fashion a picnic basket out of a wicker basket (for example, a recycled flower basket or gift basket) by lining it with a square of cotton. Flowers, teddy bears

ROMANCE ON THE ROOF: Be with your love at the top of the world.

or heart-shaped prints will add a sweet touch. 3. Contain tealights in empty glass jars, which shield flames from the wind and prevent the tealights from toppling.

EDGES of planters, concrete SEATS OR Gallery seats

3 2

• School of Humanities and Social Sciences • OUTSIDE NANYANG AUDITORIUM • The Fountain near TAN CHIN TUAN 1. Use seat cushions, sofa cushions

1 GOING TABLE-LESS: Make the spot your own by creating seats with cushions.

of the f latter variety or f loor pillows for seats. 2. For fuss-free candlelight, use pillar candles, which are selfstanding and do not require a base or candleholder. Group three candles of the same colour but

BLOSSOMING LOVE: Red hot love among the greens.

of different heights to make a centrepiece. 3. Use a wire basket or a breakfast tray to contain your bottle and wine glasses to create structure in a table-less setting.

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RUSH HOUR FUN As a group of students set out to liven up NTU canteen with music and magic, Andrew Koh went to find out how the students reacted.

AMIDST the typical lunch crowd at Canteen B last week, music played. Everyone turned to look. Aldrich Tjahjadi, 24, a part-time guitar teacher, was strumming his guitar and singing. At a different part of Canteen B, the crowd was fixated with card and rope tricks by a magician, Jimmy Ling, 26. These spontaneous one-hour performances were the first of three events by “Spin on Life”, an initiative to liven up mundane campus days. The initiative is headed by three finalyear students from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information as part of their final year project. "Academic life can be stressful. We just want to put some fun in everyday activities on campus, and hope that students can see these common places in a new light,” said Kenneth Chew, 25, one of the members of the project, which hired the Canteen B performers.

As part of their project requirements, they have to raise the audience's awareness of their sponsors—two beer companies. They felt that the best way to do so was to create such spontaneous events around school. “We managed to get a bit of attention from the crowd. Then it became too crowded, which was a hindrance and something we did not foresee,” said Kenneth. Kimberly Lee, a first-year psychology student agreed. “I couldn’t really hear or see the two guitarists and magicians because the canteen was too crowded and noisy,” she said. However, Xu Meng Yao, 18, a bridging cou r se st udent enjoyed t he acoust ic performances very much. “It was great and creative, and definitely made waiting in long queues more interesting,” she said. The group also decorated canteen tables with red and yellow tablecloths, and placed sunflowers stalks on the tables.

ALSO BY THE GROUP... 16 Feb: Catch students

sun bathing outside Lee Kong Chian Lecture Theatre.

25 Feb: Pack your lunch

and join the group's picnic outside Lee Wee Nam library.

SINGING AMONG THE DIN: Despite a passionate display of vocals by Aldrich Tjahjadi, one of the hired musicians, most PHOTOS | WALLACE WOON of his songs were drowned in the lunchtime din.

A WELCOMED DISTRACTION: Jimmy Ling, 26, the roving magician, was surprised at how quickly some students warmed up to him.

Here Are The 2 Winning Looks From The First Round Of Nail That Unique Style! Get spotted being your stylish self on campus, and stand to win attractive prizes. Winners are entitled to a $100 ZARA voucher per round.

Emir

Year 2 / School of Electrical and Electronic EngineerinG

SULASTRI

Year 4 / School of BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

I AM WEARING... White t-shirt from Turkey, jumper from Malaysia (I do not remember the prices), bermudas from NET at about $15, Zara Shoes at about $60.

I AM WEARING... H at f r om C lub M a r c at $15, jacket from Burberry, which is a gift from a friend, cropped pants from Alano at $20 and leather boots from Kuala Lumpur.

my personal style... I am a free-spirited dresser. I wea r whate ve r I l i ke , especially colourful clothes. I tr y to stay away f rom wearing black.

my personal style... I’m a mood d resser a nd I believe t hat st yle is a personal statement.

MY STYLE ICON IS... No one, it’s just myself. NTU CAMPUS STYLE IS... All about the hair. There are many stylish people on campus, but what I like most about NTU students are their different stylish haircuts. I'D NOT BE CAUGHT DEAD WEARING... I will never wear running s por t s shor t s to at te nd classes.

MY STYLE ICON IS... Rihanna, Kerri Hilson, The Sartorialist and my mum. NTU CAMPUS STYLE IS... Very laidback when it comes to dressing up for school, since it is away from the city. The university is the perfect place to express who you are, but not many students are doing that just yet. I'D NOT BE CAUGHT DEAD WEARING... Anything shorter than midthigh length bottoms and wearing opaque tights as pants.

12 LIFESTYLE reviews

books

DISGRACE J.M. Coetzee (Fiction)

$23.95 available at Kinokuniya Published by CCV DISGRACE is J.M. Coetzee’s second Booker Prize-winning novel after Life and Times of Michael K. The book is set in postapartheid South Africa. One would expect that the book focuses on complex political and racial issues, especially since Coetzee is known for openly criticising the South African government’s policy of apartheid in the 1980s. However, Disgrace takes a different turn, and is based on more introspective themes. The story begins with a 52-year-old professor, David Lurie, who is twice divorced and seeks never-ending exploits with women. To him each one is a new conquest, an “oasis of luxe et volupté” (luxury and sensuousness). Set initially in Cape Technical University of South Africa, Disgrace depicts Lurie courting danger with each romantic dalliance. He pursues an 18-year-old student but this tryst is eventually discovered by his colleagues. It creates a pitiful sight—the aging Lothario in a mid-life crisis, trying to create meaning in an otherwise bleak existence. Lurie then moves in with his daughter on her farm in Eastern Cape. After an incident in which the farm is attacked and he is violently assaulted, Lurie is forced to come to terms with the aftermath. Disgrace is written in a simple, almost austere style. The tale of Lurie as he experiences one fall from grace after another is morbid yet fascinating. At its heart, the book is a piercing display of the ruination of a man pining for lost glories.

-Judith Ho

THE NANYANG

"It’s always been a fascination and a love for me. I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of burlesque. It's a powerful expression." Christina Aguilera, in an interview with Cinema Blend, on her fascination with burlesque culture.

Music BURLESQUE (Official Soundtrack) Christina Aguilera/Cher (Soul)

,,,,, You Haven't Seen the Last of Me, Cher's power ballad in the album, is her first original song in seven years.

HAVEN'T had enough of Burlesque in the cinema? The stars of the film, popstar Christina Aguilera and the iconic Cher combine their musical talents with soundtracks from the movie. The film focuses on their song performances, which is no surprise as the plot is all about a small-time singer who becomes a superstar. The album packs a punch that not only complements the movie experience but can also be enjoyed on its own. Something’s Got a Hold On Me is an upbeat song with a groovy ‘60s vibe. It displays Aguilera’s strong vocal range as she hits impossibly high notes that would leave anyone else gasping for breath. Express is another standout. The trumpets and finger snapping form a catchy tune, with Aguilera singing more aggressively than in other tracks. This contrasts nicely with songs like I’m a Good Girl, which is slow and sultry. The album seems to intentionally mirror the movie’s story of the young star (Aguilera) coming in to replace the established veteran (Cher) as the latter only sings on two tracks in the album. Fans might be disappointed by Cher’s diminished role, but You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me gives her a moment in the spotlight both in the movie and the album. The power ballad about facing obstacles and being determined to overcome them seems tailor-made for her. Although the musical numbers are high-tempo and energetic, Burlesque only includes 10 songs. It is a relatively short album, clocking in at under 40 minutes. A minor complaint would be that the album jumbles up the order of the songs, going for presentation style over the order in which the songs are performed in the movie. It might not be a perfect recreation of the movie experience, but as a quality album that showcases the very best musical numbers of the movie, Burlesque definitely delivers.

-Marlene Tan

THE WANTED The Wanted (Pop)

$17.07 available at Kinokuniya Published by Little Brown Book Group

,,,

if you enjoyed reading Harry Potter, you will enjoy reading Storm Front. The two main characters of the books even share the same first name, although their approach to magic is a little different. Storm Front introduces the character Harr y Blackstone Copperfield Dresden, the only professional wizard around. He is even listed in the Yellow Pages of Chicago— the sole entry under the heading of ‘Wizards’. While Harry Potter is about a boy wizard going to a school of magic, Harry Dresden is a cynical adult wizard detective who helps to solve crimes involving the supernatural. He is called in on cases that baffle the Chicago Police Department and his friend, Lieutenant Karrin Murphy. The book begins with a bang. Harry is called in to investigate the gruesome murder of two people who had their hearts ripped out whilst intertwined in an act of passion. A clear work of dark magic, Harry tracks down the killer while contending with various threats like Mafia boss Johnny Marcone and the vampiress Bianca. The mix of supernatural forces and modern crime offers a refreshing read. The novel effectively combines elements of both mystery and fantasy, creating a satisfyingly rich world. Butcher has written a total of 12 books in the series, with a 13th scheduled for release this July. New editions for each have recently been published by the Little Brown Book Group. For fans of urban fantasy and classic noir mystery, Storm Front is the perfect place to start. BOOKS FROM KINOKUNIYA

CHRONICLE 07

STORM FRONT Jim Butcher (Urban Fantasy/Mystery)

-Theodora Theresa D'Cruz

VOL. NO.

The Wanted were formed in 2009 after a mass audition by Jayne Collins, the same woman who formed The Saturdays.

ON THE surface, British boy band The Wanted looks to be covering the same old ground. Made up of five good-looking young men with pleasant voices, they look fresh out of the golden era of ‘90s boy band pop. However, their self-titled debut album takes impressive artistic liberties that sets them apart from the rest. With famous music producers like Lucas Secon, Wayne Hector and Taio Cruz contributing to the writing of the album, the result is a sleek compilation which flows naturally throughout the 13 tracks. The diverse range of influences shows in the musical range of the album, from power ballads to clubbing tracks and easy-listening pop tunes. Songs that stand out include beautiful ballads like Hi and Low and Golden. A muted piano melody and dissonant violin strings lend Heart Vacancy its unique and unconventional sound. The ethereal song has also been released as a single. Perhaps the pick of the bunch is the remarkably catchy Let’s Get Ugly, a ditty inspired by the American Wild West. The song opens with the distinctive whistle from the classic Sergio Leone movie The Good The Bad and The Ugly. A small disappointment is that after such an impressive start, the final song A Good Day For Love To Die relies too much on clichéd lyrics and forgettable tunes. A disappointing ending for an otherwise impressive debut album. However The Wanted, with its members only just 17 to 22 years of age, show immense potential for such a young band. The Wanted is catchy while managing to achieve something beyond the reach of most boy bands—which is to appeal to both swooning teenage girls and serious music lovers. PHOTOS | INTERNET

-Shahilia Bhagat

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THE NANYANG

07 CHRONICLE reviews

Swiftly swept away SPEAK NOW WORLD TOUR Taylor Swift Singapore Indoor Stadium TAYLOR Swift stood on the stage of the Singapore Indoor Stadium, surrounded by her screaming fans. First bursting into the country pop scene as a fresh-faced youngster in 2006, she is now a woman wiser to the whims of love. “Now I know that no matter how far away we are from each other, we all still share the same love and the same heartbreaks. And now no matter what love and heartbreak throws at me, I’m okay,” she yelled to rousing cheers from her captivated audience. On February 9th Swift kickstarted her Speak Now World Tour on a balmy night in Singapore—the first of 19 stops which will bring her to nine countries spanning Asia and Europe. Her audience consisted mostly of fans in their early teens, with some having specially flown in from Australia just to watch her perform live. The concert opened with the third Singapore Idol winner Sezairi Sezali performing songs from his debut album

LOVE AND HEARTBREAKS: Swift stays strong for her loyal fans. PHOTO | INTERNET

which was a hit with the hometown crowd. Before leaving the stage, the R&B singer grabbed the mike and professed his own

excitement to see Swift perform live, a declaration that was met with rousing cheers from the audience. Tension was palpable in the air as the raucous crowd awaited Swift's appearance on the stage. A second platform had been built high in the air above the main stage with a staircase leading up to it. A giant LCD screen was displayed prominently in the background, and the ceiling was decorated with an array of glow-in-thedark stars. The elaborate set design added much to the excitement, as most of the crowd began cheering loudly even before the concert began. As the lights dimmed, the fans seated in the first row began whirling their light sticks around wildly. The concert began with a video about having the courage to say the things that we want to say. The flashing of phrases like ‘I Love You’ on the big screen set the mood perfectly for the beginning of the Speak Now concert. Then finally she arrived— a familiar tall, lanky and curly-haired silhouette on stage behind the sheer black curtains. She emerged to a thunderous standing ovation. Wearing a sparkly gold dress and a pair of her signature boots, Swift began the concert with the upbeat song Sparks Fly. She followed up with her hit single Mine, both

from her new album Speak Now. A few surprises were in store for the crowd as she incorporated other mainstream hits into her own songs. For example, in Back To December, a song about regret, Swift subtly made use of the chorus of One Republic’s Apologize. The creative move thrilled the crowd and left them in anticipation of what she would bring next. She delivered later on in the night with a few lines of Jason Mraz’s I’m Yours while singing Fearless, the title track of her second album. Swift slowed down the pace of the concert at one point, turning it into an intimate affair as she took to the mini stage that was set up in the middle of the crowd. She had made her first costume change of the night, wearing an elegant blue dress. Swift sat down and strummed her ukulele, performing her low-key yet much loved tunes like Fifteen. As she made her way back to the main stage, she urged everyone to sing along to one of her biggest hits—the song the crowd was waiting for all night, You Belong With Me. When the song ended, Swift stood frozen on the stage as the crowd went wild. She had an awestruck expression on her face as if overwhelmed by the strength of the reaction from her fans.

It was a touching moment that was the high point of the entire night. Swift made her next costume change while singing Enchanted, with a gorgeous backdrop of vintage hues and medieval castles playing on the giant screen in the background. Her dress had a long flowy train which she ripped off to reveal a beautiful sequined mini dress underneath. Swift then wrapped up the night on a sweetly plaintive note with Love Story, her hit song about a couple finding love against the odds. In a jaw-dropping highlight of the night, Swift stood on the two-storey high platform and made a dramatic exit by plummeting off it in a backwards fall, eliciting loud gasps of shock from the crowd. Not everything was perfect though. A few fans lamented that the concert only lasted around 75 minutes. Swift covered just 13 songs from Fearless and Speak Now. Still, the crowd mostly went home satisfied in a post-concert high. A large group of fans continued singing lines from Swift's hit song Enchanted on their way out of the stadium. “This night is sparkling don’t you let it go/ I’m wonderstruck blushing all the way home”. An enchanted end to a fabulous night.

-Celine Chen

FILM NO STRINGS ATTACHED

ROMANTIC COMEDY Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, Kevin Kline 110min

,,,,, GUY meets girl and they fall in love. The girl wants a relationship, while the guy yearns for his freedom. Sounds familiar? This trite plotline has been driving romance comedies for years, such as He’s Just Not That Into You. However No Strings Attached breaks away from the mold. It stars comedy actor Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman, who was last seen in the critically acclaimed movie Black Swan. Instead of falling in love, Adam Franklin (Ashton Kutcher) and Dr. Emma Kurtzman (Natalie Portman) do all they can to prevent just that. The non-traditional couple agree to simply engage in a purely sexual and commitment-free relationship.

In other words, they are described as “friends with benefits”. Having met once in their teens at summer camp and again by coincidence at a fraternity party, both Adam and Emma were certain that they would never see each other again. That is, until fate decided they would bump into each other again as adults. Depressed that his exgirlfriend (Ophelia Lovibond) had moved on to dating his celebrity father (Kevin Kline), Adam gets drunk one night and crashes at Emma’s place. Following an awkward situation the next morning when her housemates discover him hungover and naked, an interesting relationship begins to develop. The movie’s selling point is the presence of two big name stars, who deliver credible performances. Kutcher is charming and likeable in yet

LUST OR LOVE? Emma (Natalie Portman) and Adam (Ashton Kutcher) share a tender moment.

another rom-com role, despite an irksome tendency to slip into a would-be cute puppydog mode from time to time. He plays an aspiring TV writer who eventually falls for the young doctor played by Portman. Her unique determination to keep the relationship casual despite his growing feelings is what

gives the movie its spark. Despite the lack of excellent romantic chemistry on screen, the stars make up for it with snappy banter and a few laugh-out-loud moments. Particularly memorable was a scene in which Adam makes a hilariously inappropriate mixtape for Emma while she was having her

period. Directed by Ivan Reitman, No Strings Attached is recommended for those seeking a different perspective on romance. While Emma is the one who initiates the arrangement, she tries to avoid love from blossoming. This movie avoids the tired girl pining for a serious

PHOTO | INTERNET

relationship scenario while providing a unique spin on the guy-chases-girl romance. For couples in the Valentine’s Day mood who want to watch a movie that offers something different from the standard Hollywood romance plot, No Strings Attached is worth watching.

-Celine Chen

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THE NANYANG

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dapper: your essential style guide Roses are not always red, Violets are never always blue, But once youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve fallen in love, None of that matters to you. Pile on some Frills to thrill, Clash those Prints to excite, Play with Colours to flirt,

ove on cloud L

9ine

On Mirabel: Blue Striped sweater with pink hearts, $43.90, Grey mesh frillS skirt, $29.90, NEW LOOK

And you are off on a date for two. Photography Clarence Lam

Styling Gladys Ng Hong Yu Ran

Make-up & Hair Annie Ng

Models Mirabel Chan Khairi Johann

Set Assistants Jane Koh

Jasper Yu

On Mirabel: Polka dot chiffon blouse, $59.90, Cherry shorts, $49.90, both from NEW LOOK, White straw hat, $29.90, 82 Tales, Patchwork pumps, $129, Victoria JoMo Designer. On Khairi: Union Jack t-shirt, $32, United Label, Blue Cardigan, $53.90, NEW LOOK, Checkered pants, $69, 82 Tales.

STOCKISTS 82 Tales, 78 A Haji Lane United Label, 69 A Haji Lane Victoria JoMo Designer, 47 Haji Lane NEW LOOK, Suntec City Mall, #01- 151

On Mirabel: Grey mesh frill skirt (worn as dress), $29.90, Stilettos, $53.90, both from NEW LOOK, Red bib embroidered Necklace, $129, Victoria JoMo Designer.

On Mirabel: Daisy Prom Dress, $83.90, Coral blouse, $ 43.90, Both from NEW LOOK, Pink Pumps, $129, Victoria JoMo Designer. On Khairi: White Shirt with detailed collar, $85, United Label, Pink Bermudas, $38, 82 Tales, Blazer, $139.90, Caramel Oxfords, $49.90, both from NEW LOOK.

On Mirabel: Grey mesh frill skirt (worn as dress), $29.90, Stilettos, $53.90, both from NEW LOOK, White Sun hat headpiece, $79, Victoria JoMo Designer.

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photo: spotlight

NEW YEAR TOGETHER

: Hall of Residence Ten celebrates the Lunar New Year with a Chinese Southern lion dance. This style of lion dance is performed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck and wealth.

Wide-eyed lions danced to the clashing clang of cymbals and gongs while the drum playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s repetitive rhythms rumbled on. A frenzy of red, orange and gold coated the walls in the form of couplets, lanterns and intricate Chinese knots. Function halls were snapped up and heaps of food bought for reunion dinners. Friends and strangers sat down at the same table.

BELOW: Hall of Residence Tenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Senior Hall Fellow tosses mandarin orange slices into the air. Mandarin oranges symbolise wealth and luck in Chinese culture and tossing mandarin orange slices in the air represents a wish of wealth and good fortune to all those present.

Welcome to Lunar New Year in NTU. Photo Editors Goh Chay Teng and Wan Zhong Hao bring you around campus to see how students and faculty members ushered in the Year of the Rabbit. RIGHT: NTU Chinese Dance Society presents a dance piece called Qian Hong at a concert organised by the PRC Student Union. The concert is in its sixth year running and aims to let the Chinese scholars have a taste of home away from home.

ABOVE: The God of Prosperity visits Canteen A to distribute red packets. This is part of the efforts by NTU Chinese Society to bring new year festivities to the campus.

ABOVE: Hall of Residence Ten residents raise glasses to toast to a properous new year. The red wine was provided by the hall fellows.

RIGHT: The lion spits bits of lettuce and orange peels at the children that were seated too close to it. The lion does this to tease the audience.

ABOVE: International and local students take part in the traditional tossing of yusheng. Diners usually toss the shredded ingredients while making auspicious wishes for the new year.

单身的倪安东正寻找冰山美人 —— 刊22页

新闻

未来发展总蓝图打造校园中的小城市郭进华周慧敏

对

国民服役人员周权龙（19岁）来说，位于裕廊西的南大，目前给他的印象是偏远又沉闷的。由于住在东部，每天往返学校所需耗费的时间可想而知。不过，他认为当自己正式成为南大新生后，会渐渐改观。已报读电机与电子工程系的他说：“我本身很欢迎校园中心酒廊和戏院的概念。这能为校园生活增添情趣和色彩。” 听取各方意见新增校园中心南大上周一公布了最新的校园发展总蓝图。这长达15年的

发展计划，将会是历来最大规模的。校园计划委员会自三年前开始会见多名学生、教职员和校友等，听取各方对校园发展的意见。到了2025年，校园里将会有更多地方让跨学科的学生及教职员互动，成为一座结合教育、居住及休闲的小型城市。在总蓝图下，南大将打造新的“校园中心”（Campus Centre），把目前衔接艺术、设计及媒体学院以及行政大楼的道路改造成有盖走道。这条约800公尺长的“一条龙”也会设有餐馆、酒廊和戏院，成为南大新的心脏地带及交通枢纽。 “校园中心”将分为三个阶

段建造，第一阶段预计在2018 年完工。校内的道路系统也会有所调整，让访客从先驱北路进入南大，直达校园中心的交通枢纽前，能体验周边的校内生活。正在南大修读硕士的中文系毕业生李俊贤（25岁）说，新的校园中心对住宿舍的外国留学生确实是比较方便。尽管如此，他补充：“南大的眼光应该放远一点，与其建一座小城市，不如建一座大学城。毕竟裕廊坊能满足大部分的基本需求。” 今后学生教员受惠除了未来的学生，在籍南大学生及教职员也将受惠。

预计竣工时间表

2013年中

有互动白板、助于小组讨论的桌椅摆放的学习中心

2014年底

加强跨学研究的跨学科研究大楼，例如工程和医药的跨学研究

妆艺大游行将在2月11日与12 日（星期五和六）在位于滨海湾的F1维修大楼（pit building）举行。

配合未来研讨式教学及互动学习的理念，南大也将在人文与社会科学院旁建设一座“学习中心”（Learning Hub）。设有70间未来教室的中心将在2013年竣工，课室里有互动白板，桌椅的摆放也有助于学生进行小组讨论。国立教育学院心理研究助理教授周明明说：“对这一代爱上网的学生来说，他们不喜欢死记硬背。” 她补充，新的学习中心将为老师提供更多自由，并且为教学和学习经验带来强而有力的转变。为了加强跨学科研究，南洋理工大学也会在数理学院旁建设新的跨学科研究大楼，预计在三年后完工。此外，南大也将兴建新的研究生宿舍及学生宿舍，以应付日益增加的需求。到了2015 年，南大宿舍就可额外容纳多 5000名学生；教员也会有新的设备。部分建筑需让路不过，在建造新设施的同时，一些建筑将来则必须让路，其中预计受影响的就包括第二学生宿舍。校方接受询问时表示，会在兴建好替代设施之后，再进行拆除。第二学生宿舍应届迎新会副主席黄华铭（22岁）为此感到惋惜。他说：“我们对第二宿

舍的特殊感觉随着它的拆除而流逝。而且，校友再也没有机会看到宿舍了。” 现住在第二学生宿舍的林思婷（19岁）也对宿舍的拆除深感讶异。她说：“住了一个学期之后，我开始喜欢上第二宿舍。毕竟这里有南洋便利店，非常方便。” 在新设施不断出炉的当儿，南大还是会保留校园里绿意盎然的环境，并增加水池及水道的数量。南洋环境与水源研究院管理团员罗永强表示：“未来的学生可以享受新水池的自然景色, 而且校园渠道能够被转化为有景观的雨水排水河道,无疑能改善校园环境的吸引力。” 校方也正探讨在校园内增设不同交通工具，如轻轨、电动车、电动脚踏车等，并在校内外增设脚踏车停车站。从1991年到2001年为新加坡主要交通工程师的副教授葛毖纳预计，新设施如电影院和酒廊的有盖人行通道和绿色长廊行人道将鼓励人们多行走。他也接着补充：“当大家发觉这些新交通方式的好处时,校园内私人交通的使用也会跟着减少。” 打算修读信息与传播系的淡马锡初级学院毕业生卢涵乐（18岁）说：“以后若有了轻轨和更多巴士服务，上学会更方便，而且能在更短的时间内抵达学校。”

2015年中

兴建新的学生宿舍及研究生宿舍，可容纳多5000名学生；教员有新的设备

2018年中/底

设有零售店、餐馆、酒廊和戏院的校园中心（第一阶段）在发展蓝图下，南大将建设新的“校园中心”，设有餐馆、酒廊和戏院等。图| 资讯与公关处提供

在建造新设施的同时，一些宿舍会被拆除，而学生对宿舍独特的归属感也会随之流逝，校友再也没有机会看到宿舍了。摄影|温忠浩

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调查：多数学生不赞成太过亲热今天是情人节，本报就南大生公开亲热现象的态度进行调查。王裕权●报道

随

着西方文化的影响，情侣在公共场所做出亲密举止也算是司空见惯。然而，大多数学生还是不赞成男女做出过度亲热的动作。根据本报调查，在70名南大受访者中，有超过90％的单身学生可以接受情侣在公共场合拥抱、亲吻脸颊，以及用嘴唇轻碰嘴唇。而相同比例的受访者也不接受情侣在公共场合抚摸对方的敏感身体部位，以及把手伸入彼此的衣服里。

“一般上会在公共场合做出亲密举动的都是少男少女，想通过举动来证明对彼此的爱意。” 岑伟杰黄金辉信息与传播系一年级生

来自电脑科学系的单身学生王安益（24岁）只能够接受情侣拥抱和亲吻脸颊，因为他认为超越这个界限会使周围的人感到尴尬。他补充：“即使我正在交往中，也顶多只会在公共场合和女朋友拥抱或亲吻脸颊。”

情侣们之所以会在公共场合做出亲密的举动，是因为他们享受彼此的存在。目前单身的南大商学院三年级学生郑景鸿（23岁）说，他能够接受情侣在公共场合拥抱、轻碰嘴唇和舌吻，但是他们不能太过分。他解释：“若他们太过投入于这些亲密举动而造成了其他人的不便，那就不对了。” 同时，他举例说明，情侣在亲热时应该注意自己的音量，也不应该阻挡他人的路。恋爱中的学生不赞同亲热举动另一方面，恋爱中的学生们

也持有相同意见。在10名受访者中就有九人可以接受情侣在公共场合拥抱、亲吻脸颊，以及用嘴唇轻碰嘴唇。同样的，超过80％的恋爱中学生也不接受情侣在公共场合抚摸对方的敏感身体部位，以及把手伸入彼此的衣服里。南大黄金辉信息与传播系一年级学生岑伟杰（22岁）认为，情侣们之所以会在公共场合做出亲密的举动，是因为他们享受彼此的存在。他也说：“一般上会在公共场合做出亲密举动的都是少男

南大福利服务社团

大手牵小手浓情迎新年刘榛楠

●报道

听觉，“你吃我猜”锻炼学员的味觉与表述能力。

她补充：“最重要的是通过活动深化志愿者与学员间的友

一

群南大的志愿者提前把佳节欢乐的气氛带给一些社会团体。来自南大福利服务社团（Welfare Service Club）的约 80名志愿者与新加坡视觉障碍者福利协会以及新加坡智障人士福利促进会的学员们一起庆祝，让他们感受佳节的喜庆，迎接兔年的到来。残障人士的春节晚会的活动是经过特别安排，视觉障碍组项目策划组长吴春媛（22岁）说：“对于视觉障碍者，除了捞鱼生等庆祝活动外，晚会中的游戏多部分是利用他们其他的感官。” 这名生物科学院大四生表示，“闻声寻人”考验他们的

来自南大福利服务社团的与新加坡视觉障碍者福利协会与新加坡智障人士福利促进会的学员在游戏中的活动。照片|李建民提供

摄影|温忠浩

少女，想通过举动来证明对彼此的爱意。” 岑伟杰以自己为例，他平常也会在公共场所与女朋友拥抱和接吻，但是他会适可而止。情侣间表达爱意的方式多样化另一名也正在交往中的机械工程系四年级生黄国良则认为，情侣之间表达爱意的方式有很多种，但究竟在哪里划清界限，因人而异。这名24岁的四年级生举例：“我顶多只会在公共场合

情，为他们提供良好的社交环境，帮助他们独立自助。” 南大志愿者与小孩建立感情南大福利服务社团已经与上述协会合作长达10年之久。志愿者已通过长期固定的探访，与校方和老师们建立了良好的互动关系，并和学校里的孩子们建立深厚的感情。在活动中，志愿者大多进行“一对一”和“多对一”的指导。有些学生带来了色彩亮丽的拼图，耐心地引导，在游戏中巩固他们对现实生活的认知。他们教孩子拍球，训练他们身体的协调能力和反应能力。其他的志愿者则教导孩子唱歌，训练他们的声线。志愿者们通过行动来关怀对其中几名学员。有志愿者发现有一名小男孩，个性孤僻，沉默寡言，开始不愿意和旁人接触。志愿者们先是亲切而缓慢地

制图|吴威俊

和女友牵手，或稍微的拥抱一下。但是任何更亲密的举动就只会招惹不必要的注目。” 黄国良补充，情侣要维持一段感情，不应该只靠对彼此亲密亲热。他解释：“更重要的是对彼此的信任、给予彼此的关怀以及彼此之间的沟通。一段感情若只有肉体上的欲望是不会持久的。”

向他打招呼，渐渐打消他的抵触情绪。他们一边唱歌，一边教他随着欢快的节奏拍手。渐渐地，他的身体也舞动起来，并露出笑容。一名失明的大男孩，非常喜欢邀请志愿者坐在他身边和教他玩游戏。但他说话时，总是低着脑袋，不太愿意和其他人对视。志愿者便在他每一次作出请求时，要求他抬高点脑袋。经过重复的要求，他终于可以做到正视对方，虽然只是短暂的一瞥，但足以让志愿者高兴不已。来自生物工程学院的大二生张粹蓉（21岁）表示，照顾智障儿童需要更耐心和细腻的态度来引导他们。每当孩子有了进步，志愿者们都能感到异常的欣慰。此外，南大文化活动社的舞龙舞狮队也到场进行表演，收到学员们的热烈欢迎，将庆祝活动的气氛烘托至高潮。

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

CHRONICLE 07 言论

编辑室

别迷恋数据要客观分析张健俊中文编辑

最

近出炉的调查显示本地青年的人生目标都非常实际，会以家庭和工作为中心，而其中的两个目标为“结婚生子”和“赚大钱”。值得关注的是，数据显示，在沉重的压力下，青年反而活得更快乐，与2005年相比，对生活与生命更有满足感。全国青年理事会（National Youth Council）于去年展开了长达六周的调查, 访问了年龄介于15岁到34岁的1268名新加坡公民和永久居民，以及310名的主要看护人。通货膨胀问题影响深远目前，全球正面临通货膨胀的问题，柴米油盐等食品价格纷纷上扬。上个星期各大报也报导咖啡、茶等饮料的价格即将调高。无独有偶，本地大学也在上个月宣布提高学费。随着这些物价上升，“赚大钱” 也难免成为青年的首要目标。青年在事业上的冲刺，所带

来的影响极其深远。去年总生育率估计跌至1.16的新低点，令政府担忧的低水平。这个数据和青年调查明显目标之一 “结婚生子”有了出入。突然物价、屋价和生活必需品价格大幅上涨，让较年轻的夫妇吃不消。在这个前提下，又如何取得适当的平衡呢？然而，每次的电脑展，都有能力吸引上万的公众购买最新的产品，取得骄人的营业额。

阖家共享天伦时光是宝贵的，可是无可否认，在科技“无孔不入”的情况下，现在的青年虽然人在家，灵魂却可能在网上。参与调查研究的国大社会工作系助理教授吴瑜虹指出，青年和父母在一起的时候，可以同时进行其他活动如上网和发手机短信等。

时间并不能准确衡量学生们从社会社区服务计划所汲取宝贵社会的经验。

另外，虽然学校近年来越来越着重培养学生的领导能力，青年调查的结果却显示，在社会团体中担任领导工作的青年锐减一半。难道这说明了教育部在设计社会服务计划（CIP）中有了一些疏漏？笔者十分抗拒以时间计算社会服务的标准。时间并不能准确衡量学生们从社会服务计划汲取宝贵社会的经验。因为学生可能盲目地完成指定的“标准”，而不愿多参与有意义的活动。笔者虽然引用了调查里的许多数据：青年理事会的调查、通货膨胀和生育率，但不会迷恋于数字中，而客观看待调查结果才是关键。

有这样的销售量，无疑对商家打了一支强心针，为以往经济低迷的情况注入曙光。这也似乎表示通货膨胀的问题并没有那么严重，国人尤其是青年对这些新颖的产品还是情有独钟。此外，虽然调查数据显示青年活得比以前快乐，但是笔者认为快乐是十分主观的。快乐并不代表无忧无虑，只是习惯了生活规律。

检讨社会服务计划

情人节：浪漫=浪费？陈婧

每

年情人节快到时，各路人马都开始摩拳擦掌，蠢蠢欲动：女生准备送巧克力给暗恋对象，男生准备用玫瑰花打动梦中情人，花上大笔的金钱。玫瑰花在情人节当天行情暴涨早就不是什么新闻了，包装精美的巧克力也早早抢占了商店里的醒目位置。现在，连摩天轮、电影院和综合娱乐城也要来分一杯羹，推出出几百元身价的“情人节配套”。

王裕权

每

到农历新年期间，各大媒体总少不了生肖运程的报道。以前迷信的笔者，必定会准时收看风水师在电视上分析来年的运势，以及仔细阅读刊登在报章与杂志上的运程。若来年运势大吉大利，便可放下心中的大石，欢欣鼓舞；若得知来年的运势不如所愿，心里凉了半截，却不肯接受“事实”。还记得去年风水师在杂志上刊登的生肖运程说了些什么？你记不得也无妨。反正科学家都指出了，在得知讯息的一个月后，若不定期温习回顾，必然将 80% 的讯息给忘了，更何况是一年前的事情。不论风水师给予什么指点，你也无法证明准确性，因为大家都忙于学业、事业，没有闲功夫去想今年的运程。所以，笔者逐渐再也不相信这些玩意儿，反正到头来还不是把读到的听到的给忘得一干二净。运势的分析常常出现“福瑞尔效应”（Forer Effect）。由心理学家Bertram R. Forer 所提出的福瑞尔效应，指的是例如在生肖运程分析里所出现的笼统语言，使听者读者认为描述十分准确，但殊不知同样的话其实适用于每个人。不信的话，可试着阅读其他生肖的运程分析，看看你是否也觉得对是准确的。笔者就拿新传媒8频道除夕夜特备节目《金兔呈祥喜迎春》的生肖运程分析来说，风水师所说的话不外乎是要提防小人的谗言，或者建议别酒后开车，以免血光之灾。试想想，酒后开车，必然会发生车祸。这些建议对每个人而言都是有用的，而这就是所谓的福瑞尔效应。普通的生活常识，其实不需劳插图｜裴倩如驾风水师来“指点迷津”。节，圣诞节变成了LV门口排长队节… …也不是没有可能的。只是这样的“浪费”能坚持多久，这样的“浪漫”和“ 爱”又能持续多久，也是个问题。逢年过节时的商业符号或许是必须的，但是我们可以选择不付出如此高昂的代价。在“浪漫要用浪费来换取” 的同时，笔者也相信过分的“ 浪费”，不会让人心动，只会让人心慌。就像在红包里塞最多压岁钱的，不一定是最疼你的长辈，可能只是想讨好你父母的生意人。而那殷切的叮咛和祝福，才是红包袋里塞不下的珍贵。隆重排场与爱没关联

证明感情无需奢侈花费对于囊中羞涩的学生来说，要想在情人节这天风花雪月的“浪漫”一番，似乎还真少不了花钱如流水的“浪费”一下。总是有人在高喊抵制商业化，度过纯粹朴素的情人节。在看着别人鲜花美酒“浪漫”着的时候，有多少女生敢

运程无须过于沉迷

插图｜吴威俊

硬着头皮收下用纸折的玫瑰，又有多少男生会耐着性子和你缅怀圣瓦伦丁的殉道精神？笔者毫不怀疑这一天的“浪漫”，是要用一些“浪费”来换取的，因为商业化在我们的

生活中早已无孔不入，就连感情也需要用奢侈来证明。被商业符号所简化的节日，其实不止是情人节。长此以往，春节变成豪华鱼生套餐节，中秋节变成天价月饼礼盒

所以节日是要过的，但是不一定要用奢侈和排场来证明它的隆重。玫瑰是要送的，但到底是自己折的还是花店订的，到底是一朵还是999朵，也许和那个人有多爱你，没有必然联系，也就不必为此计较生气。退一步说，收到纸折的玫瑰反倒更为难得，因为“时间就是金钱”，这年头还有谁会愿意为了你花上那么多时间，亲手折好一朵朵盛开的玫瑰的人看来所剩无几。

运势分析可以是一种警惕，提醒个人的言行举止和处事态度。再者，这些生肖运势分析往往互相抵触，常常让人听了一头雾水，不知该信谁才好呢？同属一家机构的不同媒介，却提供了截然不同的运程分析，相互矛盾。迷信缺乏现代科学证据迷信迷信，就是迷迷糊糊的相信，盲目的相信。有些人声称运势分析蕴含了中华文化风水这一环，无确凿的科学根据。其实，这些运势分析固然有可疑之处，应持有半信半疑的态度，可是偶尔看看听听也无妨。运势分析可以是一种警惕，提醒个人的言行举止和处事态度。现在的笔者，虽然不再相信运势分析，但是偶尔也会看，把适用于日常生活的建议铭记于心。

VOL. NO.

THE NANYANG

07 CHRONICLE

生活

不惜重金把宠物当情人饲养宠物已渐渐形成趋势，不分年龄和家境。但又有多少人愿意花时间与金钱来照料它们？今年的情人节，就让记者白雪宁带大家到宠物店面与居家服务一探究竟。

近

年来，本地的年轻人似乎迷上了养宠物，因而促成许多以宠物为主的生意。但也有一些人为了应节，选择买下宠物，图一时之快。 32岁的杨艾薇是Marine & Pet Image的创办人之一。她直言:“越来越多人把宠物当成自己的孩子，因此更愿意花钱在宠物身上。” 花费包括零食、衣物和水疗等。顾客群以工作人士居多，不过年轻人购买宠物的趋势也逐渐上升。杨艾薇说，花钱在宠物是随着个人心态而改变。她接着解释：“好比一些普通收入的狗主觉得既然要养狗，就会花钱在爱狗身上养好它。相对的，一些较富裕的狗主会觉得狗是养来看门的，而不愿意把多余的钱花在它们身上。” 宠物市场扩充后，他们店里的营业额也相对增加。这给予他们更多信心去扩充业务，在四年前开一家分店－Ohana Pet House。遗弃宠物让业主感到无奈这家位于林厝港的狗场除了提供狗儿住宿服务，也是他们狗狗美容课程的基地。杨艾薇说：“如果客人学会宠物美容，不仅可以省钱，宠物也较难染上疾病。这样一来，客人就不会以疾病为由遗弃它们。” 但是很不幸的，在狗场的上百只狗中，有一大部分正是遭客人遗弃的狗。虽然起初会想知道狗主遗弃宠物的原因，但是杨艾薇无奈地说：“我听得多了，也不会再想去问为什么。” 因此，她表示他们会很明确地告知顾客养宠物的花费和应负起责任。很多人为了应节，选择在兔年购买兔子，狗年购买狗儿。就算是即将来临的情人节，也难免会有情侣想给对方一个“宠物惊喜”。不过，杨艾薇说：“我们不赞成把狗当成情人节礼物般送，除非对方会饲养。因为动物是养一辈子的，不该因为一时可爱而买。”

拥有上百只狗的业主杨艾薇（左）认为买宠物来应节的人确实相当不负责任。在农历新年来临之前，狗场生意处于旺季（右上）。专业的工作人员（上）细心地为狗儿剪指甲。摄影|温忠浩 Marine & Pet Image （邻近义顺巴士转换站）联络号码：6758 8675 电邮: contactus@marinepetimage.com

宠物店也推出情人配套另

一边厢，为了让情侣能在情人节和自己的爱狗一起度过，“家有饿狗”选择在当天推出情人节配套。

位于nex购物中心的 “家有饿狗”是一间以贩卖狗食为主的餐厅。店面也提供美容和狗儿“托儿”服务。

顾客都非常满意“家有饿狗”的餐厅所提供的食物。 Doggiestyle Cafe（nex购物中心四楼）联络号码： 6648 5485／8113 3561 FaceBook 点击 Doggiestyle Cafe

32岁的店主林爱梅解释：“情人节也是友情日，何尝不跟自己最好的狗朋友度过？” 一名年仅18岁的理工学院生受访时说：“为了支持情人节配套，我宁愿省下买衣服的钱来花在自己爱狗的身上。” 但是另一名25岁的女教师受访时则透露，她不会花太多钱在爱狗身上。她说：“我不会选择较贵的配套。” 爱狗之人的林爱梅说：“只要看到自己的狗，烦恼都会减轻。” 因此她和丈夫决定在狗餐厅甚少的新加坡，推出他们独创的有机狗食和狗饮料。店主也透露，今年的确有更多客人把兔子带来。顾客包括情侣和学生也会来餐厅和狗儿互动。

家庭式宠物店来抢摊情人节套餐菜单

照片｜网络下载

狗儿

顾客开胃菜沙律

布朗尼

主菜金瓜糙米肉类任选

薯泥牛排或烤三文鱼

甜品松饼

芒果蛋糕

附加赠品

在

家经营的宠物店 Little Pet Hotel Spa是一个以鼠类的住宿与美容为主在家经营。创办人陈淑玲（28岁）是一名全职的宠物店店员。她说：“小动物如果不能尽情活动，主人会觉得很心痛。” 虽然没有设立店铺，但是有别于一般宠物店的小笼子，在陈淑玲家住宿的小动物们都有较大的活动空间。在宠物店熟客的光顾下，这属于小动物的特别空间也渐渐打响名声。陈淑玲透露目前上门的属18至25 岁的年轻人居多。她认为顾客大多把宠物当成了自家人，因此“给予它们最好的才是重要的”。

周到的服务为宠物店赢得好口碑。照片|受访者提供在家经营的宠物店 Little Pet Hotel Spa

后港7巷大牌354 联络号码：83808860 电邮: littlepethotelspa @gmail.com

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

CHRONICLE 07 娱乐

偶然的机会开辟歌唱道路林坪

●报道

在

《超级星光大道》破表拿下有史以来最高的33 分，有“星光新魔王”之称的倪安东，其实是在误打误撞下当上了歌手。他当初只想在《星光》从事电视制作的工作，却因为工作人员问他会不会唱歌，而被推上台参加PK赛。倪安东表示，虽然在比赛时还有点在状况外，但是自然的表演方式打动了评审们及观众的心。虽然在《星光》创下纪录，但倪安东却坚决地说：“我永远不会叫自己是魔王。” 学习适应众人的瞩目身为新人，他上街时还在学习如何应付众人的目光。可是，体贴的他更担心身边的人受到媒体打扰。与朋友出门时，朋友都会提醒他要全副武装，把口罩和帽子戴好，随时保持最佳姿态。倪安东说：“我比较担心打扰我身边朋友的日常生活。” 首张专辑名为《第一课》，与大家分享他人生中各种第一

课，并借此让听众从经验中学习到人生中珍贵的一课。被问到进入演艺圈后学到的第一课，倪安东认为自己还在适应演艺圈的一切。虽然和好友仔仔制作音乐或表演的时候曾发生过一些争执，但这是良性的。倪妈妈为儿子骄傲延长合约像一般美国人，倪安东勇于追逐他的美国梦——从事自己的表演工作。他已和妈妈定下了两年“合约”，期满后就得回美国乖乖地做打工仔。如今倪妈妈也看到儿子已有一番作为，便把合约延长。倪安东笑着说：“就跟我的合约一样长！” 他非常尊重妈妈的意见，无论是在表演或接广告都会接受妈妈的建议。他还透露妈妈不让他露出长得很丑的脚趾头。虽然他并不这么觉得，但是并没有违背妈妈的命令。拥有美国人随性风趣的特征由于在美国长大的关系，他拥有西方人的随性及风趣的个性。在记者会上，他不时会蹦出有趣的答案，让在场的记者

乐评音乐Jukebox

外号“东宝宝”的倪安东，是个乖宝宝，在成长期也不会太叛逆。做过最叛逆的事，就是在凌晨1点冲出家门参加朋友的聚会。摄影|洪亿隽忍不住大笑。在台湾呆久了，他的英文程度也受影响，有些词也只能以中文表达。他笑着说，这次回美国过年，希望爸爸能够帮助他把英文的程度提高至以往的

在

专辑：《重译》歌手：陈洁仪推荐：《兄妹》、《遗憾》 , , , , , 乐坛搁别六年的陈洁仪终于在上个月推出了新专辑《重译》。专辑以翻唱为主，却也收录粤语和经典的英语歌曲。少了熟悉的呐喊式或芭乐式唱法，这专辑却多了一股宁静和悲伤的感觉。其中值得一提的是耳熟能详的《你把我灌醉》。陈洁仪奥妙地颠覆原本阳刚味十足的歌曲，唱出独特的清晰感觉。歌曲仿佛传达着陈洁仪在人生中所经历过的点点滴滴，也唱出了许多人们内心深处的感受。这专辑绝对适合在悠闲之余，一个人静静聆听。（文／卓诗婷）

与

来还是希望能朝向更多领域发展。不过目前他只想专注于唱片宣传，以后才考虑演戏。对于选角方面，他说：“搞笑的还不错，耍帅的我一点兴趣也没有。”

严父出才女压力成动力黄雪琪●报道

照片｜网络下载

水平。目前单身的他，心目中的理想女友是像妈妈一样有坚强个性的冰山美人。他坦言将来若有女朋友，会大方承认。毕竟是戏剧系毕业的他，未

中国获封“灵魂唱将”的郁可唯，揭露了小时候，严厉的父亲对塑造她的歌唱生涯有着潜移默化的影响。郁可唯在两个星期前的记者会上说：“父亲很支持我，甚至买了一架钢琴让我学音乐。但是我渐渐对学琴不认真的态度，令父亲感到很失望。他用的是反方向教育打压我。” 小时候的郁可唯，除了翘钢琴课之外，几次跟父亲吵架后，就到朋友家住几天。郁可唯笑着说：“最后都是妈妈把我找回去的。” 问及父亲对她的首张个人专辑有何评语，郁可唯直言：“太多了！” 每当表演结束，父亲会发一则很长的简讯给郁可唯。第一句说她“刚才唱得还不错”，但接下来都说能进步的地方。父亲会注意她的每一个发音吐气等细节。最欣赏的歌手是王菲除此之外，郁可唯坦言自己是个感性的人，喜爱唱抒情歌曲。每次她去KTV唱歌时，第一首歌一定会唱张惠妹的《人质》。她最欣赏的歌手是王菲，但每次

都没有机会看她的演唱会。首次来新加坡宣传的郁可唯也参与了所属唱片公司滚石唱片的30周年演唱会《快乐天堂滚石30》。能与公司众多前辈合作，郁可唯感到很荣幸。在演唱会上说话时，虽然很紧张，但也为自己能够参与这么大型的演唱会感到开心。

“他（父亲）用的是反方向教育打压我。” 郁可唯中国歌手

由张震岳、黄韵玲、陈子鸿等10位知名音乐人打造的个人专辑《蓝短裤》中，郁可唯最喜欢的歌曲就是《我的心给了你》。公司所寄予她的厚望，虽然让她承担无可避免的压力，但是她却乐观地说：“要如何把压力变成动力，才是最重要的。” 目前已正在筹备第二张专辑的郁可唯，希望自己能够让公司确定当初签下她是对的决定。当上艺人之后，郁可唯觉得自己的生活变得更加充实。她对自己做出评价：“我当时其实很宅，加上很能适应新环境，所以没有面对太大的问题。”

郁可唯台上虽然很感性，但私底下却很活泼，喜爱跳舞，觉得自己很像连续剧《还珠格格》中的“小燕子”。摄影|罗家驹

VOL. NO.

THE NANYANG

07 CHRONICLE

何维健新造型坚持不露点最大的问题是“身上没有肉”。为了让大家看到不同的何维健，他坚持到韩国学习舞蹈。曾经在韩国担任郭美美的MV男主角时，何维健说：“那老师一直叫郭美美从早到晚练舞，但是如果这样子进行练习，说不定会练出不错的成绩。”

何维健非常兴奋地敲破“100 000”的数字冰雕，希望他的专辑销量能早日突破六位数。摄影|温忠维

付筱淳

●报道

首

次摆脱青涩大男孩的模样，何维健在新专辑《变化》的造型上尝试裸露上身，可是却坚持把露点的地方一律剪掉。对于新造型，他表示很喜欢这个概念，但对这样的尺度还是有所畏惧，也觉得自信心受到了考验。他说：“我不希望给大家其他的遐想，而且可以注意这次音乐所下的苦功。” 他补充：“我写了八首歌，如果大家只是把焦点放在‘两点’的话，就会忘了重点。” 阔别乐坛两年，“直率系男孩”何维健发行了第二张个人专辑《变化》。这也是他在加盟金牌大风唱片公司后的第一张作品。

公司特别安排重新出击公司这次特地为何维健请了健身教练，但是他自嘲说自己

小众音乐广受肯定唱的方式与观众问好。腼腆的微笑、朴素的穿着和纯净的声音，这就是舞台上的林一峰。一个半小时的演出并无中场休息，林一峰用中、英和粤三种语言接力演唱了20多首歌曲，其中还包括了首次公开演唱的歌曲《双子》。演唱会门票一天内售完

“我写了八首歌，如果大家只是把焦点放在‘两点’ 的话，就会忘了重点。” 何维健本地歌手

歌曲入围《红星大奖2011》本地电视剧《魔幻世界》主题曲《变化》入围刚出炉的《红星大奖2011》最佳主题曲名单中。对此，他表示很开心自己创作的歌曲能入围。他还说：“我其实差一点能演上《魔幻世界》中的一个角色，可是因挡期的关系没有机会参与拍摄。” 何维健在《绝对SuperStar》后碰上服兵役的尴尬时期，所以很欣慰有一群歌迷一直期待他发片。能得到歌迷的支持，何维健很开心，并表示自己没有白等，因为能再次看到大家。

《华艺节》2011

林一峰用他的吉他诉说香港小市民的集体记忆。照片|滨海艺术中心提供

原本没有舞蹈底子的他，在《当我知道你们相爱》 MV中大秀舞技。虽然在韩国练舞吃尽了苦头，但看到拍出来的成果，还是抑制不住内心的喜悦。展望未来过得更精彩在各方面，他都希望能让大家看到自己最真实，最直率的一面。将要到中国内地去宣传唱片的他为新的一年许下六个愿望：“一帆风顺，身体健康，万事如意，专辑大卖，大红大紫，突飞猛进。” 他说：“兔年对我来说会很精彩，希望大家期待来年的活动。”

张扬

●报道

外

表冷酷的林一峰，出其不意来到观众席当中与歌迷合唱，这样近距离的互动令现场尖叫连连。香港独立歌手林一峰带着在港备受关注的《一峰，一人，一吉他》音乐会来到新加坡华艺节，为本地观众展示城市民谣独特的魅力。林一峰在2003年推出了第一张专辑《床头歌》说：“我只是孤独，但并不寂寞。” 滨海艺术中心音乐室的观众见证了这样的开场——音乐响起，背景屏幕上彩色的星球次第显现，吉他轻柔的乐声中，林一峰走向舞台并用即兴歌

四年发行七张创作专辑、香港连续六场演唱会的门票都在一天内售完的他，获得了粉丝最坚定的支持。这位不打榜、不上KTV，又很难在宣传媒介听到的独立音乐人拥有大量歌迷的支持，显示没有人能忽略这个香港小孩的才华与魅力。音乐会间隙，林一峰向观众透露自己正在录制两张全新的专辑。一张是基于中国文学并为艺术展览特意创作，而另一张将翻唱传奇歌后徐小凤的经典情歌。同时，他还透露自己的精选集也会尽早投入制作。音乐中的文化认同虽然出生在繁华的香港，林一峰却喜欢田园般质朴的民谣音乐。 17岁那年听到潘越云的《飞》，让他弹起吉他，开始尝试书写属于自己城市的民谣。这次音乐会中唱了多首关于香港文化认同的歌曲。他说，自己对香港的感觉就如同子女对父母一样，爱恨交加。

影评电影播映室电影：《我爱HK 开心万岁》导演：曾志伟、钟澍佳主要演员：吴君如、梁家辉、曾志伟

电影：《最强喜事》导演：陈庆嘉、秦小珍主要演员：甄子丹、古天乐、张柏芝 ,

,,,, 照片|邵氏机构提供

照片|国泰机构提供

贺

岁片《最强喜事》推出四对全明星“夫妻”，力图抢占春节与情人节双节档期。电影因有歇影数年近期复出的张柏芝而广受关注。在片中饰演助手的张柏芝以单纯的邻家女孩形象出现，被富家子弟（杜汶泽饰）追求却最终选择了平民出生的化妆师（古天乐饰）。张柏芝在电影多个镜头中近乎素颜出场，彰显了其重新出发的信念。片中另一对准夫妻由功夫明星甄子丹和香港影后刘嘉玲饰演。在片中甄子丹不玩武功，却擅于运用功夫般精妙的化妆手法。刘嘉玲饰演的作家在天马行空般的幻想中生活，最终回归质朴与初恋对象甄子丹喜结良缘。电影中出现了王菲通过微博推介而走红的“神曲”《忐忑》。有了网络流行文化的加持，该片定能够成功占领年轻影迷市场。《最》出现大量揶揄电影《叶问》、《盗梦空间》和《绝世好B》的内容，也成为该片独特的卖点。（文／张扬）

,,,,

继

去年的《72家租客》后，曾志伟与钟澍佳在今年贺岁档又推出了题材类似的《我爱HK 开心万岁》。这部制作多了一股温馨味儿，包含一些人生哲理，然而影片仍以大团圆结局。故事情节也不忘让本地观众再次体验到独有的香港精神。影片大背景以主角吴顺（梁家辉饰）因工厂倒闭，而举家搬迁开场。陷入瓶颈的他们，一家只好回到童年时候所居住的屋村，投靠父亲。曾经身为千金小姐的顺嫂（吴君如饰）在适应新环境的当儿闹出不少笑话，其中一幕她被保鲜膜包成粽子。曾志伟以一贯的无厘头搞笑风格诠释角色，对屋村的人事物抱着一股真诚的感慨，展现了自己深情的一面。除了三位主要演员之外，参与演出的艺人也包括袁咏仪、陈法拉、黄宗泽和众多的TVB 红星. 总而言之，这是一部贴近日常生活与充满亲合力，值得阖家共赏的影片。（文／卓诗婷）

照片|国泰机构提供

电影：我知女人心导演：陈大明主要演员：刘德华、巩俐上映日期：2月17日

广

告公司的高层孙子刚（刘德华饰）铁定的职位被新加入公司的女强人李仪龙（巩俐饰）夺去了。在一起意外中，孙子刚突然获得听到了女人心声的特异功能。他能听到李仪龙的广告创意，并把据为己有，在公司的地位蒸蒸日上。本来互有敌意，可是渐渐产生爱意。公司却因为孙子刚的好表现而把李仪龙开除。他想把真相说出，但却害怕会失去李仪龙。在煎熬中，到底他该如何抉择？

Opinions frankly, my dear

EDITORIAL

A column by the Chronicle Editors on issues close to their heart

Never too late More than a decade ago, Singapore Management University came into the e d uc at ion a l la nd s c ap e trumpeting its seminarstyle teaching. This year, t h e U n i v e r s i t y To w n (UTown) at the National Universit y of Singapore will open its residential colleges for students and researchers. And last week, NTU unveiled plans for classrooms that seek to facilitate more interaction beginning next semester. By 2015, there will be 5,000 more hostel places, and in 2018, a new hub for campus activities is slated for completion. It almost seems natural then to see NTU as a latebloomer. Yes, we may be a relatively young research university, but we certainly are not the youngest. Admittedly, too, we are growing fast, but have we been fast enough to keep abreast of the times? After all, teaching and learning will likely evolve even more quickly as we

move forward. Technology is fast changing the way we communicate with each other, the way we absorb and use information. Still, it would be a mistake to view NTU’s readiness solely in terms of its physical infrastr ucture. The university’s landscape may change visibly only a few years down the road. But we must keep growing as a community right now. The vibrant camaraderie we forge in class and Halls is a spirit we need to sustain and strengthen. But the fear of failure, the hesitation to express dissenting opinions through healthy debates, must change. From time to time, we have seen remarkable examples of bold innovation and initiative in our midst. They need to be more than just examples now; they must continue evolving into a mindset, a culture that will underpin a holistically new NTU. Indeed, the future really begins today.

Not so foreign after all

THE NANYANG

CHRONICLE chief editor Agung Santoso Ongko ART DIRECTOR Vishaka Mantri sub-editors Audrey Lim En-Rui Hong Yu Qing Amelia Low Wei Xiang Sia Ling Xin Tricia Anna Lim Peiyu News editors Cassandra Yeap Trinh Hoang Ly Lifestyle editors Mavis Ang I-Wen Tan Su Yi Kay Reviews editor Sulaiman Daud dapper editors Hong Yu Ran Gladys Ng Chinese editors Grace Chew Hui Min Teo Jion Chun opinionS editors Ang Xue Ting Eunice Jayashri d/o Lokarajan

sports editors Annabelle Liang Lai Junjie layout editors Nicholas Keith Tam Vanessa Dora Godfrey photo editors Goh Chay Teng Wan Zhong Hao graphics editor Goh Wei Choon business managerS Lim Pei Yi Vivian Ng Wei Ying 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

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GRAPHIC | GOH WEI CHOON

Trinh Hoang Ly news editor

uring the 2010 NTU M i n ister ia l For u m, a Singaporean participant commented that the inf lux of foreigners has diluted the Singaporean spirit. As a Vietnamese citizen who has been living in Singapore for six years and counting, I beg to differ. Foreigners can only dilute the Singaporean spirit if Singaporeans do not integrate them into the country’s culture. Sadly, in NTU, segregation among st udents of d if ferent nationalities is apparent. Chinese students from China tend to stick together, as do students from India and Indonesia. Even Singaporean students like to stick together. All foreigners new to Singapore bring with them the culture of their home countries.

At the beginning, of course, all foreigners are alien to Singapore’s culture and tradition. When I first came to Singapore at the age of 15, I had a VietnameseEnglish accent and was unable to comprehend Singlish. I cou ld not ma ke myself understandable, nor understand what people told me. My knowledge of both the English language and Singapore’s culture was limited. But I had wonderful classmates who helped me get to where I am today. My classm ates consisted mainly of Singaporeans with only a small group of foreign students from Vietnam, Indonesia and China. From the time we first met as a class till we parted ways to enter universities, the local students took care of us foreign students well. They taught me Singaporean slangs and helped me improve my English at the same time.

I remember standing in front of the drink stall in my school canteen asking my class monitor the difference between “pretty” and “beautiful.” She, a 14-year-old Singaporean at the time, thought about it for a moment before patiently explaining to me the difference. She said “pretty” is “goodlooking in terms of appearance” while “beautiful” means “being nice on the inside as well.” She has grown up to be a very beautiful young lady and I am glad to count her among my good friends. My classmates brought the foreigners in our class out to sample Singaporean food. We also introduced them to cuisines from our countries. When my classmates came to my country on a Community Involvement Programme tr ip during a school holiday some years ago, they gave me a call at my home number and we had the most exciting time chatting away noisily to the amusement of my parents. My friends welcomed me with open arms and taught me how to get along with Singaporeans while still respecting my culture and background. They took genuine interest in my country’s tradition, food, music, and politics. They compared and contrasted my culture with Singaporean culture and concluded that we could all learn a thing or two from each other. Now, few can tell my nationality just from my outward appearance. I also speak flawless Singlish. It was neither the scholarships that I received in Singapore nor the modern comfort that won me over. It was my friends’ sincerity that helped me integrate and make Singapore my second home. I am still a foreigner, but no longer as foreign as when I first came. So maybe a little more warmth and patience would go a long way in helping foreigners integrate better to Singapore’s environment. As we slowly understand the culture, we will not only accept it, but also help to enrich it. Is it not better to help foreign students integrate into Singapore’s society rather than discouraging them from coming here?

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VOL. NO.

CHRONICLE 06

a matter of perspective

Learning environment matters

ther to quote examples of people who have entered ‘brand name’ schools and succeeded in their careers despite a humble family background. Statistics unveiled by MM Lee showed that for schools such as Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), the percentage of students with one or both parents who

are graduates is nearly 72, while it ranged from 7 to 13 for neighbourhood schools. MM Lee attributed this trend to non-graduate parents being less able to provide a learning environment for their children. The question is, is this a fair comment? No doubt, in terms of financial capability, non-graduate parents lose out, since it is likely they are unable to engage well-known tutors or provide “all the paraphernalia that makes for a learning child”, according to MM Lee. However, I believe this is a secondary factor. Of greater importance is the attitude of the parents towards their children’s education. When my parents were younger, it was common for youths from a family with an average income to quit school and search for better paying jobs in Singapore to help the family to make ends meet. As the education landscape in Malaysia was still shaping up, only the very privileged or the ‘cream of the crop’ could have a chance at higher education. Practically everyone in the family had to toil for meagre pay to raise money to send my uncle— the smartest child—to university. With their secondary school education, my parents could only secure low-paying blue-collar jobs in their youth. So my parents realised the importance of education in our lives. Owing to this belief, more than two decades ago they made the ultimate decision—to uproot

Jayashri Lokarajan

ately encouraged him to take up external courses at private school Informatics Academy. She even went to research on the different courses that he should apply for. Her past experience as an undergraduate student also comes in handy as she understands my commitments in school. There are days when I am mentally and physically exhausted after a long day at school, with assignments with tight deadlines to complete when I get home. Having been through this herself, she knows not to pressure me unnecessarily. Instead, she would empathise with me and help me with my work when I ask for assistance. My mother has spent many nights correcting my essays and testing me for spelling for my French modules. It is comforting to have a mother who offers help without being pushy. Beyond the academic guidance, my mother has also inspired us to graduate with good qualifications on paper. She once held the position of a technical executive in a ship management company for many years. When she received her de-

gree, however, she rose through the ranks and became a manager within the same company. She was also given a pay rise along with the rise in position. Witnessing my mother’s success at work after obtaining her degree has made my brother and I very aware of the value of education. We are greatly encouraged to do well academically and emerge with good paper qualifications as we know how important it is to hold a degree in Singapore. My mother also believes in providing us with the opportunities to make our own decisions, choosing only to guide us along. This has taught me the importance of making good judgement calls. For instance, when I was applying for my secondary school and junior college, my mother researched on the pros and cons of various schools and sat down with me to have a discussion. She gave me the relevant information and allowed me to come to a conclusion on my own. Although it was initially intimidating to be put in charge of my own future at such a young age, I learnt to be accountable for my own decisions in life. In retrospect, her guidance has

Heng Hui Min f MM Lee’s comments were meant to serve as a reminder to non-graduate parents, they are best taken with an open mind. Many heartlanders would beg to differ with his rather elitist comments. Some would go fur-

opinions editor

aving read MM Lee’s recent comments on the crucial role of family backgrounds in educating children, I find myself agreeing with him. Coming from a family with a graduate parent, I have grown up in the “learning environment” that MM Lee claims graduate parents are better able to provide. I feel that having a graduate parent enables us to have someone who would be there to help us more than just academically. My mother’s Bachelor Degree in Computer Science has been greatly beneficial to my brother as his course of study at his polytechnic overlaps with her area of expertise. Often, she would sit with my brother and they would discuss any questions he would have regarding his school work. At other times, I would see them busy at their computers trying to figure out a programming problem late into the night. When my brother went to my mother requesting additional help in areas he was weak at, such as Java Programming, she immedi-

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and start their family in Singapore in order for their children to benefit from the meritocratic education system. My mother spared no efforts in ensuring that we would not lose out to those more privileged. Every fortnight, she would religiously take me and my sister to a public library. She did not know much English then, but did not hesitate to find out which books were suitable for us. She would then try her best to read to us.

My mother spared no efforts in ensuring that we would not lose out to those more privileged.

When we started attending school, my mother would still bring us to the same library, where my sister and I would raid the Children’s Section for the books we enjoyed. As we got older, the library remained the place where my sister and I hung out. On hindsight, I could not agree more with MM Lee that public libraries are good places to nurture a child’s reading habits. On the long train rides home, my sister and I would whip out

the books we borrowed and let our imaginations run free. This scenario is a stark contrast to today’s situation where children are more likely to be flaunting their new handphones or portable games consoles on board the MRT. All our homework also had to be checked by my mother before submission. No blanks in our homework or wrong answers in exam papers would escape her watchful eyes. My mother always emphasized the importance of securing a firm foundation for her children in their education. Since we speak Mandarin at home, she was worried that we would not be able to cope with English. Hence, when we first started school, despite having to fork out a tidy sum, she engaged a tutor to help me in Primary 1 and 2. Once I had a firm grasp of the language, I was able to get through the assessment books without much difficulty. It is not always the case that non-graduate parents are illinformed or ignorant about their children’s education and my parents are testament to that. As my mother is a homemaker, she was also able to devote more time to be involved with her children’s education. Therefore, it is not fair to discredit parents who are not academically qualified. It is not a matter of whether parents are graduates, but a matter of providing the “learning environment” for your child.

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moulded me into a responsible individual who is able to make sound choices independently. My mother has been able to serve as both a role model and a mentor to me.

Being a graduate and having the ability to draw from her personal experiences has definitely helped her to provide my brother and I the “learning environment” that MM Lee spoke about.

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OPINIONS 27

THE NANYANG

07 CHRONICLE

geek.cool.sg

canteen talk

An online article has ranked Singapore as one of the world’s coolest nations and calls us “geek central”. We ask students their views on this. Is Singapore as “cool” as the article suggests?

Singapore is cool. The landscape is constantly changing and Singaporeans are always on the move.

”

Ong Kai Hian, EEE, Yr2, 23

“

Geeky is fine but networking through facebook is not cool. It defeats the purpose of meeting people face-to-face. Ivan Koh, NBS, Yr 2, 22

Vivienne Chang

ingapore cool? Are you serious? There was unanimous disbelief in the newsroom when one of our reporters highlighted Singapore’s second coolest nation ranking by travel website CNNGo. So what makes us cool? Being computer literate and geeky, according to CNNGo. How is that possible when we are just so uncool, seems to be the reactions of the Singaporean youth. 20-year-old Singapore Polytechnic student, Dominic Lim, thinks it is outrageous that Singaporeans are cool just because they are computer literate. He said: “Even if we were to be termed technologically-savvy, I still wouldn’t think we’re cool. I would say India is much more technologically savvy than us.” He added: “The paper chase is all we care about. We are such rigid thinkers, never daring to venture out of the box. We always follow and never lead.” Singaporeans are no doubt a technologically advanced bunch, but how many YouTube sensations can we name from Singapore as opposed to stars like Boyce Avenue and NigaHiga from America. Compared to other countries, Singapore is but a young nation with merely over 40 years of history and culture. 22-year-old Justin Lim, a fulltime National Serviceman, attrib-

uted Singaporean’s ‘uncool-ness’ to the lack of a strong underlying culture. “Singapore is simply a cocktail of sub-cultures brought together in one nation. The Japanese have their unique Harajuku Street Style (Japanese Fashion Culture)— something I would consider ‘cool’. “Comparatively, Singaporean’s fashion culture is merely a host of international labels conglomerated in one place.” Lim said: “We have nothing prominent, nothing that is uniquely Singapore to boast about.” Or do we?

Singaporeans are a technologically advanced bunch, yet how many Youtube sensations can we name from Singapore? Perhaps the definition of cool itself cannot be subjected to a poll since such a term is subjectively open to interpretation. CNNGo’s criteria of being technologically advanced is clearly not a universal indicator of ‘cool’ then. Westernisation has played a significant role in drawing a clear line between the ‘Popular’ and the ‘Geek’, often associating technol-

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ogy with geeks. The media today clearly still sends a message of “Geek is not cool” with television programs like Jersey Shore, a reality television series depicting the American popular culture, and Skins, a UK teen drama with “racy” depictions of casual sex and drug use. Singaporeans’ mindsets today clearly reflect western influences, and this may be why we do not consider the average Geek a cool person. Kathleen May, 20, a Singaporean who has been studying in Australia for the past three years, defines the concept of being ‘cool’ as being unique. “Every country should be number one in coolness because each country is so different. “You shouldn’t need to follow someone to be cool—being yourself is cool enough and Singaporeans are pretty comfortable in their own skin. “We are still finding our feet about what defines us, and learning what makes us unique, and that’s cool about us,” Kathleen added. My interpretation of cool comes in the form of being able to do things that others dare not, such as extreme sports or even voicing out something that you believe in. Being expressive both physically and vocally exudes confidence, and this is how I would presume a ‘cool’ person to be— someone who is confident and comfortable enough to be true to himself.

Besides being geeky, our Singlish also makes us cool and unique. We can be identified easily wherever we are.

”

Pamela Yeo, HSS, Yr 3, 21

“

I disagree with the article. The architecture and lifestyle is still less modern compared to other countries. Lam Wen Hou, HSS, Yr 1, 20

Singaporeans are not cool. We don’t dress well and the education system places too much stress on students.

”

Kua Li Shan, MAE, Yr 3, 21

TEXT | EUNICE ANG ; PHOTOS | GOH CHAY TENG

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VOL. NO.

CHRONICLE 07

Educational Reinforcement Vishaka Mantri

rowing up, I remember being yelled at every time I did something wrong. The yelling did make me perform the required behavior correctly, but do we need this kind of conditioning to shape our behavior? We have been conditioned to see the world through a certain lens. It involves reinforcing behavior with rewards and also by yelling, hitting and punishment. Most people in Asia have been raised using negative reinforcement. For example, a stimulus like an electric shock to a lab rat or a spanking to a kid induces a certain behavior—be it a rat pressing a pedal in a Skinner box or a child doing his or her homework on time. What intrigues me is that I find negative reinforcement to be alive and functional in university. Some students study only to avoid getting a bad grade—the negative reinforcement. Hence the passion to study is lost in the act of avoiding the bad grade. Amy Chua, author of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, which was published earlier this year, says that it is necessary to be strict with students and children, and that it is the only way that they can succeed. She talks of how the Asian style of parenting is very different

from the west, wherein parents from western countries are more encouraging and positive. As most of our tutors are Asian, they may also have been raised in a similarly controlling and negatively reinforcing environment. Dr Christine I. Bennett, professor of Social Studies and Multicultural Education from Indiana University, found in 1986 that “teachers teach as they have been taught to learn.” Therefore, the methods teachers use in their classrooms are similar to the methods that they themselves had been raised in. But is this the reason for the constant negative reinforcement in NTU? And with students sleeping and texting during class, is this method even successful? Keshav Mohta, a second year student from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering disagrees. “If you use negative reinforcement, the student won’t become a passionate learner, but someone who finds a means to an end. A certain amount of fear might also arise, where the student is scared to question and to take risks.” He adds, “Education is much more than just passing exams.” Wee Jia Hui, a first year student from the School of Art, Design and Media says that if she is continually reminded of her shortcomings, then she might just give up and say, “I don’t care any-

louder than words

more; I am probably not going to finish this assignment.” She recalls one of her professors who had a rule in class about critiquing someone else’s drawing: a student should say two positives and one area of improvement for the drawing. She thinks that this method of positive reinforcement ensured steady progress in the course. However, in her other classes, Jia Hui feels that she is not encour-

aged to improve due to the constant negative feedback she gets. When asked about the trend of negative reinforcement in NTU, she replied, “I think it’s the Asian culture. You get scolded if you do not give the right answer.” But is it Asian culture to condition people using negative reinforcement? Are we generalizing from a small sample of people? Do we really need to condition our minds?

Goh Wei Choon graphics editor

GRAPHIC | VU VIET ANH

Our education is not about an input from a tutor and the response from the student, it is more complicated than that. Our beliefs, upbringing, biases, prejudices and previous conditioning all determine what kind of learners we are. Negative reinforcement might be the preferred way of learning for some. But do we need an axe hanging over our necks to be motivated?

our inbox

Dear Readers,

Do you have something you need to get off your chest? From events absurd and weird, down to the serious and persistent, if they grab your attention, write in to us. The Nanyang Chronicle wants to hear your voice! Share your views on trends or incidents in school. Or comment on articles published in our paper. So what are you waiting for? Write in to us now!

Yours, Eunice & Jayashri Opinions Editors

Send your letters to: chronicleopinions@ gmail.com Please include your full name, contact number, faculty and year of study.

VOL. NO.

SPORTS 29

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07 CHRONICLE

bpl talk

The new BPL: fast and loose Clement Ong ONE outstanding aspect of the Barclay’s Premier League season so far has been the sheer unpredictability of the match results. The recent transfer of Fernando Torres from Liverpool to Chelsea, which created a huge stir in the BPL, goes to show the unpredictability of the current season. For one, the “invincibility” of teams in the traditional “big four” (Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool) no longer seems to be a given, since this season has been characterised by increased competitiveness between teams in all positions in the table. In past seasons, teams from the lower half of the table will often aim to minimise the margin of their defeat in the final score when faced with strong opposition like Manchester United. Escaping with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of ‘stronger’ opposition was often seen as a respectable outcome. Commonly, the priority for recently promoted teams would be to garner as many points as possible to avoid relegation. This often translates into cautious, cagey tactics, where teams play in order not to lose, resulting in tight—and often boring—matches. But things have changed. Now, there has been a wide-

UNDERDOGS FIGHT BACK: Dudley Campbell (No. 39) nods past Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina to give Blackpool a shock 2-1 win over the Reds PHOTO | INTERNET

spread revolution in the way ‘weaker’ teams approach games against traditionally ‘stronger’ teams. The team which best epitomises this phenomenon is Blackpool FC, a newly promoted outfit from Northeast England. They play a swashbuckling brand of football which belies their status as a newly promoted club. This can be seen from their two consecutive 2-1 victories over Liverpool in the league, as well as the recent narrow 2-3 defeat against Manchester United. Their style of play can be best

described as ‘open’, with most of the emphasis on attacking rather than defensive play, as seen by the high number of goals scored both for and against the team. There are times, however, when their game plan backfires spectacularly, resulting in losses like the 6-0 hammering they received at the hands of Arsenal at the start of the season. But regardless of win or lose, this phenomenon of teams upping the stakes is not merely limited to Blackpool, but also other teams from the lower half of the table

that are usually seen as the whipping boys of the league. Some examples are Bolton, West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers (more commonly known as Wolves). Unlike Blackpool, who are new to the Premier League, the Wolves are in their second successive season. In the previous season, Wolves were notorious for their dour style of play, best characterised by the matches that ended in 1-0 or 1-1 score lines—with very little end-to end-action to speak of. But this season, even with the same manager and core group of players, their play has changed dramatically. The Wolves are playing with a much higher tempo, characterized by fluid passing and aggressive pressing of their opponents resulting in high-scoring matches such as their 3-2 win over Sunderland and the exciting 3-4 loss against Manchester City. One reason which perhaps explains the greater unpredictability of the league could be the constant reshuffling of the teams by the managers due to factors such as players getting injured, being transferred or putting in poor performances. So who wins ultimately? BPL fans. We can look forward to a more exciting season—featuring more scintillating play from the teams, with greater unpredictability in the weeks ahead.

they said that? “Yeah, husband and wife (are) always fighting, doesn’t matter on the court or out of the court. But on the court I have to listen to what he says ... out of the court, it’s opposite.” Tennis player Li Na on being coached by her husband, Jiang Shan, at the 2010 Australian Open

“I knew I was dog meat. But luckily, I’m the high-priced dog meat that everybody wants.” Basketball player Shaquille O’Neal on his place in the NBA

Recover faster with chocolate milk Danson Cheong WHILE more Singaporeans are sweating it out, sports dietitians say their knowledge on sports nutrition still leaves much to be desired. Sports dietitian Derrick Ong told T he Nanyang Chronicle: “Singaporeans are getting hyped up about sports—there are events going on every weekend.” Spor t i ng e ve nt s l i ke t he Standard Char tered Marathon Singapore are reporting record numbers of participants. Held last year, the inaugural

edition of the race drew a staggering 60,000 runners. “But a lot of people are not feeding themselves properly and end up with injuries, fatigue and illnesses, which could have been prevented with proper nutrition,” Mr Ong added. According to Mr Ong, who was the leader of the Nutrition Ambassador team at last year’s Youth Olympic Games, a majority of athletes are not meeting the nutritional requirements for their sport. For instance, endurance athletes like triathletes and marathoners require constant fuelling during

”Supplements are alright if taken at proper timings and in suitable amounts. It’s an easy solution for people who want to recover quickly after

their training.” A PRESSING CONCERN: Sports dietitian Derrick Ong feels that there are too few sports dietitians to serve the growing sporting needs. PHOTO | WAN ZHONG HAO

exercise for peak performance. Otherwise, they would suffer from a condition known as hypoglycaemia. Symptoms of the condition include fatigue, dilated pupils and nausea. Endurance athletes might be more familiar with the term “hitting the wall”. Dr Roger Tian, a sports physician and an associate consultant from the Singapore Sports Medicine Centre, explained: “Hypoglycaemia is due to depletion of glycogen stores in muscles.” “Glycogen is like a high-octane fuel used during exercise. Hence, performance suffers when the fuel store runs out.” Mr Ong also pointed out that athletes who are concerned with muscle growth, like body builders and dragon-boaters, often take excessive amounts of protein supplements. He said: “Supplements are alright if taken at proper timings and in suitable amounts. It’s an easy solution for people who want to recover quickly after their training.” “But many athletes take far too much protein. This is all wasted when the body passes out the excess through the urine.” Studies also show that excessive protein intake can cause kidney problems as the body is put under stress. Proper nutrition is thus crucial to peak performance and good health while training.

This should be a priority for varsity athletes, in light of the amount of time they spend training. The captain of the NTU biathlon team Tan Hanrong, 22, said: “Nutrition is a prime concern to my teammates and I, considering the demands of our sport.” According to Tan, a second-year student at the School of Biological Sciences, the NTU biathlon team trains almost every day. “My coach has advised the team to take chocolate milk after trainings for post-workout recovery. We find that it helps us train harder.” Numerous medical studies have shown chocolate milk to be as effective, if not more effective, than many recovery supplements on the market. However, Tan bemoaned the fact that nutritional advice like that was hard to come by. Mr Ong feels the root of the problem is that there are too few sports dietitians to serve Singapore’s growing sporting needs. Currently, none of the local universities offers Dietetics as a course of study. He said: “There are a lot of unmet needs for sports nutrition and it’s a pity because Singapore has a lot of sporting potential.” “We have ver y prom i si ng young talents like Rainer Ng and Tao Li that could be groomed with the proper support and knowledge.”

GRAPHIC | TRUNG

”I’ll speak Italian when I go to Ferrari.” F1 driver Sebastian Vettel to an Italian reporter who asked him to answer a question in Italian

”I think the feeling sort of disappears out of your feet if you have sex before. My feet felt like concrete when you are supposed to kick the ball.” Swedish Footballer Freddie Ljungberg on having sex before a match

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sports profile

The three weapons of modern fencing

BLADES OF GLORY

The target areas of the respective weapons are indicated in orange.

FOIL A thrusting weapon, where the target area is the opponent’s torso region. Bouts are governed by rules called the “right-of-way”. A fencer gains the “right-of-way”, and thus the priority to be awarded points, by initiating the offensive on an opponent.

SABRE A slashing weapon, where the target area is above the opponent’s waist, including the head. Like foil, sabre bouts are governed by the “right-ofway” system. The sabre is a modern version of the cavalry sword.

EPEE A thrusting weapon, where the target area is anywhere on the opponent’s body, including the head. Epee is not limited by the “right-of-way” and most closely resembles classical fencing.

NTU FENCING CLUB Team Manager: Mr Chiang Chai Liang Contact Number: 67904749 E-mail: chiangcl@ntu.edu.sg Training on Mondays and Thursdays Sports and Recreation Centre, Activity Room 1

CALM AND COMPOSED: Lee has led the NTU fencing club's foil team for the past year.

Sports Editor Lai Junjie speaks to outgoing fencing captain Edward Lee about his journey as a leader and fencer in the past year.

I F YOU v isit fencing captain Edward Lee at night, be sure not to barge in uninvited. You might just end up on the business end of his fencing blade. When he finds it hard to sleep, Lee often picks up his foil and practises his footwork and bladework at home. “Sometimes I get a little restless at night and can’t sit still, so I will do some footwork and maybe poke a few things here and there (with my blade)! Especially on the night before a big competition—I will get very nervous and can’t sleep,” said the third-year student from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) while making several quick thrusts in the air with an imaginary blade. That was exactly what the 23-year-old did in his hotel room the night before he represented Singapore and NTU at the Selangor International Open Fencing competition in 2009—he spent the night practising in full gear with his roommate in the hotel room. Even though he was knocked out early in the direct elimination rounds, the competition was an eye-opener for him as he competed with top-ranking fencers from

around the world. “I was not very prepared when I went there, but I got to see a lot of new styles because the ways fencers are coached in other countries are very different. There were a lot of different techniques being used that I never would have been able to come up with on my own,” he said. But this setback only whetted his appetite to seek out more ways to improve his fencing skill and performance in future competitions. “It was after taking part in competitions like the Selangor Open and the ASEAN Varsity Fencing Championships that there

PHOTOS | LAI JUNJIE & HUANG MEIQI

was a turning point and I realised how much I love fencing.” Lee first took up fencing during his freshman year in 2008 under the NTU fencing club. Showing great potential early in his fencing career, he served as the club’s logistics officer and the captain of the foil team in 2009 and 2010 respectively. Despite having been a school player for badminton and basketball when he was younger, his passion lies in fencing. “When you are standing on the piste (fencing strip), it’s only you and your opponent. Nothing else matters. You focus on your opponent and think of nothing

ON GUARD: Edward (left) faces off against a fencer from Hwa Chong Institition at the National Novices Fencing Competition

else,” he said. “You can learn a lot about another person's character that way. Fencing is almost like a private conversation.” To Lee, fencing is like physical chess, where one constantly second-guesses what an opponent may be thinking. He says that within a mere five seconds, a fencer may mentally consider and discard as many as 10 different possibilities to attack or defend against an opponent. “Anything can happen on the piste. A good fencer is able think and react quickly to an opponent’s attack.” He was particularly inspired by NTU alumni fencer Wang Xiaojun after watching her fence at a local competition. “Even though fencing is an individual sport, fencers like her have a kind of energy around them that rallies everyone together. Just watching her pull all those points back after a slow start electrifies the whole club,” said he. Despite his passion, Lee is planning to tone down his level of commitment in fencing after he graduates. “I don’t think I will fence as much as I do now because it really takes a lot of time to train and continue to maintain a certain standard. I doubt I will have the time to practise as much when I’m working,” he said. Looks like he will have to find something other than doing fencing lunges in his home to stave off insomnia in the future.

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Lee goes through a tough exercise regimen as part of his fencing training.

LEG STRENGTH TRAINING

Here, he shows how two different types of fencing exercises should be carried out.

Raise one foot above the ground

Bend your grounded leg, while keeping the other straight

Bend all the way down, still keeping the other leg straight

ARM STRENGTH TRAINING

Fill a 1.5 litre bottle with water.

Lift the bottle to shoulder level. Keep the bottle upright throughout.

Keep your arm straight and grasp the bottle with your fingers.

Lower arm and repeat.

"Fencing is like physical chess. You must train to think with your body and instincts."

sports recap Basketball Ladies triumph at IVP finals

Redemption on the touch rugby pitch

Tsang Wing Han

Edward Teo

NTU nearly scored a double victor y at the IVP basketball finals. The women’s team, with a squad boasting three national players, were pushed to the brink by the SIM team at the showdown on January 31st at the Sports and Recreation Centre. With a squad boasting three national team members, the NTU basketball ladies team was expected to dominate the IVP finals. SIM started the game strongly, forcing turnovers with their aggressive defense and established a 14-11 lead. As the game went on, the SIM key players were evidently exhausted from the high intensity of the game. On the other hand, NTU had many experienced players to call upon and took the opportunity to extend their lead. They sealed the victor y 55-38. NTU team captain, Felicia Chee, 21, a third-year student at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences said: “Ever y player stepped up whenever the team needed and (the strong bench) was definitely the key to our victor y.” In the men’s finals, the players’ hopes of adding to the women’s victor y PHOTO | FOO CHEE CHANG were dashed when NUS made a big play in the last 90 seconds of the game to win 50-45. It was a closely battled final and overtime was hanging in the air until NUS’s Choo Xing Ru, 24, made a three-pointer with over a minute left on the clock to give NUS a two point lead. Reviewing the men’s basketball match, NTU Coach Joe So said: “We made too many uncharacteristic mistakes and couldn’t capitalise on our chances.”

TEAM NTU got the redemption they sought over rivals SIM with a convincing 7-3 victory at the women’s touch rugby IVP finals on January 31st. NTU had lost to SIM previously at the Singapore University Games finals with a score of 5-4 in October last year, making the victory sweeter for many team members. “During SUniG, we were too tame. We played with unity but weren’t dangerous enough. However, we played with more desire and hunger to emerge victorious this time,” said team captain Philicia Lim, 22, a final-year student in the School of Materials Science and Engineering. “Seven players from our team will be graduating this year, so you can imagine how important this victory is for us,” said vice-captain Tan Xin Pei, 21, a final-year student in the Nanyang Business School. But, the championship was not easily acquired. SIM put up a valiant effort in the first half, PHOTO | TAN WEI ZHENG effectively equalizing every time NTU scored a try. Yet, momentum shifted in favour of NTU during the second half. “In the second half, we controlled the pace with our defence and slowed the game down. This nullified SIM’s speed and aggression,” said Lim. SIM played aggressively but failed to maintain possession by conceding several turnovers. Lim believed that teamwork made the difference in the match. “SIM has a number of national contact rugby players, but we don’t. Individually, we may not be better, but teamwork gave us the decisive edge.” The coach of Team NTU Anne Goh said: “No doubt SIM is a team of champions, but NTU is the champion team.”

Sports

Sports nutrition for busy student athletes – Page 33

Hat-trick for cheer champs At the annual Hall Olympiad Opening Ceremony, Sports Editor Annabelle Liang and Shahilia Bhagat report in the midst of bright costumes and gravity-defying stunts. CHEERLEADERS from Hall of Residence 7 did the disco to a t h i rd consec ut ive v ictor y at t he H a l l Ol y mpiad O pe n i ng Ceremony last Wednesday (Feb 9th). Decked in outf its of pu rple, white and silver, Hall of Residence 7 dazzled the judges with their “Saturday Night Fever” inspired routine. Senior Associate Provost and Professor Er Meng Hwa was the Guest of Honour at the ceremony that was held at the Sports and Recreation Centre. The competition is the highlight of the opening ceremony of the Hall Olympiad, an annual sports competition between halls. With the theme “Heroes and Villains”, halls were required to present cheerleading routines with mascots that were either known as heroes or villains. Supporters from all 16 performing halls came out in full force, equipped with loud voices and shakers. Performing to the storyline of a search for the ultimate “Disco King”, Hall of Residence 7 cheerleaders displayed gold-sprayed hairdos and adorned afro wigs and simply outshone the other teams. They also fully made use of their mascot, the “Disco King”, by dancing to oldies and performing twists in their routine. Hall of Residence 7 shined with cheerleaders successfully perfor ming f lips while being thrown in the air, a stunt that most other squads struggled to perform. After they pulled off these diff icult stunts perfectly, the cheerleaders were greeted with loud cheers of approval from spectators. Captain of the victorious Hall of Residence 7 squad Stella Ng, 21, said: “We’re really happy to win the competition again!” “Our efforts paid off as the tea m pr ac t i sed i n t he ha l l’s function hall in preparation for the competition every evening,” said the second-year st udent at the School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering. Sheer hard work also paid off for Hall of Residence 1 who was placed second in the competition. Wong Ming Hui, 25, the hall’s assistant coach and a fourth-

CHEERING CHAMPIONS: Hall of Residence 7's cheerleading squad pumping their fists after winning for the third year running.

year student from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), said: “Hall 1 has not won anything at the competition for two years. "The strong commitment of both seniors and juniors allowed us to schedule trainings up to five times a week leading up to the competition,” he added. Over at Hall of Residence 13, celebrations erupted after they clinched both the third placing and the title of “Best Mascot” for the Hero mascot. “ We took mor e t ha n t wo weeks to prepare props, banners and the costume of our mascot from the television series, Power Rangers,” squad captain Wong Choon Fu, 22, a second-year MAE student said. He added t hat t he ha ll is “definitely gunning for first place next year.” Head Judge Ong Wei Cheng, the coach for NT U ACES, the school’s cheerleading team, said: “The competition was very close." All three top ranked squads performed routines that included per fect ly sy nchronized lif ts, f lips, somersaults and dance moves. And their organised execu-

tions of their cheerleading routines set them apart from the other halls. "I was looking for cleanliness in routine. The teams ranked at the top are there because they were organised,” Mr Ong added. Halls were also judged for crowd appeal and mascot choice. Mr Ong had performed at the same event eight years ago as a student of Nanyang Business School. He noted that there was a greater focus on safety in this yea r’s oly mpiad t ha n i n t he previous years'. “There is more awareness of safety this year as there were fewer falls during the routines. I think more emphasis was placed on how training was conducted,” Mr Ong said. P r of e s s o r E r M e n g H w a agreed with Mr Ong that safety has “improved from last year”. He said: “Not only has the standard of cheerleading risen this year, but more importantly, the efforts of contestants have increased as well. “T he top t h ree tea m s d id stand out. But at the end of the day, ever y team is a winner,” he added.

PHOTOS | SABRINA TIONG

“Not only has the standard of cheerleading risen this year, but more importantly, the efforts of contestants have increased as well." Professor Er Meng Hwa Senior Associate Provost

FLYING HIGH: Cheerleaders from Hall of Residence 1 reaching for the stars.