The Nanyang Chronicle Vol 22 Issue 05

THE NANYANG

CHRONICLE

VOL. NO.

22

05 2.11.15

ISSN NO. 0218-7310

DISCOVERING LIFE’S MEANING TEDxNTU explores existential themes

HALL-OWEEN PHOTO | 08 - 11

A SMASHING SUCCESS

NEWS | 03

SPORTS | 23

News

S’pore Writers Fest features NTU works

With new material to present, writers from NTU are getting more exposure at this year’s Singapore Writers Festival Holly Matthews

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57-year-old photograph displayed at the National Gallery portrays a construction worker hard at work as he builds a temporary exhibition hall at the old Paya Lebar Airport.

Taken by Wu Peng Seng in 1958, the photo depicts the crisp silhouette of the builder against a cream background.

The photo inspired School of Humanities and Social Sciences assistant professor Divya Victor to write three poems that were read on 1 Nov at the soon-to-be-opened National Gallery.

Asst Prof Divya said her poems, which look at Wu’s photograph from three different perspectives, utilised the technique of ekphrasis, the use of one art form to discuss another.

“It’s a wonderful way of looking at something. You aren’t looking at it just passively, or critically, but as someone who is going to be a producer of art yourself,” she said.

The poetry reading was one of 13 events that Asst Prof Divya and eight other NTU faculty and students participated in during this

WORDSTAR: Asst Prof Divya Victor is using the Singapore Writers Festival as a platform to showcase her students’ poetry.

PHOTO: NG KAI YUAN

year’s Singapore Writers Festival (SWF). The festival runs from 30 Oct to 8 Nov. This year, the SWF brings together more than 260 authors and presenters to 17 venues over 10 days, presenting events in four languages: Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil.

Speaking of the three poems she wrote for the event, Asst Prof Divya said that it is important that visitors consider themselves not just passive recipients of culture, but also as active contributors.

“You can’t keep taking. You have to feel responsible for pushing culture forward by producing some-

thing,” she said.

Asst Prof Divya will also be helping three budding writers from NTU showcase their work in the festival by reading their poems at Singapura Campur, a free event taking place on 7 Nov at the Arts House.

The selected students, Shaun Tan, Chloe Tong and Nurul Sofia Bte Assahari, are from her Introduction to Creative Writing, and Creative Writing Poetry courses.

Asst Prof Divya said she explicitly chose poems that weaved Singapore in, be it culturally, linguistically, or otherwise.

Tan said it was a pleasant sur-

prise to be featured in the festival.

“I’ve been working on improving my poetry for awhile now, and it’s a good sign to be featured at the Singapore Writers’ Festival,” said Tan, 22, a second-year student from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information.

The other five NTU faculty members involved in the SWF include NTU-NAC Writers in Residence (WIR) Pooja Nansi, Madeleine Thien and Yeo Wei Wei; Assistant Professor Barrie Sherwood; and part-time lecturer and former WIR Yong Shu Hoong.

They will be participating in panel discussions, readings of their

work and writing workshops.

Two of the writers will be presenting new works at the festival.

Ms Yeo will unveil her debut collection of short stories entitled These Foolish Things & Other Stories, while Mr Yong will be promoting his literary project, The Adopted: Stories from Angkor.

The writers were brought together by Asst Prof Sherwood, also from HSS, who joins the festival’s steering committee for the first time.

Mr Yong, who is also taking part in an SWF special event, Eye/Feel/ Write II, said participating as a local writer is a unique balance between being a guest of the festival, and playing host to international writers coming to Singapore for the event.

“It’s an interesting sense of homecoming and being recognised by your own community, but at the same time you’re also meeting new people.

“You get a sense of how big the writing community is worldwide,” said the poet, who was a WIR in 2013, and still teaches creative writing part-time.

Mr Yong said an interesting feature of the SWF is that it is programmed in four languages, which is a challenge, but one that is worth the effort.

“It is a unique point that sets (SWF) apart from other festivals.

Others may cater to, at most, the native language and English,” he said.

Bald, bold and beautiful Prisca Ang EXOTIC hairstyles may be integral to a runway model’s getup, but come February, a fashion show will showcase only bald women on the catwalk.

The lineup of 20 bald models challenges stereotypes of beauty, with the intent to raise awareness about the autoimmune disease alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata is an immune response against the body’s hair follicles that results in hair loss to varying degrees and, in several cases, the loss of all head hair.

“We want women to feel good about themselves and to step out of their comfort zones,” said Ms Chan See Ting, 23, a Linguistics graduate from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, who chairs the organising committee for the fashion show.

Although the list of fashion labels has not been finalised, the

planning committee is leaning towards a theme similar to Dove’s “Real Beauty” campaign. It is currently looking for sponsors that champion social causes and give back to society, such as environmentally friendly fashion labels.

Ms Chan was diagnosed with the disease in July 2013. Then a second-year student, she tried to mask her baldness with a baseball cap.

“It was funny. I knew that people could tell I was sick, and that I didn’t have hair under the cap. I just wanted to hide my condition so they wouldn’t ask,” she said.

Her turning point arrived when she enrolled in a self-development course after graduating from university in May this year.

“Gradually, I discovered my self-worth again, and realised that I was limiting myself with my negative thoughts,” she said.

Spurred by her emotional recovery, Ms Chan took to Facebook to search for others who have the

same condition.

“If you know of anyone who is fighting this battle, please help to bridge this gap between us so that we can support each other and know that we are not alone,” she wrote in Facebook post on Aug 25, which has since garnered more than 600 likes and 15,000 shares.

The post has also resulted in the formation of an online support group. The private Facebook group currently has 72 members who discuss issues ranging from their daily struggles to the best wig stores in town.

Since the group was started in August, meet up sessions have been held twice a month for members to connect and bond with one another in the community.

Ms Chan’s Facebook post also grabbed the attention of Jolene Hwee, director and counselling psychologist with Womancare Psychological Services, who now facilitates the support group’s sessions pro bono.

CHALLENGING NORMS: Ms Chan See Ting, who suffers from alopecia areata, wants to PHOTO: CHAN SEE TING broaden society’s definition of beauty.

Ms Hwee also had a part to play in Chan’s idea to hold a fashion show. After one support group meeting, the two had gone shopping together.

Chan was in the dressing room when Ms Hwee had chided her playfully: “You change so slowly that you can’t be a runway model!”

The runway model comment inspired Ms Chan to organise the fashion show.

She said: “For the longest time, hair has been a symbol of beauty and femininity. Our vision is to show people that women can be bald and beautiful at the same time, as beauty is not just skin-deep.”

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NEWS

THE NANYANG

22 22

VOL. NO.

CHRONICLE 05

TEDxNTU seeks life's meaning Speakers from diverse backgrounds shared their answers to the big question with NTU students and the public

ccept yourself for who you are and hold on to your dreams — these are what some experts say make our lives more meaningful.

At the fifth edition of TEDxNTU, a series of 12 speakers shared their take on life to some 1,000 people at the Lee Kong Chian Lecture Theatre on 17 Oct. TED is a non-profit organisation devoted to spreading ideas in the form of short, powerful talks. It began in 1984 as a conference where technology, entertainment and design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues.

Independently-run TEDx events help share ideas in communities around the world. TEDxNTU was set up in 2011 by a group of four graduate friends with the help of the NTU Graduate Student Council.

This year’s theme, Life — What’s the Point, was chosen as it was deemed the world’s ultimate and most profound question, said Vivek Manoharan, 27, curator and cofounder of TEDxNTU. He added that if the right answers were found, or at least sought after, it would help solve problems humanity is currently facing.

Here are three inspiring talks from TEDxNTU 2015.

name. And he is a free man because he held on to his dreams, he shared.

Mr Yeow had been in and out of jail for 20 years. In the prime of his life, his multiple run-ins with the law were due to drugs, robberies and break-ins.

During his last stint in the lockup in 2008, he prayed for death at the prospect of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and 24 strokes of the cane.

The turning point came when he was admitted to the prison hospital for heroin withdrawal symptoms and saw a man who became a human vegetable after failing to commit suicide in his cell. Other patients were gasping for air just so they could swallow.

“They were breathing but as good as dead. I was alive but I chose to die,” he said.

While serving his sentence, Mr Yeow picked up painting and won competitions organised by the Yellow Ribbon Project, an organisation dedicated to rehabilitating offenders and helping them reintegrate into society upon release.

“Why am I a practising artist?

Because I no longer want to destroy, I want to create,” Mr Yeow said.

Since then, the budding artist has created works inspired by nature and the Christian faith, and accepts commissions for acrylic paintings, watercolour paintings and framed batik works.

After becoming a full-time art practitioner, Mr Yeow began to dream of being on the front page of newspapers with his artwork, and that dream came true in June this year, when his story was featured in The Straits Times.

“If you have a dream and you’re serious about it, hold on to it and never look back.”

failures.

They can still contribute to their progeny by nurturing and supporting the children of their relatives, said Professor Kristen Sadler, Director of Student Life at NTU. Prof Sadler used herself as an example — she does not have children, but takes care of her niece and nephew. She even took them on holiday with her recently.

In caring for her sibling’s children, she is supporting her family’s gene pool and ensuring that their genes are passed down when her niece and nephew have children of their own.

She added that our biological destiny need not be tied to having children — life can still be meaningful by nurturing our family members.

1. Holding on to your dream

2. Being childless does not make you a biological failure

3. You have control even when bad things happen

Loh Pui Ying Chan Shu Hui

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Barry Yeow has completed more than 500 commissioned paintings — all during the last time he was in prison from 2008 to April this year. Today, he is an accomplished artist with numerous awards to his

In science, people who have children are seen as biological successes as they have passed on their genes and created future generations. But that does not mean people who are childless are biological

FULL HOUSE: This year's TEDxNTU talk attracted some 1,000 attendees, with tickets to the event selling out.

Six years ago, Mr Avin Tan found out he had HIV. He was numb to the test results initially as the virus was detected early and he could keep his condition under control. But the weight

of his situation set in when he watched an episode of a television show, which featured a character with HIV. During the episode, the HIVpositive character met with an accident and refused help from a passer-by because he knew his blood could infect others.

He realised being HIV-positive was not a personal or private issue — eventually, he would have to tell his family and friends.

He would also be discriminated at work and in society, because many do not understand the condition and are frightened of HIVsufferers.

And that was what he noticed during his first three years dealing with the disease.

After helping local filmmaker Royston Tan with a video commissioned by Action For AIDS Singapore (AFA) that aimed to start conversations about HIV, he realised that the Singaporean HIV community needed a voice.

This was because only four out of all the HIV sufferers they contacted were willing to be featured

PHOTO: HILLARY TAN

in the video, and only agreed to do so if they were anonymous.

Hoping to provide HIV-positive sufferers with a voice, he overcame his fears and became the second person in Singapore to come out as HIV-positive in 2012.

He had been working at AFA — a non-profit organisation involved in AIDS prevention, advocacy and support — and is now its spokesperson. He also pursued a part-time degree in Communications.

He chose to come out to demonstrate that a person could live happily and positively with the disease.

“I could only do so because I had supportive family and friends,” he said.

“And not many people are fortunate to have that.”

Mr Tan stressed the importance of giving one’s problems a purpose.

“We cannot control what would happen, but we have all the power to control what we do after sh*t happens.

“The beginning and purpose of life is sometimes at the point that you thought was the end of everything.”

A hub for interactive learning

Shermane Wong Chan Shu Hui

NTU is moving away from traditional lecture-tutorial classroom models to flipped classrooms.

Officially opened on 20 Oct

by Acting Minister of Education, Hugher Education and Skills, Mr Ong Ye Kung, the Hive is wellequipped with latest technologies to offer a collaborative learning experience to all students, and has been touted as another architectural icon of NTU, after the School of Art, Design and Media.

The Hive houses a library and 56 smart classrooms that are installed with multiple LCD screens

and wireless communication tools.

NTU is looking to introduce these classrooms to about 1,500 courses within the next five years.

Professor Kam Chan Hin, NTU Senior Associate Provost, said: “Students would be more empowered to take ownership of their learning.”

The library at the new learning hub, called the Library Outpost, offers an Automatic Reserves Machine.

Students only need to search for the book they want by keying in the relevant details, and the book will be dispensed by the machine.

This will enable students to borrow books 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

HIVE GOES LIVE: Prof Bertil Andersson (second from left) and Acting Minister for Education, Mr Ong Ye Kung (centre), view The Hive from its ground floor atrium.

PHOTO: HILLARY TAN

Lifestyle foodsnoop

CHICKEN RICE

NORTH V.S. SOUTH

HAKIM RESTAURANT 91 Pasir Panjang Road S118512

THOHIRAH RESTAURANT PTE LTD

Opening Hours: 24 hours daily

258 Jalan Kayu S799487

THE idea of walking to Hakim Restaurant might deter some people. After all, it is quite a distance away from Pasir Panjang MRT Station.

Despite the little eatery’s inaccessibility, there was a sizeable crowd digging into their roti prata when we walked into the restaurant on a Saturday afternoon after lunchtime.

For a fairer comparison, we

Opening Hours: 24 hours daily

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popular supper haunt for those craving a midnight snack, Thohirah Restaurant often comes to mind when one has a craving for roti prata (fried flourbased pancake). Located at Jalan Kayu, the restaurant comes highly recommended by the supper crowd.

We went straight for the crowd favourites — the plain and the egg pratas. The plain prata ($1) was crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

The thinness of the prata made it easy to bite through, and went well with the thick and viscous curry, which was not overly spicy.

In fact, we found that we could still taste the spices, such as tumeric powder and cumin, that had been used in it.

The egg prata ($2) did not disappoint either. We were

THROUGH THICK AND THIN: The winning formula for Thohirah’s crispy prata has got to be their paper-thin layers.

impressed by the clear and distinct layers of the prata which are usually clumped together. The air pockets between the layers made the prata lighter and ensured that it was not too doughy.

However, we would have liked the egg to be more evenly spread out to ensure a more equal serving of both egg and prata in every bite.

BAK KUT TEH

of the soup coming through.

We also enjoyed the taupok (fried beancurd) in the soup.

Soaking up the soup well, every bite of it provided an explosion of the fragrant broth in our mouths.

We loved the fact that Hong Ji’s broth was hearty and intense.

Overall, we had an enjoyable meal that left our stomachs warm and sated.

HONG JI CLAYPOT BAK KUT TEH 19 Marsiling Lane, #01-329 S730019 Opening Hours: 8am - 9pm daily WHEN it comes to bak kut teh (pork ribs simmered in a broth of herbs and spices), Hong Ji Claypot Bak Kut Teh has made a name for itself in the North.

Recommended by food bloggers, this was one food joint we could not miss.

We ordered the Herbal Claypot Bak Kut Teh ($5.50), which is Hong Ji’s trademark dish.

Unlike Teochew versions which use pepper to flavour the soup, Hong Ji serves Klang bak kut teh that exemplifies the natural flavour

We also found that the prata was a tad too oily.

Ultimately, we thoroughly enjoyed the crispiness of Thohirah Restaurant’s roti prata, which feels like a commendable homage to the famous crispy Jalan Kayu roti prata. Those looking for a quick bite in the middle of the night might want to give Thohirah a shot.

MEATS THE MARK: Hong Ji serves up generous portions of pork ribs that are tender and infused with herbal flavour.

of various spices.

The dish was served in a traditional claypot. Despite the strong herbal aroma, its taste was far from overwhelming. Instead, the mild flavour was complemented by a slight sweetness in the soup.

The generous serving of pork ribs were commendable as well. The meat was so tender that it fell off the fork, with the strong fragrance

YA HUA BAK KUT TEH EATING HOUSE 593 Havelock Road, Isetan Office Building #01-01/02 S169641 Opening Hours: 11am - 2am on Tuesday and Thursday 11am - 3am on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 11am - 10pm on Sundays Closed on Mondays

ALTHOUGH Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh was a little out of the way, the restaurant was hard to miss with its prominent signboard and old school outdoor seating. Unlike Hong Ji, Ya Hua serves up Teochew Bak Kut Teh ($6) — this rendition of the dish had a clear broth and strong peppery taste.

The aroma of the broth definitely tingled our taste buds with its piquant spices.

However, we were disappointed that our soup was not piping hot, given the time we spent waiting.

That aside, the balance of the broth was clearly well thought out — the peppery taste was strong enough to enhance the dish, but was not overwhelming to the point of negating the flavour of the other spices in the broth.

Unfortunately, the meat was not cooked uniformly. It was hard and tender at different parts. But as a whole, Ya Hua’s bak kut teh was beautifully infused with peppery flavour.

BLOW OFF STEAM: Wah Yuen dishes out moist and tender chicken.

Opening Hours: 9am - 10pm daily

decided on the same order of a plain prata ($0.90) and an egg prata ($1.60). The plain prata was not too oily, with a nice, springy texture to it and we took great pleasure in chomping on the chewy prata layers.

The appearance of the egg prata came to us as a surprise. While most egg pratas are usually thicker, the one at Hakim’s was surprisingly thin, almost comparable to a sheet of paper.

The egg was well spread out and nicely integrated, providing a nice contrast in texture.

We were also delighted to find that the thinness of the prata did not compromise on its stretchy feel.

Unfortunately, the curry was less outstanding and we found it too salty.

Furthermore, the spices used did not come through well, and it certainly did not pack the punch that we were expecting from authentic Indian curry.

VERDICT:

FLAT LAY: Hakim’s pratas have a chewy texture, which makes for an addictive bite.

knew we had to give the ginger chilli a shot.

Despite its unassuming appearance, the chilli packed a fiery and potent punch.

We liked that the soup, which accompanied the rice, was not MSG-laden and overly salty.

It was light with a subtle chicken flavour, and was topped with a generous amount of spring onions.

The soup made for a perfect side to end our meal with.

Block 925 Yishun Central 1 Yong Yan 81 Yishun Food Court, #01-249 S760925

Both the North and the South are home to delectable local hawker fare – but which region is better?

Lifestyle Writers Ariel Pang and Claudia Chong put eight food haunts to the test in search of the answer.

ROTI PRATA

BALANCED MEAL: Yishun 925’s chicken is seasoned with light soy sauce.

YISHUN 925 HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE

FOOD FACE-OFF

NORTH. We really enjoyed Thohirah’s thin prata for its crispiness and expertly crafted combination of spices in its curry.

YISHUN 925 Hainanese Chicken Rice is located just a short walk away from Northpoint Shopping Centre. Despite the long queue, the Steamed Chicken Rice Set ($4) we ordered was served within a few minutes.

The serving size was generous for its price.

The deboned chicken was marinated in light soy sauce, and served with slightly sweet a-char (Nonya pickles) and fresh cucumbers that added contrasting textures.

The chicken meat was tender and moist, and went well with the the fragrant rice that featured hints of sesame oil in every bite that we took. Being chilli lovers, we

BO BO CHA CHA GUAN HENG DESSERT STALL Block 724 Ang Mo Kio Ave 6 Ang Mo Kio Market & Food Centre, #01-22 S560724 Opening Hours: 11am - 8.30pm daily GUAN Heng Dessert Stall has been selling desserts in Ang Mo Kio for approximately 30 years and is popular among residents in the area.

We decided to try their famous Bo Bo Cha Cha Ice ($1.50), a Nyonya dessert that typically comes with coconut milk, tapioca jellies, yam and sweet potatoes.

With their delectable chicken and scrumptious sauce, it is no wonder why the stall has a loyal customer base — Wah Yuen’s chicken rice is definitely worth coming back for.

NESTLED within the Telok Blangah Food Drive Centre, Wah Yuen Porridge and Chicken Rice often has long queues, a testament to their popularity. Having heard online that their chicken rice sells out well before closing time, we headed down early to avoid disappointment.

Their Chicken Rice ($3) certainly lived up to its hype. The succulent chicken was flavourful, with sesame oil drizzled over it.

Moreover, we particularly appreciated that the marinade was neither too salty nor oily on our palate.

The ginger chilli sauce, on the other hand, was less impressive.

It was watery and diluted, and caused our rice to be drenched and overly moist.

The dessert came in a small bowl, with a generous serving of coconut milk drizzled over large chunks of crushed ice, which hid colourful jellies and sweet potatoes.

Guan Heng’s version also includes attap-chee (young nipa palm fruits).

The attap-chee was a surprising addition to the dish; the slightly tough exterior and crunchiness was a welcome addition to an otherwise sweet bowl of slush.

Unfortunately, there was no yam in this bo bo cha cha, and that caused the traditional dessert to lose its classic yam taste.

Furthermore, we could not smell much of the fragrant pandan flavour commonly used in the dessert.

Despite its shortcomings, Guan Heng’s bo bo cha cha was a refreshing dessert for us, and we finished it off in minutes.

Opening Hours: 6am - 2pm Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays

PHOTOS: CORIN TOO, HILLARY TAN SAME BUT DIFFERENT: Tian Tian Yuan’s rendition of bo bo cha cha contains more ingredients compared to the traditional one.

Opening Hours: 12pm - 10pm Closed on Wednesdays

Ariel’s pick: SOUTH. Ya Hua’s sumptuous peppery broth had a slight heat to it, which won me over.

Claudia’s pick: NORTH. The fragrant herbal broth and tender pork ribs from Hong Ji gets my vote.

BREAK THE ICE: Colourful jellies are hidden below a pile of ice at Guan Heng.

Claudia’s pick: SOUTH. The fragrance of the rice, coupled with the tender and juicy chicken breast, was what sealed the deal for me as the better chicken rice.

Block 79 Telok Blangah Drive Telok Blangah Drive Food Centre, #01-12 S100082

83 Seng Poh Road Tiong Bahru Market, #02-15 S168898

VERDICT:

Ariel’s pick: NORTH. I was bought over by the harmony of the chilli and soy sauce marinade that Yishun 925 has to offer. Both components complemented the delicious rice well.

WAH YUEN PORRIDGE AND CHICKEN RICE

TIAN TIAN YUAN DESSERT HOUSE

SPICE AND EVERTHING NICE: The various spices used in Ya Hua’s broth could still be tasted despite its peppery flavour.

VERDICT:

EAGER to escape the heat on a humid day, we ordered a cold Bo Bo Cha Cha ($1.50) from Tian Tian Yuan Dessert House, which is known for its delectable range of hot and cold desserts.

Instead of the ice cubes or crushed ice usually found in chilled bo bo cha cha, Tian Tian Yuan’s was made of fine, fluffy shaved ice, drizzled with evaporated milk.

This made for a slightly sweet combination that was deliciously creamy.

The dish had soft chunks of sweet potato and yam pieces that melted in our mouths. Coupled with the chewy sago seeds, the whole dessert had a nice texture and taste.

The only disappointment was the coconut milk — it did not come through as strongly as the other flavours in the dessert and seemed rather diluted.

What thrilled us most was the Red Ruby, which consists of water chestnuts coated in tapioca flour.

It had a smooth outer layer, which contrasted with the nice crunchy core of water chestnuts, adding a surprising element to this sweet dessert.

VERDICT: SOUTH. In terms of both taste and presentation, we preferred Tian Tian Yuan’s bo bo cha cha as it was served with a wider variety of ingredients. The serving size was also extremely generous for the small price we had to pay.

Reviews movie review

THE MARTIAN

Science Fiction, Survival (PG13) Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Kristen Wiig 142 min

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here are many different ways to react in the face of adversity — some try to make the best out of a bad situation, while others simply see the futility of it all and give up.

The Martian puts one man in what could be the most adverse situation possible, and the result is a highly entertaining adventure that is literally out of this world.

Based on the 2011 novel of the same title, The Martian follows the story of Mark Watney, an astronaut who is stranded on Mars after he is presumed dead during an emergency evacuation.

With not nearly enough supplies to last him till help can arrive, he must use his scientific knowledge to formulate a survival plan while NASA races against time to rescue him.

The first thing audiences will notice about The Martian is that the film does not take itself too seriously.

CAST AWAY: Astronaut Mark Watney must use his wits to survive alone on Mars.

Despite being stuck on another planet and facing certain death, Watney remains fairly optimistic throughout the ordeal.

In an early scene, he nearly blows himself up while trying to start a fire and — with smoke still burning from his back — he simply jokes about it and continues working.

Moments like these set The Martian apart from other survival movies, which can sometimes be too sombre for their own good.

With that said, The Martian has its fair

PHOTO: 20TH CENTURY FOX

share of quiet moments as well.

In one scene, Watney realises that he might not make it home, and writes an emotional letter to his parents in preparation for that possibility.

Fortunately, these scenes are infrequent enough that they do not dampen the film’s light-hearted nature, and instead help to create emotional variety, which strengthens the film as a whole.

Matt Damon leads the cast as Watney,

and the character’s unwavering positivity in seemingly hopeless situations make him highly likeable and easy to root for.

Despite spending a majority of the film interacting with nothing but a computer screen, Damon still manages to come across as personable, and audiences will feel a genuine sense of satisfaction with every breakthrough he makes.

The Martian also features an expansive supporting cast that include the likes of Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels and Kristen Wiig.

These actors play a wide variety of roles, ranging from the director of NASA to the astronauts who had to leave Watney behind.

As the film does not contain a traditional antagonist, conflict comes in the form of these characters debating on issues surrounding Watney’s rescue, and their varied viewpoints will make it difficult for audiences to decide who’s right.

This moral ambiguity helps raise the stakes and grounds the film in reality as well.

With its perkier approach, The Martian is a refreshing take on the survival movie genre.

Despite a lengthy runtime of over two hours, the film will captivate audiences from start to finish, and is undoubtedly worth the price of a movie ticket.

-Jared Alex Tan

singles of the month by Jared Alex Tan

PHOTOS: INTERNET

REST OF YOUR LIFE

NEW YORK CITY

HELLO

USED TO LOVE YOU

THE Sam Willows have come a long way since the release of their breakthrough selftitled EP three years ago, and will probably continue to dominate the airwaves with Rest of Your Life, the latest single from their recently released album Take Heart.

The upbeat track, featuring anthemic drum beats and indie rock-inspired guitar riffs, will have listeners pumped up from start to finish.

In true Sam Willows fashion, the quartet take turns on vocals, creating a dynamic tone that keeps the song fresh.

With its genre-defying sound and lyrics that will have listeners singing along, Rest of Your Life is a clear showing of why the band is arguably one of the biggest acts in the local music scene today.

BEST known for their 2014 club hit #SELFIE, The Chainsmokers are set to keep the party going with their new single New York City.

The duo described it as “one of the most challenging songs” they have ever done; the track took over one year to produce, and went through 100 different iterations before the final mix was chosen.

Primarily driven by the smooth vocals of a singer only known as Brittany, the song gets off to a relatively slow start. Fortunately, the chorus features a satisfying drop which proves that the pair is so much more than a one-hit wonder.

With its heartfelt lyrics and infectious beats, this might just be the song to bring The Chainsmokers back into the spotlight.

AFTER a three-year hiatus, Adele is finally making a return to the music scene, and the Grammy Award winner is wasting no time with the release of her comeback single Hello.

No one can say for certain who the song is about, but based on a recent tweet by the singer, Hello could very well be a conversation with herself. Regardless of the intended recipient, Hello is a classic Adele track, featuring her signature powerhouse vocals supported by equally captivating instrumentals that help to make the song more haunting than it already is.

Hello is a triumphant return to form for the British songstress, and is a promising preview of her highly anticipated third studio album 25, which will be released on 20 Nov.

WHILE more widely known for upbeat tracks such as Hollaback Girl and Wind It Up, Gwen Stefani tones it down with her latest single Used to Love You, delivering what might be her most personal song yet.

Inspired by her recent divorce from Gavin Rossdale, Used to Love You acts as a heartfelt requiem for her marriage of 13 years.

Stefani’s wistful voice is layered over a subtle electronic beat and not much else, allowing listeners to focus on her raw emotion without any distractions.

With simple, yet poignant lyrics like “You go, I’ll stay, you can keep all the memories”, Used to Love You is a track that will no doubt resonate with anyone who has experienced the pain of a breakup.

The Sam Willows Sony Music Entertainment

The Chainsmokers ft. Brittany Disruptor Records

Adele XL Recordings

Gwen Stefani Interscope Records

VOL. NO.

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REVIEWS

THE NANYANG

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spotlight

REVIEW PREVIEW (PART TWO)

As The Nanyang Chronicle reaches its final issue for the year, Reviews Editor Jared Alex Tan gives his last recommendations that you should check out in November and December.

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ine issues ago, the Reviews desk came up with the Review Preview — a list of movies, music and other entertainment-related offerings that readers should take note of this year. As the year comes to an end, it feels only right to come full circle and make a list of five more things to check out during the upcoming semester holidays.

2015 has presented us with some stellar showings thus far, but there's still plenty to look forward to in November and December.

JUSTIN BIEBER - PURPOSE POP / R&B Released on 13 Nov

AFTER years of negative publicity, Justin Bieber finally seems poised to make a comeback, both as a person and an artist. His single What Do You Mean? was well-received by fans and critics alike, and the recently released track Sorry is a strong indication that the Canadian singer’s catchy brand of dance-pop might be here to stay. Rumoured to feature collaborations with numerous high-profile artists such as Ed Sheeran and up-and-coming electropop artist Halsey, Bieber’s fourth studio album Purpose is shaping up to be one to look out for when it releases later this month.

STAR WARS EPISODE VII: THE FORCE AWAKENS SCIENCE FICTION / ADVENTURE Released on 17 Dec

THERE is no shortage of movies to watch in the last two months of 2015, but none are as highly anticipated as Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. Set 30 years after the events of 1983’s Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens features an entirely new cast of characters, with some classics returning for good measure as well. Director J.J. Abrams has been tight-lipped on the film’s plot thus far, but his commitment to using practical effects will please longtime devotees of the series, and may even win over a new generation of fans in the process.

PHOTOS: INTERNET

GENTLE BONES LIVE IN CONCERT

FALLOUT 4

OPEN WORLD / ACTION / ROLE-PLAYING Released on 10 Nov NO ONE does open world gaming better than Bethesda Softworks, and the awardwinning studio is striving to push their boundaries to the absolute limit with Fallout 4. Set in post-apocalyptic Boston, Fallout 4’s nonlinear approach allows players to progress through the game however they want, be it through attempting a seemingly endless number of side quests or simply wandering around the game’s expansive world. Featuring deep customisation options and rumoured to contain over 400 hours of gameplay, Fallout 4 is the perfect game to indulge in after a stressful semester.

10 Dec,7:30pm Epslanade Concert Hall

IT MIGHT be an understatement to say that Gentle Bones (aka Joel Tan) has had a good year, and the local singer-songwriter is set to continue the success with his debut ticketed concert this December.

Taking place at the Esplanade Concert Hall — one of Singapore’s premier performance venues — Tan and his band are sure to perform crowd favourites such as Until We Die and Settle Down, but the real draw for fans will be the reveal of brand new material from his forthcoming second EP. Tan describes the concert as "a huge milestone” in his musical career, and it will no doubt be an intimate affair that is sure to please fans both old and new. Tickets are priced at $25 to $55, and can be purchased online at www.sistic.com.

SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

26 Nov - 6 Dec, Various timings Various locations in Singapore

IF YOU'RE a fan of cinema, then the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) is definitely one event to take note of this holiday season. Currently in its 26th year, the SGIFF will screen more than 140 films from 51 countries, and features several talks and masterclasses by notable filmmakers. With more than 40 of the participating film’s directors in attendance, the SGIFF will also provide a rare opportunity for enthusiasts to get up close and personal with them to learn more about the vision and inspiration behind their films. For more information on the films and festival schedule, visit the official SGIFF website at www.sgiff.com.

08-09 SPOTLIGHT

FRIGHTS AND FUN

As Halloween approaches, some of NTU’s Halls of Residence hold their own special events. The Chronicle Photo Desk takes a look at some of these celebrations.

F

or most students staying in Halls of Residence, Halloween will be the last major event for the semester.

With looming project deadlines and f ina l examinations, hall events will soon come to an end to allow residents to concentrate on their academics.

Hall 9 decided to merge their Cultural Night with Halloween this year, adding a spooky and novel dimension to their annual

music event.

Several halls also collaborated to throw joint-hall celebrations.

The combined resources allowed for more elaborate events this year.

Halls 1, 6, 7, as well as Crescent and Pioneer Halls, decided to team up and organise a Halloween event together, as did Halls 3, 12, 13 and 16.

This allowed residents from different halls to make new friends and enjoy the festive mood.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: THE FIRST STEP: The dance team from Pioneer Hall performs their routine. “It was both nerve-wrecking and exciting, especially for our freshmen as it was their first time performing,” said dance captain Wong Hui Shan, 21, a second-year student from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

DRAWING IN CROWDS: Among the booths selling drinks and food items for canvassing was this Henna station. The collaboration between Halls of Residence 1, 6, 7, and Pioneer and Crescent Halls attracted almost 600 attendees.

GOGGLE VISION: One of the game stations involved participants donning makeshift goggles, then kicking balls into the small opening of a box. Preparations for the event began on 15 Sep, the earliest possible time.

ROCK THE NIGHT AWAY: The Hall 9 Jam Band performing during the hall’s Cultural Night, which incorporated a Halloween theme for the first time.

BEHIND THE STAGE: The dancers from the Hall 9 dance team rehearse outside the venue before their performance. The dancers specialise in contemporary routines, with diverse influences ranging from hip-hop to ballet.

10-11 SPOTLIGHT

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: EVENING SERENADE: ‘Y3llow’, a jam band from Hall 3, plays at their Halloween celebration. The band has also taken the song Yellow, by British band Coldplay, as their trademark song, performing it twice over the night.

FACE YOUR FEARS: Students pose for a photo in their creative outfits and make-up after the event, which was attended by more than 200 people, came to a close.

MUSICAL FUN: Hall 8’s Jam Band put up various performances in costume to entertain the crowd. Among the festivities, various ad-hoc committees take this opportunity to raise funds for their events as well.

THE LUCKY DRAW: Hall 8 residents stay on for the Lucky Draw at the end of the event, where each ticket gives them a chance to win gifts like vouchers and houshold applicances. “I got really lucky and won four of the prizes,” said Donovan Ng, 24, a final-year student from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

DRESSING UP: Hall 8’s Joint Common Room Committee members getting into their costumes in the conference room before the event. Hall residents are encouraged to dress up for the event, and the attendees respond with elaborate costumes and face paint.

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DAPPER 13

14-15 DAPPER

From left:

THE NANYANG

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Hillary Tan, Photo Editor

Ernest Chin, Reviews Editor

Lydia Teo, Dapper Editor

Kimberly Ang, Graphic Editor

Shaun Tan, News Editor

Gabrielle Goh, Community Editor

Abigail Ng, Chief Sub-Editor

Chong Yoke Ming, Nanyuan Editor

Louisa Tang, Chief Editor

Leila Lai, Opinions Editor

Jared Alex Tan, Reviews Editor

Fabian Loo, Lifestyle Editor

Chelsea Tang, Lifestyle Editor

Joel Lim, Dapper Editor

Toh Ting Wei, News Editor

Ang Hwee Min, Opinions Editor

Austen Choo, Chief Sub-Editor

PHOTOGRAPHER: JOEL LIM STYLIST: LYDIA TEO HAIR: KENARIS SALON

Not pictured: Kerri Heng, Managing Editor

Alicia Goh, Matthew Chew, Photo Editors

Lo Yi Min, Opinions Editor

Parveen Maghera, Chief Sub-Editor

Kiew Zhen Yi, Nanyuan Editor

Matthew Mohan, Nur Amyraa, Sports Editors

16

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subsectUP FOR THE BOYS SUITING

STYLING TIPS FOR THE LADIES

Made-to-measure suits put you a cut above the rest. Dapper Editor Joel Lim teams up with Assemble to walk you through the five steps in getting a tailor-made suit.

Suffice Singapore dishes out some styling tips to Dapper Editor Lydia Teo. With these versatile pieces, go from the classroom to that Friday night party effortlessly. No more excuses not to dress up for school!

Casual

Step One CHOOSING a good fabric is the first step when getting a made-to-measure suit.

Assemble guided me in choosing a fabric which complements my skin tone, face shape and highlights my personality. It was also made to reflect my sense of style. I had up to 25 measurements taken at the first meeting to customise the cut and style.

THERE is nothing easier to pull off than a slouchy romper. This vintage-inspired piece can be matched with a straw hat and a pair of slip-ons to create an effortless look. Alternatively, you can switch it up with a structured leather jacket.

Step Two THE fit of the suit was also finalised during my first meeting. Depending on your body, adjustments may be made to accommodate your natural quirks.

Hunched, sloped and square shoulders or differences in the length of your arms can be made less conspicuous with a good suit.

THIS stretchable dress is a fuss-free option for times when you feel a bit lazy.

Throw on a cap for those bad hair days, or simply accessorise with a watch, and you're all set. You can match it with any kind of footwear; it's that versatile.

Formal JUMPSUITS are a staple in every fashionistas' closet. With a modern sihouette, this structured monochromatic piece will give you an edgier vibe.

Complete the outfit with metallic accents like bangles and a silver necklace.

Step Three AFTER taking measurements, production on the suit begins. Canvas and inner suit linings were created based on a template, and I got to try on a skeleton in order to make further adjustments. Selected buttons and threads were also brought together for the final suit.

Step Four WHEN completed, the suit will be steam pressed, packaged and personally delivered to you! Convenience is the name of the game with Assemble, from taking measurements wherever and whenever, to delivery right to your doorstep.

Step Five IF YOU want to make another suit in the near future, your measurement template will remain in Assemble’s hands. No need to worry about new measurements; choose a new type of fabric and the process begins again.

Schedule a non-obligatory appointment with ASSEMBLE. We are giving 10% discount to all NTU students with complimentary consultations based on face shape and skin tones. * For a limited period only

PAIR your formal outfits with an overcoat for that upcoming presentation; this versatile outerwear has been popping up on runways lately. When picking an outerwear, make sure that the fabric is not too heavy or thick to avoid looking chunky. A lightweight material is also more suited to Singapore's weather.

Party TAKE the night in this electric blue bodycon dress featuring a thigh-high slit. Ladies with fair skin should stick with light coloured dresses and vice versa. But no matter your skin tone — ­ you can never go wrong with a pair of sharp heels.

Suffice Singapore is holding their first ever pop-up store at Lepark Singapore on 7 and 8 Nov from 12pm-9pm. Stay updated at www.facebook.com/sufficesg.

Visit Suffice Singapore at www.suffice-sg.com for more information.

On previous page: On Gabrielle Leyna Lace Dress: Suffice Singapore, $26; Others: Model’s own. On Abigail Devia Jumpsuit (top inclusive): Suffice Singapore, $24.90; Others: Model’s own. On Hwee Min All: Model’s own. On Leila Gloria Sheer Top, $10; Kathy’s Checkered Skirt, $19.90: both from Suffice Singapore; Shoes: Stylist’s own. On Kimberly Erin Jacket, $17.90; Clara Basic Tank Top, $14.90; Denna Stripes Pants, $16: all from Suffice Singapore; Others: Model’s own. On Lydia All: Model’s own. On Chelsea Solstice Blouse, $29; Midas Heeled Sandals, $38: both from Her Velvet Vase; Skirt: Model’s own. On Louisa Mary Mint Dress: Suffice Singapore, $25; Prairie Lace Up Ballet Pumps: Her Velvet Vase, $36. On Shaun Blazer and Tie: Assemble SG; Others: Model’s own. On Fabian Blazer and Tie: Assemble SG; Topman Long Sleeve Oxford Casual Shirt, $69.90; Mango Man Skinny Dark Wash Jude Jeans, $69; Sperry Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoes, $139: all from Zalora. On Ting Wei Zalora WT – SB2 Jersey Cardi Jacket, $49.90; River Island Poplin Shirt, $49.90; Zalora Coated Slim Fit Jeans, $39.90; Acuto Leather Lace Up Dress Shoes, $89.90: all from Zalora. On Hillary Blazer and Tie: Assemble SG; Burton Menswear London Slim White Cotton Button Down Shirt, $56.90; Bellfield Straight Fit Raw Jeans, $49.90; 24:01 Faux Leather Chukka Boots, $54.90: all from Zalora. On Austen Suit: Assemble SG; River Island Twill Short Sleeve Shirt: Zalora, $49.90; Thomas Earnshaw Blake Automatic Subdial Leather Watch: Zalora, $356; Shoes: Stylist’s own. On Jared Blazer and Tie: Assemble SG; Burton Menswear London Slim White 100% Cotton Textured Shirt: Zalora, $49.90; Mango Man Slim-Fit Dark Blue Tim Jeans: Zalora, $89; Others: Model’s own. On Ernest Blazer: Assemble SG; Others: Model’s own. On Yoke Ming Suit: Assemble SG; Topman Long Sleeve Oxford Casual Shirt: Zalora, $69.90; Shoes: Stylist’s own. On Joel Suit: Assembly SG; Burton Menswear London Slim White 100% Cotton Textured Shirt, $49.90; Thomas Earnshaw Blake Automatic Subdial Leather Watch, $356; Acuto Leather Lace Up Dress Shoes, $89.90: all from Zalora.

Assemble SG provides made-to-measure services. Visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/assemblesg for pricing enquiries and more information.

DISCIPLINARY GRADUATE SCHOOL

GRADUATE RESEARCH PROGRAMME

SOLVING GLOBAL CHALLENGES, THE INTERDISCIPLINARY WAY JANUARY & AUGUST INTAKE Young and research-intensive, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is the fastest-rising university in the world’s top 50.

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• Institute for Media Innovation • Active Living for the Elderly

• Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute

• Multi-platform Game Innovation Centre

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• Rapid-Rich Object Search Lab

Widen your exposure through an overseas research attachment with one of NTU’s numerous global partners, comprising the world’s leading universities, research centres and industry players.

Benefit from interdisciplinary research and be mentored by top professors.

Scholarships are available for outstanding students.

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Do not attach your certificates or transcripts and limit the size of each email to no more than 500KB. For more information, visit igs.ntu.edu.sg.

www.ntu.edu.sg IGS Advertisement 259x350mm 20Aug Color.indd 1

20/8/14 5:33 PM

Opinions CHIEF EDITOR SPEAKS

Of babies and money AT 19 years old, most of us are completing post-secondary education, have just entered university, or are serving National Service.

But volunteer parenthood group I Love Children (ILC) wants youths as young as 19 to start thinking about having children. ILC is worried because their research shows not many Singaporeans want to have kids before they reach 30.

“Surely that is ridiculous!”

I can already hear the incredulous cries from young adults like myself.

ILC president Joni Ong’s rationale for the group’s initiative was that 19-year-olds are “mature enough to think about love, think about dating, about courtship, about future marriages”.

While I think their proposal is logical, it’s important to note just how much youths like us already have on our plates without throwing family planning into the mix.

Even more startling was that the group aims to inculcate the message that “the definition of success should include starting a family” through its dialogue sessions in tertiary institutions.

To me, this seems rather narrow-minded.

The constant pressure-cooker atmosphere in Singapore, where everyone strives to get the best Grade Point Average, as well as participate in extracurricular activities, already leaves us with

subsect

barely enough time to engage in unstructured activities.

With many of us trying to seek work-life balance in this day and age, to link having a family to success places unnecessary pressure on young couples who might be put off as a result.

Furthermore, many people are successful without starting a family of their own — and one certainly should not start a family just to be considered “successful”.

It is a huge life decision, and those who choose not to should be respected.

There is also a reason why having a family should be an adult responsibility. When one has left school and is earning a steady income, then one can properly sit down and plan how to use their resources.

As such, it is important for ILC to focus on teaching youths how to manage their finances.

Even for fresh graduates, having the financial means to start a family in Singapore, with its sky-high costs of living, is almost unfathomable.

But with proper financial habits, when the right time comes for them to decide if they want to have children, they will be fully equipped to make a sound decision.

ILC’s intentions are good. But their methods just might not be the right way to encourage Singaporeans – 19 years old and up – to start a family.

THE NANYANG

CHRONICLE CHIEF EDITOR

OPINIONS EDITOR

SUB-EDITORS

SPORTS EDITORS

A students’ newspaper published by the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI)

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Nanyang Technological University 31 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637718 Tel: 6790 6446

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COMMUNITY EDITOR Gabrielle Goh BUSINESS MANAGERS

LIFESTYLE EDITORS

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REVIEWS EDITOR

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Chelsea Tang Fabian Loo

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Unsigned editorials represent the majority view of the editorial board of The Chronicle and do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of Nanyang Technological University, its employees, the students or the Council of the University.

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frankly, my dear

A column by Chronicle Editors on issues close to their hearts

The death of my (online) soul

DISTRACTED FROM DISTRACTION BY DISTRACTION: Removing the white noise from my life.

Austen Choo Chief Sub-editor

F

our years ago, amid social media’s ascent to world domination, I ditched my social media profiles in an attempt to remove myself from the calculated, humdrum routine I got caught in — endlessly scrolling, liking and sharing.

I made my decision not knowing about digital detoxes and Facebook cleanses. Quitting was the be-all and end-all.

Years of my online history, marked by a backlog of photos and textual memories, were gone in an instant, and I couldn’t care less.

Initially, social media seemed innocuous. My friends and I were eager to hop on board, and actively created content for the various platforms. Soon enough, our worlds narrowed to no more than the screens in front of us.

We were so consumed by checking for updates and chatting on our devices that we were detached from reality. I must admit, it was great — I was never a fan of face-to-face interaction anyway.

However, when I experimented with abstaining from social media for an assignment in polytechnic, I realised what a crippling effect the medium had on us. I felt liberated without my phone and laptop to occupy me at any given moment.

A video on YouTube titled I Forgot My Phone aptly highlights

the cultural addiction that we have to our phones.

The protagonist goes about her usual activities and finds herself barred from normal interactions with her friends because of their obsession with social media.

What is interesting to me about the video is that nothing has been exaggerated. It is a fitting reflection of our lack of physical connection.

I remember going to a gathering where my friends were completely engrossed in their phones, to the point where I felt being present made no difference to the individuals in the room.

The time we spend on these platforms, however, is most apparent by the mass of unnecessary information and opinions posted throughout the day.

Over time, I grew tired of the repetition of ideas found on these social media websites, which make for almost perfect cesspools for cynical, narcissistic netizens.

I relished my temporary disconnect and made up my mind to leave this echo chamber for good — an unpopular decision with almost everyone I knew.

Throughout these four years, I was increasingly peppered with questions on how I would survive without Facebook or Instagram.

To which I would respond: Exactly how we did before the advent of these social technologies.

I can get adequate information from traditional media, and texting is sufficient for important conversations with my friends.

Part of my decision came from a thought I extracted from Laurence Scott’s book The Four-Dimensional Human. In it, Scott describes the digital world as an extension of our daily existence and routine, instead of a separate space we can choose

GRAPHIC: JENNIFER SOON

to enter or leave.

Admittedly, there are probably people out there with the selfdiscipline to utilise these sites for the networking benefits they offer, without getting addicted to them.

But since the time I gave up social media, it has become much more pervasive, and I am convinced that I made the right decision.

A lot of the people I spoke to admitted that the first thing they do in the morning is check their social networking sites on their phones for updates.

Undeniably, it has become routine, and many are now dependent on it as an extension of our reality.

Perhaps a need for affirmation is what compels certain individuals to cultivate an online presence, expressing polarising opinions and sharing more than they should.

Garnering likes and shares gives the user a perception of positive reinforcement, but this false sense of approval applies only to our one-dimensional online personas.

When I eliminated the white noise of social media from my life by deleting my profiles, I was relieved of the pressure of maintaining superficial relationships with hundreds of people online. Those with whom I share genuine bonds will naturally stay.

Furthermore, I do not justify my identity by referring to an online catalogue of information, photos and statistics.

Instead, I am able to define my sense of self through managing people’s perception of who I am.

By escaping a medium that fosters an incessant thirst for affirmation and the practice of constantly looking back, I was able to reclaim control of one of the most underappreciated aspects of life as a human — being sentient.

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OPINIONS

THE NANYANG

05 CHRONICLE

Obsessed with success

19

canteen talk Pressure to score well can take a heavy toll on university students. The Nanyang Chronicle speaks to undergraduates about balancing studies and interests, and skills that could offset lower grades in our resultsoriented society.

We’re under a lot of societal pressure to do well, but we should not study all the time. At some point, we will break down.

Mohamed Syafiq, 22, EEE, Year 2

PAPER CHASE: Academic success is not the key to everything you should achieve in life.

Neo Shi Wei & L e i l a L a i , O p i n i o ns E d i t o r

E

arlier last month, I was heartened to see the Ministry of Education acknowledge Singaporeans’ obsession with certificates and degrees, as evidenced by Acting Education Minister (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung’s speech at a conference on higher education.

He said that we should not focus solely on pursuing further education for the sake of the degree, and education should include other measures of ability, such as industry experience.

On the subject of learning outside the classroom, I also would like to point out that we need to strengthen our communication skills, an aspect of personal development that I see neglected in favour of grades in university.

I used to think that freshman year would be like a honeymoon year, when students can take it easy before the more difficult modules overwhelm their schedule in later years.

Ever since I entered NTU four months ago, I have heard this phrase repeatedly, in response to invitations to hang out: “I can’t. I have to study.”

It did not bother me at first, since it does take a while to adjust to the demands of the university schedule and workload.

But when such behaviour is fueled by our obsession with grades, at the expense of developing other skills and building new or existing relationships with our loved ones, it becomes disturbing.

Some of my friends cringe at the thought of spending time away from their books.

I used to think that freshman year would be a honeymoon year,

when students can take it easy before more challenging and timeconsuming modules overwhelm their schedules in later years.

However, as freshmen, we are often reminded that we need to do well in our first year because it is easier to maintain a high grade point average (GPA) than to build upon a low one.

When one looks back on life, no amount of money can make up for time we spent striving for success, at the expense of our loved ones.

The drive for academic excellence, which I witnessed in batch mates and seniors alike, quickly banished from my mind the idea of a relaxed first year in university.

Other classmates still make time to cultivate friendships, but focus on peers who can give them academic benefits.

Old friends are easily abandoned or forgotten if a grade is at stake and they want a smarter student in their project group.

However, according to a theory I picked up from one of my NTU modules, abandoning old friends is actually detrimental to their longterm success, even if their group project earns an ‘A' this time.

Called “the strength of weak ties”, the theory posits that a wide network of friends, both close and less intimate ones, gives us access to more contacts and is linked to future career success.

So when a student abandons his friends for peers who can help boost his grades, he not only hurts his friends, but also eventually does himself a disservice.

Personally, I believe that we should strike a balance between studies and other activities.

If we are worried that spending less time on our studies will hurt our chances at success, we should remember that collaborative skills are also essential in the workforce, and are best developed through our interactions with others.

Adaptability and problem-

GRAPHIC: MINH NGUYEN

solving are soft skills that can be honed not only through working on group projects, but also in planning recreational activities with friends and family.

My friends and I set aside time earlier this year to plan a trip to Europe, even though some in our group were in the middle of their university exam period.

Through the stress of planning and juggling multiple deadlines, we learnt about one another’s personalities and interests. We also picked up several effective negotiation techniques.

When we had to choose which attractions to visit during our short holiday, we faced disagreements and often had differing viewpoints.

Finding a satisfactory solution taught us skills of collaboration and conflict resolution, practical tools that will continue to be useful to us both in university and the working world.

But just as importantly, we learnt to put aside our differences and were able to enjoy our vacation without trouble.

At the end of the day, grades do not define who we are.

A life rich in experiences and strong bonds of friendship will be far more rewarding than one focused on personal achievement and monetary reward.

They can even give rise to a ruthless pursuit of recognition, causing us to push aside the people who matter the most, for the sake of a few more points.

When one looks back on life, no amount of money can make up for time we spent striving for success, at the expense of relationships with our loved ones.

A life rich in experiences and strong bonds of friendship will be far more rewarding than one focused on personal achievement and monetary reward.

After all, success is pointless if there is no one left to celebrate it with us.

There are courses in NTU that teach skills like presentation, and the soft skills we learn from them can be added to our resumes.

Joey Aw, 22, SBS, Year 3

I make time for hockey for the sake of my physical and mental health — I get to keep fit and destress while playing on a team.

Jeffery Chan, 24, EEE, Year 4

Our GPA isn’t an absolute measure of our ability, so it would be good if employers could interview more applicants before making a decision.

Ang Leng Yuk, 20, NBS, Year 2

Treasure your years in university, because you will have much less time to meet up with friends once you enter the workforce.

Tee Jin Hui, 20, SSM, Year 1

OLIVIA TEXT:TEXT: ANGLEILA HWEELAI, MIN, LEILAPOH LAI PHOTOS: PHOTOS: HILLARY HILLARY TAN TAN

WHAT DOES OPPORTUNITY LOOK LIKE?

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Singaporeans & Singapore permanent residents are eligible to apply

21/8/14 3:51 PM

Sports

No SUniG, no problem — Page 22

New sports hall ready in 2016 Cassandra Yeo

N

TU students will soon have a new sports hall to call their own.

It is slated to open by the first quarter of next year, along with three new Halls of Residence.

Environmentally friendly

Located near the current Sports and Recreational Centre (SRC), the sports hall will be the first complex in Asia to use an innovative woodbuilding method.

This involves using engineered systems such as cross-lamination, the process of coagulating small pieces of timber into a single large piece.

Using this method, a 72m-long wave-like structure will act as a roof for the hall.

Cooling effect

The structure will provide users with heat insulation that is five times better compared to concrete.

This will help keep temperatures in the hall lower, and reduce energy consumption by at least 40 per cent.

The walls of the sports complex will also be built with special metal coils which have cold water flowing through them, providing a cooler environment as wind that enters the hall is cooled by convection.

NTU athletes have welcomed the hall’s new design and said that it will be more conducive for training sessions.

“As the air-conditioning system in the current sports hall is faulty at times, it gets stifling during our trainings,” said NTU table tennis men’s team member Nicholas Fan. “I would definitely feel less exhausted if I am training in an environment that is less humid,” the 21-year-old added.

The sports hall also uses ‘green cement’ made from recycled industrial side-products, such as ceramic waste from discarded basins, stoneware and bricks.

The production of this ecofriendly cement reduces the amount of pollutants and greenhouse gases released into the environment, while maintaining the strength of traditional cement.

“NTU is known for its sustainability research but we also put it into practice by designing our lush, green campus based on sustainability principles,” said Associate Provost (Student Life), Associate Professor Kwok Kian Woon.

NTU aims to be the greenest ecocampus in the world by reducing 35 per cent of its energy and water consumption, and waste production, by 2020.

Eco-friendliness aside, the new sports complex will include about 1,000 seats, double the seating capacity of the current SRC. The seats are designed to be retractable, which will free up more space of up to 13 full-sized badminton courts.

Students can also enjoy a weights-training gym, three activity rooms with floor-to-ceiling

mirrors, two-multi purpose rooms and a VIP lounge.

New residential halls

However, more awaits in the first quarter of 2016.

Three more residential halls will be built at North Hill on Nanyang Avenue, next to Halls 8 and 9.

This addition will allow 5,000 more students to live on campus, bringing the total number of hall places to over 14,000.

The new eco-friendly residential blocks will be built using prefabricated pre­ finished volumetric construction (PPVC).

PPVC is a design approach that produces building units off-site and assembles them at the construction site.

The construction of the sports and residential halls have already clinched the Green Mark Platinum – the highest award for sustainable building design in Singapore awarded by the Building Construction Authority (BCA).

Assoc Prof Kwok added that sustainability as well as accomodating both the physical and social environment is important.

The rooms in the new residential halls feature ventilation louvres — window shutters that shield direct sunlight and rain while maintaining the ventilation in the room.

This reduces the need for airconditioning.

On top of that, the halls will share a gym five times the size of a four-room flat — the largest gym in NTU.

Added facilities

The gym, with its brand new machines and equipment, will provide students with more options whenever they want to visit a gym on campus.

NTU men’s canoe team member Luke Yit, 22, said: “Most importantly, the gym in the SRC will not be so crowded during trainings.”

The new residential hall will also hold a rooftop garden — a first for the campus.

This feature will not only cater

to students who stay on campus, but also to the other students who would like to visit the rooftop garden.

Kang Lye Boon, a final-year student from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, said that the rooftop garden is a good way to take advantage of space while visually enhancing the buildings.

“Even if I do not stay in hall, I would certainly make time to visit the new hall,” the 22-year-old added.

CLASH OF THE TITANS: An NTU player tries to stop his SMU opponent in the Tertiary Rugby 7s/10s Invitational 2015.

PHOTO: MUN YONG JIAN

NTU finishes overall second in SUniG 2015

ARTIST’S IMPRESSION: The new sports hall will boast double the seating capacity of the SRC.

PHOTO: NTU FACEBOOK PAGE

NTU finished second to archrival NUS in this year’s still partially concluded Singapore University Games (SUniG).

Only 14 of the 21 originally scheduled events have been completed, but the Singapore University Sports Council’s (SUSC) decided to base the overall championship on games completed by 16 Oct. “SUSC’s decision is for competitions not able to be completed by 16/10/15 to be removed from this year’s SUniG series, and the overall champions will be determined from the completed competitions,” said Ms Chen Yuxin, Publicity and Communication Assistant Manager of the SRC. Several games were postponed due to the haze, including rugby 15s, squash, tennis, touch football and ultimate frisbee.

While men’s football and water polo games did begin, the fixtures were not completed, but

participating teams have agreed to base their rankings on the completed matches.

Ms Chen added: “For the five sports that could not have closure yet or have yet to start, the SRC has to work closely with other universities’ sports offices to see what are the options and moving forward, what is best for the respective sports.”

This marks the fifth time in succession that NTU has fallen short of clinching the SUniG championship title.

The last time NTU won overall championship was in 2010.

Still, several NTU sporting teams managed to accomplish remarkable wins in this year’s SUniG season.

The NTU’s volleyball team secured a double championship while the netball team ended NUS’ four-year reign by claiming a historic 62-52 victory to become only the second school to win the championship.

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Ready, set, row Nur Amyraa Sports Editor

I

t seemed like the title was any team’s for the taking, as milliseconds separated the competitors at the start of the 2015 DBS Marina Regatta 500m Tertiary Women’s event.

But with sheer determination and focus, the NTU women’s dragon boat team managed to break away from the pack to take the lead towards the end of the race.

That finals race on 31 May was the first time that captain Erica Ho, 20, rowed with her seniors in a competitive race.

However, it was also her last time racing with them, as they stepped down in July, following the end of the season.

Although she was nervous at the start of the race, Ho was brimming with pride upon finishing.

“We overcame our nerves and that helped us execute the set well to make it a race to remember for the seniors,” said the secondyear student from the School of Biological Sciences.

The women’s team also finished second in the 200m Tertiary Women’s event, and eventually won overall champion in the 12crew Tertiary category.

The men’s team came in overall runner-up, having finished second

ROWING LIKE PROS: The NTU men's dragon boat team finished third in the Prime Minister Cup last season.

in both the 200m and 500m Tertiary Men events.

The Regatta was held at Marina Bay from 30 to 31 May and 6 to 7 Jun. The men and women’s dragon boat teams have accrued a total of three gold, six silver and four bronze medals in four competitions this year.

While most varsity teams vie for championship titles in the Singapore University Games (SUniG) and Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Games, the dragon boat contingent is not featured at these Games.

But this does not stop them from

training and racing competitively.

“I think it is fine not to compete in SUniG or IVP. In fact, these external competitions give us more reasons to train harder,” said NTU men’s dragon boat captain Siu Jun Yang, 25.

Working together

This year, the men and women’s teams also teamed up in the mixed events at the Marina Regatta 500 organised by dragon boat service provider SAVA, the Singapore Dragon Boat Festival and the Prime Minister’s (PM) Cup. “It's interesting to work with the

PHOTO: NTU SPIRIT

girls and since we have different coaches, our techniques were different as well,” said Siu. The mixed events also proved useful to Ho. “Their strokes focus on different techniques, so we are also able to pick up different techniques from their team that we can apply to ours,” she said.

Still going

However, the dragon boat teams are not done just yet.

They have their eyes set on the 33rd Singapore River Regatta (SRR), held at the Singapore River

from 31 Oct to 1 Nov. The men’s team is hoping to improve their performance in the SRR, particularly in the 22-crew Tertiary Open as well as National Premier Open.

“This year, we have more than 10 experienced freshman rowers, so I hope that helps,” said Siu. The final-year student from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering added that the SRR is practice for the muchawaited Prime Minister Cup in July 2016.

The Cup will most likely see the four local universities — National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), Singapore Management University (SMU) and NTU — pitted against one another.

“The SRR is special because it is our ‘SUniG’ and covers one kilometre, while the other races are only 200 and 500 metres,” said Siu. He added: “It is important to us because we only get to prove ourselves after a year of training, during those four minutes of racing.”

Having lost the Prime Minister Cup to NUS and SIM after achieving victory in 2009, Siu is determined to reclaim the title.

“It is my last time rowing for NTU and it would mean so much to me to bring the Cup back to NTU,” Siu added.

bpltalk

Klopp at the Kop: expectations vs. reality Matthew Mohan Sports Editor

WHEN Jürgen Klopp described himself as the “Normal One”, it was probably because he knew the quality of the personnel at his disposal.

A quick contrast between three Liverpool squad members and a trio from Klopp’s championshipwinning Borussia Dortmund side explains why the German is keeping his feet firmly grounded.

the team to the best Bundesliga defensive record in 2010-2011 and two championship titles. There's also the small matter of being a World Cup winner last year.

Hummels gave Klopp both steel and style at the back, something he will miss at Liverpool.

Klopp now has steel in Martin

Skrtel, but all Mamadou Sakho and Lovren offer are laughs and the odd scary face — in Sakho’s case.

Liverpool are now eyeing Dejan’s younger brother Davor, a 17-yearold from Dinamo Zagreb.

Clearly, there is no available German equivalent for “once bitten, twice shy”.

Dejan Lovren vs. Mats Hummels

“I am sorry,” tweeted Dejan Lovren after his missed penalty against Bestikas saw the Reds crash out of the Europa League earlier this year.

Liverpool supporters must have felt the same way when pondering how the Croatian could possibly have cost 20 million pounds, when another center-back with a right foot as refined as his middle name could have been purchased at approximately a fifth of that amount.

Mats Julian Hummels was Klopp’s captain at Dortmund, helping

KING OF THE KOP: Klopp faces the challenge of managing mediocre players.

PHOTO: MICHAEL REGAN/GETTY IMAGES

Joe Allen vs. Ilkay Gundogan

The departure of Brendan Rodgers must have caused considerable grief for Joe Allen.

Widely known as the “Welsh Xavi”, the midfielder spent two years with Rodgers at Swansea before making the switch to Merseyside in 2012.

But Allen’s cunning attempt at growing a beard to impersonate another midfield legend, Andrea Pirlo, has not impressed Klopp, who hauled the 25-year-old off at half-time against Russian side Rubin Kazan in last month’s Europa League fixture.

How Klopp must miss the craft of IIkay Gundogan.

Not only does the German international sport facial hair that is not a source of chagrin, he also plays decent football.

A box-to-box midfielder with an eye for a killer pass, Gundogan is hot property in Europe and wanted by Spanish heavyweights Barcelona and Premier League mid-table side Manchester United.

Klopp might have plenty of tacticians, but without Gundogan, his midfield is pretty much Lucas, Allen, Milner and Emre Can (LAME).

Robert Lewandowski vs.

Divock Origi

Comparing the two requires a nonfootballing analogy, for one is a professional footballer while the other is not.

Harsh on Divock Origi perhaps, but the Belgian is looking woefully unprepared for Premier League life.

Prior to his zero goals in eight appearances for the Reds, Origi’s career highlights include being named one of Ligue 1’s worst players of the 2014-2015 season

by French newspaper L’Equipe, and being described by Brendan Rodgers as a player who could be “world class”.

On the other hand, Lewandowski is the best striker in the world, given his current form.

While the Pole now destroys defences at Bayern Munich, he used to lead Klopp’s attack, notching 74 goals in 131 appearances.

With the fitness of Christian Benteke (doubtful), Danny Ings (pretty serious) and Daniel Sturridge (permanently bedridden) up in the air, Origi is now Klopp's first and only option.

No prizes for guessing why the German said he is no miracle worker.

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A serve in the winning direction Lynn Chia

W

hen Singapore hosts the ASEAN Para Games for the first time this December, it will also be the first time NTU Associate Professor Mu Yu Guang will compete on home ground.

Prof Mu, who has a prosthetic leg, is a Class 9 para table tennis player.

The category is for athletes with a mild impairment in either their legs or their playing arm.

The 46-year-old, who also represented the nation in the previous edition of the Games, has expressed mixed sentiments about competing.

“I feel a bit nervous but also proud that it will take place on home ground,” he said, adding that he is encouraged by his family, who will be present to provide moral support for him at the Games.

Tough start

Table tennis was previously a topic of disagreement in his family.

"My wife used to complain that I spent too much time on table tennis,” said Prof Mu, noting that due to his busy teaching schedule and table tennis training, he spent little time at home.

“I realised I needed to change,” he added.

The sport has since become a gelling factor of sorts.

The father-of-two said: “Now I play table tennis with my wife and my sons. By sharing my love for table tennis with them, it is a winwin solution because now we are able to spend more time together.”

Although Prof Mu is grateful for the opportunity to compete at the Para Games, he stressed that deriving joy from the sport is important as well.

He said: “Competing in a sport that I love is a bonus to me. Even without competition, we should play the sport to improve our health and because it brings us joy.”

Inspiring is the word that comes to mind when one watches him play table tennis; one can hardly imagine that he has a prosthetic leg while watching his game, as his swift and nimble movements leave onlookers agape.

"Competing in a sport that I love is a bonus to me.

Even without competition, we should play the sport to improve our health and because it bring us joy."

How it began

Prof Mu lost his left leg after contracting polio when he was 10 months old.

He was about seven when he picked up table tennis, but stopped in 2005 due to his hectic teaching schedule at NTU. However, a high cholesterol diagnosis four years ago spurred him to pick up his table tennis bat again.

Prof Mu has also started exercising more since the scare.

He treks Bukit Timah hill every week with his family and trains up to six times a week, in addition to organising friendly matches and playing table tennis weekly.

IN HIS ELEMENT: Prof Mu has been a professor at the School of Biological Sciences for nine years.

Prof Mu, who stays at Hall of Residence 10, said: “I can walk, climb stairs, swim and even cycle."

He added that he has been able to cope well with his daily life as he has grown accustomed to his prosthetic leg, which he has had since high school.

His optimistic outlook and passion for the sport soon caught the eye of the coach of the national

para-table tennis team in 2012, and he was subsequently scouted by Chia Chung Boon — a former SEA Games gold medallist — to join the National Disability League.

Prof Mu’s team subsequently bagged four ASEAN Para Games golds the following year in the Class 8-10 Singles & Doubles category.

In the same year, he joined the Table Tennis Association for the Disabled Singapore (TTADS).

Despite his late entrance into competitive para-table tennis, he already has numerous accolades to his name.

In January last year, his team clinched bronze in the ASEAN Para Games in Myanmar.

He was also nominated by the Singapore Disability Sports Council to participate in the Asian Para Games in Korea last October, where he was eliminated in the preliminary rounds.

“Now I play table tennis with my wife and my sons.

By sharing my love for table tennis with them, it is a winwin solution because now we are able to spend more time together.”

READY TO STRIKE: Prof Mu poised to make a forehand return.

PHOTO: SPORT SINGAPORE

Prof Mu explained that while the score margin then was unsatisfactory, Singapore is considered “young” in the history of the Asian Para Games — meaning that in terms of skill and adaptability, Singapore falls short

PHOTO: NG KAI YUAN

of its competitors.

More than just the sport

While skill is important in competitive table tennis, Prof Mu is motivated by his passion and hopes that more people will take up the sport.

His desire to expound on table tennis as an empowering source of influence extends to his contributions in society through the TTADS initiatives.

Last year, he helped organise a "table tennis therapy" session at Ren Ci Nursing Home.

"We could not engage those who were bedridden but other elderly citizens really enjoyed themselves...

There was one man who was over 90 years old but played really well,” he added.

Prof Mu has temporarily stopped volunteering due to his busy work schedule.

However, he said that the committee plans on extending such therapy sessions to more nursing homes in Bukit Timah next year.

He also organised a two-day friendly table tennis meet for staff, which began on 14 Oct. Prof Mu noted that it was a good platform to promote a sporting culture and encourage people to start engaging in sports.

Table tennis has undoubtedly been his source of empowerment but Prof Mu said he also hopes to inspire other people with his passion.

“Disability does not mean inability. Even though there are limitations, there are also possibilities to what I can achieve,” he added.

Truly, the only obstacles are in one’s mind.