ScandAsia Singapore - April 2011

APR 2011

Singapore

Sports Day ScandAsia.dk

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AprilScandAsia.se 2011 • ScandAsia.Singapore 1

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Coming Events

Your FREE ScandAsia Magazine in Singapore ScandAsia is the only magazine that covers all the Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish residents in Singapore.

We also publish a ScandAsia magazine in China, Thailand, and the rest of South East Asia.

Please sign up for your own FREE copy: www.scandasia.com Publisher: Scandinavian Publishing Co., Ltd. 4/41-2 Ramintra Soi 14, Bangkok 10230, Thailand Tel. +66 2 943 7166-8, Fax: +66 2 943 7169 E-mail: news@scandasia.com Editor-in-Chief: Gregers A.W. Møller gregers@scandmedia.com Advertising: Finn Balslev finn@scandmedia.com Piyanan Kalikanon piyanan@scandmedia.com Nattapat Maesang nattapat@scandmedia.com

Maroon 5 Live in Asia Date: 25 April 2011 Location: Singapore Indoor Stadium Maroon 5 enthralled you with their soulful pop grooves back in 2008. Adam Levine, Jesse Carmichael, James Valentine, Mickey Madden and Matt Flynn will return to our shores on 25th April 2011 for another unforgettable show at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The Los Angeles band will play in support of their latest album, Hands All Over. Maroon 5 has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide, nabbed 3 Grammy awards and spawned hits like “This Love,” “She Will Be Loved,” “Harder to Breathe,” “Sunday Morning,” and “Makes Me Wonder”.

With their unforgettable sound-a crisp blend of rock, pop, funk and R&B, paired with Levine’s trademark vocals, fans can expect one dynamic live performance come April. Don’t wait and miss this. Get your tickets today at www.sistic.com.sg. For more information click www.maroon5.com for the official Maroon 5 website.

SWA Ladies lunch at Bollywood Veggies Date: April 28, 11am – 1pm Location: Bollywood Veggies The Scandinavian Wome’s Association in Singapore organizes its special ladies lunch at Bollywood Veggies where is an organic farm.

Bollywood specializes in fruit and spices. Read more about Bollywoodveggies on website: www.bollywoodveggies.com.

The program will start with a guided tour around the farm. Then the ladies will have a lunch at the bistro “Poison Ivy”, which is set in an aromatic garden. The set lunch menu include: Moringa Tempura, Papaya salad, Warrior curry chicken, Grilled fish with mixed herbs, Crispy tofu with peanut sauce, Fragrant steamed rice, Banana Bread with ice cream, and Fram brewed fig tea.

PRICE: Price for members is $25/person and price for none member is $30/person. Please sign by marianne@vildenfeldt.com. Deadline for sign up will be 25 April 2011. If you are interested to be a member, please visit www. swasingapore.com.sg

ASX 2011 Conference and Exhibition Date: 24-29 April 2011 Location: Sands Expo and Convention Center The Aerospace Supplier eXchange (ASX) 2011 is a regional conference and exhibition that will feature the 3rd and 4th tier suppliers who service the vibrant aerospace industry. Showcasing their best products and services, this biennial event is an excellent business platform that meets the vital sourcing needs of both Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) companies. Registration should be made priority. Please visit www.aerosupplierx.com for more details.

Graphic Designer: Supphathada Numamnuay supphathada@scandmedia.com Distribution: Pimjai Chaimongkol pimjai@scandmedia.com Printing: Advanced Printing Services Co., Ltd.

Daily news and features here: www.scandasia.com

A trip to Yogjakarta Date: 11-15 May 2011 Swedish Priest Goran Wiking and Diana invite you to discover Yogjakarta (Jogja in short name) where is a major tourist destination in Indonesia. Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site; Borobudur and Prambanan. Borobudur is an ancient Buddhist stupa and temple complex in central Java. Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia, and is one of the largest Hindu temples in south-east Asia. Besides the sightseeing tour, they will take you to see the classical performance and much more interesting program. Any inquiries please contact singapore@ svenskakyrkan.se.

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Fun with Swedish and Norwegian Families

By Kristene Silva Marie

I

t was a day filled with fun and runs for Swedish and Norwegian families in Singapore. Organised by the Norwegian Seamen’s Church and the Church of Swedish in Singapore, the Idrettsdag was an opportunity for all members of the Scandinavian community to outdo one another in different sports.

The Sports Day took place at the Serangoon Stadium and began at 10am, just as the sun started sending out its heat waves. The weather stayed just as pleasing allowing both the children and adults, of around 400 participants this year, to enjoy the activities prepared.

Kicking off the event with an aggressive and fun aerobics session, most of those present were seen dancing and moving according to the rhythm of the music following the aerobics leader.

The event began, with the children category first, and even with the sun furiously shining down on them there was no deterring the young ones’ spirit. They were determined to win and were obviously trying very hard to beat their competitors.

Among the items lined-up for them were athletics, soccer and long jump.

Helene Nolebring, whose 15-year-old son participates in the activities, said that this event is a healthy competition for the Norwegian and Swede children.

When asked how she found out about the event, she said, “Everyone knows, it’s an annual event which is great fun.”

She concluded confidently saying that “Sweden will surely win.”

The father of an eight-year-old, Kjetil Gulliksen, said the sports day is a very good arrangement especially for the children as it encourages healthy competition.

“It allows Sweden and Norway to mingle with each other through games,” he said and ended up by saying “I’m sure Norway will win.”

The church representative, Lise, explained that the purpose of the event is not the competition; there were no ranks because at the end of the day, “Everybody is a winner.”

6 ScandAsia.Singapore • April 2011

Fastelavn in The Danish Seamen’s Church in Singapore

T

he Danish Seamans Church in Singapore celebrated Fastelavn with a whooping 225 participants for the Christ service at 15.000 preceeding the fastlavns fun.

Witches and knighst were among the more than 100 children in costumes. It was for sure a festive day and all 400 fastelavns buns were eaten.

Annual General Meeting of DABS

D

anish Business Association of Singapore?s Annual General Meeting 2011 was held on 3 March 2011 in the Danish Seamen’s Church in Singapore.

The meeting was attended by 75 members who elected Henrik Ziegler as the new President. Ziegler is a former President of the association and has great knowledge of both the work of DABS and of Singapore in general after living in the city-state for 20 years.

DABS has decided on a new and more focused approach and the Board agreed that Henrik Ziegler was the best choice when it comes down to implementing the new strategy.

One of the first things on schedule for DABS will be to strengthen the cooperation with the Danish Embassy in Singapore. This will make DABS more accessible for the members. Also on the quality of our events the board is planning to upgrade.

“We have a lot of exiting projects coming on and I am sure, that within the next 3 months it becomes transparent that we have taken steps in the right direction”, Henrik Ziegler says.

April 2011 • ScandAsia.Singapore 7

ScandAsia News Brief Qatar Airways Opens Oslo, and Doubles S’pore and KL Flights

IATA Asia-Pacific Regional Vice President Appointed

T

he International Air Transport Association (IATA) has appointed the Finn Maunu von Lueders as Regional Vice President for Asia-Pacific based in Singapore.

Asia-Pacific is the world’s largest aviation market. Its 26% share of travel will grow to 30% by 2014, when 1 billion passengers are expected to travel within the region.

A Finnish national, von Lueders has served as CEO of two international carriers, JetLite in India and Nordic Airlink/FlyNordic in Sweden. His aviation career began with Finnair where he worked until 2001 in various positions including general management, sales & marketing, commercial partnerships and international relations.

Von Lueders who has also worked with the oneworld global alliance as Vice President of Sales said “I have always been fascinated by this region, which is taking on increasing importance as aviation’s center of gravity continues to shift eastward.”

The mission of IATA is to lead, represent and serve the airline industry. IATA brings together some 230 member airlines, including the world’s largest. Flights by these airlines account for 93% of all international scheduled air traffic.

O Finn Maunu von Lueders , Regional Vice President for Asia-Pacific based in Singapore.

One Visa for All Asean

T

he Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is working on a plan to make one visa for all of ASEAN in the same way Europe’s unified visa system works, reports The Independent.

“You would just have to apply for one visa and you could then visit all the countries using that visa,” said Eddy Krisneidi, an official at the Jakarta-based ASEAN Secretariat, which recently released its Tourism Strategic Plan for the next five years.

ASEAN countries recorded more than 65 million foreign visitor arrivals in 2009. Malaysia led the field, followed by Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Brunei.

Analysts say visitor numbers could be boosted by slashing the time-consuming and confusing visa requirements for each of ASEAN’s 10 countries, which range from vibrant developing democracies to isolated, militarydominated Myanmar.

8 ScandAsia.Singapore • April 2011

While some allow foreigners to simply purchase visas on arrival, others require wads of paperwork, photos and up to a week to issue the required stamp.

“One of the major concerns of the industry, as well as visitors, is the difficulty of obtaining visas, a series of widely differing regulations and information needs for visas,” ASEAN’s strategic plan states.

It is a view shared by Stuart McDonald, who runs an online travel forum for Southeast Asia.

“One of the most common questions that we see on travelfish.org is people asking visa questions: What kind of visa can I get? How long is it valid for? What does it cost?,” said the Australian who travels extensively in Asia.

“The rules change all the time and it introduces a level of uncertainty and confusion that the industry can do without.”

The concept of a single visa has wide support among tourism bodies across Southeast Asia.

n 9 March, Qatar Airways announced that there will be more expansions to its rapidly growing global network, beginning the second half of this year.

On 5 October 2011, Qatar Airways will start off their five-flights-a-week schedule to Norway’s capital city, Oslo.

The airline already operates scheduled services to Stockholm and Copenhagen.

Flights to Copenhagen will also be upgraded to daily operations.

In South East Asia, Qatar Airways has announced plans to double its weekly flights to Singapore by introducing a second daily service. The Dohabased airline currently operates daily flights from Doha to Singapore with continuing flights to the Indonesian resort island of Bali.

Additional non-stop services between Doha and Singapore will start in May when the airline adds three weekly flights to its schedule in October. An extra flight will operate to Singapore from 3 November, doubling its daily flights.

According to Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker Singapore has been one of Qatar’s best-performing routes in the entire region for a long time, with load factors consistently in the high 90s.

Flights to Kuala Lumpur will also be upgraded to be twice every day and beginning this March, there will be a gradual increase of flights from 11 to 14 weekly by October.

Snow and Ice in Singapore

Helsinki Copenhagen

Singapore

Partnership with Helsinki, Singapore and Copenhagen

T

he Danish non-profit organization INDEX: announced a pioneering partnership model with three of the world’s leading design capitals. This innovative alliance will raise awareness of design as a significant way to create promising solutions to the world’s, and the partner cities’ most pressing challenges.

INDEX:’s mission is to promote and to apply design and design processes that have the capacity to improve people’s lives worldwide. By entering INDEX:, Partner City Network, Helsinki, Singapore and Copenhagen become a vital part of this mission.

Furthermore, the partner cities are now part of the movement that challenges the traditional concepts and stereotypes of design; highlighting the complexity of the design field, and demonstrating very different solutions to problems such as education, urban transportation and climate change.

A

round 130 guests attended the official opening ceremony of the exhibition “Polar Norway – the white adventure” jointly organised by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and Science Centre Singapore. Pål Prestrud, the Director of CICERO, was the key note speaker at the opening. In addition Dr. Prestrud gave several lectures where he highlighted different aspects of Arctic warming during his visit to Singapore.

On Monday, a mix of students, faculty, officials and members of the diplomatic corps were welcomed to the launch of “Polar Norway, the white adventure” at Singapore Science Centre. Dr. Prestrud, Prof. Lim and the Norwegian Ambassador to Singapore, Janne Julsrud, spoke at the launch.

The speakers focused on the great changes taking place in the Arctic and how to obtain a peaceful, sustainable and prosperous development in this region through increased activity, presence and knowledge.

During her speech, the ambassador welcomed international cooperation, stating that “only through joint action can we ensure a stable development”.

The exhibition will remain open until the end of May. We welcome you to come and take a closer look at the history of the brave polar explorers and to discover how the environments of the North and South Pole are affected by changes in the climate.

Lis Heisselberg Continuous as SWA President

T

he Scandinavian Women’s Association in Singapore held its Annual General Meeting on the 23rd of February at Republic of Singapore Yacht Club. About 30 ladies showed up and enjoyed dinner together. After meeting, the well-known Singaporean author Catherine Lim was the guest speaker.

Here is the new Committee: President : Lis Heisselberg Vice President: Ulla Behrend Charity officer: Lis Jensen Charity officer: Britt Rozario Tours: Marianne Schibbye Tours: Birgitte Tvilde Committee member: Amrie Christensen Committee member: Henna PaivanneAndersson

iss !

All the Stuff You M

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s$ 49.90/kg April 2011 • ScandAsia.Singapore 9

Sweden’s New Ambass

By Joakim Persson

We just had Sweden’s Defence Minister on a visit, with collaboration on different levels, but most importantly regarding that Sweden has sold submarines.

Submarines have been upgraded in Sweden and Singaporean crew was there for three years of training.

10 ScandAsia.Singapore • April 2011

sador “Finally” in Asia

W

hen Sweden’s new Ambassador to Singapore in the end of September 2010 presented his letter of credentials to President S.R. Nathan he had really drawn the winning ticket. Ingemar Dolfe was very pleased to be in Asia, at last. But what the Ambassador did not know then is clear now; while Ingemar Dolfe can involve himself in a very vibrant connection between Sweden and Singapore (and its surrounding region), two other recently arrived Swedish ambassadors to Southeast-Asia are now finding themselves with the unrewarding task of closing down the Swedish Embassy missions (in Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi respectively).

“I am personally first and foremost very happy to get the opportunity of working and living here. I have looked very much forward to this, leading this Embassy and also operating in the region. This is a country with which Sweden has close and good relations within various sectors. Trade is a given area where the Embassy actively supports Swedish businesses. In Singapore there are now some 250 Swedish companies employing over 6000 persons,” says Ingemar Dolfe on his first position as Ambassador.

Previously he has been Deputy Head at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs Department for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation since 2007 and also placed at three different places in Europe; the Netherlands and Bulgaria among them. Before Stockholm he was Minister at the Swedish Embassy in London.

“We had stayed within Europe in order to puzzle together my wife’s and my careers. Now we are here, which could not be accomplished before, and I’m happy for that,” says the Ambassador, openly showing how keen he had been on getting a diplomatic position over in Asia.

“Singapore is an exciting place to be in, absolutely.”

It was based on genuine interest in the world and foreign places that Ingemar Dolfe became a diplomat. He started exploring the world at young age as a backpacker, first interrailing seven times in Europe, then backpacking in the U.S. In be-

tween his studies, he also took time off for a round-the-world trip. He then visited Singapore for the first time, back in 1984. This interest led the globetrotter to a career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sweden.

“I’m a ‘generalist’. I started the Foreign Ministry’s education in 1988 and have done most things one can do there, so I am broad. I have experience from bilateral and multilateral issues. For instance I dealt with trade-supporting issues in London, but also political reporting. And I have done UN work.”

What he hopes to accomplish in Singapore is first of all to give big support to Swedish trade - the core task.

“We have some projects. Fashion is interesting now when H&M is coming, so that is one area, and also to develop the collaboration with Singapore within defence but also research.”

One way to support trade is to look out and collaborate with other representatives in the region.

Case in point, in January, when receiving ScandAsia, the new Ambassador had just returned from a trip to Malaysia with a Swedish business delegation from Singapore (coarranged, paradoxically, with the closing local Swedish counterpart in Kuala Lumpur) to learn more about the prospects for business investments there.

“We have a very active chamber of commerce [SBAS] and the Embassy tries in all kinds of ways to support Swedish business. 15 companies here in Singapore participated in a trip arranged by the Embassies, SBAS and MASBA jointly. As the Swedish companies established here are not only covering Singapore as such, they have an interest in learning more about other markets, which we then try to support.”

The delegation visited various ministries and the PM:s office and learned from a briefing and about which projects are in the pipeline where incoming investment is supported.

“I see this as a good way for the Embassy to support Swedish trade; we can open doors and enable for Swedish companies to get access and information from senior

government personnel in a way that perhaps companies cannot otherwise get.”

“The previous Ambassador came up with this, and did such trips to Indonesia and Vietnam. And it has been very appreciated and successful, so I have listened and found out if the interest to continue among companies was there.”

Brimming with close connections and business relations between the two distant countries, the Ambassador has had a lot on his table since arriving, with openings, receptions and official visits of various kinds - much related to trade.

For instance Mr. Dolfe recently gave a key note address for 800 guests attending the launch of the new SAAB model by its local distributor, marking his support for Swedish business.

And he did the same when the Swedish family-owned Chris-Marine recently launched a showroom in Singapore, then highlighting the close co-operation between Sweden and Singapore in the areas of high tech and the marine sector.

This also relates to defence, where there is long-established comprehensive collaboration between the two countries within maritime and naval technology, on officialslevel and also with private companies interested in Singapore.

“We just had Sweden’s Defence Minister on a visit, with collaboration on different levels, but most importantly regarding that Sweden has sold submarines. Submarines have been upgraded in Sweden and Singaporean crew was there for three years of training.”

The Ambassador also held last year a reception for 60 Singapore submarine sailors at the Swedish Residence.

The third area with close relationships is within education and research.

“In fact regarding studying in Singapore the most popular country for exchange studies in Europe is Sweden, aside U.K. Last year, some 300 students from Singapore studied in Sweden.”

The National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University

(SMU) have exchange programmes and research collaboration agreements with a dozen Swedish universities and institutions, and currently some 25 Swedish researchers are active at Singaporean universities.

“There’s geographical as well as topic-based broadness regarding where these students study everywhere from Lund to Luleå and from KTH to economy.”

“It was striking that, after coming back here, their perception of Sweden and what it represents was very positive,” the Ambassador concludes after having welcomed former exchange students to a BBQ evening at the Swedish residence.

He mentions the openness, transparency and values such as the public right to access nature.

“So their positive image is valuable for the Swedish Embassy which has the task to promote Sweden.”

Last year the two countries also signed a MOU in order to enhance cooperation in the fields of education, research and innovation.

“Another proof I see of a close and good relationship is that there are a number of prominent Swedes on prestigious positions here in Singapore, not only because of their excellent backgrounds but also since Singaporeans have great confidence in Sweden and Swedes.”

The Ambassador mentions Magnus Böcker, chief executive of the Singapore Exchange; and Professor Bertil Andersson, NTU Provost.

“And the Head of Karolinska Institutet, Harriet Wallberg-Henriksson, is part of a scientific advisory Board in Singapore” “That so many Swedes on leading positions are being invited to take development in Singapore further illustrate how Singaporeans have great confidence in Swedes.”

Distant geographically but not culturally, Ambassador Dolfe finds that there are many similarities in several ways between the two countries.

“We are small or middle-sized and open for globalization. Our economies are based on export.

We’re also the same in being reliable, loyal partners one can trust, which is a very good platform for doing business between each other.

We deliver what we say we can and do not oversell.”

April 2011 • ScandAsia.Singapore 11

Satu Mattila Sums Up Firs There are many similarities and great opportunities for increased cooperation between Finland and Singapore, the Ambassador concludes as her assignment here is coming to an end.

By Joakim Persson

W

hile Finnair is about to restart direct flights between Helsinki and Singapore Finland’s current ambassador to this Southeast-Asian hub country is preparing to leave back to the head quarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Finland.

Satu Mattila’s first posting as Ambassador will be over this coming summer and her next position will be “something” in the very exotic place called Helsinki since she has had two in a row overseas.

Slowly she is preparing herself for the move back to the home country, somewhat reluctantly, one can sense.

At the same time she is looking forward to new challenges, and also to be posted again in another country in a couple of years' time.

Though, she got married with a Finnish man in Helsinki while at the helm in Singapore so it must also be a nice homecoming!

She is certainly comfortable having an international kind of career and joined the Foreign Ministry since she was interested in international affairs, she tells ScandAsia when looking back at her fruitful years in Singapore.

Also this is not her first stint in Asia; in fact the Ambassador started her career in New Delhi already back in the 1980's as a “very young diplomat” “Later I serve in Washington DC and Tokyo as Minister of Counselor. To Singapore I came from Geneva where I have been posted twice, working a lot with multilateral issues at the permanent mission of Finland to the UN.” “I studied history of art among other issues and if I hadn’t joined the Foreign Service most probably I would have continued my studies overseas, but I was accepted to the ministry.”

As to her previous experience of Asia Ambassador Satu explains that she did not know Singapore very well, only that it was a very advanced country with a very open economy and that the relation with

Finland was mainly related to trade.

“I hadn’t even visited Singapore before I came here. Some people say that Singapore is rather sterile, my first impression was positive. It’s green, and growing very fast. In Finland the importance of Singapore is not fully realized, but I think that due to trade and the potential for cooperation we have it is now better understood.

Growth is here “Asia as a whole is becoming more and more significant; the growth is here. In that context it is important that Asia is not only China and India. There is also South-East Asia,” the Ambassador explains and points out that the EU is now also finalizing the negotiations for an FTA with Singapore.

“It’s an important step. I think there are many interesting issues going on and I like following these regional developments, of course with Singapore being a member of ASEAN and what’s going on here, within economics and also from a security point of view.”

Settling down in the Lion City ambassador Satu Mattila found that it is an easy place to live in.

“Singapore is small but very dynamic; there are many things happening here. And also, from the cultural point of view it’s getting more and more interesting. And I hear from people who have lived here longer that it has really changed during the past ten years.”

Ambassador Satu is very interested in culture. The embassy cannot do much in that field, but there have been a few highlights connecting to Finland during her time.

“The Finnish National Ballet was invited to the Singapore Arts Festival; that was a big event. This year we are supporting some Finnish painters coming for the Singapore Biennale 2011.”

“One project we’ve had was an exhibition in the autumn 2007 on Alvar Aalto at the NUS Museum followed by the 75th anniversary celebration of his iconic stool in

12 ScandAsia.Singapore • April 2011

2008. In connection with that we created a Singapore edition of the Stool 60. This stool was in the exhibition in Singapore.”

This stool was upholstered with red Marimekko fabric with dark red dots representing the vibrancy and creativity of Singapore.”

The famous architect and designer was then studied by the first year students of NUS Department of Architecture and as a follow-up these students created their own models and constructions of the stool.

High level visits Some of the milestones have been the high level visits. President of Finland visited Singapore in February 2008 with a business delegation; and the Prime Minister in 2009.

“And then President S. R. Nathan paid a state visit to Finland in October last year. Besides the official programme, he also attended the inaugural event of the Singapore-Finnish Association. Around 120 Singaporeans live in Finland, surprisingly enough, so there’s now this new association.”

Most of the Singaporeans living in Finland are studying in the country's higher educational institutions.

As for some new business developments the Ambassador highlights Kemira Oyj.

Kemira “Last year, Kemira started research cooperation with NTU, Nanyang Technological University, in the field of water purification and also entered into a strategic alliance with the Public Utility Board. There’s a lot of potential for cooperation in R&D. And Finland’s Tekes and VTT, the Technical Research Center of Finland have cooperation with A Star funding the research here.”

Based on an MOU, Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation and Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) promote R&D and scientific collaboration in strategic technology areas between the two countries

The MOU provides the opportunity for Singapore public sector researchers and scientists from Finnish universities and research institutes to jointly develop technologies of national interests through three annual calls for proposals and to participate in joint seminars and symposia to share the latest scientific information and materials.

“Cleantech is one field where Singapore and Finland could have much more cooperation. I am trying to encourage Finnish companies to attend for example the Singapore International Water Week.

We have a lot of knowledge within water technology,” says the Ambassador.

Despite that Finpro (Finland’s global expert network for promoting the growth and competitiveness of Finnish companies through internationalization) changed its operational model a year ago the Ambassador is satisfied with the present cooperation, although much more resources would be needed for trade promotion.

“Finpro closed down in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore but we are lucky that the same person who was their representative earlier has continued as a partner and we have a good collaboration.”

To the future A final word goes to the promising relationship with the two countries.

“There are many similarities between Singapore and Finland; we are both small by population and our natural resources are limited, even more so in Singapore. We both have to focus on education and innovations in order to stay competitive. Both are open economies, very foreign trade related, so there is a lot of room for further cooperation. Santa Claus is wellknown here in Singapore. Finland is no longer successful in the Formula One, but Singaporeans used to know the F1 drivers. I hope that tourism will grow both ways once Finnair will start direct flights between Helsinki and Singapore.”

st Ambassador Posting Singapore is small but very dynamic; there are many things happening here. Also from a cultural point of view it’s getting more and more interesting.

April 2011 • ScandAsia.Singapore 13

Direct Finnair Flights H Finnair will as of 31 May 2011 establish daily non-stop flights to and from Singapore from Helsinki. The direct flights are introduced four years after the connection to Helsinki via a stopover in Bangkok was cancelled.

By Kristene Silva Marie

Sales Director Singapore and South East Asia.

14 ScandAsia.Singapore • April 2011

Helsinki - Singapore

S

ome 20 years ago, Finnair opened a route to Singapore via Bangkok but as the number of tourists to Bangkok gradually increased, the flights from Helsinki often ended up full. Due to this, the flight to Singapore via Bangkok was eventually terminated around 4 years ago.

Meanwhile, Singapore continued its rise to be the main business hub in Southeast Asia attracting international business people to conduct meetings and conferences there.

Now, Finnair will as of 31 May open a route directly to Singapore and not via Bangkok as in the past.

Perks of Flying Finnair Finnair’s Sales Director Petteri Kostermaa, Singapore and Southeast Asia, ensures that these business people can get the comfort and ease of mind they need on the flight before attending those meetings when they reach their destination.

“Singapore is the business hub of Southeast Asia and Finnair is very convenient especially for international business people heading to Singapore,” Petteri Kostermaa said.

Kostermaa stated that this is because Helsinki, being the closest European capital to Singapore, cuts off a few hours of being on a plane.

“People hate to stay on a plane for very long if they can avoid it,” he said.

“Helsinki is less than 12 hours away from Singapore and a short distance is what all business people want.”

In addition to that, the availability of daily flights makes it more convenient for the business travelers going to Singapore and back.

They can change the time and date of their flight with no extra charges.

For others, Finnair offers prices that are quite affordable.

Being a small airport, passengers will not need to queue in long lines in Helsinki before getting their passport checked and this is one of the perks because Finland is part of the Schengen agreement, which allows easy travelling to other European countries..

Passengers who travel by Finnair and arrive in the Helsinki airport only have to get their passports checked there - then they can continue their flights to any other European countries without the hassle of having their passports checked again.

Kostermaa also shared that Finnair delights in making its passengers feel at home on flight. This is the reason why the flight attendants always consist of locals which would be an extra touch of interpersonal relations.

Finnair has hired around 40 Singaporean, young and experienced flight attendants, both male and female for the new flight.

The plan was made Finnair decided to establish the direct route to Singapore this year although the idea surfaced around two years ago. At that time it had to

be postponed due to the financial crisis and recession.

Soon after, the Singapore market was booming but they still had to wait a little longer until the crisis period was over in Europe as well and in 2010, traffic to Singapore started picking up again which was when they felt was the right time to start.

Although decisions of this route had been made, Kostermaa explained that to start an airline there will be a certain lag before the actual operations can begin.

“We have to buy aircrafts, negotiate the route rights with the government, hire a crew... all that requires some time,” he said.

Success About the success of this new route, Kostermaa believed that it is going to do well adding that it may even do better than Bangkok because of the number of business travelers to Singapore.

“Bangkok is still more of a tourism attraction than a business center,” he said adding that every airline wants business travelers as they are the ones who usually purchase

premium price for tickets and fly on business class.

Kostermaa pointed out that while there was a possible commercial risk, market studies have shown that around two million people travel between Singapore and Europe every year.

“We only need five percent of those people, which is not farfetched, and we are successful,” he said.

Awareness He also mentioned that after being away for four years, people have forgotten Finnair so now the main focus is building awareness and encouraging people to try and see how good Finnair is.

The Finnair traffic had been picking up since 2010 with 70 aircrafts in total flying to all parts of the world. Of these, one or two would be serving the Singapore route.

Other than that, Finnair is also part of the oneworld alliance which allows transition with other airlines such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Iberia, Japan Airlines and Qantas ensuring the passengers a smooth, hassle-free transit.

Helsinki airport an advantage Another plus side of Finnair is that Helsinki airport is known for its short connections and delay-free arrival or departure and since there are less aircrafts, there are also no airspace problems or traffic congestion.

April 2011 • ScandAsia.Singapore 15

New Priest Installed at Danish Seamen’s Church

The Danish Seamen’s Church in Singapore installed its first female priest at a service on Febuary 15.

16 ScandAsia.Singapore • April 2011

T

he service was attended by more than 100 members of the Danish community here as well as the Danish Ambassador to Singapore, Mr. Ole Lisborg, and the Secretary General of the Danish Church Abroad, Ms. Margith Pedersen.

Ms. Pedersen, 59, specially flew in from Denmark to conduct the installation.

Vicar Kirsten Eistrup, 55, is also the Lutheran Protestant Church’s first female pastor in Asia. The Danish Seamen’s Church is also represented in countries such as Hong Kong, Australia and the United Kingdom.

In Denmark, women have been allowed to be ordained as priests since 1947. Currently, about half of its priests are female.

‘Personally, I don’t consider myself a female priest specifically. I come as a priest,’ said Vicar Eistrup, who was ordained as a priest about 25 years ago. Before this posting, Vicar Eistrup served her community at the church in Hørsholm, north of Copenhagen, for more than 20 years.

She is married with two adult children, both of whom are studying in Denmark. Her husband, a

61-year-old researcher, will join her in Singapore soon.

Singapore, which has a 1,500 -strong Danish community, is not a foreign place to Vicar Eistrup and her husband, who used to travel to the country regularly for work.

“The country has been a part of my life and it is a fantastic opportunity for me to be able to come here,” she said.

She replaces former Vicar Ronald Petersen.

On Febuary 20, the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in Singapore will also welcome its first female priest.

Vicar Eistrup will be based here for at least the next four years, serving as priest of the church as well as port chaplain, visiting Danish seafarers on vessels which call at local ports. She will stay on the Danish Seamen’s Church’s premises, located on Mount Faber, a scenic point in the south of Singapore. Assisting her there are six other staff members.

Ambassador Lisborg called her presence in Singapore “important”, as she serves as a central figure for all Danes here.

“This place is not just a church.

It serves as a cultural centre taking care of activities uniting the community,” he said.

New Priest Installed at Norwegian Seamen’s Church

Just a week after the Danish Seamen’s Church in Singapore welcomed its first female priest, its Norwegian counterpart did the same.

R

everend Eva Marie Jansvik was inaugurated into the Norwegian Seamen’s Church on February 20, replacing the outgoing Reverend Jan Tommy Fosse, 37, who has been promoted to the church’s director of overseas operations for Asia, Australia and Africa, for which he will be based in Bergen.

Reverend Jansvik’s husband will stay in Singapore as well and will act as the church’s general manager, overseasing administrative work.

The couple have a three-year-old daughter and are expecting a second child in May. Reverend Jansvik, 27, never thought she would become a priest, and had initially thought of being a nurse or a physiotherapist.

However, at the tender age of 18, she felt God was leading her towards becoming a priest and she decided to heed the call.

Reverend Jansvik, who was ordained in May last year, decided to apply for the Singapore posting because she felt it would be easiest to assimilate here.

“This is a fascinating city. I get to experience Asia, it’s exciting yet a safe destination to come with fam-

ily. Also, people speak English here and I don’t have to learn a different language. With a community here as well, it’s easy for us Norwegians to settle here,” she said, adding that she will be committing at least three years to this posting.

The Norwegian community in Singapore is about 1,500 strong, with several hundreds more if you include the undergraduates studying at the various varsities here.

Reverend Fosse, who flew to Singapore to attend his successor’s inauguration, said he and his family had

a “wonderful time in Singapore”.

“We really miss it here,” he said.

When asked if he had any advice for Reverend Jansvik, Reverend Fosse quipped: “Be yourself, use your skills and gifts. And take care of yourself, create people around you to lean on for support.”

Of her plans for the coming years, Reverend Jansvik said: “I hope to continue to be part of making this the place where people feel welcome and where they can get to know God.”

April 2011 • ScandAsia.Singapore 17

Singapore Visit to Baan 1

Church of Sweden in Singapore and Norwegian Seamen’s Mission in Singapore arranged in February-March a joint field trip to the Swedish initiated Baan Chivit Mai in the North of Thailand. ScandAsia went along with the group and shared the experience.

By Pimjai Chaimongkol

N

orwegian and Swedish ladies from Singapore visited Baan Chivit Mai in Chiangrai in the North of Thailand on 28 February to 3 March 2011. The visit was organized by the Church of Sweden and the Norwegian Seamen’s Mission in Singapore. The main purpose of the trip was to visit the famous institution - originally established by a Swedish lady, have fun activities and bring gifts to the children in the orphanage.

Arrival in Chiangrai Diana Wiking and Lise-Beate Ringsby from the Church of Sweden in Singapore arrived with the group of 19 ladies at Chiangrai International airport on 28 February. They were met by Madeleine and Inge Ekelyck of Baan Chivit Mai who took the group to check-in at Wienginn Hotel.. After having refreshed themselves, the group had dinner at Baan Chivit Mai Bakery in town.

Sightseeing Tour and Campfire Next morning, after breakfast, the group visited the second location of Baan Chivit Mai in Mae Chan dis18 ScandAsia.Singapore • April 2011

trict. Most of the children there are kindergarten or elementary school students. After the visit they went on a sightseeing tour around the beautiful North of Chiangrai.

It was interesting to see the Long Neck Village, fun to go shopping in Mae Sai - the border of Thailand and Myanmar, and the boat trip to Golden Triangle was beautiful.

In the evening, the ladies shared a remarkable night together with the children at Baan Chivit Mai in Hua Doi district. The teachers and staff had in cooperation with the children prepared BBQ and some Thai food for the ladies.

After dinner there was a campfire where all the ladies and children sat in a circle watching the children’s performance. The ladies sang Swedish and Norwegian songs and had an easy choreography so the children could learn and dance with them.

Although the two groups spoke totally different languages, all enjoyed the show, laughing, smiling, and dancing.

School visit On 2nd March, the ladies visited the local school named Hua Doi School.

Every morning all students gather to praise the Kingdom, Buddhism

and Chakri Royal Family. The ladies were amazed that all children paid full attention to the ceremony.

After the group had seen the school they went to Wat Rong Kun (The White Temple) built by Chaloemchai Khositphiphat, a famous Thai artist.

In the afternoon, they took about an hour up to the Doi Chang Mountain where the premium coffee is grown. The ladies tasted the fresh coffee surrounded by hill on the windy day which added to the wonderful flavour.

Then the group went to a new branch of Baan Chivit Mai in Mae Suai District. This is brand new house facilitating up to 32 children where officially opens on 5th March 2011.

Last Day in Chiangrai The last day of the visit, the ladies visited a Karen Village by boat and after that went for a ride on elephants in the morning. They had lunch at Baan Chivit Mai Bakery in town where they came on the very fiurst day of the visit and eventually in the afternoon they had to leave back to Singapore.

Diana Wiking who had arranged this trip said:

Chivit Mai in Thailand 2

3

4

6

“Apart from the fun of the sightseeing tour in Chiangrai, I can feel that all the ladies had a wonderful time with the children. We will all remember their gratefully smiling faces.”

“It is not because of our donation but we brought our love to the children and that was the most important part of this trip,” she added.

Elisabeth Froeyshou Danielsen, Assistant at the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in Singapore confirmed that she had indeed enjoyed her time with children. She started to work at the church in August 2010 and will there for the next 3 years.

“I had really looked forward to this trip, said Camilla White, another of the participants.

“First time I heard about this trip, I knew I have to come because I love children and I have never been to Thailand before. The Children took me around to show me their house even I can’t understand their language, but I could see the happiness through their eyes,” she added.

Madeleine Ekelyck and and her husband Inge, who is working for Baan Chivit Mai based in Sweden, said: “Back in Sweden, I am very busy

with contacting people and raising funds for Baan Chivit Mai so I can only come here a couple of times a year. This time I came to greet this group because they continuously come to visit us every year. They are very supportive to children in Baan Chivit Mai” “Our new branch in Mae Suai opens on the 5th of March so now the teachers, staffs and children are all helping with the ceremony,” she added.

5

7

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

The Ladies was at Baan Chivit Mai in Hua Doi district.

Elisabeth Froeyshou Danielsen with flower given by children.

Inge and Madeleine Ekelyck who work hard for Baan Chivit Mai. Diana Wiking at the airport.

Camilla White with children.

Children in Baan Chi Vit Mai in Hua Doi district.

Long neck children.

New branch of Baan Chivit Mai in Mae Suai District.

8

April 2011 • ScandAsia.Singapore 19

Patrick Buss from Finland Enjoys School in Singapore

P Six-year-old Patrick Buss and his mother Heli Buss.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s go to the playground.” This was the persistent request of six-year-old Patrick Buss as he sat on his mother’s lap, while sharing his experience as a student at the German European School Singapore (GESS).

By Kristene Silva Marie

atrick, like most of his friends in the German European School Singapore (GESS), has grown up away from his parents’ homelands, which are the UK and Finland respectively.

As soon as Patrick had walked into the interview room, his mother explained that he had just been out to the post office with his class.

They were on the “Sending a Message” theme this time as part of the IB programme, which is educated throughout all grades in GESS’s European Section.

Communicative by nature, Patrick expressed his interest in dinosaurs and started ticking off each name of the different dinosaurs he has heard of or read about. He categorised the dinosaurs into herbivores and carnivores.

School Preference Heli Buss, Patrick’s mother, visited a few other schools before enrolling her son in the GESS Pre-School and said the reason why she chose to enroll him into an international school, specifically GESS, was because of the holistic education system that was practiced in the school.

She also said that she did not favour the academic segregation in some schools and wanted her son to be part of a mixed group of children. With students from over 40 nationalities and different backgrounds that is certainly the case at GESS. “Patrick is quite fast but he is not put in a class where only the fast learners go to. It is a well mixed

class where no one looks down on anyone. Everyone learns from each other,” she said.

Heli hinted that Patrick’s favourite teacher was his music teacher, Holger. During his music lessons, Patrick and his classmates sing, dance and learn how to play instruments.

She explained that teachers in the school are dedicated and because of the small classes, each student receives individual attention and an opportunity to shine.

Creative Side Because GESS conducts IB programmes, it helps Patrick learn more on problem solving and holistic learning. He is also exposed to various areas of learning at a very early age. Areas like carpentry, science projects and outdoor trips.

One of the projects young Patrick has been involved in is the science themed “Saving Gaia” project. He was required to come up with a solution to water pollution.

“I created a water machine that would release clean water slowly,” he said referring to what his mother later explained as a traditional water filter.

Apart from doing interesting science projects, Patrick and his peers get to do woodwork. Under supervision of their teachers, they are taught to independently use tools such as hammers, screwdrivers and drills.

“I made a small wooden note stand for my father with a wooden peg on the top to hold the note,” he said satisfied.

Missing Finland Although Patrick has more friends here in Singapore, he misses his cousins and extended family members back in Finland as he only gets to meet them once a year.

His mother related that Patrick loves to visit his grandmother’s summer house in Nakkila when he is in Finland. She shared that there is quite a Finnish side to him because he enjoys the Finnish pastimes such as plucking berries and growing potatoes.

At that statement, Patrick did not waste time to share his experience trying to grow a potato plant in Finland.

“Did you know one time I kept digging a deep hole and then I put water in there, then the water turned dirty, then I covered it so the potatoes got enough water, and grew underground, and it will keep growing until it’s a potato tree,” Patrick said instantly creating a roar of laughter in the room.

Another component of the GESS education system that motivated Heli to send Patrick there is the school’s focus on European languages and culture.

The school has a German and a European, English speaking, Section and focuses on other European languages through special programmes and mother tongue language programmes.

At the moment there are programmes for Danish and Dutch and the school is hoping to start similar programmes for Finnish and Swedish in the near future.

German European School Singapore (GESS)

G

ESS is a multi-lingual, co-educational school providing international education to 1,350 students of more than 40 nationalities from Pre-School to Grade 12 and a learning experience beyond traditional academic classroom teaching. GESS believes “learning to live and to give” to be crucial in supporting and nurturing the students to become balanced, responsible and informed world citizens.

Since its foundation in 1971, the school has evolved into a 1 school – 2 system organisation. In the European Section the school delivers all three International Baccalaureate Programmes (PYP, MYP, IB Diploma) in English.

As an accredited “Excellent German School Abroad”, the German Section of GESS offers all German school leaving certificates in German.

20 ScandAsia.Singapore • April 2011

GESS Main Campus 72 Bukit Tinggi Road Singapore 289760 Tel.: (+65) 6469 1131 Fax: (+65) 6469 0308 www.gess.sg

Singapore Scientist Wins Prestigious Danish Award Singapore-based scientist Guillaume Drillet, received about three-and-ahalf million Danish kroner for his research on live feed for aquaculture. He is going to spend them on figuring out why copepods get stressed and die.

By Anya Palm

G

uillaume Drillet works with copepods. He looks at them under his microscope, millions of little crustaceans, swimming around themselves and each other and he writes down what they do, how they look, how they looked yesterday, what happens to them when they are disturbed. He is an experimentalist so he spends time in lab, and does not particularly care for the prestige in being a top scientist.

Mainly he just likes to research his copepods and further their environment in the water, so they can be stronger and more fit.

Denmark - and more specifically the Danish Agency for Science and Innovation - thinks that’s a splendid way to spend his time.

That is why, the French scientist, based in Singapore, last week got one of the most prestigious Danish Awards for his projects with the organisms: The Sapere Aude Young Elite Scientist Award and with that 3,371,040 kroner to continue his research.

“I have never been pro-elite!

And now I am apparently part of

the the elite,” is the 32-year-old’s first reaction, accompanied by a trademark of Drillet - a big laughter.

He has a very clear idea of what it is to be a scientist: “ I take it as a big honor. But the prize will not make me smarter and the world Elite may make a scientist become proud and forget his real task - doing science, “ he explains.

He is, of course, happy to have his research funded and he is already mapping out how the money can benefit his copepods.

Stressed little creatures What bothers him is that copepods have a tendency to get stressed.

When they stress they lay eggs that do not hatch proper and that may cause problems for the fish farmers using copepods as live prey.

Copepods - and other microorganisms - serve as fish food in hatcheries. In order to have healthy systems and a good fish development, it is important these organisms fit perfectly to the need of the fish and that they can be produced in large amounts. But they are fragile and apart from getting stressed, copepods are not easy to grow in

22 ScandAsia.Singapore • April 2011

larger scales. It is these two problems, Drillet is researching.

“Copepods are very complicated organisms and there are so many unknown factors. They get stressed in high densities and then they die - I need to find out what stresses them,” he says.

Of course there is an economical perspective too - if the fish does not have proper food, they don’t get fat and delicious and then the farmers have to sell them for less.

That perspective does not worry Drillet very much.

“It is just how it is, right? Science is to be curious and I get to fulfill my curiosity by examining the copepods and understand how they work. The business is business, it is another part of it,” he says.

A logistical nightmare Guillaume Drillet has been working on aqua-environmental research for ten years - in 2003 he moved to Denmark to start his research at RUC and later he took his ph.d from DTU in Copenhagen. Recently, though, he decided to pack his bags and move with his wife and son to Singapore to work for the Danish

Company DHI Water & Environment. By then, he had researched for seven years on his copepods without much recognition.

“I had applied for research grants along the way, but no money was pouring in and I was a bit tired of it. As a family, we need a bit of stability. So when I got offered a job in Singapore that fit my profile, I said yes,” he says. When he made the move, he had been going on small jobs, study grants and other shortterm solutions for years. But then: “I moved to South East Asia.

Then I learned all my projects were granted,” he says and laughs again.

Luckily, his current job is in the same area as the grant proposal, so Drillet will continue to be affiliated with RUC, where the money has been granted to, while keeping his research in Singapore current.

It is all a bit messy at the moment, honestly…and I just want to play with my copepods! he says. Logistical problems aside, though, Guillaume Drillet’s life just got a whole lot easier – and so did millions of other lives. Copepod lives, that is.

Enjoying the Differences When 13 year old Atte Piltonen’s parents moved to Singapore, they let him select the school he wanted to attend.

Atte picked the ISS International School Singapore because it was smaller in comparison with other international schools.

By Kristene Silva Marie Atte and his parents Pasi and Eila Piltonen.

A

day in the school life of 13-year-old Atte Piltonen starts typically quite early. He needs to leave home and be ready for school before 7.20 to make it in time for the bus to ISS International School, Singapore.

His usual school day consists of seven 45-minute classes, a 15-minute break and a 45-minute lunch

break in between. During the break, he and his friends gather to talk or occupy themselves with some sports activities.

When it is time for lunch, Atte says the school serves a wide variety of food including Western and Asian. Personally, Atte favours the Asian food.

When school ends at 14.25 he will wait for his bus which arrives after 10 minutes. Upon reaching home, he makes it his priority to complete his homework first. This is so he will be able to enjoy his free time after that. He usually turns in to bed by 21.30.

Atte picked ISS himself

Atte Piltonen enjoys the projects he does in school.

When they moved to Singapore, Atte’s parents had agreed to let him pick the school he wanted to attend himself and he chose ISS, because it was smaller in comparison with other international schools.

“It is cozy because it is not too huge and everybody sort of know each other,” he said adding that “It’s much easier and fun to learn when you’re in a small group rather than a big one.”

Another part of ISS he enjoys is the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme there. Through the programme, there is much less theoretic learning or “book smart” requirements. Instead, the students are able to get their hands dirty on

24 ScandAsia.Singapore • April 2011

practical work or projects.

There are many theme based projects that the students have to execute. He explained that they all require the students to use skills they have learnt and to execute the project.

The students are also required to conduct a lot of research on the particular topic before presenting it to their class and teacher. This is to ensure the information is accurate and the presentation is wholesome.

His favourite projects is a presentation he did on the different types of transportation in a city of his choice. The difference about this project is that the presentation was to be carried out in Mandarin. ”I prepared a Power Point presentation about the transportation in the city of my choice, Oulu, which is my hometown in Finland.

Everybody else presented their own researched projects too,” he said.

IT in the education One of the things, Atte likes about ISS International School, Singapore, is the intensive use of computers in the education.

“I like the fact that we use technology to learn here. Most of our work is done on the computer whereas in Finland, we use the traditional pen and book method,” Atte said.

He prefers this way of studying

because it is more fun and helps the students expand their minds.

“I even learn to design on the computer, which I really enjoy,” he said.

Sports activities Atte is also proactive in sports activities not just because it is compulsory to participate in at least one, but mainly because he finds it fun.

He chose table tennis, because it was a popular, fun and an easy game to learn and play.

“It is so popular among the students that we have to split into two groups, each playing for 30 minutes before switching to the other group,” he said. Atte is booked with table tennis as extracurricular activity every Wednesday.

Another fun class he looks forward to is P.E. The major activities are swimming and athletics. He said that he does well in swimming because he has got a lot of practice where he stays in Singapore.

“I think I swim better now than when I was in Finland because I can go down to the pool any time I want and just do laps,” he said.

While Atte enjoys the cultural differences of all his friends in ISS and enjoys the variety of their backgrounds, he also thinks of his friends in Finland. Due to the distance, he is only able to keep in touch with them through online chat or video conferencing engines.

The ONLY 100%

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ISS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Elementary & Middle School 25 Paterson Road, Singapore 238510 Tel: (65) 6235 5844 Fax: (65) 6732 5701 High School 21 Preston Road, Singapore 109355 Tel: (65) 6475 4188 Fax: (65) 6273 7065 Website: www.iss.edu.sg Email: admissions@iss.edu.sg

High Spirited Hotines John and Hedda have quite a tight schedule everyday but they both enjoy their activities and look forward to it every day.

By Kristene Silva Marie

From left - Lotta, Stina, Hedda and John.

J

ohn and Hedda Hotine both study at the Canadian International School in Singapore (CIS). John, eight, has been enrolled for five years. Hedda, six, for three years. They also have a little sister, Lotta, who is three years old and currently attending a local pre-school.

When we met, both John and Hedda were dressed in red t-shirts and white shorts. Japan had just been hit by the tragic tsunami and everyone in school put on attires in the Japanese national colours in a show of support to the tsunami victims in Japan.

John’s favorite school day is Friday because he likes writing.

“On the first period of every Friday we are writing stories of our own choice,” he explains.

Students are encouraged to compose stories based on experience or fiction as a form of writing practice. Due to lack of time, freewrite-friday is part of a regular class and not a class of its own.

After school, the both John and Hedda are involved in outdoor fun activities such as roller blade skating

and swimming. In fact, John just participated in his first swimming competition recently.

Hedda expressed her passion for soccer and how she enjoys playing with her friends in school when they are out on the field. Apart from that, she also goes horse riding every Sunday.

Both John and Hedda have been required to participate in public speeches called Show and Tell.

For the speech, John brought his laptop and Hedda brought a rabbit.

They were required to show their object of interest and speak about it in front of the class.

Another activity John and Hedda enjoy is when Swedish students in CIS go to the Overseas Family School (OFS) by bus and meet up with Swedish students from a few other international schools every Friday.

There, all these students are exposed to the Swedish language and culture so they get a better understanding of Sweden and its traditions or practices. Their father is British, but their mother is Swedish, so it is important to maintain

26 ScandAsia.Singapore • April 2011

also the Swedish side of their background.

This effort is supported by the Swedish government because if they should return to enter a Swedish local school, it is important that they are able to speak Swedish and if they are exposed to it early and there is a sudden decision to move back, the school transition process will be easier.

Looking for a school When asked why they chose the Canadian International Singapore (CIS), their mother, Stina, said that she had heard good things about the school by not only Swedes but also people of other nationalities.

They even learn additional languages such as French and Mandarin in school.

After doing her own scouting around, she liked how CIS showed a caring side to its learning system which she fell for. She said they applied family oriented type of approach to learning which made her feel very comfortable in letting her children study there.

According to Stina, the teachers

at CIS are very nice and helpful and are the main reason why John and Hedda both speak in a more Canadian accent which is entirely different from their parents’.

Another very important thing that convinced her was that they offered International Baccalaureate (IB) programme whioch meant that the teachers would be very keen and supportive of social development, especially in the younger years.

“Although they are academic, they put a lot of emphasis on the social aspect of the kids growing up and to me that is important,” she said.

She believes that children should not be pushed too hard but should develop a desire for learning on their own rather than being forced.

John and Hedda have quite a tight schedule everyday and the best part of it is they both enjoy their activities and look forward to it every day.

Brothers Enjoy Global Environment The Bocker brothers have been living in Singapore for about a year and three months. Prior to Singapore, they lived in New York.

Brothers (from left) Hugo, Karl and Adam are all involved in charity extracurricular activities.

By Kristene Silva Marie

A

s the Bocker brothers sat down to talk with me about living in Singapore and about their school United World College, it was quite apparent that Karl, 15, Adam, 13, and young Hugo, 11, had mutual respect for each other. It was heartwarming to see how one would stop to allow the other to speak first or, explained a particular question to each other.

School life “Being here allows you to see a lot of different aspects of life and how different cultures feel about life,” Karl said.

According to him, education here is a lot more global, with experiences from many different cultural backgrounds unlike the Swedish school which could be quite homogeneous.

He also added that the education in Singapore is more challenging than in Sweden, which he regarded as good because there is more room for development.

Students in UWC are allowed to take certain subjects earlier on in their education which wasn’t allowed in Sweden.

“For example, I take economics and I wouldn’t have been able to do that in grade nine in Sweden,” he said.

Karl also stated that it is much more interesting because in UWC there is a chance to meet international students and enjoy each other’s differences.

Another aspect of school life in Singapore the three brothers felt good about is that apart from academic studies, there is a lot more to the school which broadens the mind.

Adam shared his thoughts about how he liked that it has more interesting activities concerning unity, getting along with other people and caring about others as extracurricular activities.

They each explain their take on the extracurricular activities that the school allows them to partake in such as the Global Concern (GC) and aids provided for the Unprivileged Children of Vietnam (UCOV).

Hugo and Adam, who are involved in the GC, explained that they help organise events and programmes to raise funds from which profits will be donated for relief funds in Vietnam.

Being part of the UCOV, Karl explained that the UCOV initiative host different events in school which not only create a platform for hidden talents to shine but also helps those in need in Vietnam.

“We put together events like “UWC’s Got Talent” where stu-

28 ScandAsia.Singapore • April 2011

dents can buy tickets to watch other students perform and the collection is given to a special home or school for those who don’t have a family or cannot afford to go to school there,” he said.

Apart from the activities, the boys have the same opinion about the school and its staff, wide variety of food and its facilities.

The teachers here are also very good. It’s a nice campus with good facilities like the tennis court and swimming pool and it keeps expanding.

Challenges It was not surprising when the boys related their perception of Asia prior to moving.

“I thought it was going to be with more houses and buildings, much less greenery,” said young Hugo.

Adam, on the other hand, did not expect Singapore to be as developed as it was.

“You would notice how developed Singapore really is, especially when you have been living here,”he said.

About missing home, Karl said that there are certain aspects of it that they miss.

“I think we miss our friends the most. In Sweden, we had many,

many friends so that’s what I miss the most,” said Hugo.

Adam said that through social networking sites and video conferencing engines, they are able to keep in touch with their friends in Sweden.

When it came to with making friends and mingling with their school mates, the boys admitted that it was not a concern. However, there had been one persisting issue.

“The language barrier was the initial challenge because when we first arrived we did not speak as good English as we do now so,” said Karl.

“Making friends was not as challenging as getting used to the language because as I said before, Singaporeans are generally very friendly and so that wasn’t a problem at all,” Adam continued.

The Bocker brothers do not know when they are due to move and although they would miss their friends here, they will leave with another great experience to hold on to.

United World College Dover Campus 1207 Dover Road Singapore 139654 Tel: (+65) 6775 5344 Fax: (+65) 6778 5846 Email: info@uwcsea.edu.sg Website: www.uwcsea.edu.sg

Discover the life-defining education at UWCSEA in Singapore Our service programme, extensive after school activities and expeditions combined with an academically-rigorous curriculum provide a values-driven, holistic education.

Apply now to our new East Campus in Tampines Spaces available in Grades 7 to 10 from August 2011 for students aged 11-16 years - Middle School, (I)GCSE (Candidate Centre) and UWCSEA’s unique Grade 10 Foundation IB programme, Grade 11 IB Diploma from August 2012 (Candidate School).

Come join our international boarding community!

• Brand new, state-of-the-art boarding house • Available for students in Grades 7-12 • English language support programme • Located in safe and clean Singapore

To find out more E admissions@uwcsea.edu.sg W www.uwcsea.edu.sg

T +65 6774 2653

UWC-ScandAsia-Mar2011-135x192-FA.indd 1

GIVE

7/3/11 9:12:08 PM

your children a NORWEGIAN

summer of FUN and LEARNING!

Norgesskolen July 10 - 29, 2011 Join children 9-18 years from around the globe for a summer in Norway!

Children receive 3 weeks of intensive language training combined with fun activities and outings in an idyllic campus setting at Råde, south of Oslo, Norway.

Registration deadline: May 15, 2011

For more information: www.norgesskolen.no lbhaaverstad@norseman.no Telephone: +47 23 35 71 70

The British International School The British International School (BIS), Phuket is a Day and Boarding school that was established in 1996 in the heart of Phuket.

Its purpose-built 39 acre campus provides world-class facilities which enable students to excel in sports as well as in their studies.

The student population consists of some 850 students with 37 different nationalities represented.

30 ScandAsia.Singapore • April 2011

B

IS Phuket provides a Pre-School, Primary- and Secondary School education of the highest international standard. Academic results are amongst the best in the SE Asian region and BIS Phuket graduates regularly move on to top universities all around the world. In 2010 BIS Phuket students received ‘Top in World’ and ‘Top in Thailand’ awards from the Cambridge International Examinations board. In the same year the school received the Prime Minister’s award as the ‘Best Service Provider in International Education’ in Thailand.

The year 2011 sees BIS Phuket celebrate 15 years of excellence in producing ‘Leaders for Tomorrow’.

To experience what life at BIS Phuket is like, a stay in one of the school’s annual Summer Camps is recommended. Every April and July students from around the South East Asian region, Europe and Australia, come to stay at one of BIS Phuket’s Summer Camps. The school’s excellent boarding facilities and campus are an ideal base for the BIS English Camp and the very popular Sports & Adventure Camp, which provides a month of action and adventure in and around Phuket. Previous students call this ‘the experience of a life time’! Summer Camps are open to students aged 8 to 16. For more information, please visit www.bisphuket.ac.th, or email us: summer@ bisphuket.ac.th, info@bisphuket.ac.th

Boarding at Sigtunaskolan

Sigtunaskolan Humanistiska Laroverket is located on a hill part of Sigtuna, closed to Stockholm, Arlanda and Uppsala.

S

igtunaskolan Humanistiska Laroverket is one of the most modern boarding schools in Europe. Approximately 500 pupils attend the school, of whom 260 are boarders. SSHL offers both the national curriculum natural sciences(NV), and the social sciences programmes (SP). In addition, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, administered by IBO in Geneva,

has been offered at the school for many years. Good results from these three programmes provide access to most colleges and universities around the world.

SSHL also offers the Middle Years Programme (MYP), a programme which is based on evaluation of the entire educational process, not just the results.

This provides a natural link between the middle and the high school years.

Sigtunaskolan Humonistiska Laroverket, SSHL PO.Box 328, 5E-193 28 Phone: +46 (0) 8 592 571 00 Fax: +46 (0) 8 592 572 50 E-mail: info@sshl.se Website: www.sshl.se

SWEDEN’S LEADING BOARDING SCHOOL

We offer secondary schooling between grades 7 and 12 with teaching in both Swedish and English.

Twenty five years experience of the IB programme with excellent results.

SIGTUNASKOLAN HUMANISTISKA LÄROVERKET Phone: +46 8 592 571 00

www.sshl.se

April 2011 • ScandAsia.Singapore 31

Nyborg Gymnasium

N

yborg Gymnasium is an unusual Danish college, offering both STX (a standard Danish A-level), HF (2 year exam that gives access to university studies) and IB (International Baccalaureate) - and further takes in boarders.

As a consequence, young people from the local town of Nyborg meet young people from other regions of Denmark and from abroad at Nyborg Gymnasium. It gives a special educational atmosphere, being local, national, and international at the same time.

All three educational lines are characterized by • a high educational standard and personal attention to each student • development of the student in terms of competence in the subjects, excellence in cooperation and an appetite for further learning • participation in the IT education and it-based communication between students and their teachers related to their everyday working environment • tolerance, involvement and responsibility for creating a safe and pleasant living atmosphere for all • positive and fun experiences, school parties, sports days, etc.

Read more on our website: www.nyborg-gym.dk and our school magazine: http://issuu.com/nyborg-gym/docs/magasin2011

International School of Bergen

T

he educational programme of the International School of Bergen (ISB) in Norway has been developed to help prepare its students for a successful future, whether that future is in the Hordaland region or outside the borders of Norway. Parents also choose ISB for the English language learning environment, the small class sizes and the challenge of the International Baccalaureate programmes. Our mission is to provide an internationally accredited education which serves the Bergen and business communities.

An education at ISB is recognized as quality far and wide. The school is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer their Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes. ISB is working towards achieving authorized status for the Diploma Programme in 2011.

ISB is committed to the ethos of continual school improvement and strategic planning which are essential features of accredited schools.

Our students and staff

ISB provides educational programmes in English to children between the ages of 3 and 18. The students represent more than thirty different nationalities. The teachers all hold university degrees and appropriate teaching qualifications. Class sizes are small with normally 16-18 students.

Address: Wilhelm Bjerknesvei 15, 5081 Bergen Phone: +47 55 30 63 30 Fax: +47 55 30 63 31 Website: www.isob.no E-mail: post@isob.no

• • • • • • •

EngElskspråklig privatskolE for barn og ungdom mEllom 3 og 18

Få elever i hver klasse Trygt læringsmiljø med god individuell oppfølging God kontakt med foreldre Internasjonalt godkjente og utfordrende læreplaner Utmerkede resultater i internasjonale og norske nasjonalprøver Sentral beliggenhet med bybanestopp rett utenfor døren Nyhet fra høsten 2010 – Internasjonal Videregående

med godkjenning fra Lånekassen Contact us for more information: Tel 55 30 63 30 eller post@isob.no

32 ScandAsia.Singapore • April 2011

“Ni hao!” at Stenhus Kostskole

T

he Chinese Dragon has come to stay at Stenhus Kostskole in Denmark. The Chinese classes at Stenhus Kostskole work closely with the two sister schools in Tianjin and in Shijiazhuang in the province of Hebei in North China.

Stenhus Kostskole aims to strengthen the understanding of crosscultural communication, so the students can understand the world around them, not least understand China today.

“The Chinese Dragon is awake and alive, and we have to follow its pace,” the school says.

In August 2010 on a study tour to Beijing and Tianjin, students from Stenhus met their Chinese counter parts . In 2012 the first Chinese students will visit Stenhus Kostskole in Denmark. For Danish children to learn and experience the Chinese culture, it gives them respect and a drive for the future.

Stenhus Kostskole DK-4300 Holbæk Phone: +45 59 43 02 69 E-mail: admin@stenhus.dk Website: www.stenhus.dk

New BioTech College Degree

B

agsvaerd Boarding and High School in Denmark aims at allowing each student to develop fully in accordance with their talents academically as well as socially.

Students selecting our BioTechnology are taught at the highest level in a number of science subjects including mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry and English. Instruction takes place in close cooperation between our school, companies and universities in and around Copenhagen.

We want to equip our students for tomorrow’s global job market while providing our boarders a consistent and secure home with space for both studies, homework and friends.

BioTek - Danmarks første

femårige gymnasieforløb 8.kl.-3.g

Bagsværd Kostskole & Gymnasium løfter den faglige overligger. I samarbejde med Novozymes, DTU og KU tilbyder vi nu en femårig gymnasial BioTek-uddannelse for elever, der har talent inden for naturvidenskab og bioteknologi. Uddannelsen indebærer bl.a, at BioTek-elever i 9. klasse vil blive undervist på det, der i dag svarer til 1.g niveau.

Bagsværd Kostskole og Gymnasium Aldershvilevej 138, 2880 Bagsværd Phone: +45 44980065 Att: Soren Borgesen E-mail: bk@bagkost.dk Website: www.bagkost.dk

Læs mere om BioTek på www.bagkost.dk

Bagsværd Kostskole & ium Gymnas

Vi glæ der os til Vi glæat se der odig... s til at se dig...

Tag en bid af kundskaben på den fede måde!

Aldershvilevej 138, 2880 Bagsværd, Telefon + 45 44 98 00 65, www.bagkost.dk

April 2011 • ScandAsia.Singapore 33

Medium

Pork Liver Pâté

Evil

I

nexpensive and simple to make, this dish serves as a great starter or light meal and is healthy choice of light eating.

Although usually eaten with Danish rye bread, the pâté can also be spread on any cracker of you choice. Tweaking the recipe to fit personal taste can make it better and especially more personal when served.

This amazing dish does great at parties and gatherings.

Ingredients 500 gr. pork liver (pork liver is great) 300 gr. pork fat 1 medium onion 3 anchovies (can be left out) 1/4 cup flour 1/4 cup light cream 2 eggs, lightly beaten 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon allspice

Are you done?

W

hen you have completed the above puzzles, please send your solution by fax to +66 2 943 7169 or scan and email to puzzles@ scandasia.com. We will make a lucky draw among the correct answers. Five lucky winners will receive a ScandAsia polo shirt.

Name:

___________________________________________________

Age: ________________________

Mobile:

___________________

Address:

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

Email:

__________________________________________________

Deadline for submitting your solution is 15 April 2011 34 ScandAsia.Singapore • April 2011

Directions • Put the liver, anchovies, fat & onion through a meat chopper at least 3 times or use a food processor.

• The mixture should be quite fine in the texture. Mix in the flour, cream, eggs, salt, pepper and all spice.

• Spoon the mixture into a buttered loaf pan.

• Put it in a pan of water and bake in a 350F oven for an hour.

• If the pate is browning too quickly place a piece of foil loosely over it.

This dish is usually served with fried mushrooms, bacon bits, and cucumber pickles on Danish rye bread.

The pork liver pâté is a tasty mix of ground liver and fat minced into a spreadable paste which is later added with a choice of vegetables, herbs, spices, or wine.

Serving the Scandinavian community for over 30 years

• International, Domestic and Local Moving • Document Storage Services • Real Estate Services

• Property Management • Orientation Programs • Visa & Immigration www.santaferelo.com

Singapore: Tel: (65) 6398 8588 sales@santafe.com.sg

FiSK

by snorre food

Scandinavia in Singapore Snorre Food has just opened the doors of its much anticipated Scandinavian specialty seafood showroom and distribution facility, FISK. Sourced from the pure and cold oceanic coast of the North Atlantic, FISK brings you a unique and wide assortment of the finest seafood The North Sea has to offer, in dainty portions, choice cuts and fillets.

Available fresh, frozen, or marinated, we carry an extensive range of rare and delectable seafood, perfect for any dinner party or special occasion. Choose from Cod, Plaice, Turbot, Halibut, Lobsters, Langoustines, King Crab, Scallops, Mussels, Greenland Shrimps, Caviar and our delicious variety of seafood salad and selection of Herring. We also have an enticing collection of sauces and condiments that is sure to make you feel at home. Come and see for yourself.

We bring in fresh fish and seafood from Scandinavia every Tuesday and Friday. To avoid any disappointment, please call Ken at 6265 9659 a day in advance to find out if your preference of fresh seafood is available at our 25 Fishery Port Road facility.

Also, be sure to enquire about our seasonal range of seafood.

You can now have a slice of Scandinavia in your home.

Opening hours | Tuesday - Friday: 11am - 6pm | Saturday: 10am - 4pm | Closed on Sunday, Monday & Public Holiday

25 Fishery Port Road, Jurong, Singapore 619739 tel: +65 6538 3303 fax: +65 6538 0104 email: fisk@snorrefood.com.sg

www.snorrefood.com.sg