MAY 2015
Adrian Ulrich Skjoldborg Danish dancer in Singapore
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Coming Events
17. mai i Singapore! Where: West Coast Park When: 11.00 – 15.00 PROGRAM 11.00: Tale ved ambassadør og sjømannsprest. Flaggheising, kor psmusikk, kor sang, solosang og fellessang. 11.45: Oppstilling av folketog for alle barn og voksne (mellom carpark 2 og 3) 12.00: Toget beveger seg til Jetty Lawn. Barnekor, kongehilsen, taler og underholdning.
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SWA Ladies Night Where: Adrift by David Myers @ Marina Bay Sands When: Thursday, May 28, 8 pm – 11pm Register with Maria at mariahedenborg@outlook.com by 26 May 2015. Join us for the last Scandianvian Women’s Associaton’s Ladies Night before the summer holidays. Bring your girlfriends - Scandinavian or not, the more the merrier - for a lovely networking evening in one of Singapore’s cool new bars, Adrift. Expect the unexpected with Chef David’s thought-provoking menu at Adrift - inspired by his adventures, he shares plates of Modern Asian dishes. And equally at the bespoke bar, where cocktails are reinvented by award-winning bartender, Sam Ross. Adrift is a playful take on a kaleidoscope of experiences that will tantalize your palate. It’s for the dreamers and explorers.
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13.30: Buffet serveres. Leker for barna. 15.00: Arrangement slutt.
FBC Networking Nights on “Personal Branding”
Vesak Day Temple Tour - Scandinavian Women's Association
Where: INSEAD, 1 Ayer Rajah Avenue, 138676 Singapore When:Thursday 14 May 2015, 18:00 - 21:00
Where: At front of the Newton Hawker Centre (this tour will take place by bus) When: May 26, 2015, 9am – 1pm Maximum of 9 places for this tour. Please register by 23 May to Jeanette at jeanette.hennix@gmail.com
Finnish Business Council invites to FBC Networking Nights 2015 featuring Ms. Harini Chari, a brand strategist who helps professionals and non-profits discover their brand essence and unleash their potential. Join us for an evening to network, enjoy a glass of wine and learn and share the latest trends about Personal Branding in 2015. With over fifteen years of international experience in corporate branding and marketing communications, Harini will help you discover your strengths, skills, passions, and values, identify what makes you unique, relevant and different, and communicate a clear, consistent message about who you really are and what you have to offer. “Are you perceived the way you want to be? What are the compelling reasons that you offer others to choose you?” Don’t miss this unique oppor tunity to interact and learn about building the brand called you!
Vesak is considered the most holy day observed traditionally by Buddhists in this part of the world. Informally known as “Buddha’s Birthday”, it actually encompasses the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. On this tour, we will visit 3 different Buddhist temples as they prepare to celebrate the holiest day in the Buddhist calendar: Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, popularly known as Bright Hill Temple, is the largest monastery in Singapore and South East Asia, founded in 192. Burmese Buddhist Temple, the only one built in the traditional Myanmar style and houses the largest pure white marble statue of the Buddha outside of Myanmar. Tibetan Buddhist Temple, the first Tibetan temple built in 2001 in Singapore. The small but colourful temple is very much involved in charity work including providing free traditional Chinese Medicine consulting service, acupuncture and medicine for the needy.
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Future UN Translators Required Ages 2-18
Stamford American is delighted to offer Foreign Language in Mandarin and Spanish. A choice of Mandarin or Spanish – the most globally spoken foreign languages – are part of the core curriculum from 2 to 18 years. Our foreign language program is just one way in which we prepare students for multi-cultural appreciation and global citizenship. We are ready and waiting to meet your budding UN Translator. Please introduce us.
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News Brief
Grundfoss appoints new regional director for strategy
Danish Supplementary School Moves
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rom August 2015 Danish Supplementary School in Singapore moves from Overseas Family Sc h o o l ( O FS ) t o C a n a d i a n International School (CIS) at the Lakeside Campus of the school. Danish parents with children attending Danish lessons at Overseas Family School (OFS) in Singapore might have to arrange their time schedule a bit different from August. The Danish Supplementary School recently announced it will be moving its weekly Danish language lessons from OFS to Canadian
International School (CIS). “Whether DSS will still deliver teachers to do Danish lessons at OFS, I don’t know yet,” Secretary Line Klitgaard says. Danish Supplementar y School is an opportunity for Danish-speaking students aged 6 to 15 to attend Danish classes. At CIS the classes will be on Tuesdays after school. If there is sufficient interest, pre-Kindergarten classes and Danish as a Foreign Language classes may also be offered.
Michael Learns To Rock in Singapore in July
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he Danish pop (‘soft rock’) group Michael Learns To Rock is coming to Singapore on July 24th 2015 for their ver y first show as part of the ‘25 Live – The Anniversary Celebration’ tour. “Finally we are able to announce the date for our upcoming show in Singapore. We will perform our very first 25 live show in Singapore at the Star Theatre,” the band announced on its website. They will play all their Singapore fans’
4 ScandAsia.Singapore • May 2015
favourites from the previous five albums and bring a new visual show. Michael Learns To Rock’s compilation album ‘25’ was released in Asia in late 2014 including the two new songs ‘Silent Times’ and ‘Call on love’ (in total 25 songs), which reached #1 on various radio- and video charts in Asia. The band also toured Indonesia in January 2015, playing in Medan, Jakarta, Manado, Makassar, and on Bali. The band was established in 1988 and has romantic lyrics accompanied by catchy tunes that catch the hearts of those who are in love or heartbroken as trademark. Tickets available at www.sistic.com.sg 6348 5555
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he world-leading pump manufacturer Grundfos has appointed Mr Hasan Avci to be new Asia Regional Director for Strategy, Commercial Excellence and Marketing functions in the Asia Pacific region. This paves the way for the company’s intent to strengthen customer centricity with the support of improved commercial excellence processes. Groomed within Grundfos since 2003, Hasan was previously posted to Grundfos’ Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore. He was the Director of Sales and Marketing responsible for Turkey and the Middle-East region. In his new role, Hasan’s main responsibility will be to formulate organisational strategies for performance improvements across the region. This covers 20 countries, namely Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, South Korea and Japan. He will also implement commercial processes, under take strategic corporate planning, evaluate new business oppor tunities, and spearhead initiatives to promote business growth. “My biggest priority is to sharpen team competencies in terms of people development, as well as sales and mar keting process enhancements.We are leveraging on IT platforms to encourage the sharing of best practices and to foster a market-driven performance culture,” says Hasan. “We are also stepping up efforts on sales excellence and customer engagement, so as to streamline the current options and broaden the turnkey services and solutions that are aligned to market needs,” he adds.
News Brief
REC and PacificLight Power offers hybrid energy solution
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he Norwegian solar solutions company REC, and PacificLight Energy (PLE), the electricity power company of Singapore, have announced a strategic partnership to offer a new hybrid energy solution. The partnership is a first in Singapore and the intention is to encourage electricity consumers in Singapore to adopt solar power as a source of clean and renewable energy. The collaboration between REC and PLE, called the “PLEdge to RECharge Green Energy Program”, will provide customisable solutions for Singapore businesses that incorporate the proportion of solar power best suited to each customer’s energy needs, regardless of roof space. Through these hybrid solutions, customers will be able to reduce energy costs, while also decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and pledging their commitment to environmental sustainability. Mr. Martin Cooper, Chief Executive Officer, REC, said his company is proud to partner with PLE to encourage Singapore companies to adopt solar power as a clean energy source. Mr. Yu Tat Ming, Chief Executive Officer, PacificLight, said he was looking forward to working with REC. “Customers in Singapore are increasingly looking for innovative solutions which offer greater choice and competitive pricing. Through this collaboration with REC, PLE can offer
customers a tailored energy solution that is not only cost competitive, but also helps to protect the environment. ” Through the cooperation, customers can elect an ownership or leasing arrangement model for solar panels provided by REC and the desired propor tion of energy generated by the solar panels. The remaining energy requirements will be met by PLE through the provision of natural gas-fired electricity from Singapore’s energy grid.
The program has been established in response to the Singapore government’s support for the development and deployment of solar technology as part of its efforts to diversify the nation’s energy mix. It also complements the SolarNova initiative spearheaded by Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). Speaking at the official launch of the strategic par tnership, Mr Goh Chee Kiong, Executive Director, Cleantech and Cities, Infrastructure and Industrial Solutions, EDB, said there was clearly an increasing demand for energy solutions in Singapore. “This pioneering par tnership is testament to the increasing demand for renewable energy solutions in Singapore,” he sais The business model will also strengthen Singapore’s position as Asia’s leading cleantech hub where innovations are developed and commercialised to serve the regional markets, he said. The program will be introduced for an initial period of two years, during which time REC and PLE will continue to explore innovative ways to encourage companies to adopt green energy and become more energy efficient.
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WEALTH PLANNING
You know where to go. We know how to guide you there. Moving abroad can be very complicated. There are many things to consider, including the requirements of the different regulatory regimes to which cross-border wealth planning is subject. Let us guide you through the legislative labyrinth, and help you avoid unnecessary, time-consuming paperwork, as well as any unwelcome (and often expensive) surprises along the way. No matter where life takes you, Nordea’s in-house wealth-planners and their external network of experts can ensure that you are well prepared to meet the challenges that moving abroad brings. Visit us at www.nordea.lu/WP , call +65 6597 1084 or e-mail kim.nielsen@nordea.sg
Making it possible Nordea Bank S.A, Singapore Branch is part of Nordea Group, the leading financial services group in the Nordic and Baltic Sea regions. Some products and services may, due to local regulations, not be available to individuals resident in certain countries and their availability may depend, among other things, on the investment risk profile of persons in receipt of this publication or on any legislation to which they are subject. Nothing in this publication should be construed as an offer, or the solicitation of an offer, to purchase, subscribe to or sell any investment or product, or to engage in any other transaction or provide any kind of financial or banking service in any jurisdiction where Nordea Bank S.A., Singapore Branch or any of its affiliates do not have the necessary licence. Published by Nordea Bank S.A., R.C.S. Luxembourg No. B 14.157 on behalf of Nordea Bank S.A., Singapore Branch, 3 Anson Rd #20-01, Springleaf Tower, Singapore 079909. www.nordeaprivatebanking.com subject to the supervision of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (www.mas.gov.sg).
AD_ScandAsia_Kim_WP_eng NEW.indd 1
14/08/2014 12:045 May 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore
News Brief
Karolinska and NTU make cancer discovery
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team of 13 international scientists, including the Swedish Professor Sven Pettersson as one of two principal investigators, in a joint multidisciplinary study by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet, have announced a significant breakthrough. They discovered that an existing chemotherapy drug used to treat leukaemia could prevent and control the growth of colorectal tumours, commonly referred to as colon cancer. Colorectal cancer is one of the three most common cancers worldwide and the most common in Singapore. Almost 95 per cent of colorectal cancers are from malignant tumours. The research team found that Imatinib, an enzyme blocker widely used to treat leukaemia, works by blocking a signalling pathway related to a group of cell receptors called EphB. This means that when used to treat mice with colon tumours, it was able to halve the growth of tumours in the intestines. The finding is also significant as currently there is no drug available to prevent the recurrence of tumours in the intestine after the cancerous tumours have been removed by surgery. Sven Pettersson is Professor of Metabolic Disease at NTU’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and senior principal investigator with the National Cancer Centre Singapore. The discovery was published on April 2 in the prestigious academic journal Science Translational Medicine. “Our work has important clinical implications, since Imatinib is a potentially novel drug for the treatment of tumour formation and cancer progression in patients predisposed to develop colorectal cancer,” said Prof Pettersson, who is also a Professor of Host-Microbe Interactions at Karolinska Institutet. Dr Parag Kundu, a senior research fellow with Prof Pettersson’s lab and the first author of the study, said that in their tests, Imatinib was able to block tumour initiation at the stem cell level by half and significantly reduced tumour growth and proliferation. “In mice which mimicked human colon cancer, Imatinib was shown to prolong their life span,” Dr Kundu said. “The drug was also effective in increasing the survival of mice which had latestage tumours and rectal bleeding.”
The same effects were also shown when Imatinib was tested on colon tumour tissues taken from human patients. Colon cancer usually develops first as benign tumours, which when left untreated turn aggressive, and may spread to other par ts of the body. The main treatment in the early stages of colon cancer is through resection, where the affected section of the intestine is removed through surgery. The scientists said these findings also suggest that shor t term intermittent chemotherapies could be possible as a treatment model, as this would substantially reduce the side effects known to occur when Imantinib is given for longer periods. “Our findings provide experimental evidence that Imatinib treatment did not interfere with the tumour suppressor function of EphB receptors,” said Jonas Frisén, Professor of Stem Cell Research at Karolinska Institutet, who co-supervised the study.” This is beneficial as EphB receptors also function to keep the tumour intact, which prevents cancerous cells from spreading to surrounding tissue should the tumour break apart. The multidisciplinary study was conducted over a period of five years, at both NTU and the Karolinska Institutet. It is supported by NTU’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, the Singapore Millennium Foundation, the National Cancer Centre Singapore, the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Cancer Society, Karolinska Institutet, the Tobias Foundation, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and the Tor sten Söderber g Foundation.
New assistant couple at the Danish Church
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he Danish Seamen’s Church has made a change in staff. At the church service 26th of April, Laila and Søren Sørensen were introduced as the new assistant couple. Laila, 48, and Søren, 53, are from Midtjylland where they still own a farm. They’re seasoned in the church community, since both of them have worked as church ushers. Laila recently worked
6 ScandAsia.Singapore • May 2015
as a florist in her own flower shop, which she had for four years. In a newsletter from the Danish Seamen’s Church, Søren and Laila explain that they took this job because they like challenges and something new had to happen in their lives. They add how much they appreciate the welcoming from the church staff.
IKEA Singapore responds to anti-gay allegations
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wedish furniture retail store IKEA has come under criticism in Singapore due to promoting a magic show that features pastor Lawrence Khong of Faith Community Baptist Church, who is known locally for his views against homosexuality. After reviewing it support the retailer decided not to change its position on the support to Vision magic show, to be restaged at the Esplanade Theatre in July 2015. Members of IKEA’s loyalty programme enjoy discounted rates for Vision. Gay rights activists and indivisuals opposed IKEA. Members of Singapore’s LGBT community questioned the gay-friendly Swedish furniture giant’s support of the anti-gay pastor. ‘Many people know how diversity-friendly and inclusive IKEA is as an international family brand. They have even won international awards for positive portrayal of LGBT persons in their ad campaigns,’ Leow Yangfa of of Oogachaga, a gay counselling service had told media. According to Singapore media reports Khong, who once called the LGBT rights movement the ‘onslaught of the evil one’, has repeatedly urged the government to retain its colonial-era antigay sex law and championed the LoveSingapore network of churches to lobby against gay equality in Singapore. IKEA Singapore responded on their Facebook page on April 21: ”Dear IKEA fans, thanks for your patience while we took time to come to an informed decision on an issue that has raised sensitivities in our community. “After listening to the questions raised, we decided to do a thorough review. We spoke directly with the organisers, reviewed the content and confirmed that the Vision show offers high family entertainment value, therefore we will be continuing our promotion. We regularly offer promotions to our IKEA FAMILY members across a variety of entertainment options, and in this case, our IKEA FAMILY members were being offered a discount on tickets to the show.” ”As a company, IKEA Singapore respects the diversity and equality of all people living in our community. We also respect that all individuals have a right to their opinions and personal choices, including the freedom to choose their preferred entertainment.”
Calling all actors, linguists, scientists and sports stars!
22 JUNE - 31 JULY 2015
For students aged 4 to 17. Give your child a summer to remember. Register at www.cis.edu.sg/summercamp today.
Canadian International School Pte. Ltd. CPE Registration Number: 199002243H | Period of Registration: 8 June 2011 to 7 June 2015
May 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 7
Hand-Picked Natural Ingredients
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unnyhills, probably one of the most popular pineapple cake bakery from Taiwan, joins Singapore in its 50th year celebration of independence with a limited SG50 package design. Illustrated by a local artist with inspiration drawn from Singapore’s lifestyle scene and multi-racial community, this is an ideal gift to present to your family and friends back home. Driven by the passion to produce the perfect mouthwatering pineapple cakes, Sunnyhills’ chef, Mr Lan ShuTing, uses an innovative baking mould researched over the time to achieve the utmost baking excellence in the creation of the finest pineapple cakes. Keeping a consistent baking temperature brings forth an evenly baked pastry on all six sides making it an aesthetical masterpiece that tastes as good as it looks. Only the finest ingredients sourced from around the world are used these refined delicacies, such as gourmet baking flour from Japan, prized French AOP Echire butter and pesticide-free sun-ripened pineapples from Sunnyhills’ very own farm in Taiwan. The premium pineapples are grown through harsh winters where they will ripen in the hot months of each year. The strong and abundant summer sunshine gives the fruit an exceptionally intense and rich flavor. A slow cooking process that ages the pineapples yields stuffing that is robust and natural-tasting that combines beautifully with a pastry shell that is delicately creamy. Sunnyhills’ first international store concept can be found at the iconic Raffles Hotel that provides a classy and upmarket sanctuary away from Singapore’s heat and busy pace. Customers can drop in to enjoy a cup of freshly brewed Oolong Tea and the honest-to-goodness pineapple cake on the house before purchasing these fine pastries that contains no artificial additives or colourings. The limited edition celebratory SG50 box design is only available while stocks last!
8 ScandAsia.Singapore • May 2015
Address Sunnyhills 328 North Bridge Road #03-05 Raffles Hotel Arcade Phone: 85229605
New Pioneering
Chinese Restaurant
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ombining a contemporary take on Cantonese cuisine with an artisanal cocktail programme, Mitzo Restaurant & Bar redefines the Chinese dining experience in their own uique way. Filling the gap for a chic Chinese fine dining establishment that prides itself in serving top-notch Cantonese cuisine, Mitzo completes the equation by concocting a comprehensive beverage programme and carefully curated music content. Bringing to life the menu at Mitzo is Chef Nicky, who’s finesse and creativity embodies familiar Cantonese flavours executed with a modern flair - offering updated versions of classical Cantonese dishes. Nicky Ng is a celebrated chef who once cinched the role of Executive Chef de Cuisine in 2011 at the Michelin-starred dining establishment, Hakkasan New York City. Recommended dishes are Mitzo special barbecued pork, black truffle crispy duck, grilled silver cod in champagne sauce and Chinese honey, pan-fried lamb chop Xinjiang style and a variety of dim sum selections such as lobster and shrimp dumpling with black truffle, baby abalone with pork dumpling, black fungus and vegetable dumpling. At Mitzo, drinking is interpreted as an art form, thus diners have the oppor tunity to enhance their meal with a specially curated selection of wines, craft beers or premium tonics and cocktail creations which feature almost-experimental interpretations of old classics by using unexpected ingredients that blends in asian inspiration incorporating Asian herbs and spices, as well as hints of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Located in Grand Park Orchard, the hotel’s food and beverage outlets are not just stylish hang-out hotspots but also the choice of gourmands amongst restaurants in Singapore. Mitzo Restaurant & Bar on level four greets diners with an inviting and vibrant atmosphere in this fashionably chic hotel right in the heart of Orchard Road. Address Mitzo Restaurant & Bar 270 Orchard Road, Grand Park Orchard, Singapore 238857 Phone: 6603 8855
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The importance of dancing and giving
Adrian Ulrich Skjoldborg is a 25-year old professional dancer from Copenhagen who has been living in Singapore for about a year now as part of the contemporary dance company Frontier Danceland. He aims to give the audience something with his dancing By Søren Engelbrecht
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he room is nothing but silence as he stops to reflect. “I want for my audience to become better human beings. Through my art.” He does that a lot. Smiles, reflects shortly and then answers the question. He always ends the answer with a smile. Ready for next question.
From hip-hop to ballet Adrian Ulrich Skjoldborg is a 25-year old professional dancer from Copenhagen. He has been living in Singapore with his girlfriend for about a year now and a part of the contemporary dance company Frontier Danceland for almost the same amount of time. This is where he performs his modern dance art, this is where he practices for several hours every day so he can give something to his audience. He star ted dancing 10 years ago when a friend introduced him to hip-hop dancing, and it just clicked right away. The music and the movement combined came natural to him and he kept getting better. So he danced a lot. And then he danced some more. And then he danced all the time. 10 ScandAsia.Singapore • May 2015
I couldn’t reason why my dancing should make them grow as human beings or give them a better life. I couldn’t address what they actually took away from my art
“I started dancing one time a week, then two or three times a week and then ten times a week,” he remembers. The dance became such a big part of his life that he took a year off after 9th grade to focus on his dancing. Adrian despises the thought of having a job with the sole purpose of paying for the roof over his head, so it was an important moment for him when his hip-hop dancing teacher told him that he could dance for a living if he worked hard and devoted. Of course he would. So after the one year off, he went to study in London at the School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. The hip-hop dancing was replaced with some more modern movements, and Adrian saw an opportunity to dance a roof over his head.
Trouble in dancing paradise In the fall of 2013 the dancing almost came to an end, though. Adrian had been traveling Scandinavia with different dance productions most of the year, when he hit a wall of frustration. His heart wasn’t in the productions and the movements were mechanic. Slowly, the dancing had become a joyless job, so, during a production in Sweden, he
started questioning the way he used to view his dancing; as art. And then the doubt became more existentialistic. “I asked myself, ‘do I really give my audience something through my dancing, through my art?’” he recalls and reflects shortly in silence. “I couldn’t reason why my dancing should make them grow as human beings or give them a better life. I couldn’t address what they actually took away from my art,” he says as he focuses his stir again and replaces the pensive look with a wide smile.
art is a spiritual matter, you can’t gain anything materialistic from it. “It’s not like I’m growing a carrot that I can dig up and eat because my body needs it. Neither my audience or I get any food from the movements I make,” Adrian says gesticulating all way through his metaphor. But there is something else to his ar t. According to Adrian, art, be it a painting, a song or a dance move, is expressed from the soul and therefore speaks to other souls. And that gives art another dimension.
Carrots and dark desires Adrian’s hair surpasses his shoulder s in a loose ponytail both heavy and feathery from the high humidity, and a Salvador Dali wor thy handle bar moustache adds the ar tistic touch to his appearance. Besides some tape around his insteps, the post-sweaty body doesn’t seem to ache, which is good because after the one-hour lunch break he is back at it, back in the rehearsing gym dancing the calluses off his feet. He has found the reason again to spend all these hours rehearsing choreographies and practising movements. His ar t makes sense again. A couple of months ago, Adrian realized that people really do can get something from his art. And that brings us back to the beginning. Contrary to his career-doubting crisis in Sweden, here in Singapore at Frontier Danceland he can now elaborate on the function of his art. First and foremost it’s important to acknowledge that
Adrian Ulrich Skjoldborg during the interview with Soren Engelbrecht of ScandAsia.
As an example, Adrian refers to a book, he recently read, which states that all human beings have dark desires more or less supressed. “It can be difficult to overcome these desires like ‘I want to kill’ or ‘I’d like to have sex with… 3000 women’. All sorts of dark desires. But art can make them more or less vanish and bring you, as a human being, up to a new sphere.” It has been a while, but then he hesitates. “And that’s what I want to do.”
The Singaporean potential Adrian uses his hands to illustrate that Europe is “up here” and Singapore is “down there” when it comes to dancing and art in general. It is not nearly as developed here in Singapore as it is back home. But he chooses to see this as a good thing. “In Denmark, I can’t give as much with my dancing as I can here in Singapore, because where I come from, many people share my thoughts when it comes to art and spirituality,” Adrian says. In Singapore, people don’t respond in same way when he performs. There is a lot of polite clapping, but not many *wuhuus*, he explains while demonstrating. To Adrian, the Singaporean audience is a challenge with huge potential to grow. Even though they don’t use his words about the point of his art, the ones who come to thank him after a show, he still hopes that it has happened on a higher level. That he has touch their soul and in someway made them a better human being. That’s what keeps him going. May 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 11
Sensavis’ 3D
educational software reaches Singapore
By Joakim Persson
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relatively young, innovating Swedish software developer, Sensavis has successfully introduced its 3D software for education purposes, ‘The 3D Classroom’, in Singapore. Tanglin Trust School has become Sensavis’ first Asian client of ‘The 3D Classroom’ which was first launched in Sweden in late 2013, says the CEO. The contract is a telling example of the kind of reactions they are getting on the market. “I presented our product for two teachers and their Director of Learning. It took ten minutes and then they said: ‘We must have this!’ Once we get a meeting with a school this is usually the reaction,” says Fredrik Olofsson, President & CEO, who joined the company to build up a profitable business model, steering Sensavis to focus on the educational sector; a decision which has proven to be the right choice. “We are very excited by the potential of 3D technology to help students to visualise and explore complex systems, such as the human body.Tanglin embraces new technology wherever it supports and enhances the learning experience for our students and we feel that Sensavis have developed a software tool which will integrate very well with our approach to teaching and learning,” commented the CEO of Tanglin Trust, Peter Derby-Crook. ‘The 3D classroom’ will be used in their Junior and Senior Schools. “The innovation is relatively new, especially in an international perspective it’s very new. And it’s a great joy when something like this, built by a small company, can generate such attention wherever you present it.” The product must really be experienced live 12 ScandAsia.Singapore • May 2015
to grasp it, while any description in words can give you an idea of what this is about: “We are building high-quality animations. So for example we have designed the human body in 3D and there’s nothing particular with that - many are doing that - but we allow that on a completely interactive level. The teacher can navigate via a computer mouse within the human body and look at fine details, for instance how blood absorbs the oxygen, on micro level within the lung.” A customer described this 3D experience as what they had always expected and wanted: the ability to go beyond superficial visualization to truly experience the long-desired ‘fantastic voyage’ that 3D had always seemed to promise. Developed in collaboration with educators, Sensavis describes it as teacher-centric tool that reinforces the experience and increases interest while the product’s most important feature is its interactivity and the high degree of realism within the visualised material. The idea is to be able to go from a high level of abstraction to a low level (from macro to micro) without having to skip a stage where pupils risk losing comprehension. This means that you have a teaching aid that does not limit how you present something; you use the product to explain exactly what you intend to, in the way that you need. The teacher decides, in real time, how to present a certain topic, say a heart, and how close to zoom in to show how the heart functions. “The main thing is to be a tool for teachers that enables them to visualise during a school lesson how for example how the human body
looks on the inside and thus making the students to really understand and in that way, increasing the motivation,” says Fredrik Olofsson. “We continue developing content based on the requests from teachers. So we don’t follow any particular curriculum, instead we listen to the teachers: What is abstract for their students to understand? And we build our product based on that. So the whole idea with what we are doing is assisting the teachers to explain complex and abstract things so that all students understand, in all age groups. So our product is being used from kindergarten to college level,” he explains further. Currently the product includes six educational topics. The 3D Classroom is in use by more than 150 schools in Sweden, Finland, UK, the US and now also Singapore. The software is based on the Windows platform and can from April this year run on an ordinary PC. Sensavis has met great interest from Microsoft. “In particular in Asia they have really hooked on it and support us with various sales meetings and other partners. Though it’s a small Swedish innovation it has global appeal, since the teaching in these subjects works more or less the same the world over.” Apex Business Advisory has helped Sensavis in entering Singapore and researching the Asian market, eyeing also Indonesia and Malaysia as markets where to star t dialogues. The Indian market is also a target. There are very promising things in the works in Singapore, and they are going about things carefully step by step, says the CEO.
From L-R: Mr Inderjit Singh, Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio Constituency; Dr Chia Shi-Lu, Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar Constituency; Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Defence; Mr Henrik Sass Larsen, Denmark’s Minister for Business and Growth; H.E. Ms Berit Basse, Denmark’s Ambassador to Singapore; H.E. Mr A Selverajah, Singapore’s Ambassador to Denmark Picture: Royal Danish Embassy, Singapore
Denmark and Singapore:
50 years
of diplomatic relations By Joakim Persson
I
n the evening on 20 April 2015 the Royal Danish Embassy in Singapore held a significant reception, as it celebrated not only the auspicious occasion of the 75th birthday celebration of Her Majesty, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark but also the official launch to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Denmark. The Danish Ambassador HE Berit Basse hosted the event with ministers from both countries present, all highlighting in their speeches the two countries’ many joint efforts throughout the years and that have only increased. Clearly they are also aiming for even stronger ties within many areas for the future, and where sustainability is a core theme - and a necessity, in particular for small countries with few natural resources like Denmark and Singapore. Also, for historic and geographic reasons, many of the strong business sectors and future focus areas in the respective countries are the same so it is really obvious that there are many common denominators and mutual interests. In par ticular focus is that their respective governments are championing green growth through eco-cities. Denmark has a long tradition in urban development that strives to achieve balance between the goals of its people, businesses and environment, and where Copenhagen plays a
role model for sustainable and liveable cities. The ‘State of Green’ is Denmark’s green brand putting into action the Danish aspiration to develop smart nations that are optimised for economic activity, as well as water, resource and energy efficiencies. A sustainable and liveable future is also at the heart of Singapore’s smart city development agenda. “Denmark and Singapore share many common attributes in these respects,” said ambassador Berit Basse. “Our two countries have benefitted greatly from one another’s experience and skills through high-level bilateral visits, professional exchanges and deepened collaboration due to memorandums of understanding (MOU). In recent years, the collaborations opportunities are being created at an accelerated pace,” she noted. That the year 2015 marks the golden jubilee of diplomatic ties between Denmark and Singapore has made these activities even more significant and meaningful. The ambassador explained that they are looking at expanding also to new areas for the future. “We have 50 years of bilateral ties to prove our friendship. For the next 50 I think both Singapore and Denmark, being leaders in smart cities, water technologies and sustainability
solutions will have much more to share and learn from one another. This is the space where our industries and think tanks can come together to provide real solutions that the world today needs urgently to solve its challenges and problems,” she added. In his speech on this occassion, Mr. Lui Tuck Yew, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Defence, also reflected on the strong and warm bilateral relations between Singapore and Denmark. “As small nations, we share many interests and perspectives. These have resulted in deep co-operation not only in international affairs and business, but also in education and training, research and many other areas. I am confident that in the years ahead, both our people-topeople and bilateral ties will grow from strength to strength,” Mr Lui Tuck Yew said “Singapore and Denmark are both working proactively to support growth in their maritime clusters and both countries have a profound focus on leveraging the potential of being leading global maritime nations.” He also noted Arctic affairs as a new area for cooperation, where Singapore applied for and was admitted as an observer state in the Arctic Council in May 2013, and where he appreciated the support given from Denmark. “Our bilater al relations go beyond cooperation in international affairs and business. Our government agencies have visited your countr y to learn from you, on wide-ranging topics such as sustainable development, smart cities, early education and innovation. Among our educational institutes, the Singapore Management University and the Copenhagen Business School have on-going exchange programmes to promote cross-cultural learning,” Lui Tuck Yew noted. He also looked to yesteryear and brought up examples going further back in time than the founding of modern Singapore. “Although diplomatic relations were established in 1965, ties between our countries and peoples go back far longer. The first Danish consulate in Singapore was set up in 1845 to prepare for the arrival of the Danish vessel, Galathea, during its expedition around the globe,” he said. Denmark’s Minister for Business & Growth, Henrik Sass Larsen expressed that it was a great honour for him to be present. In his speech he highlighted some of the man new areas within which Denmark and Singapore are cooperating. “One example is the Danish food industry, which is becoming firmly established here in Singapore. This was recently highlighted by the first visit of a Danish Minister for Agriculture to Singapore last year.” Two other new areas of cooperation are Architecture and Urban Development. Last year our Minister for the Environment signed a Memorandum of Understanding on water and environmental innovation. And we hope to expand this cooperation in creating liveable and sustainable cities. He mentioned that the Danish embassy’s efforts to promote new initiatives from Denmark for ‘Smar t Cities´ solutions is planned be presented at an event in the fall as a celebration of the Danish-Singaporean 50th anniversary. May 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 13
Does the world really need Frazer Cairns, Head of UWCSEA’s Dover Campus, discusses the idea of leadership in the context of an everyday life making a meaningful impact on the world.
14 ScandAsia.Singapore • May 2015
A
quick scan of school websites brings a realization that, increasingly, the mission statements and learning programmes of many are almost identical. Everybody seems to be offering an education that is ‘holistic’, ‘missiondriven, ‘challenging’, ‘balanced’ and ‘global’ and which promotes the crucial ‘21st century skills’. Leadership is another such word and countless schools now seem to be suggesting that they are churning out future leaders by the dozen. I am left wondering what a world populated by so many leaders will look like, particularly because the image of leadership conveyed is often that of an individual in a position of responsibility making important decisions. Surely not everyone can be in charge? A parent once sent me an article from the New York Times in which the author asked if there was any room for the ordinary any more. Was there a place for the child or teenager (or adult) who enjoys a basketball game but is far from Olympic material; who plays the violin but not to concert standard; who will be a good, decent citizen but won’t be a world leader? She went on to quote Brené Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate
more leaders? School of Social Work and author of the book ‘The Gifts of Imperfection’ who wrote that, “In this world, an ordinary life has become synonymous with a meaningless life.” Madeline Levine, an American psychologist, wrote that she was once scheduled to give a talk about parenting the average child at a school in California. Although she usually commanded large audiences, not one person showed up. “Apparently no one in the county has an average child,” said Levine. All too often, the rhetoric of success is defined by accolades and the extraordinary. As a result, parents are increasingly anxious that there just isn’t going to be enough room for even the straight-A, piano-playing, hard working child. Going to a lesser university or ‘just being average’ will in some way doom children to a life that will fall far short of what we want for them. The Times ar ticle struck home and I was reminded – somewhat uncomfortably – of an incident after securing what I thought was an outstanding graduation speaker at my former school. The person in question was a world famous climber, who had both saved lives and been saved by others, and who had made numerous first ascents of mountains across the globe. In
a moment of hubris I made a comment to a colleague to the effect that the speaker moved the school’s graduation ceremony away from the normal, boring, middle-aged businessman or woman. Back came the reply, what a shame for Mr or Mrs Middle-Aged. They were probably was just wasting their time being decent people, supportive partners and loving parents, instead of being heroes, out to change the world. I don’t by any means wish to devalue the extraordinary. The world needs extraordinary individuals to act as agents for change - polar explorers like Tim Jarvis (UWCSEA Class of 1984) to shake us from our apathy about global warming; paralympians like Stephen Miller to challenge our views about disability; young people like Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani campaigner, to force us to confront the realities of inequality and discrimination, despite the personal dangers she faces. The world also needs inspirational leaders who will bring about greater stability, peace and understanding. But I do think that it is wrong to imagine that only extraordinary people can bring about change, and to confuse the words ‘ordinar y’ and ‘normal’ with ‘insufficient’ or ‘impotent’. My mountain climber did not necessarily have more
to say that was worth listening to than Mr or Mrs Middle-Aged, nor had they necessarily had a more beneficial effect on society. Not all leaders lead from the front, and not all impact is felt immediately or in a dramatic way. The modern understanding of leadership is increasingly about the use of influence rather than positional power. Leaders are now said to lead by mobilizing people around a compelling vision of the future, and by inspiring them to realise that vision. They show people what is possible; they energize them and give them a sense of purpose. They also leave them with a deeply seated sense of accomplishment when the work is done. Though position is important it gives access to information and resources that otherwise can makes a particular task far more difficult to achieve – it is not essential. The best leaders act as teachers, mentors, and role models regardless of what it says on their nameplate.They accomplish the most important parts of their work collaborating with others to gain support and cooperation, in order to drive strategy and accomplish goals. Thought about this way we can all be leaders. Ordinar y people leading ordinar y lives can produce extraordinary results, if the weight and focus of that group is sufficient. I suspect that hundreds or thousands of people taking informed and compassionate decisions can have a more lasting affect on history than the words or actions of a single individual, even though these decisions, these ‘unhistoric acts’ in George Elliot’s words, are made by a “number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.” Clearly I hope that the UWC schools and colleges will help to produce extraordinar y people; people who will take an issue by the horns and shake up the world. However, I also hope that those same schools and colleges will help to produce a far greater number of nurses, carers in old people’s homes, loving parents and supportive friends who recognize that their collective actions can have as great and long-lasting an effect on the world. If the UWC movement is to “unite peoples nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future”, it is likely that we will do it by ensuring that all our students recognise that everyday leaders living ordinary lives and making mindful choices, can have an extraordinary impact. May 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 15
Swedish Supplementary Language School Partners Exclusively with Stamford American International School
16 ScandAsia.Singapore • May 2015
The Swedish Supplementary School will relocate to Stamford American International School’s centrally-located campus in August 2015, exclusively offering supplementary language classes to the Swedish community in Singapore.
The Swedish Supplementary School has been educating children residing in Singapore in Swedish language and culture for over 20 years. Students, from preschool to year 9, will relocate to Stamford for the weekly program that builds and maintains skills to strengthen affiliation to native Swedish culture. Stamford offers accessibility for students islandwide, being located just 10 minutes from Orchard and on the doorstep of Woodleigh MRT station. In addition, Stamford’s Senior Library will house the Swedish Supplementary School’s wealth of Swedish books and magazines. Ana Pharaon Guve, at the Swedish Supplementary School comments: “Our collaboration with Stamford promises to reach more Swedish children residing in Singapore. Combining our robust teaching standards with Stamford’s world-class facilities and central location we believe we can enhance our ability to support students in achieving their Swedish educational goals. We are delighted to be joining the Stamford community and we are excited for our students to join the welcoming, international spirit that exists at Stamford. This is an exciting next step on our journey.” State-of-the-art facilities at Stamford include a unique innovation center, in partnership with Bloomberg and Microsoft, and iLEarn facilities to
support enhanced learning as well as a 500-seat theatre and world-class sports facilities including three swimming pools, two sports arenas, tennis courts and a Golf Academy. Students and families of the supplementary language school will also have the opportunity to take advantage of the healthy and nutritious food available at Stamford. Stamford’s partnership with acclaimed Chef Emmanuel Stroobant delivers healthy meals and snacks, made daily by his team of professional chefs and made available through two parent cafes on campus.
Swedish supplementary teaching comprises two hours per week during the school year, delivering Swedish education for over 100 students residing in Singapore. The robust program follows the National Agency for Education curriculum in Swedish delivering active language practice and knowledge of Swedish society, values and culture, enabling children to return to education in Sweden at any time. The school also offers an active parent community and has a library containing a wealth of Swedish books and magazines.
For enquiries and further details please contact: Stamford American International School www.sais.edu.sg Swedish Supplementary School www.svenskaskolansingapore.com
+65 6653 7907
www.sais.edu.sg
May 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 17
Danish solar ambitions in the Philippines Leo Sørensen is truggling to convince the Filippinos that alternative energy works. He is up against local logic that makes buying a cheap coffee machine a better investment even if it only lasts for a year than buying a more expensive that lasts five years. And only when he tells that Einstein invented the solar cell is the technology trusted. Be he still believes that in a few years, alternative energy will gain popularity in Asia. By Louise Bihl Frandsen
Leo Sørensen at a conference about quality points of a solar power system
L
eo Sørensen, the Danish founder of Skandinavian Solar in the Philippines, is a serious and patient Danish businessman. He established Skandinavian Solar in the Philippines in the beginning of 2014 and although he admits that he has not sold tons of products yet, the company is slowly getting there with several hundred positive leads. “I knew it would be a long process, however at the moment I have around 200 leads in the pipeline, we cater to both big and small, around 100 of them are companies with commercial needs and the rest residential clients. Around 12 larger commercial deals are in the last stages of being finalized,” Leo says. He is 100 per cent convinced that alternative, in particular solar energy, has come to stay in Asia. “No doubt about that, whether it is to achieve savings on your electric bill or to have security in your energy supply. I believe that already this year alternative solutions will gain much more popularity and from then on it will grow very fast,” Leo says. Still he believes that it is no use to try to swim faster than the flow. The negotiation process and everything takes longer time than in Denmark, and also longer time than Leo expected actually. “We are learning more every day, it is a 18 ScandAsia.Singapore • May 2015
process that never stops and it is not so simple to adapt Danish quality mentality to the mindset in Asia,” he says.
Einstein “The Pinoys (Filipino people) are very suspicious to alternative energy actually. Some find the systems a bit like magic. They are asking the question: ‘Can this thing – standing towards the sky, really make energy?’” Leo tells. That is why the Danish businessman saw it necessary to find other and maybe unusual sales arguments to convince some of the most sceptic costumers that solar system technology is not a scam, but in fact a very old and mature technology. A long time ago he started to read up on the history of Solar Power, as we know it today, and that it is in fact based on one of Einsteins theories. “It seems to work, when I tell my costumers that Einstein actually won a prize for his theories about photoelectric effect in 1921. In Denmark though, I never mentioned Einstein in a business conversation,” Leo laughs.
Cheap coffee machines Installing a sustainable energy solution is also not as glorified in the Philippines as in Denmark, and many of the potential customers, Leo talks with,
think that five or seven years are a long time to invest in something, before it pays off. “A lot of people here are fine with buying cheap coffee machines or whatever, which eventually breaks down one year later, and then they will say: ‘No problem, at least we got coffee for a while,” Leo says and continues: “There is nothing wrong with thinking this way, it simply states a fact of the way of common thinking here – which is much different from Scandinavia”. For Skandinavian Solar quality is crucial. All the hardware the company uses in their systems must be documented bankable and insurable. “That means that if a company wants to have a Solar Power System from us financed by their bank, they are ensured that a serious bank will support them financially, because our products and procedures live up to the international standards required to achieve this,” Leo explains.
Constant Energy In many areas in Asia, power blackouts are very common. According to Leo, the right system can help the quality of life and business in those areas. “There is already a great need for our “Constant Energy Solutions” in any island or remote location where a good infrastructure is not in place,” Leo says. Skandinavian Solar’s ‘Constant Energy’ solution integrates Solar Power, Energy Storage and Fossil Fuel Generators into one centrally managed solution. So no matter what happens, there will always be energy available while burning only a minimum of fossil fuels. According to Leo, this solution makes sense to many people in the greater Asian region, where the electrical grid is very unstable or simply not there.
Green ambitions Leo has also been looking towards countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. “If the prices on electricity in these countries increase too much, people will start looking for other alternatives to save money. And when that happens, you can be sure that I will also start looking in that direction as well. It is not my dream to expand, it is my strategy,” Leo says.
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WHAT IF...
T AUGU5S 201 NS
ATIO APPLIC EN OP
Student Liam catches a glimpse of his hero Miguel in the library
… YOUR CHILD WALKED AMONG HEROES? Would they learn that they also have the power to improve the world? That’s one of the inspiring ideas in a UWCSEA education. Take the day Grade 6 student Liam met Grade 12 student Miguel. Miguel had survived living in hiding in the jungle during the war in Timor Leste. He came to share his story with Liam’s class when they were studying the effects of conflict on communities.
With this meeting, Liam learned the reality of war and that among his schoolmates was a real-life survivor and hero. He saw that attitude triumphs over adversity, and was more inspired to help others in any way he could. Liam met another hero at UWCSEA—himself. What if your child joins UWCSEA? Visit www.uwcsea.edu.sg to find out more.
Miguel explained that he was now attending UWCSEA on a scholarship, and hoped in the future to return home with his education to help the people in his country. UWCSEA Dover is registered by the CPE CPE Registration No. 197000825H Registration Period 18 July 2011–17 July 2017 UWCSEA East is registered by the CPE CPE Registration No. 200801795N Registration Period 10 March 2011–9 March 2017
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