Highlights of April

	The Ridge April Issue: Euphoria What makes you truly happy? Hug from a stranger, traveling around the world or the last lecture at university? This April, when some are anticipating the holiday and some others, graduation, we bring Euphoria to you.
	BORDERS BOOK REVIEW: World Without End by Ken Follet Set in the 14th Century, a time of plague, pestilence and war, World Without End offers pure escapist pleasure in the form of love, hate, political scheming, intrigue and much more.
	NUS Arts Survey the ridge transmedia takes a closer look at the NUS arts scene. Read on to find out more.
	Is there an NUS Rock Scene? Will our university have a rock scene comparable to that in other universities around the world?
	Dramafest Producers Mourn for Play’s Loss Not all is peachy at the CFA. the ridge gets the inside story on the effective censorship from the MDA in relation to Dramafest
	Inflation - Strong Growth Leads To High Costs The booming economy of Singapore inevitably leads to a rising inflation cost. A group of panelists, together with audience members, engage in a lively discussion on measures to reduce the impact on individuals and also come up with suggestions for the government.
	NUS Receives $500,000 Bursary Donation NUS has received a SGD$500,000 donation from Great Eastern, their first such substantial gift to NUS. The Great Eastern-Howe Yoon Chong Bursary will help students with families earning less that $1,200 monthly.
	NUS One Of First In Asia To Launch Microsoft DreamSpark NUS, together with NTU, are partnering Microsoft to launch Microsoft DreamSpark, a completely free initiative to drive technological innovation worldwide. Both universities are the first in Southeast Asia to be selected as partners.
	Many NUS Undergraduates Raise Alert To Need For Marine Conservation In Singapore CNM students organise a marine conservation campaign named Code Blue to raise the alert for the need to protect marine life around Singapore.
	Many Undergraduates At NUS Not Aware of Earth Hour 2008 The level of awareness of Earth Hour 2008 was low among NUS students. Although some students did do their part and switched off their lights during Earth Hour, there are others who did not think this campaign was useful. Some NUS students also expressed interest in subsequent environmental conservation activities.
	1,992 students not offered campus accommodation this year; OSA’s explanation dissatisfying Some students went to a dialogue session with the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) held at Prince George’s Park (PGP) Auditorium on April 4 and left with no concrete answers provided.
	High Rejection Rate For Campus Accommodation Shock Students The on-campus accommodation allocation results released on Mar. 27 took many students by surprise, as the cut-off level of CCA points for various residences were exceptionally high.

Highlights of March

	Underlying cross-ethnic tensions surfacing? Vandalism is on the rise in the National University of Singapore (NUS). Graffiti comments allegedly discriminating against the minority Muslim community in Singapore were found in FASS.
	High Rejection Rate For Campus Accommodation Shock Students The on-campus accommodation allocation results released on Mar. 27 took many students by surprise, as the cut-off level of CCA points for various residences were exceptionally high.
	BioBiz 2008: Exploring Singapore’s Biomedical Horizon Into the third year of its running, BioBiz 2008 has attracted over 450 industry players and students from various disciplines of study.
	Be an Esplanade Youth Artist Liaison Officer Intern Ever wanted to be in the thick of things in the arts? Esplanade offers you the opportunity to do so with an internship as an Esplanade Youth Artist Liaison Officer (EY ALO intern). To find out more, we speak to Sharon Chan Ci’En, 21, who has worked with Esplanade under this internship program.
	Death of a Hero In a strange land in an uncertain time, a hero will emerge to battle demons, including the 100th demon which wreaks havoc and threatens to eliminate him. It has to be destroyed to restore peace and is not what it seems to the eye.
	NUS Open House visitors note the lack of CCA showcase Exhibition of admission and academic information in NUS Open House was well received. Lack of attention on the fun and vibrant campus life were noted among the visitors.
	Singapore Lions’ Goal 2010 Dream Lives On Goal 2010 may have been officially scrapped, but the dream lives on for the Singapore soccer team as they progress to the third round of the Asian World Cup Qualifiers for the first time in their history.
	Interview with Natasha Monks Radiopulze DJ Aaron Su interviews Natasha Monks, former Amazing Race Asia contestant and current Principal Host for iTalentSTAR.
	BN’s Loss Not a Surprise Malaysia’s ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN)’s worst electoral performance this March was a shock to many, but to a professor from University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), it is not even a surprise.
	CSR: Companies Shirk Respo- nsibilities Is CSR the new beast disguised in the outfit of morality? the ridge reporter Audrey brings to light questions and problems surrounding the practices.
	Open House 2008: Outgoing NUS President Shares His Wishes For New Students NUS President Prof. Shih will be departing from NUS this Dec. How will he envision the future of NUS?During a VIP tour at the NUS Open House, the ridge finds out his wishes for NUS students.
	An Interview with The Rakes With their first ever performance in Singapore at the Heineken Green Room Sessions only a week away, The Rakes take time to answer a few questions for the ridge. They talk about their music, fashion, books, booze and much more…
	Top Ten Songs for an Instant Lift A countdown of some of the best feel-good songs. With a selection of titles from oldies, contemporary music and soundtracks, these tunes are bound to lift your spirits.
	Let there be (Traffic) Light OED has started a traffic light system at the junction of Kent Ridge Crescent and Kent Ridge Drive to manage the rising number of vehicles in NUS.
	NUS admission advertisements: provocative or abstract Good advertisements spark off exclamation marks, while NUS ads more than once lead to question marks. Some students find this year’s publicity campaign abstract while the Office of Corporate Relations explains its intended provocativeness.
	The Ridge March: Apathy Grab the march issue now and ask yourself whether you are willing to be the change you wish to see in the world.
	Facebook group: NUS = National University of Stairs A Facebook group has been created playing with the acronym NUS to complain about the many stairs on campus.
	Fancy having a Second Life in NUS? NUS launches ‘NUS Second Life’ on March 12-14 as a platform for academic instructions and student activities.
	The Ridge February: Nymphomania the ridge provides a response to the recent activity over the February issue.
	EXCLUSIVE TICKETS to House of Blues II courtesy of Heineken Music Win exclusive invites to the House of Blues II performance at the Heineken Music Club this Saturday 15th March, 2008
	Not An Inkling of Sunshine In This Dark Drama Secret Sunshinedoes two things: it tells a heartbreaking, and at times disturbing, story of human trauma and tragedy, and also bravely explores controversial themes like evangelism and Christianity. This Korean psychological drama is currently showing only at The Picturehouse.
	Crane collapse update: Students unfazed about possible recurrence The crane collapse accident has left many students with a greater sense of vigilance, but is a sense of complacency creeping back in?
	Orpheus Read the review of Jean Cocteau’s Orpheus, a bizarre tale of mystery, murder and desire. Set in 1930s Paris, myth and reality blend into each other as poets, muses and legends walk the streets in broad daylight.
	I Left My Heart At Outram Park We talk to the cast and crew from NUS Kent Ridge Hall about their upcoming original musical I Left My Heart At Outram Park. They fill us in on the preparations and tell the ridge why they stand out from the other hall productions.
	Techno Edge’s Indonesian Panggang stall goes Halal A brief look at what a Halal certificate means and how it changes the procedures at the Indonesia food stall.
	The Academy Awards 2008 It’s a little late, but we weigh in on the somewhat recent Academy Awards and wax lyrical about this year’s contenders and Penelope Cruz’s… ahem.
	Are you aware of CSR? The purpose of the event is to promote awareness of CSR to the NUS community and inspire students to contribute to the value systems of the companies they work in future
Blog reads on NUS at
NUS Crane Crash Victims’ Fund Raising NUS business students initiate fund raising for the crane crash victims’ families. The New Scania for Service 151 Thanks to consistent efforts on the part of NUSSU, 8 brand new Scania K230UBs are now running on Service 151. Poly Students Weaker than Pre-U? A reader’s letter to the Straits Times about her experience at the recent NUS open house gets students hot and bothered. Just apply- $10 only Reading the article “‘Weak’ poly student snubbed at NUS open house” makes one reader wonder whether local universities gain easy money just through the application fees from those unsuccessful applicants. NUS students and marriage A simple advertisement for a theatre production in the female restroom reveals a little of what some feel for marriage.

NUS admission advertisements: provocative or abstract

Kelvin Lim | kl@nus.edu.sg
the ridge news
A NUSSU Publication

16th March 2008

Story Highlights:

• This year’s NUS advertisement another question mark
• Advertisement series aim to show “the NUS difference”
• Poll shows many students think the ads are abstract
• The ads were intended to be provocative to capture the idealists’ minds
• Mixed reaction from non-NUS students

With university admissions running on an overdrive to woo students from junior colleges and polytechnics, the ridge reporter Kelvin finds out how the latest effort of National University of Singapore is faring.

“The World Will Never Know Peace”, or so the latest advertisement in local print media by NUS claims, “At NUS, we believe peace begins with understanding.”

NUS admission advertisement series
Photo credit: NUS

The advertisement continues to explain that because NUS is able to provide exchange and immersion programmes worldwide, it is able to help future leaders bridge across cultures.

It might be another case of déjà vu for some, especially if one remembers last year’s television commercial by NUS Business School.

The advertisement in question showed a student in suburban America leafing through letters from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management and the University of Chicago’ Graduate School of Business, before squealing in delight at an acceptance letter from NUS.

By comparing NUS business school with the world’s top 10, it understandably stirred up a ruckus in the internet community.

While the current series of advertisements have steered away from making controversial claims like the previous, it has nonetheless raised eyebrows among NUS students, as shown by an opinion poll conducted by the ridge.

Tersely dismissing the whole campaign, fourth-year architecture student, Grace Tan, remarked: “This is simply a waste of money considering how much space the advertisement occupies.”

Mr Bernard Toh, director of the Office of Corporate Relations explained that there was good reason and effort behind the current series of advertisement.

It was intended to be both a continuation and a development from last year’s publicity theme —“That’s the difference between them N’US”.

This year’s theme, “That’s the NUS difference”, highlighted how the various curriculum, specially-designed programmes and strategic researches in NUS can help make a difference and contribute to the greater community and the world.

Nonetheless, an overwhelming majority of the NUS students found it abstract, with some claiming that it was simply unrelated to that of an educational institution.

Echoing similar views, third-year bioengineering student Lee Wong Cheng thought that prospective students might not notice that it was an NUS advertisement.

Unfazed, Toh defended that the advertisement were deliberately provocative to capture the minds of the young with the intention of reaching out to the idealist within each one of them.

This had to be done to cut through the clutter of highly homogenized publicity themes from other institutions, appearing in a same time period.

Photo credit: NTU

Lending weight to Toh’s argument, third-year business student Li Wenjie felt that the advertisements were simply too commonplace to make an impact, while psychology student, Li Wei Xin commended that advertisements by NTU were more relevant to the targeted audience.

On the other hand, garnering views from non-NUS students yielded interestingly mixed reactions.

First-year Victoria Junior College student, Rachael Lam Yi Wen noted that NUS advertisement was effective in a way that captured the audience’s attention, especially in comparison to the one by NTU.

Yet, Kevin Choong from NTU’s Aerospace Engineering felt that NUS was trying too hard to “make a difference or whatever that really means”.

Difference or plain indifference, the fact that only a quarter of students surveyed had viewed the print advertisement before calls into question the efficacy of the print medium.

It may be too early to give a final verdict, but Toh revealed that since the campaign kicked off, responses to the Joinus.sg microsite and online admissions ads have been higher than expected.

Photo credit: NUS

Opinion Poll among 46 students from NUS, NTU and JC

Highlights of February

	Walking Into Doors - An Interview We talk to director Eleine Ng and the bubbly and endearing cast from NUS Thespis about their upcoming production, Walking Into Doors, a decade-old play about emotional and physical abuse by Haresh Sharma.
	Dim Sum and History! Dim Sum Dollies in The History of Singapore! returns to the Esplanade Theatre for a second run, playing to enthusiastic full houses night after night. This writer reviews the show and shares a theory that the Dim Sum Dollies might be working for the Singapore government.
	NUS Career Fair 2008 - Companies eager to hire fresh graduates Organized by the NUS Career Centre, the fair featured a total of 121 companies, including research institutes, this year.
	KE VII Hall’s cultural night goes al fresco The change of performance venue also marks the committee’s move to brand KE VII as the “cultural hall”.
	Students share gift of life in season of love While most celebrated Valentine’s Day with their other halves over candlelight dinners, a group of students chose to spread their love differently.
	Santana: Live in Concert Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana played in Singapore last Friday to a crowd of ardent fans and music lovers. Described as a “six-string demi-god” by this writer, relive the highs and lows of the concert in this review.
	e-learning week: CNM goes virtual From Feb. 18 to 22, the Communication and New Media Programme conducted their lessons virtually as part of the inaugural e-learning week.
	Three dead, two injured in crane collapse at NUS A crane at the construction site of Alumni House at Law Link collapsed and crashed into the link way connecting the bus stop to the Business school.
	V-day - A celebration of love or consumerism? The intensity of such fairs is sending out a message – the celebration of love has become another day to feed the consumerism machine.
	Relaxation and Seafood on a Budget! NUSSU Travel Service brings us to Kukup for a weekend of seafood and Mamee Monster.
	One Foot Off the Ground Directed by Chinese director, Chen Da Ming, One Foot Off the Ground tackles China’s struggle with tradition and modernity in the form of a Chinese opera troupe with loads of humour (think cock-related jokes) and affection.
	Open House and Beyond The NUS Museum Open House which happened on Fri, 31 Jan was a successful event that attracted the art aficiando with their outstanding exhibits and free booze.
	Students frustrated with SBS route 151 Students staying at Bukit Timah and Clementi areas take more than an hour to get to campus
	Hostel fees to increase every year till 2010 The increased hostel fee will affect all students living in the six halls and three residences on campus with effect from the next semester
	Students caught in a competition for quality lecturers The National University of Singapore has “to continually raise the quality of education by competing in the global market to retain and attract excellent faculty.”
	NUS Arts & Entertainment Festival 2008 NAF 2008 starts this Friday with Love is in the Air featuring alumnus and Singapore Idol runner-up Jonathan Leong alongside veteran performers Jacintha Abhisheganaden, Jeremy Monteiro, Rani Signam and Iskandar Ismail. We speak to Leong as well as find out what’s in-store for you.
	Dungeon remains as it is The Dungeon looks set to retain its status as the illegitimate common area for student smokers.
	BORDERS BOOK REVIEW: The Book of Other People by Zadie Smith In this book of other people, Zadie Smith indulges the kay-poh in you. Poking your nose into other “people’s” lives has never been more fun.
	BORDERS BOOK REVIEW: Deception by Philip Roth Author Philip Roth observes a relationship begotten by desire and despair in his novel Deception.
	This Film is Not Yet Rated - Censorship Uncensored Talking to a panel of speakers from both ends of the media industry – the filmmaker and the censor – a baffling discovery about the censorship board’s attitude towards local films is made. the ridge watches as MDA, like a shy girl, skirts the issue and beats around the bush.
	Tissue paper one-dollar: the reporter’s notes News editor Tan Tze How Kelvin, shares a part of his reporter’s journal on his story in the February issue of The Ridge
	Faculty club misused NUSSU stamp Why are commercial advertisements pasted all over campus corridors?
	Tilting Our Plates to Catch the Light Poet Cyril Wong reads two poems from his latest collection of poetry, Tilting Our Plates to Catch the Light.
	A Clean Breast This February, we pay tribute to filmmaker/pornographer Russ Meyer who walked the fine line between art and smut and came out tops.
	Switchfoot Splashes into Singapore At once a rock concert and an intimate affair, Switchfoot’s first-ever Singapore gig was an experience for the senses.
	FoS, FoE and SoC students showcase research projects National Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme Congress is the culmination of months of hard work by student researchers.
	NUS Co-op says goodbye to free plastic bags If you had popped by the co-op earlier today, you might be wondering why the cashier auntie did not give you a plastic bag for your items.
	Love is in the Heir Eusoff Hall celebrates their 50th anniversary with their satirical tragicomedy Love is in the Heir. the ridge graces the event and reviews the show.
	Beautiful Beasts Kick off the year with a blast into Java’s mythic past.
	The Ridge February: Nymphomania the ridgeFebruary issue tackles sensitive issues like the results of the sex survey and an interview with a HIV-AIDS patient. Full transcripts available here.
	SDP: Reform the election system A campaign for electoral reform is in the making, the ridge finds out more.
	Dick Su On Singapore Dreaming Dick Su, the protagonist of local film Singapore Dreaming discusses the movie at In-Fusion 2008.
	Love in the Time of Cholera In anticipation of our February print issue NYMPHO, the ridge reviews Mike Newell’s adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez’s much-loved classic.
Blog reads on NUS at
Taking a look @ NUS University Town — hosting the Youth Olympics athletes Warren Campus looks set to start off 2010 with a big Olympic bang. Story Behind Singapore Authorities’ Attempts to Stop NUS Students’ Walk for Burma the ridge writer, exchange student Pia Muzaffar Dawson, and her stand against authoritarianism. Thoughts from the ridge In a conservative society like Singapore’s, where everyone believes in minding their own business and hanging out with their own cliques, a foreign student is forcibly made to face the agony of having to deal with an emotional roller-coaster ride. Company pitches at the NUS Facebook course Companies suggest ideas for Facebook applications that students can work on. NUS - Going (more) green NUS becomes more environmentally friendly by adopting a 25 degrees Celsius central air-conditioning policy and reducing the use of plastic bags on campus.

Tissue paper one-dollar: the reporter’s notes

Tan Tze How Kelvin | tzehow@nus.edu.sg
the ridge news
A NUSSU Publication

Feb. 10, 2008

Grab your copy of the ridge February issue to read the full article!

(Photos by Tan Tze How Kelvin)

To do the article, I sat outside Paragon at Orchard Road for an hour one afternoon.

It was just like any other day, most people were rushing to somewhere. We do not know where. Some stroll along.

And there is this group of people – making a living in between the lives of others. These “misfits” exist under the veneer of affluence.

There was this handicapped busker who plays a melancholic tune on his electrical keyboard.

Then there was also the well-clad executives preying on you – in attempt to get their insurance deal closed.

And there were the 17 year-olds persuading every person who walked pass him to buy a donation ticket.

Lastly, we have the tissue paper grannies – sitting under trees and traffic lights – waving tissue paper. – Three packs for one dollar.

It was a poignant sight.

I chose to do a story on them (the tissue grannies) because of my unusual obsession with old people and things.

As I sat down Madam Fan on the busy Orchard Road, I get from her a sense of resilience.

And as we share this space together, I know that she is there by choice – a choice to be independent and dignified.

It saddens me when I read on papers that people wrote in to get them “removed.” What is wrong with people who just want to make a living in their own rights? Furthermore, are they threatening in any way?

For Madam Tay, whom I visited at her one-room residence in Tiong Bahru, she was more “whiny” about her current state. That I do not deny.

However, she is actually quite resourceful. She sells not only tissue paper, but also instant noodles. Tay managed to survive despite having no one to turn to. And halfway through the interview, volunteers from a charity group passed her some can foods.

So does her resourcefulness make her less deserving of your compassion?

Some said “seeing is believing,” others are more sceptical. We all have our reasons – whether we choose to buy, or not.

Give these old people some credit – for trying to survive, for sitting under the harsh weather and for their resourcefulness.

Are they merely selling tissue paper? How much does your compassion cost? So what if they selling a pitiful look?

You think about it.

Highlights of January

	Away From Her Directed by 29-year old actress and director, Sarah Polley, Away From Her tells the story of Grant and Fiona, a couple whose 50-year old marriage dissolves and disappears when Fiona begins to lose her memory and self to Alzheimer’s.
	The daily affair of staying attuned University life should and must not be reduced to the mindless pursuit of grades alone. That entrenched mentality should be ridded if Singapore is to become a true knowledge-based economy.
	In-fusion seeks to bridge gaps The promotion of cultural diversity exposed cultural apathy, and possibly, culinary curiosity.
	With honours or without? To pursue an honours degree or not to pursue an honours degree, this is a question. Doyens and aspirers of media industry reveal their insights on the conundrum that faces everyone.
	CNM Organises Career Forum The CNM programme, which is the only academic department organising this type of events, cancelled most of its classes, freeing students to attend the sessions.
	Medicine and law schools debate on salaries As the debaters from medicine school questions the lawyers’ comparatively high salary, the real natures of both professions, be they altruistic or profit-grabbing, are yet to be revealed.
	Mindee Sings the Blues the ridge talks to Mindee Ong of 881-fame after the actress’s long day at rehearsal for the musical, Shanghai Blues. Despite the fatigue, the amiable Ong, amongst other things, promises a grand show.
	CNM Forum: Be Adaptable Executives from various industries talked about changes in media landscape, and how media practitioners should respond.
	Start Spreadin’ the News Zhen Goh reviews the latest Cat Power album Jukebox - released by Matador Records 22 Jan 08.
	Amputation As I elbowed my way to the front row for a good view, I could not help but feel a sense of amputation from this thing called “roots”.
	Travel Fair: a hit with students At TravelMania, both local and international travel agencies pamper NUS students’ peculiar touristic taste buds.
	UN Delegate Addresses Environmental Challenges in Singapore What do climate changes mean to Singapore? Executive secretary of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity gives you insights on UN and regional efforts in meeting environmental challenges.
	Of dry places in jaded hearts When the Soviet Union collapsed, more than just Communism lay forgotten in its resulting rubble. A young woman tells her story of the lives affected and spirits crushed forever by it.
	Understanding Schizophrenia the ridge explores Schizophrenia as a cultural and clinical disorder in our January issue. Find out more about the clinical disorder from Dr. Ann-Marie Lew, Head of the Counselling Centre at the UHWC in NUS.
	The King of Beale Street Dubbed “The King of Beale Street”, Grammy-nominated guitarist Preston Shannon, brings some soul to the UCC Theatre.
	Hearts Not Audible Every year numerous youths go through tough life moments. Negligence of their feelings lead them to delinquencies or suicides. Are their frustrated hearts audible?
	Mr. Average This little French movie which is natural and delivered as smooth as vanilla, confronts and pleasantly surprises the jaded viewer.
	Welcoming 2008 the ridge ushers in the New Year at the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown held at the Esplanade. We present you, our dear reader, the night of revelry (and debauchery) in more pictures than words.
	Slingers Mauled by Wildcats in Thrilling Contest The Perth Wildcats finished the game with seven players on double-figures and comfortably outscoring the Slingers in every quarter, having ripped the home defence apart with their big and mobile front line.
Blog reads on NUS at
Calling All Young Aspiring Entrepreneurs Young entrepreneurs! They are calling you. BookJetty now integrates with my academic library Heard of book jetty? Find out more… Event: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives on Climate Change: Economics and Business @ NUS Malay Food @ NUS Staff Canteen Cannot find proper malay makan? Try out NUH NUS president to leave for greener grass Is Saudi Arabia considered greener grass? CORS Is there really more to say? Campus Yummy Hunt Winner : Claypot House @ Frontier Canteen, NUS Claypot House wins Channel U contest. NUS Field Studies - A million reasons why you cannot miss out on this The Best Module You Can Ever Take In Your Entire Undergraduate Life. 2007 World University Rankings: NUS, NTU down National University of Singapore (NUS) appeared at #18 in the 2004 Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) World University Rankings… More E-mail Terrorism! Two Improvements I’d Like to Propose to the 29th NUSSU Exco. Vanity Fair @ NUS Brings out the HORNS in GIRLS Girls can be prim and proper ladies when they want to BUT not when NUSSU organizes the annual VANITY FAIR. Year 2 for 3 semesters Which year am I in now? NUStyle Finally, NUS matric card might have some use after all. NUS Post-it Feedback Tell us What, Tell us Why, tell us Where but please also tell us WHO! NUS Ads NUS recently started placing full-page ads in Straits Times. damNUS Question: How many Ph.Ds does it take to make the connection between the letter “N”, the words “NUS”, and “join”? Speaking for 4 hours to a Stranger in McD The environment got too quiet and I decided to just strike a conversation with our generous stranger.