Nathanael Ps | nathanaelps@gmail.com
theridge transmedia
A NUSSU Publication

ww.loretteroberts.com

British artist and illustrator Lorette E. Roberts has just launched her new book, “Singapore, Sketches of the Lion City”- a collection of sketches, water colour paintings and illustrations that describes the unique experience that is Singapore. In her sixth illustrated book (and her first about Singapore), she gives her readers an insight on the life, culture and traditions of the various places in Singapore. Her work features popular tourist spots such as the Raffles Hotel, the Marina and Orchard road as well as the less well known areas such as the Kranji farms and the Art Bridge. Readers are in for a visual treat as they experience page after page of Lorette’s dynamic and fascinating drawings. Be you a tourist, expatriate or local, the book has something for everyone.

Born in 1945, in Bath, England, Lorette had taken a keen interest in drawing since a young age. Over the many years, she has experimented with various themes and techniques, developing her own style of water colour sketching. Armed with just her pencils, water colours and sketch pad, she usually does her sketching on location if time permits. An avid globetrotter, Lorette is a self confessed ‘Asiaphile’ who frequently visits China, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore. No stranger to travel, she has also resided in the USA, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Hong Kong. It was in the Cantonese island that she first attempted sketching as a means to preserve her memories of her stay in her city. One thing led to another and she soon published her first sketchbook, “Sights and Secrets of Hong Kong” in 2003 which sold over 15 000 copies. Over the next four years, Lorette published four more sketchbooks on China and Hong Kong; receiving international acclaim for her illustrations. She currently resides in Suffolk, United Kingdom and continues to host various joint exhibitions both at home and abroad.

For more information about Lorette and her work, do visit her website at ww.loretteroberts.com

Aaranya Rajasingam | aaranya.rajasingam@gmail.com
theridge transmedia
A NUSSU Publication

Have you ever been in that bubble where you are sucked into the world of the artist and it becomes part of your own, not only in building multiple facets of reality, but also, in reflecting your reality in a variety of ways? The Next Wave 2009, presented by the NUS Dance Ensemble on Friday the 18^th of September, was a night of such introspection and revelry for both the audience and performers alike. It was a platform for new choreographies by both guest choreographers such as the award-winning choreographer Mr. Dan Kwoh, Ensemble alumni members as well as the resident choreographer of the Ensemble, Zaini Mohammad Tahir.

The Next Wave 2009 was part of the annual celebration of dance entitled “Dance Reflections” organized by the NUS Centre For the Arts (CFA) and was yet another stepping stone for the Ensemble in their aim to not only showcase new talent but also to explore and widen its existing repertoire. They were able to perform a variety of rhythms and movements, from the traditional to the unconventional, incorporating dance movements such as contemporary, jazz, ballet and hip-hop in their multi-faceted repertoire.

The evening opened with the moving piece titled “Rapture”, choreographed by Shahbirul Zaki Ahmad who was one of the pioneer members of the NUS Dance Ensemble and is now a well known local choreographer. The black costumes and powerful dance movements combined with effective lighting evoked a feeling of pain and searching. The dancers’ repetitive, constant motion of “stripping away” emphasising a search and the revelation that was to be found at the end – that could have well possibly meant a new beginning.

This was well-matched by Dan Kwoh’s choreography of “In My dream”, which saw the continuous exploration of the motif of searching and longing. The depicted dream-scenes lead us to dear ones that have passed away who live on, beyond mere picture frames that are brought to life on stage, and precipitated the question if all dreams are made out of real things? Possibilities bloom in that hushed, concentrated space where the imagination rushes in. Nonetheless, one felt that there was little need for props such as frames for such an emotionally-charged performance.

“Conversations” by Zaini adds momentum to the repertoire of soul-searching, where he explores the nuances and difficulties of Asian cultures that place an importance on the “face” as representation of communication in an era of technology and modernity where individuals no longer need to be physically present in interactions. The angular formations help highlight the chaotic and organized spaces of our lives and the need to negotiate them constantly.

The Deyi Movement and Dance Group, who has risen to fame through their many performances overseas, especially their performance as the largest contingent for the opening of the South Asian Games 2009, also performed a powerful and evocative peace full of regal flavour.

There was a display of novel themes, such as the inner conflicts and turmoil of a prison inmate depicted in a number choreographed by Julihanna Annuar and Nazri Ishak, entitled  “One.O.Seven”,. Interesting formations and jail pillar props enhanced the suffocation of a death row inmate whose initial denial progresses to a state of acceptance and inevitable resignation to his fate.  It was a perfect foil for “Crush Blush” by Chen Jiexiao which took off on a lighter note, taking audiences young and old down memory lane, reminding them of first kisses and young love. The dancers were transformed into school-going students and displayed the pleasure and innocence of youthful affections. The song “Oh It Was Love..” soon had the audience humming and tapping along to the beat. “I Know” by Huang Zheng on the other hand identified important aspects of our society, where even knowledge and power can sometimes have adverse effects on our holistic growth, and emphasizing the importance of an old world charm and innocence that modernity seemed to have lost. “Rhythm Stylus” was a show stopper with their love for simply dancing showcased through jamming beats.

The range demonstrated by the different pieces on Friday was quite remarkable, as if they were testing how diverse your taste could be. However, they were all carried by enthusiasm for performance itself. It was evident that such a curious blend was only made possible through the bold choreographies that strove to transcend fixed stereotypes within the various dance forms. The atmosphere that evening was charged with excitement and expectation and the performance was both exhilarating and new. The costumes were very well-put, matching the mood of each performance and the lighting managed by Lighting Designer Roy Chooi complemented the evening throughout.  All the hard work clearly paid off as the dancers had impeccable timing as they performed their various formations with grace and vigour while they glided across stage to a packed auditorium, almost seamlessly at times. It was an enchanting performance by a gifted troupe of performers.

2nd – 11th Oct 2009,
Gala Premiere: Paris 36
Tay Huizhen | benediction.jay@gmail.com
theridge transmedia
A NUSSU Publication

http://www.showbizcafe.com/public/images/upload/poster_large_544.jpg

It began as Singapore’s very first foreign film festival, and in 2009, the Singapore French Film Festival is now into a remarkable 25th year. As part of “Encore! The European Season”, the festival line-up exhibits an overt aim to ‘reflect French cultural diversity,’ in offering diverse film genres ranging from romantic comedy to the police drama and even animation. In his opening speech at The Grand Cathay, the Ambassador of France to Singapore, H.W. Olivier Caron also highlighted a unique showcase of the ‘ongoing vitaliy of French cinema’ through this year’s focus on debut directors.

Kickstarting the festival is “Paris 36” – the highly-anticipated film by director Christophe Barratier after his critically-acclaimed box office-hit, “Les Choristes” (2004). To be released commercially in Singapore on the 8th of October, the film depicts the struggles of the workers of a small-time vaudevillian theatre in a Parisian faubourg in 1936.

While the recognizable plot outline has already been done countless of times [recall “Le Dernier Métro” (1980), and a more distant but recent example in “Synedoche, New York” (2008)], Barratier’s tribute to the golden past of Paris makes for a decent outing at the movies.

Fans of Christophe Barratier do not go to his film screenings expecting an edgy portrayal of Parisian life. The director is known more for portraying feel-good, heart-warming themes of camaraderie and the French spirit à contre-courant. These are again re-visited in “Paris 36”, in which the humble workers of La Chansonia, as the theatre is called, are given a month to succeed and rescue their theatre and ‘the love stories it has seen’ from ruin.

What we have come to anticipate from Barratier, instead, is his skill for drawing the viewer into the heart of the action in as enchanting and magical a way as possible that carries with it the whimsically nostalgic attraction of French sensibilities. In the film, he fully exploits this charm in painting lush, picturesque depictions of Parisian life circa 1936.

Images of quaint café scenes and romantic rooftop sequences abound and set the mood for a visually-rich film. Other than brief references to historical and political changes of the time, however, the audience is given a taste of Paris straight out of fanciful sketchbook pictures and nothing more. If such is exactly his focus, Barratier nonetheless artfully executes through some deliciously breathtaking camera angles and affords the film visual depth through multiple experiments with the long take in many scenes.

Given the overwhelming success of “Les Choristes”, comparisons must undoubtedly be made and the somewhat safe, ‘storybook’ tale of “Paris 36” does not quite carry the authentic emotional poignancy of its predecessor. While it is also hard to tell if the soundtrack of “Paris 36” will in time be as memorable as “Vois Sur Ton Chemin”, there are some notable musical numbers in the former which echoes Barratier’s beautifully simple compositions.

Most of these are delivered by the reel starlet and novice songbird named Douce (Nora Arnezeder). Arnezeder’s clean, penetrating vocals in playing the part are a perfect fit for Barratier’s songs. Her energy in both intimate and spectacular scenes – including one with a slight Berkleyesque reference – is a force that lights up the entire film.

http://www.allmoviephoto.com/photo/2009_paris_36_004_big.html

Barratier also brings back familiar faces Gérard Jugnot (Clément Mathieu), Maxence Perrin (Pepinot) and Kad Merad [Chabert, but who also starred in the previous year’s festival highlight, “Bienvenue Chez Les Ch'tis”] from Les Choristses, with the first two, continuing their chemistry as reel-time father and son Pigoil and Jojo Pigoil.

With award-winning films and many of which Singaporean audiences do not usually get to see on the local big screen, the French Film Festival is indeed a highlight of the local arts calendar. Here’s to hoping that the organisers will bring “Le Petit Nicolas” to 2010’s.

Paris 36 is now showing in cinemas.

For more information, please visit: http://www.alliancefrancaise.org.sg/

Jane Antony | janesakura@gmail.com
theridge transmedia
A NUSSU Publication

The stories employ the themes of addiction, desperation and general decay that have sustained Self, a prominent ex-addict himself, throughout his prolific writing life.

In his latest release Liver: A Fictional Organ With a Surface Anatomy of Four Lobes (2008), Will Self has written a delectable collection of four stories themed around the title. Self, being the kind of acerbic satirical writer he is, ensures that there are strange reversals of fortune along the way in these stories – as is always the case in his brilliant and disconcerting conceptions.

The stories employ the themes of addiction, desperation and general decay that have sustained Self, a prominent ex-addict himself, throughout his prolific writing life. Although the three stories set in London – Foie Humain, Prometheus and Birdy Num Num – do not possess Self’s habitual aura the material has sufficient appeal to hold the reader’s undivided attention.

In Foie Humain the plots revolves around the lives and some key events of the regulars at The Plantation Club in Blores Court in London. These include the acquisition of a bar boy called Hilary, trips to the art exhibitions or plays of the regulars and funerals for some of the regulars. Everybody in the story is either a hard drinker or being groomed to be one. The decay and detritus that builds up within the club over the years parallels the build up and eventual decay in Val Carmichael’s (The Plantation Club’s landlord) Liver.

Eye-catching in Foie Humain, is a song praising ‘a Red Admiral butterfly poised on a purple spear of buddleia’. Self relates the appreciation of the beauty of small things to redemption from the cruelties of fate.

Prometheus tells the story of a successful advertising copywriter who can sell anything to anyone at any time. But things go wrong when he meets Zeus, an influential entrepreneur with a beautiful albeit manipulative wife. Birdy Num Num opens in Tony Phillips’ subterranean Kensington flat where obsession is normal and addicts spend their days in the realm of cocaine and heroin.

Liver takes off with Leberknödel, which is the fourth ‘lobe’. Refreshingly different compared to the previous three stories, Leberknödel follows Joyce Beddoes, a retired hospital administrator with terminal liver cancer, as she travels to an assisted-suicide clinic in Zurich with her alcoholic daughter. She declines her precisely calibrated dose of poison at the last moment, and experiences an unexpected recovery. The writing is less labored, subtle in its effects and surprisingly moving.

The four stories share an inherent longing for something beyond themselves: they rely on a weird assortment – a Martian, a supernatural vulture, a sentient virus, or an unconfirmed miracle – to animate their mundane worlds of bar, office, street and clinic.

As with much of Self’s fiction there is a heavy emphasis on certain elements of the prose. In each of the stories the city it is set in is described in detail. For example the area of London in which The Plantation club is set in is described from the point of view of an idle wanderer. The intertwining alleys are described along with the masonry, architecture and history of the buildings. This helps to establish not only the surroundings for the story but to also give a strong sense of scale.

Self also continues his love of words. His previous works has at times been overloaded with obscure and obsolete words and although less prevalent in this collection there are still some examples that may require some looking up. Self is also not afraid to use elements of foreign language in his prose and this is most apparent in Leberknödel.

This collection of four stories use the liver as framework and controlling metaphor, but is less interested in the organ as a metabolic regulator than in what happens when it’s damaged beyond repair. At this point, Self’s gift for satire kicks in and the result is prose so vicious it may not go down as everyone’s cup of tea.

Chrissy Phoong | yoke.xi@nus.edu.sg
theridge news
A NUSSU Publication

Back in August this year, the ridge news reporter, Chrissy Phoong, left for Sweden to embark on a one-year National University of Singapore Overseas College (NOC) programme.

In the midst of settling in, she writes back to share with us her experiences leading up to the trip and about life over at Sweden.

photo credit: Chrissy Phoong

Here I am, in Sweden!

Making my way out of the large metallic revolving doors, I was greeted by a cool 20°C draft. I could barely believe I am really in Sweden!

Sweden is a nation of many facets. It is the land of the Vikings, Odin, Thor and Valkyrie. The land that gave birth to ABBA, IKEA, Ericsson, Alfred Nobel and the Ice Hotel.

And here I am, in the heart of the country – Stockholm, the first European Green Capital.

The welcome sign in Arlanda airport said, “Välkommen till Stockholm,” and it marks the start of my one-year journey under the NOC programme.

Applying for the NOC Programme

The NOC is a university level unit programme that caters to academically-inclined students with an interest in exploring entrepreneurship.

Application begins with the filling of an online form, to be accompanied with two recommendation letters.

Next, I had to get through two interviews conducted by the NOC office and at least one more by the hiring company.

Once hired, there was still getting my Visa and residence applications, module mapping as well as the final CAP review to get through.

Prior to my application, I have heard of how students found the application a hassle because of the citizenship criterion, rounds of tough interview sessions and the need for a strong co-curricular activities (CCA) record.

But I discovered these to be largely untrue after sitting through my own interview with the NOC office held in February.

I found that foreign students are not necessarily disadvantaged compared to Singaporeans.

Although good grades or an active CCA record do increase your chances, it is more important to demonstrate the certain attributes during your interview.

They are: a passion for learning, dedication and most importantly, the commitment to continue to contribute to NOC even after your return to Singapore.

Packing My Luggage for Sweden

Packing was not as nerve-racking as the application process but it was no piece of cake either.

I was venturing into unfamiliar territory completely unaccustomed with the Swedish lifestyle, dress sense and weather. Having a luggage weight limit of 30kg meant that I needed serious strategizing.

Thankfully, I have found an infallible strategy when it comes to packing clothes – stick only to the basics.

In fact, there is no need to bring too much along because you can shop for them in Europe. I am constantly blown away by how well-dressed the Swedes are. I have also learnt that black leggings are a must-have for the ladies.

Another tip: Forgo bringing along your electrical appliances as you can get them there.

No matter how important your electric iron or hair dryer is to you, I would not recommend bringing them along. This is because their voltage requirements will probably be incompatible with the local voltage supply anyway.

I learnt this lesson the hard way. Two days into my arrival at Stockholm, I had lost two travel adaptors to voltage supply incompatibility issues as I attempted to use them with my Taiwanese portable stove. I have given up since.

Instead, I recommend that you save your luggage weight quota for bringing your home-made, local spices and cultural gifts over to Sweden instead.

Now, that is something you cannot find in Europe.

photo credit: Chrissy Phoong

A Completely Different Culture

When I finally arrived in Stockholm on the Aug 13, 2009, my enthusiasm had grown to the extent that my batchmate, Huy, had to warn me not to get too excited.

Paraphrasing anthropologist Michael Winkelman’s four stages of cultural adaptation, he warned, “Chrissy, you’ll only get more culture-shocked (later).”
True to Winkelman’s words, I am still learning to adapt to my new environment.

One way Sweden is different from Singapore is her keep-right traffic rules. Even on escalators, Swedes would keep to the right to allow those in a hurry to pass by on their left.

Another interesting fact about Stockholm is how liberal they are with their pets. Pets are allowed in shopping malls, restaurants, elevators and even onto public transport.

It is such a pleasant sight to see well-trained and obedient Labradors and German Shepherds weaving noiselessly through the crowd in the busy Tunnelbana train stations.

photo credit: Chrissy Phoong

The NOC Experience Still the Highlight of Stockholm

But with all the thrills I am getting from the serene lifestyle and beautiful architecture here, nothing beats the anticipation I felt when I met my employer for the first time on Aug 18, 2009.

To promote entrepreneurial involvement, the NOC programme places greater emphasis on internship performance and business case reports than theoretical modules.

Hence, technically speaking, I am first and foremost a full-time intern at my employer – biofibers company Organoclick AB. And secondary to that, I am also a part-time student in the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH).

Collecting my thoughts

When you are in NOC programme, you are among a fraternity of highly motivated people with similar goals of advancing themselves for future success.

One of my seniors, Edmund, had this to say about NOC, “Every day here is a learning experience. Be it about the Swedish culture, the environment or the people… heck, you’d even learn about yourself in the process!”

My exact sentiments too.

John Perez | j.perez@nus.edu.sg
theridge news
A NUSSU Publication

Singapore has proven itself as a fantastic tourist destination. A clean and safe environment coupled with a superior infrastructure and cultural diversity, it has attracted many visitors worldwide.

Of late, however, it is the collaboration between Singapore’s medical and t industries that is taking the country by storm. Positioning itself as a medical tourism hub, Singapore now serves close to 200,000 foreign patients every year, said Express Health Management.

Medical tourism defined

Defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “the crossing of national boundaries to obtain medical services and health care,” medical tourism has been on a popularity rise for many reasons.

Firstly, medical procedures can be cheaper by up to 50 percent in Singapore. A heart valve replacement in the United States costs $60,000 while one done in Singapore is only $12,500, according to Focus Singapore.

The second reason is efficiency. Countries like Canada have waiting lists stretching to 16 weeks for non-emergency surgeries such as cataract removals. In contrast, most medical tourism packages here include immediate visits to doctors.

But speed and savings are not the sole reasons for the increasing popularity of medical tourism. Many people simply want the best healthcare possible.

“My uncle comes to Singapore for his kidney dialyses because of the country’s excellent healthcare,” said Ryan Wee, a second-year Engineering student.

The National University Hospital as part of the medical tourism industry

Given the rising popularity of the medical tourism industry, it is no surprise that the National University of Singapore sees her fair share of medical tourists.

In fact, the National University Hospital has an International Patient Liaison Centre to cater to any foreigners who fly over for medical purposes.

In addition to the usual offerings of healthcare services, NUH also provides accommodations, airport pick-ups, language translation, flight reservation and visa extension services, all of which are part of a range of additional services that the hospital offers to its visitors.

Living by its philosophy to provide seamless, accessible, effective and affordable care, there are special phone lines created to cater to the foreign visitors from countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam and China.
To make their visitors feel welcome and taken care of, advertisements, brochures are printed in over four different languages. And with the extra miles NUH goes for its visitors, it has built up a strong track record amongst its foreign patients.

In 2007, Vietnamese Mr. Phuong Khanh, was admitted for blood clots in his brain as well as cardiovascular problems. Vietnamese hospitals referred him immediately to the NUH as his age made surgery more difficult. The procedure went well and Phuong Khanh recovered.

“My father is really grateful to Professor Lee and all the other doctors and nurses at NUH because he has been treated so well. Everything was explained clearly and it made us confident. Even the nurses made sure he understood what he has to do to keep healthy,” said his daughter when asked about NUH’s medical services.

Another notable case is that of Mr. Alain Chaloux who suffered back pains for six years.

Tired of the long medical waiting list in his home country of Canada, he flew to Singapore and was able to meet with a doctor within a few hours of his arrival. He was treated swiftly and efficiently and is now sure that the pains are now behind him.

“Everything was perfect from the time we got off the plane in Singapore. Professor Wong explained everything to us, which made us feel confident and the nurses took excellent care of him,” his sister Ms. Julie Chaloux said.

“We will certainly recommend Singapore to anyone frustrated with the long wait for medical care in Canada,” she added.

Spotlight on Singapore

At present, Singapore’s annual revenue for medical tourism alone is three billion US dollars every year.

Three government agencies, the Economic Development Board, the Singapore Tourism Board, and the International Enterprise Singapore, have been quick to pick up on the trend. And capitalize on the growing medical tourism industry.

There are now about a dozen internationally accredited hospitals in Singapore, with many equipping themselves with international patient centres.

Singapore’s efforts to establish itself as a medical hub have paid off as the WHO ranked Singapore the sixth best health system in the world. In addition, Singapore has made a name for herself internationally in the fields of cardiology, ophthalmology, oncology, and dental services.

In this regard, Singapore’s Parkway Hospitals lead the country in its efforts to develop the medical tourism industry.

Three of its hospitals, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital and East Shore Hospital, were among the early few healthcare service providers to receive the ISO-9002 International Quality certification in the Asian region.
But medical credentials are not the sole focus of the Singapore government. The tourism aspect is an integral factor as well.

Along with many medical tourism packages come offers for hotel stays as well as recommendations for recreation and shopping. Many of Singapore’s landmarks, like the Merlion or Sentosa, are also heavily advertised to prospective patients.

It is apparent that the phenomenon has penetrated various sectors of Singapore society and as technology, medicine and international connectivity continue to evolve, it can only grow further in popularity. Medical tourism continues to be a symbol of growth, opportunities and the sharing of skills and resources across national boundaries.

Fabius Chen | fabiuschen@nus.edu.sg
theridge news
A NUSSU Publication

In conjunction with Teachers’ Day, theridge speaks to three individuals who have experienced being both student and teacher – at the same time. They share some of the challenges they have faced, their most memorable moments and some of the important lessons they have learnt whilst assuming both roles simultaneously.

photo credit: Ou Meimin

Ms. Ou Meimin

Having won the Department of Communications and New Media’s Excellent Teaching Assistant Award in her first full year on the job, there is little doubt that Ms. Ou Meimin is revelling in her dual role as student and teacher.

Currently in her third year as a teaching assistant, she is also working on her thesis, which investigates the level of information disclosure of Singaporean youth on Facebook and whether parents teach their children about online privacy protection.

According to her, one important lesson she has learnt is that for most of the part, education is a two-way street.

“We, the teaching staff, also get to learn a lot from our students in the course of our interaction,” she said.

“This in turn gives me a better appreciation of classroom dynamics when I’m in one of my graduate classes.”

Having said that, managing both roles often leaves her longing for more time, especially when there are only so many hours in a day.

She quipped, “I catch myself wishing that there are more than 24 hours in a day, especially when students start e-mailing me more often as project deadlines – which coincide with crunch time for my own papers – draw near.”

“Colleagues tell me that I do not have to respond to all my correspondence right away but even if I choose to sleep on it, the e-mails and the work will still be there.”

All things considered, however, her experience as a teaching assistant has left Ou pondering a career in teaching full-time.

“There’s a great sense of fulfillment at the end of each semester when I see the progress of my students from their first tutorial to the end of the module.

“Also, the interaction with students and the exchange of ideas on teaching and learning with my colleagues is definitely an attractive option,” she concluded.

photo credit: Ang Hui Fang Andie

Ms. Ang Hui Fang Andie (on the left in picture)

Teaching her first class at the age of 23, one observation Ms. Ang Hui Fang Andie made was that “some of the students were the same age as me.”

And observations are something she should be rather proficient at, considering her Masters project – gathering ecological information on the banded leaf monkey – is based largely on field observation work.

“That semester was especially significant as it was my first time as a teaching assistant but everything still went pretty smoothly,” she shared.

Now in the second year of her Masters programme with the Department of Biological Sciences, Ang acknowledged that the most difficult part of being both a student and a teacher is managing one’s time.

She said, “I have to balance the work of a student, which involves attending lectures, studying and going out into the field, with that of a teacher, where I have to read up on topics beforehand and planning how to teach a lesson effectively.

“I do not wish to compromise any aspect of my field work or my teaching and so, being able to manage my time well is crucial.”

What she does enjoy, on the other hand, is being safe in the knowledge that her efforts are not for naught.

“I take pride in knowing that at the end of each practical session, the students have learnt something interesting and that they appreciate the help I have afforded them,” she stressed.

She also believes that being both a student and a teacher at the same time gives one a much greater of appreciation of the intricacies of each role.

“You begin to understand what both parties expect out of each class,” she explained.

“There is a misconception that teachers have to be able to answer any question but it is actually more beneficial when there is an exchange of ideas through the posing of questions and discussion of possible answers.”

photo credit: Chia Meng Tat Jack

Mr. Chia Meng Tat Jack

Having been awarded the Harvard-Yenching Institute Fellowship, Mr. Chia Meng Tat Jack will be leaving for Harvard University in September to study East Asian history.

But even as he prepares to embark on this exciting new challenge, the 27-year-old – who graduated with a B.A. (Hons) from the Department of History in 2007 and completed his MA thesis earlier this year – has fond memories of his time as a teaching assistant in NUS.

Over the course of three semesters, he taught two modules: HY2229/SSA2204 – Nation-Building in Singapore and GEM2005/HY2243 – Film and History; whilst working on his Masters thesis at the same time.

Looking back on the experience, he stressed that it was as rewarding as it was challenging.

“The biggest challenge was time management,” he said.

“It wasn’t easy juggling my time between my courses, research, writing and teaching responsibilities.

“However, I am very grateful to have had the privilege of teaching many outstanding students who have, in turn, also taught me many things.”

According to Chia, his love for teaching was cultivated by those who taught him in his younger days.

He explained, “I’ve been fortunate enough to have wonderful and inspiring teachers throughout my education.

“It makes me realise just how important teachers are and therefore, when I take on the role of a teacher, I will give my best to my students.”

His best was enough for one of his students who described him as “a very effective tutor who is able to bring a seemingly ‘dead’ subject like history to life” – a comment which he singled out as one of his most memorable teaching experiences.

“I was very touched when I read this comment,” he said.

“I certainly hope I can continue to ‘bring history to life’ and inspire more student to fall in love with the discipline.”

24th October – 1st November

Tay Huizhen | benediction.jay@gmail.com
theridge transmedia
A NUSSU Publication

What comes to mind on mention of dimly-lit rooms, fluffy pillows, together with soft lighting and equally soft music playing in the background? What does it suggest or stoke the imagination, of snuggling up with?

Why, a good book of course!

The bi-annual Singapore Writers Festival is back this year, with a somewhat suggestive theme of ‘UNderCovers’. Make no mistake though, connotations of the intimate are strictly along academic lines and are meant to project the idea of a more inclusive approach taken by hosts The Arts House in conjunction with the National Arts Council (NAC).

Over the week-long event, expect to see over a hundred authors, an exclusive string of book launches as well as an interesting focus on Malaysian Literature in a unique extension of 2007’s theme of ‘Crossings’. Malaysian cartoonist Lat will be present, alongside Singapore’s first full-time manga artist Wee Tian Beng. Take a peek also, into the emerging works of young writers like Shamini Flint and Wena Poon.

Engage first-hand in works as wide-ranging as a novel about an East Timorese resistance fighter’s experience, Spanish children literature and the works of a local librarian that are anything but humble.

‘Little Lit!’ – a series of children-specific programmes, alongside novel pre-event programmes such as July’s 144-hour Reading Marathon at the National Library and The Proletariat Poetry Factory at Raffles City are all part of a dense line-up for a wider audience.

Aside from customary meet-the-author sessions, a multi-disciplinary approach also introduces film screenings, visual art exhibitions and workshops for aspiring writers. In addition, authors of the novel-to-film adaptations, Dai Sijie’s [“Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress” (2002)] and John Boyne, [“Boy in Striped Pajamas” (2008)] will both be making special appearances at the festival.

Aptly in lieu of Halloween is a considerable volume of horror and thriller fiction as part of the festival highlights. For a uniquely Singaporean take however, look no further than a panel discussion eerily entitled ‘Dissecting the Merlion’. Eight writers of diverse literary backgrounds, including Ng Yi-Sheng and Alfian Sa’at will re-ignite epic debates and lingering issues surrounding the uniquely Singaporean icon.

If you have not already caught a glimpse of literary superstar Neil Gaiman of “The Sandman” series fame during his previous visits to sunny Singapore, then this would be the perfect time to do so as well. On this trip, he will collaborate with The Dresden Dolls’ Amanda Palmer in a highly-anticipated reading of their macabre new photo book, ‘Who Killed Amanda Palmer’.

With literary luminaries like 2008 Man Booker Prize winner Mohammed Hanif (author of “A Case of Exploding Mangoes”), renowned Japanese screenwriter, novelist and playwright Taichi Yamada (author of “Strangers”) and NUS’ very own Emeritus Professor Edwin Thumboo gracing the festivities, this year’s Singapore Writers Festival looks set to be an exciting one with something for everyone.

Registration for the events has already opened. For more information, please visit http://www.singaporewritersfestival.com/

Raghuraman Uthaman | raghuramanuthaman@hotmail.com
theridge
A NUSSU Publication

theridge takes a look at the ever popular English Premier League and takes a shot at predicting how the saga plays out over the coming season!

12 weeks of agony have ended. The source of excitement and entertainment for many, over the weekends, is finally back. A whole new season of thrills and spills, of top-of-the-table clashes and relegation dogfights, of managers mouthing off at each other, of players sniping at each other, of the fastest and most physical football on the planet. Welcome to the Barclays Premier League.

The managers had 12 weeks to work their magic. In the transfer market, even non-football fans would have heard of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s 80 million pound move to Real Madrid. The Manchester United camp is divided on this issue, with some bemoaning the loss of their top scorer while others are glad to be rid of his prima donna ways and the opportunity for the other players to step up. However, what the Manchester United camp would probably unanimously agree on is that Carlos Tevez has turned traitor by going to Manchester City. Manchester City has earned the rancour of many a football club, poaching, or trying to poach, many of their top players (look at insert below).

What is notable about this season’s transfer activity is the marked lack of high-profile signings. In fact, it could be claimed that after Ronaldo and Manchester City’s wheeling and dealing, the most striking piece of transfer news is the loss of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid (which has, for your information, spent a total of US $375 million this summer). Whether that has an impact on the quality of football, and the vaunted global appeal of the Premier League, remains to be seen.

The season proper finally kicked off over the weekend of the 15th of August. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all kicked off their season with wins; Arsenal’s being a superlative 6-1 demolition of hated rivals Everton at Goodison Park. Manchester City, despite being completely dominated, eked out a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers, getting to a good start in achieving their lofty ambitions. Liverpool and Aston Villa lost their games to Tottenham and Wigan respectively, lacklustre displays costing them the opportunity to get their first 3 points on the board. Newly-promoted Burnley lost 0-2 to Stoke, last year’s newcomers.

Did the first weekend change my prediction? Not really.

9 months to go. The writer apologises in advance if any of the predictions turn out to be horribly wrong at the end of the season. All in a bit of fun, really. Enjoy your football, and may the best team win!

Top Four.

They have experience, they have ambition, and they have top-class managers who have seen everything. Expect Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United to be battling it out for honours come January, but it may well turn out to be a two-horse race by April.

Europa League.

Manchester City have invested heavily, but the spine of the side is not yet settled and the squad looks top heavy; they will not last the season. Expect them to join Tottenham and Aston Villa in the fight for the Europa League next season.

Relegation battle.

Newly promoted Birmingham seems to have the mettle to stay up, manager Alex McLeish having done well in close-season to prepare his team for the rigours of the Premier League.Wolverhampton and Burnley look like they’re going to go straight back down, however. Portsmouth is most likely to join them; they spent most of the 2nd half of last season in freefall and haven’t really done anything to significantly strengthen.

Golden Boot.

Golden Boot to be between Didier Drogba, Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres. Barring injury, Torres has the edge over the other two due to the system Liverpool employs which requires the centre-forward to be the main source of goals, in contrast to the systems which Manchester United and Chelsea employ which heavily involve the midfield players as well.

First manager sacked.

Carlo Ancelotti is surely somewhere near the top of the list of managers who are likely to be sacked – this is no reflection on his ability but rather the demands of owner Roman Abramovich. However, Phil Brown is my prediction to face the sack first. After their fantastic start to last season, Hull City just could not get their act together and the manager was blamed. He regularly makes a fool of himself in front of the cameras and microphones and has turned into a somewhat reviled figure. He’s still in the hot seat, but Hull might very well be looking at a new manager soon.

Fair Play league.

Not many know this even exists, but the winner of this league is rewarded with a place in the lucrative Europa League. The rankings in this table are determined by the number of yellow and red cards that a team accrues over the season, 1 point for a yellow and 2 for a red. The team with the lowest total wins the league. It is difficult to envisage the outcome at the top, the bottom of the table is easier to predict. Expect one from the trio of Stoke City, Bolton and Blackburn, teams with a direct physical style which relies on strength and shutting down the opposition, to be at the bottom of that table.

Flop signing.

Would you rather a player who made his move to a new club injured, or a permanently injured player who’s lived on nothing but his reputation for the past 3 years? Take your pick. Alberto Aquilani or Michael Owen.

Lee Seng Jea | u0606602@nus.edu.sg
theridge
A NUSSU Publication

Twitter is the ultimate kay-poh’s tool. Get instant updates from your friends about what they are doing- what shoes they are wearing, who they are fancying right now, etc. This instant messaging service, which started in as late as March of 2006, has become a massive project with roughly 6 million unique visitors per month. Now, you may want to contest the actual number of users, but suffice to say it’s a substantial amount. But what has Twitter been really used for? A recent survey has shown that 40 percent of Twitter posts are pointless babble. What actually constitutes ‘babble’ is of course debatable, but stuff like ‘I just walked past a tree’ is utterly boh-liao. It is easier to think of Twitter more as ‘online gossip’ than anything else. Twitter sentences are short (limited to 140 characters) but this is hardly a problem for most users today, having been trained in the art of keeping their SMS messages within 160 characters.

One of the more famous examples of Twitter use is Ashton Kutcher’s tweets. With a whopping 3.31 million ‘followers’, he is one of the most followed people on Twitter. Followers get the latest gossip on what he’s doing and what youtube videos he’s watching. Twitter messaging has also evolved to facilitate the reading of tweets. For example, tweets with a ‘#’ followed by a name are channel tweets. They are a way of grouping certain tweets under the same topic (e.g. #iranelection, #welovethenhs). Tweets with a ‘@’ followed by a username is a ‘personal’ message although everyone who follows that Twitter user would still be able to read that message (e.g. @aplusk). These symbols (i.e. @, #) are revolutionary and have helped catapult Twitter into competition with Facebook. This is because Twitter now allows for online searches of tweets, and symbols like these help users search for real time information about virtually anything, including a friend’s life.

However, not all that is in Twitter is dirt. Much like how newspaper classifieds played a part in the cold war, Twitter has also played its part- quite a big role actually- in revolutions, protests and uprisings. Some examples are the recent Iran election, the Russia-Georgia war, and anti-communist protests in Moldova. In some cases, these tweets were the war-cries that had been silenced by the ruling government. In other cases, Twitter was used to conduct large-scale Distributed Denial of Service attacks.

In Iran, many users have used Twitter to counter covert government operations aimed at snuffing out opposition protests. A day after the initial Iranian protests, many websites were banned. However, due to the dependence of key public infrastructure on these technologies, not all services could be shut. This was where Twitter, with the help of proxies, came in. Proxies are third-party websites which relay information from one website to the user- www.agentanon.com being one such website. While you are accessing Twitter.com, the government sees you as accessing agentanon.com. Iranians used Twitter to assemble themselves, by gathering protesters despite Mir Mousavi’s (the opposition) attempts to calm protesters down to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. Indeed, Twitter became such an important tool in the protests that the US Department of State requested that Twitter delay the planned upgrade of its servers, which would involve shutting the service down, until the Iranian protests were over.

Over in Moldova, a crowd of 10,000 protesters gathered in the city centre to protest the government leadership. They had used Twitter (as well as Facebook and other real-time messaging services) to co-ordinate their efforts. Although the protests didn’t bring about any revolutionary change in the country, they did exhibit the ability of such services to mobilise large groups of people to a common cause.

Another use (or misuse some might say) of Twitter is to co-ordinate Denial of Service attacks. A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is when large groups of computers connect to a single server simultaneously, thus jamming the server temporarily. Sounds like greek? In real life, a DDoS would be equivalent to 100,000 people storming into Old Chang Kee to buy Curry’O. Imagine if every one of those people agreed beforehand to talkcock and waste the poor employee’s time. It would then be impossible for genuine customers to buy Curry’O until the DDoS was over. Now on the internet, getting 100,000 computers to co-ordinate an attack is pretty simple. Remember that cute screensaver you downloaded? It probably contains a small piece of software which does that. That was what happened during the war between Russia and Georgia last year. The Internet in Georgia was down after having been DDoSed by Russian hackers. It sounds very Cold-War-ish, but it does happen.

Undeniably, Twitter has become an extremely popular and increasingly powerful tool on the internet. The ability to send and receive tweets in real-time is an advantage in critical moments such as during a protest or war. At the same time, Twitter passes on the latest gossip to users- making rumours spread faster than kay-pohs could ever manage.