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CONTENTS
“The Normal University Kid” Campus Map • Printing Puzzles • Module Madness Good Websites to know • Photogenic Spots at UTown Food around Campus
Off the Beaten Track: Unconventional Paths in University Life SEP • NOC • Internships Exclusive Interviews with Vincent Ng & Khoo Yi Feng
Student Life NUSSU Freshmen Orientation Projects NUSSU Committees & Consistuent Clubs • NUStyle
Miscellanea AY 2018/2019 Academic Calendar NUS Shuttle Bus Guide• Helplines
NUSSU PRESIDENT MESSAGE On behalf of the National University of Singapore Students’ Union (NUSSU), congratulations and welcome to NUS! Enrolling in NUS is no easy feat, but I assure you that this would be one of the best decisions in your life. Over the next three to five years, you will be exposed to many opportunities to learn and grow, and to make the best of what NUS has to offer. To fully immerse in this NUS experience however, you have to be curious and open-minded to the boundless opportunities around you. From the NUS Overseas College (NOC) to the Overseas Exchange Programmes, these are just a few of the wide array of programmes that NUS has to offer to cater to the varying interests of her students. In addition, NUSSU, which comprises of the Executive Committee (EXCO), 9 Committees, and her 14 Constituent Clubs, constantly organises various initiatives which would enrich your student life. Academic success is important, but University is so much more than that; and you would soon realise that student life plays an enormous role in your university years. Lastly, every full-time undergraduate is a member of NUSSU. The role of NUSSU is to enhance your university experience, promote your welfare, and most importantly, to safeguard your interests. The Union is always in communication with the University administration, to ensure that all policies that concerns students are properly reviewed before being implemented. As the Union represents you, your feedback is important to us. You can always email us at feedback@nussu.org.sg, or drop us a message on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nus.students.union. NUSSU’s doors are always open to any ideas from you. We strive to connect with all students better by hearing your concerns and feedback, and working closely with the respective NUS offices involved. We really love to hear your opinions and feedbacks, so if you have any concerns or feedbacks, remember that we are just an email away. With this, I would like to once again welcome you to NUS and I look forward to meeting you. This journey will undoubtedly be challenging, but it would also be a robust and rewarding one. I wish you the very best.
Lee Zi Quan Jeffrey (Mr.) NUS Faculty of Science, Year 4 (Graduated AY 17/18) President | 39th NUSSU Executive Committee National University of Singapore Students’ Union (NUSSU) Council
EDITOR’S NOTE A warm welcome to the incoming batch of freshies! As I write this note, my mind is going places, reminiscing the good and bad times I’ve had in NUS. From having a fatherly senior surprising me with a cup of hot tea from the arts’ canteen when I had the flu to having to work with very nasty people with extremely low emotional intelligence in school. I will also never forget the time where I took up a leadership position for an orientation camp and I broke down in the middle of Eusoff Hall’s carpark at 3:00 am, crying like a miserable kitten in front of a group of seniors because I was feeling stressed and burnt out during the execution of the camp. Despite the highs and lows that I had experienced, the campus life in NUS was nothing short of spectacular. I met so many extraordinary characters and was blown away by people with (both) intelligence and compassion. University is the best time for you to find your passion, calling, meaning and purpose in life. Don’t waste any opportunity to develop your personal growth and professional development. Be bold, daring, keep an open mind and embrace multi-dimensional perspectives. In your knowledge acquisition journey, remember that everyone is human. Be kind whenever you can. Understand that how you choose to respond or react to different situations reflects who you are as a person. Bounce back from setbacks fast. Learn from your mistakes and constantly strive to be a better version of yourself. Tell yourself that when you look back in the future, you have done everything that you possibly can and there are no room for regrets. A varsity life is not all sunshine and rainbows, and I will not paint too rosy a picture. But I can promise you, there are many heart-warming moments to create if you step out of your comfort zone and consistently show up for life. You
CONTRIBUTORS
may get hurt, and you may fail, but trust that better days will come. Even if you’ve met the most unfeeling and selfish person/task/challenge, have faith that things will turn out fine. Be the better person amidst these trying circumstances. When people expect you to give a reaction (like anger, outbursts and rage), don’t. When others want to see you fall, rise. When others want you to do others in or step on people, lift them up. Take heed that sometimes, those people with very rich, deep and vast life experiences may not be those who are older, but younger. Most of all, I hope that you will be very adaptable to change, not rest on your laurels, and use this time to hone your humility, maturity and resilience. No amount of education can teach these precious values like empathy and courage. May you have many eureka moments and find many inspirational role models to look up to while you search for your identity. Best of luck as you embark on the next phase of life. Have a tremendously good time in NUS! Welcome to NUS, welcome home! Warmest regards,
Velda Wong Chief Editor of NUSSU The Ridge 33rd Editorial Board
EDITORAL BOARD VELDA WONG • TOH WEN HUI CREATIVE DIRECTOR CHIAM DA JIAN DESIGNERS TEO GENG HAO • SOH XIAN HUI • HOR JEN YEE • TOH WEN HUI COPYEDITORS ONG HUI WEN
This publication is offered free-of-charge to all NUS freshmen and is not for sale. All photos, unless otherwise stated, are owned by their respective authors and/or from publication material reproduced from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the National University of Singapore Students’ Union (NUSSU). Overall article layout and shuttle bus map illustration designed by Chiam Da Jian. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. For any enquires, feel free to reach out to The Ridge at theridge.team@nussu.org.sg.
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“The Normal University Kid” MUST-KNOW Campus Map
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Printing Puzzles
9
Module Madness 13
GOOD-TO-KNOW Good Websites to know
15
Photogenic Spots at UTown
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Food around Campus
In this section, we introduce some nifty tips and tricks to aid your university life.
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CAMPUS MAPS BY KELMAN CHIANG
Getting around campus needs some getting used to and is not entirely idiot-proof. The NUS campus is spread out on the undulating terrain of Kent Ridge, with each faculty being a labyrinth of lecture theatres, classrooms, department offices and laboratories. With some careful observation and exploration, you will realise there is some method to this madness and you shouldn’t be too worried about moving between classes. Here are some tips for you!
PRINT VERSION
ONLINE VERSION
map.nus.edu.sg
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NUS MAPS
Useful Apps
https://virtualnus.nus.edu.sg/nusmaps/welcome/ This will serve as your primary means of navigating around campus. It is more detailed than Google Maps or Bing. In addition to showing various building names, lecture theatres and facilities, it allows you can zoom in to view detailed indoor floor plans, locate the nearest water dispenser, find out which bus takes you to your next lesson, get exact instructions to walk to that hidden tutorial room, and more.
HOW TO GET TO CLASS Classroom venues represented in your timetable or module descriptions may look like a cryptic line of random alphabets and numbers, like ‘AS6-0212’ for instance. This is not entirely rocket science, but you might still get lost nonetheless. Let’s break it down for you.
NUS Maps for navigating around campus
NUS Nextbus for live bus timings
NUS Carparks for live carpark availability
LECTURE THEATRES (LT) AND AUDITORIUMS (AUD) This is pretty straightforward. Lecture theatres are represented by the acronym LT, followed by a number signifying which lecture theatre it is. Simply refer to the campus map to locate the lecture theatre in question. Various auditoriums in NUS bear the name of their beneficiaries, such as Ngee Ann Kong Si Auditorium in the Education Resource Centre in UTown.
KNOW THE FACULTY AND THE BLOCK Most classes are held within the faculty which the module is being taught in. Exceptions to this rule include Unrestricted Electives and special modules taught in residential college programmes. Each faculty has their own code to represent their numerous blocks, with the major ones summed up in this table: FACULTY / LOCATION
CODE
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
AS
School of Business
BIZ
School of Computing
COM
School of Design and Environment
SDE
Faculty of Engineering
E
Faculty of Science
S
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
MD
UTown
UT
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NOT ALL FLOORS ARE MADE THE SAME Navigating within blocks would be the difficult part of finding your classroom. Because of the hilly terrain that NUS is built on, some buildings are higher than others. This results in confusing floor numbering of certain blocks, where the first floor of one building may be the second floor of another, even though you didn’t climb a single flight of stairs. For example, to find AS6-0212, the building number is AS6, correct floor is the first two numbers (02) and the room number follows subsequently (12). Floor and room numbers can found on the top frame of the room’s door and they run in chronological order, so you know which direction of the corridor to head towards.
PHOTO BY MELISSA
IF YOU STILL NEED HELP Follow the signs and the yellow ceiling: The yellow ceilings along various corridors in NUS go beyond just being aesthetically pleasing. Yellow indicates linked sheltered pathways within that building and sometimes between faculty buildings. Signages on these yellow ceilings can also help point you in the right direction. Ask! If all else fails, it would not hurt to ask a fellow student. For disability support: For prospective students that require student support for getting around campus, do let the Disability Support Office know! They can provide guided orientation, on-campus accommodation options and transportation aid if needed. For further details, check out: http://www.nus.edu.sg/osa/ dso/studsupport.
(retrieved from: https://chueonit.com/2013/08/27/follow-the-yellow-paneled-ceiling-faculty-of-arts-and-social-sciences-nus/)
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BY TRY SUTRISNO FOO
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No student in NUS can survive without printing. As much as we like to go green, some of us are very much tactile creatures. And sometimes, you might have to submit your assignments in hardcopy. Before we go on, you’ll need the following items: A laptop (optional) and an EZ-Link card already loaded with cash or a cashcard (optional if you are an SoC student; you get 50 pages print quota every month!) So why are we writing this little printing guide for you? Well, to begin with, not everyone has a printer *gasp* handy at home. This article will prove to be useful if computer clusters are crowded, and you’d have to wait for your turn at the computer. Or if you are not familiar with campus computers and prefer to use your laptop. See the table on the right are some printing locations you’d want to take note of.
WINDOWS USERS
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Make sure you are connected to the NUS network. Enter the network address which consists of two backward slashes ‘\\’ followed by the printer network address.
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Double click the printer to install the driver on your computer. Once done, you will be able to select the printer from the list of printers accessible on your computer.
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To assess the printer preferences, open the Printer dialog box and select Printer > Printing Preferences...
These places usually have computers with which you can send your print jobs from. This is especially useful if you wish go laptop-free for the day. Once you are there, fret not, there are usually instructions on how one may go about printing their documents. But there’s more. Here’s how you can up your printing game: by connecting your laptop to printers. This means that you can send your print jobs from any corner in NUS to a desired printer. All that’s left for you to do, is to saunter to the print stations and print your document. Be quick though, your print job will only remain in the print queue for an hour!
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Press ‘Enter’ and a pop up window will prompt you to log in. You will see a list of printers below.
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MAC USERS
01
Make sure you are connected to the NUS network. Select “Printers & Scanners” from the System Preferences menu.
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Click the “+” sign to add a printer.
Select the ‘IP’ tab and input the following parameters:
Protocol: (Usually) Line Printer Daemon-LPD Address: Key in the relevant address (refer to end of article) Queue: Select appropriate queue (A4 or A3, B/W or Colour) Name: Name this printer Location: Name the location Print using: ‘Generic PostScript Printer’ Click ‘Add’ and then select ‘Duplex Printing Unit’.
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Go to your Print Release Station and enter your computer name/login name to retrieve your print jobs. To get your computer name/ login name, go to System Preferences > Sharing.
Printing Locations Here is a list of printing locations: • Hon Sui Sen Memorial Library (Business) • CJ Koh Law Library (Law) • Science Library (Science) • Medical Library (Medicine) • Music Library (Yong Siew Toh Conservatory) • Central Library (Arts) • School of Computing (Level 1) • Goh Bros (Staff Club) • CBLC Lab (Yusof Ishak House) • Printing Corner (Yusof Ishak House) • Foogle Hub (Prince George’s Park Residences) • University Town Mac Commons, PC Commons, Level 3 Study Area • Thinklab at Computer Centre (24/7 except during certain events) • Engineering Faculty E2 and E5 REFER TO HTTPS://NUSIT.NUS.EDU.SG/TECHNUS/TIPS_TRICKS/HANDY-GUIDEFRESHMEN/ FOR THE LATEST UPDATED LOCATIONS.
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MODULE MADNESS BY ELIZABETH KAMALADIN
When I first entered NUS four years ago, I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of modules offered. In JC and Poly, there’s usually a structured system of modules or subjects, assigned to students on a yearly/semesterly basis. In university however, we’re in charge of crafting our own educational path which, while exciting, can be daunting. If you’re experiencing the same module madness, this article is for you. Read on for a senior’s take on structuring modules, planning timetables, and learning about using NUS web systems.
NUS CORS
FIRST THINGS FIRST: USING CORS cors.nus.edu.sg
NUS IVLE
ivle.nus.edu.sg
NUS SIS
myisis.nus.edu.sg
Unless you’re from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine or Faculty of Dentistry (in which case you should refer to your department for module matters directly), you will most likely need to register for your modules at the start of every semester, which is done via the Centralised Online Registration System (CORS). CORS can be confusing for the uninitiated, but essentially, it works like this. Every semester, students will be allocated 1,000 points, which tend to be distributed into two accounts, the Programme (P) and General (G) account. These are used to bid for modules from within and outside students’ home faculty/school respectively. Students are allocated P
and G points based on their faculty/ residential programme. Students can then view module listings and pick which modules they’d like to take in a particular semester, then proceed to bid for these modules in relevant rounds, which, for freshmen, is usually Round 1C. Unsure about when you should bid? You can always refer to the bidding timetable on the CORS website! There are open and closed bidding periods for each round. During open bidding, CORS displays information on the number of bidders, highest, lowest and next successful bids, while during closed bidding, which follows immediately after open bidding, no information is provided about the bids being placed (though students can continue to place bids). There is no need to rush from open to closed bidding periods however, as students can view bidding summary reports from the open bidding periods right before they closed. Plan your module choices widely! Some can get very expensive, costing over 3,000 points (check out GES1035: Singapore: Imagining the Next 50 years), while some can go for as little as 1 point.
TIMETABLING ISSUES? TURN TO NUSMODS If you’re having issues planning your timetable, NUSMods will prove extremely useful to you. An app built by students for students, NUS Modifications (NUSMods for short) pro-
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will usually need either 120 modular credits (if you are graduating within three years) or 160 (if you are enrolled in an honours track). However, some higher level modules have certain prerequisites and minimum credit requirements. GE3227 Urban Climates for instance, requires a prerequisite of GE2228 Weather and Climate. Furthermore, many honours levels modules (4000-level modules) often require students to have cleared a minimum number of modular credits in their own major.
S/U GRADELESS FIRST YEAR
vides a user-friendly way for students to plan their timetables. To use it, simply key in the module code of a module you’re interested in the app’s search bar, and it will immediately appear in the timetable spreadsheet above. Click and drag tutorials (and lectures, if the option is available) to configure your optimum timetable! NUSMods also includes other useful information, like the modular credits offered for each module and exam timings. Be cautious and also double check available lecture and tutorial slots with the NUS CORS website
and if necessary, with your faculty. As in the case of many of your seniors, NUSMods will become your new best friend for the rest of your time in NUS.
PRE-REQUISITES & MINIMUM CREDIT REQUIREMENTS
If you are experiencing something of an information overload at this point, do not worry. Luckily for you, NUS has a Grade-free First Year scheme, all to help you in your transition to university and allow you time and space to adjust to the academic expectations and social culture of NUS life. This means that whether you get an A or a D, your Cumulative Average Point (CAP) need not be negatively affected – you are allowed to exercise the grade-free option for up to a maximum of 32 MCs at first-year level and opt to include only modules you score well in within your CAP.
You have (literally) hundreds of options, so plan your modules wisely. Most modules in NUS are worth four modular credits and to graduate, you
NUSMODS
nusmods.com
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NUS INTEGRATED VIRTUAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT (IVLE) After you do get your modules, do familiarize yourself with NUS’ Integrated Virtual Learning Environment (IVLE), which is NUS’ custom designed and built Learning Management System. IVLE will become the main platform where you can access all module-related matters, including modular descriptions, reading lists, schedules, announcements, discussion forums, and lecturer information, among other things.
NUS INTEGRATED STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (ISIS) When planning your academic journey, ISIS is a crucial system that will help you greatly in your NUS life. On MyISIS, among other things, you can view your exam schedule, exam results, apply for student exchange programme (SEP) and print your unofficial transcript. You can access all these records on a semesterly basis. This system also contains the portal where you declare the modules you which to S/U. Do make sure you do not miss the S/U declaration period though – check the NUS Registrar’s email for the dates! Also note that the latest semester grades in your unofficial transcript can only be viewed three weeks after the release of exam results. Hopefully, this guide has been helpful to you as you embark on your NUS academic journey. It is confusing, but do not worry, for as the semesters wear on, you will get more and more accustomed to these various systems, and soon enough, you will be advising your juniors on how to use them too. Good luck!
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JSTOR.ORG Founded in 1995, JSTOR provides digitalised issues of academic journals, books, as well as other primary sources. To aid your essay or study research, JSTOR is a good place to go to find the information you need. Remember to download and click on the NUS Libraries proxy to allow a free download of the journals. After you have gotten the papers you need, research away!
LANES.IO Available as a Google Chrome extension, Lanes is a simple to-do app to help keep your University life on schedule. With a week view planner and daily agenda features, Lanes also allows you to track your progress and share them. For those who need social accountability, Lanes is the perfect website to share your progress with your friends. It’s basically an Instagram for productivity.
INTERN.SG For those looking for an internship for the summer or during the school term, Intern SG offers a comprehensive list of internship openings spanning across various fields. Aside from internship listings, the site also provides informative articles that delve into topics like making the best of your internship and pursuing your passion post-graduation. It is never too early to start planning ahead!
CITATION MACHINE Learning to cite and create a bibliography with no prior experience r can be pretty daunting. Luckily, Citation Machine automatically generates citations, including MLA, Chicago, APA and many other methods. All you need to do is to just find your sources and they will form the citation text for you in your chosen format. It’s that simple.
THERIDGE.SG To get the latest scoop on campus affairs or anything that might interest an NUS student for that matter, the online publication of NUSSU The Ridge is the place to go. As a supplement for the print magazines published by the club, the website features content from 5 different desks - Features, News, Entertainment, Lifestyle and Creative. From the latest openings on campus to reviews about the latest movies, The Ridge Magazine seeks to embody the pulse of the NUS community and is one worth looking out for.
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BY JULIA LOW & ANDI LEE
It goes without saying that University Town is THE hub of the NUS Kent Ridge campus. It’s known for the chatter of students bustling about the Education Resource Centre (ERC) and Stephen Riady Centre (SRC), vibrant student activities hosted by the Residential Colleges, or simply having a splendid variety of restaurants to choose from. However, UTown is also the perfect
destination for some leisure photography, be it for your next Instagram post or just to capture memories of your university campus life. Here’s a list of photogenic spots around UTown perfect for urban/ landscape photographers, as well as for a quick selfie!
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CREATE ALLEY Another overlooked spot beside CREATE. Take a detour from your usual route towards the Resource Centers or Residential Colleges to snap a few shots and appreciate the architecture and landscaping of UTown from unique perspectives.
PHOTOS BY WAI YEE
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OUTSIDE HWANG’S It goes without a doubt that composition and contrast help make a photo pop. The contrast of the concrete pillars and glass with the greenery and water feature right outside Hwang’s provide multitudes of opportunities for framing the urbanscape. Look for the perfect angle and you can easily reimagine one of the most commonly overlooked spots of UTown.
EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE COURTYARD The open courtyard at the ERC provides ample of photo opportunities - scout around the curvilinear landscaping to find the perfect composition for your photo or grab a few friends for a group picture around the stone totems!
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CREATE STAIRS Devise some dramatic flair by taking an in-the-moment shot at the stairs right in between the Create towers. Compose your photo like this one to give an illusion of escaping from the urban environment into some lush nature (spoiler alert: it’s just a road beyond).
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UTOWN GREEN The UTown Green is undoubtedly the heart of UTown, so why not snap a picture there? The lush field surrounded by the towering hostels allow for many amazing photo opportunities! Take a close-up picture by the field, or a panoramic shot to introduce a sense of scale.
UTOWN RESIDENCES WALKWAY The diagonal pillars of this walkway frame the perfect shot - combined with the rough concrete texture and amazing play on natural lighting, of course. Snapping a great picture may get a bit tricky due to heavy human traffic, but why not use them in your shot?
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FOOD ON CAMPUS
BY TOH WEN HUI
Believe it or not, the NUS campus is full of mouth-watering and delicious choices. From the various canteens around the campus to cafes around school, you will never be short of choices to eat or drink!
YONG TAU FOO First up, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences canteen, named the Deck has multiple tasty and inexpensive food choices available for all. One of the longest queues at the Deck would be the Yong Tau Foo and Laksa stall! With more than a dozen ingredients to choose from, the stall attracts even students from other faculties to try out the delicious dish! What’s better is, it’s inexpensive price! The highlight of this dish would be its unique soup base – flavourful yet not too salty, it gave the dish a sweet and lingering taste. If you are not in the mood for soup, try out their rich laksa gravy!
Prices Per piece: $0.30 PHOTO BY SHUAN SIM ON BURPPLE
Noodles/ Rice: $0.40 Egg: $0.40 Laksa Gravy: $0.40
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CHICKEN RICE Another favourite of the Deck would be the Chicken Rice Stall. Don’t be taken aback by the long queues in front of the stall during lunch hours – the stall vendors serve up plates of delicious chicken rice fast. For less than $3, enjoy a plate of fragrant rice topped with well-marinated chicken! Price: $2.50 and above
PHOTO BY ZIYUE GUO ON BURPPLE
MALA If you are looking to catch onto the mala trend recently, be sure to check out the Liang Ban stall at the upper deck. Offering a variety of typical mala items, this stall attracts many of the FASS crowd who are looking for something to spice up their lives! P/s: their 小辣 might be spicier than other mala stalls, but the kick is what makes its worth! Price: Depends [Per item: vegetables: $1, meat: $1.50, seafood: $2]
PHOTO BY ZIYUE GUO ON BURPPLE
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WESTERN Ever wandered to the Terrace between the Business School and Computing Faculty? Contrary to many beliefs that the Terrace does not serve up delicious food, the vendors at Terrace has been continually improving to dish out popular dishes to the students! Don’t ever miss the stall selling Western food at Terrace, with the ever so-friendly Uncle. Selling a variety of Western dishes such as Fish & Chips, Chicken Chop and even breakfast food, the Western stall has been present at the Terrace for decades. I won’t say it has the best Western food on campus, but the food there is certainly delicious. Also, be sure to know what you want to order before you queue up as the Western stall uncle has such an amazing memory where he will take your order and remember it even when you are at the end of the queue.
PHOTO BY POH PENG RIC ON BURPPLE
BAN MIAN If you are in for some hot soup, be sure to check out the Ban Mian & Fish Soup stall at Terrace. This stall serves up hot and delicious ban mian and fish soup, an excellent comfort food on a rainy day. Do also try out the Tom Yum soup, which is rather spicy for someone who can’t take spicy food like me. The only downside of this stall would be the slow-moving queues – as the vendors serve food slower than many of the other stalls in the Terrace. Price: $2.80 and above
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REEDZ CAFÉ A superb haunt for Western food would be the Reedz Café, hidden on the first floor of the Shaw Foundation Building. The Reedz Café used to be a favourite spot for business students (as it was once situated at the first floor of the Mochtar Riady Building in the NUS Business School); and it still is – especially since it is just walking distance away from the Business School. Other than the typical grill and fry Western food, the Reedz Café also serves up delicious quesadillas (of different fillings). Further, order any dish (except for pasta) to get two sides (a salad and another one of your choice). The spicy fries served at Reedz is a personal favourite of mine, so do try it out! Price: Mains are $5.80 and above
PHOTO BY JAMIN H ON BURPPLE
JAPANESE Next up, the Engineering faculty canteen, Techno Edge is also full of delicious treats that would satisfy the palates of any hungry student. Personally, I have ventured to Techno Edge many times just to have some sizzling hot Japanese delights. The Japanese stall serves up piping hot and delicious Japanese dishes hotplate style – a must-try in NUS. Try out their Chicken Tama which consists chunks of chicken in a savoury egg and gravy mix, paired with wakame (a type of seaweed), miso soup and rice for a satisfying meal! Price: $4 and above
PHOTO BY SARAH Y ON BURPPLE
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INDONESIAN Another highlight of the Techno Edge would be the Indonesian Panggang stall. The steamed chicken paired with BBQ sauce, topped with tons of curry vegetables (especially if you order after lunch hours) and sambal chilli, is a much-loved choice among many. Personally, I love the sauce dribbled over the chicken (sweet yet flavourful), a perfect combination with the chicken. If you are in for something fried, the stall’s rendition of Ayam Penyet is another highlight of the stall. The perfectly fried chicken which comes with a bed of salad and fried tofu is definitely worth the calories. Coupled with the sambal chili sauce, it is not surprising that the stall is a top favourite among Engineering students (and more). Worth mentioning is – this Indonesian Panggang stall has other branches around NUS, including the Deck, UTown and Frontier, hence no need to venture too far out just for some delicious Indonesian food. PHOTO BY ZIPPY LEE ON BURPPLE
Price: $3.30 and above
TAIWANESE Last but not least, the newly renovated Science canteen, Frontier has an array of exciting choices for the hungry you! Check out the Taiwanese Ichiban stall at Frontier, whose sinfully delicious fried chicken is irresistible to many (including me, at least). The alluring crispy chicken is perfectly battered; crispy on the outside yet tender and juicy in the inside. If you are in for lunch options, do consider their wallet-friendly Taiwanese bento sets – where they offer generous amounts of chicken and rice, topped with a side of braised egg and shredded lettuce with mayo. For students who are looking on lighter meals, the oyster mee sua is also a good choice to opt for! Price: $3 and above PHOTO BY MAY BERRY ON BURPPLE
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“Off the Beaten Track: Unconventional Paths in University Life” EXPERIENCES NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) 28 Student Exchange Programme (SEP) 31 Internships 34
INTERVIEWS Exclusive Interview with Vincent Ng 37 Exclusive Interview with Khoo Yi Feng 41 In this section, our seniors share their experiences on unconventional paths they took in NUS.
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PHOTOS FROM NOC
NUS OVERSEAS COLLEGES (NOC) BY RAHUL BANKA The NUS Overseas Colleges Programme (NOC) is one of the flagship overseas programmes offered by NUS. Growing technology and competition coupled with the knack of leadership and initiative has underscored the significance of entrepreneurship and innovation in the corporate ecosystem. The NOC programme has been designed against the backdrop of this innovation and tech-savvy era wherein undergraduate and postgraduate students obtain the opportunity to acquire entrepreneurial experience that they would require to start-up their own journey. The programme provides access to eleven leading entrepreneurial hubs across the globe, allowing students to take on the role of an entrepreneur at technology-based start-ups, while attending courses at renowned partner universities of NUS. To nurture flexibility, the NOC programme allows students to opt for either a full year programme or a short program. The full year programme spans 2 semesters and is open to undergraduates only. Full year programmes are offered at Tsinghua University, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Stanford University, Fudan University, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), and University of Toronto. The NOC also offers two kinds of short programmes. The first is a 3-month programme, offered in SE Asia, where students work at start-ups in SE Asia for 3 months. The second is a 6-month programme that spreads across 1 semester. For undergraduates, 6-month programmes are offered at National University of Singapore (NUS), Peking University, and Tel Aviv University and Inter-disciplinary Center Herzliya. Whereas for postgraduates, 6-month programmes are offered at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Peking University, and Tel Aviv University and Inter-disciplinary Center Herzliya.
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LOCATIONS AND UNIVERSITIES The NOC programme provides students with the opportunity to take up roles at entrepreneurial hotspots across the globe, while attending courses at renowned partner universities of NUS. The locations and the universities offering the NOC programme are stated below.
1-YEAR PROGRAMMES
SHORT PROGRAMMES For Undergraduates
For Postgraduates
For Both
PROGRAMME BENEFITS The NOC program yields numerous benefits to students that allows them to embark on a prolific and blithe endeavour. Some benefits of the NOC programme include: • • • • • • •
No extension of candidature as NOC modules can add up to 36 MCs towards the curriculum requirements in most faculties First-hand corporate exposure through taking on multiple roles across diverse industries An opportunity to build and grow a start-up Study part-time at renowned partner universities across the globe Earn a stipend to cover overseas living expenses Develop interpersonal skills and experience local cultures overseas Shortlisted NOC students can apply for awards and scholarships to cover living cost during NOC
APPLICATION TIMELINE Applications for NOC open twice a year – January and August. The application timeline is stated below: INTAKE
APPLICATION
SELECTION PROCESS
COMPANY INTERVIEWS & BRIEFINGS
START OF PROGRAMME
July
January
February
April - June
End of July
January
August
September
October - November
End of December
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STUDENT TESTIMONIALS Undoubtedly, the NOC programme provides students with valuable experiences and the opportunity to hone their entrepreneurial skills. The following are a few experiences that students have shared regarding their NOC journey.
“As the start-up scene in Singapore was gaining increasing attention, I was curious to find out more about entrepreneurship. I figured there was no better time for me to visit Silicon Valley, a place often crowned as the heart of entrepreneurship, the birthplace of start-ups. I wanted to find out what Silicon Valley is all about, and if there is anything Singaporeans can learn from. In this one year, I observed that the valley goes beyond just a physical location - it is a state of mind, where people there are extremely open to failures, they are not afraid of trying new ideas and they are constantly on the lookout for solutions that can address human’s needs. My one-year internship experience opened my eyes to the vibrant entrepreneurial culture in the valley. I woke up every morning feeling excited to start my day - I get to work with and learn from start-up founders, build up my business skills sets, take part in entrepreneurial events and mingle with the local start-up community. It is the best one year of my university life!”
“I was blown away by how the team at my start-up entrusted me with the company’s resources and responsibilities. NOC multiplies these functions for every one of its students by placing them in some of the world’s most successful start-ups. And when you’re on the job, do new things that are beyond your comfort zone; do things that give you that jolt of adrenaline that your corporate friends don’t get to feel.” - Kyle Tan, NUS Business School, NOC Singapore alumnus
- Sylvia Look, NUS Business School, NOC Silicon Valley alumnus
NUS aims to provide students with a holistic education through inter-disciplinary courses, internships, and overseas programmes. Overseas programsmes provide students with the opportunity to travel, adapt to changing environments, foster new friendships, experience different cultures and discover new interests, thereby nurturing versatility. With the NOC programme offering students with an overseas experience in academic and corporate spheres, it is a journey worth taking.
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31
OPINION
THE STUDENT EXCHANGE HOW-TO
PHOTOS FROM NUS GRO
BY LAUREN ONG
One of the highlights of going to NUS might just be the plethora of student exchange opportunities through the school’s Student Exchange Programme (SEP). To give you freshies a rough guide of what applying for SEP entails, here is the breakdown on what you have to do.
BEFORE APPLICATION
1
CHECK IF YOU QUALIFY The qualification check-list is on your faculty’s SEP Website. You have to be a registered full-time undergraduate student, a Singapore citizen or permanent resident and have successfully completed at least 1 semester upon application. For a more exhaustive list of qualifications, check out your faculty’s SEP page.
2
KEEP TRACK OF APPLICATION OPENINGS AND DEADLINES You may want to get familiar with the dates for application rounds so that you will not miss the opportunity to apply. Most openings and deadlines are announced via your NUS email.
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UPON APPLICATION
1
APPLYING FOR SEP ONLINE During the application period, the NUS Student Information System (SIS) website will show a comprehensive list of the universities available and the number of places offered for the semester. The list will also feature some remarks in the column of some partner universities, indicating their special preferences, such as minimum CAP. Another important thing to take note is the universities that straddle two of NUS’ semesters. For instance, the partner university’s first semester can run from October to February, which leads to missed classes as you will have to return late to NUS. If your return is late, you will need to take a Leave of Absence (LOA), which will count toward your candidature for this reason.
2
PICKING THE UNIVERSITIES MOST SUITABLE FOR YOU The first thing to consider is if the University offers modules that allow you to map back to NUS and can count towards your major, minor or any other graduation requirements. You can do this by first creating an Excel draft, creating a table that compares the module that you want to take at the partner university and the NUS module you think best matches it. You can find a comprehensive list of modules through the partner university’s course catalog as well as through NUSMods or your faculty websites.
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UPON APPLICATION
3
4
BEATING THE APPLICATION DEADLINE Forget procrastinating. Be smart and give yourself ample time to submit your SEP application. This will ensure a better quality of application and enough time to check the modules you proposed. Moreover, there is the chance of the server overloading and ruining the students’ chances of applying. Most faculties do not accept server downtime as an excuse to extend the SEP deadline.
COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION It would be a pity to see your incomplete application rejected. Thus, it is important to ensure that your NUS SEP Study Plan is properly updated and that you have included your personal statement. A poor statement with no clear thought process may mean a rejection of your application.
WHAT NEXT? You wait. If you are selected for SEP, an email will be sent to your NUS email account to inform you of your internal offer on SIS. All you have to do is to accept or reject that offer. If you receive a rejection, there are waitlist and appeal options, but they mostly depend on your faculty and how they decide to process things during that round. The SEP application procedure may seem like a tedious one, but if it means learning in a foreign environment and interacting with people that you would not normally have a chance to, it is all worth it. Good luck on your applications!
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ACCEPTED BY FOUR COMPANIES: MY INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE BY RENNES LEE
Speaking from experience, it was quite easy for me to get the internships I wanted. I cannot say the same for other industries like Business or Engineering because that is not the faculty I was from, so do take the tips with a grain of salt because what worked for me might not work for you. Furthermore, I’m not academically inclined, so I don’t really know the employment perks of a high CAP because mine has always been between 3.2 - 3.8. I cannot relate to the intelligence of people that have First Class Honours - such intelligence is not on my wavelength. It was easy to get an internship not because I’m a particularly talented or skilled writer. I just worked hard to prove myself. As an undergraduate, I would apply at 2 companies and only 1 would offer me an internship position. However, I managed to secure four internships and here’s how I did it(for privacy reasons I will not be naming most of these companies).
ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR LACK AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT Before I had the confidence to apply for the first internship, I knew that I needed some experience. Instead of moaning at my lack of skills, I started writing vigorously.
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I created a personal blog and wrote film, theatre and travel reviews. I started doing external courses to further my skills because my degree was not giving me any practical working skills (no shade, but it’s the truth). That helped me to land my first internship at a small start-up company as a marketing and copywriting intern.
BUILDING THAT CONFIDENCE I was not content with just one internship. I needed to constantly work at my skills as a content producer. I then dropped most of my “fun” Co-Curricular Activites (CCA) and joined NUSSU The Ridge and NuStudios, so I could train my writing and video producing skills.
DON’T KNOCK IT TILL YOU TRY IT Working at a start-up may be the craze now, but it was not the case when I first started. I will not sugar coat my experience as being extremely amazing, because it is very volatile to work at a start-up. You will not feel much stability with your work. You may have spent two weeks working on a great idea, but it can be discarded fast due to changes in the goals of the company.
I then applied for my second internship position at a documentary/news outlet. I was hired as a Digital Content Producer. By the time I had secured this position, I already had a solid portfolio and I had the confidence that I could deliver.
I did not really go in expecting much but I really learnt a lot from my experience. The one definite thing that a start-up can give you is a diverse range of skills. During my internship, I secured interviews with 5 start-up founders to do a feature article on them. I was also part of the video production team and it was such an eye-opening and fun journey. I took all these skills, knowledge and experience and applied for my next position.
DON’T LOSE YOURSELF Coming out of my second internship, I was quite empty inside. It was supposedly the best position and at one of the biggest companies in Singapore, but I was not happy.
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The thing about internships is that it is a temporary placing, so being miserable for three months is bearable. Take your internship as a learning experience, do not be discouraged when you realise that it is not a good match for you. Cross it off your list and go for the next one. I decided that the next thing I applied for had to be something which mattered to me. Having applied for this third company before, I went back to them and said that I would like to work with them to produce content for them. They accepted me immediately. I was doing this internship part time while I was schooling, so that was quite a challenge for me. For anyone who wants to do a 6-month internship, I would suggest that you take a Leave of Absence or LOA. You can apply for it on www.myisis.nus.edu.sg. Do note that your graduation would then be delayed and you would start working later than your course mates. So make sure you weigh out the pros and cons!
QUEUE UP You know that you’ve made the right decision when companies don’t just accept you, but they go out of their way to find you, call you and offer you a job. Having been through 3 internships, I was determined that that would be it. I’m old and tired and I need a job. I applied for a full-time position at another documentary/news outlet and one internship at another company. I was offered a job and told them to wait because I accepted my internship. By the time you read this I would have already graduated. So, it makes no sense for someone of my experience to go for yet another internship (especially since I was offered a job). But hey, when Disney comes knocking, who am I to say no? To everyone, with big dreams and a good work ethic: don’t give up, work hard and keep going at it. If you are not getting much luck with your internship applications, just know that that is not the only route to success, try gaining that skill through other means such as your CCA, external courses, etc. All the best and I wish you all the success in the world.
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Exclusive Interview with
Vincent Ng
Author, Co-Founder of Happiness Festival, Junior Curator / Community Co-ordinator of A Good SpacE find happiness.
Diagnosed with clinical depression and having almost jumped off the 15th floor nine years ago, Vincent has turned his many entrepreneurial starts-stops into a recently-published book, Why You Should Fail. He also spearheaded Singapore’s first Happiness Festival (insert hyperlink to Happiness Festival website: www.bit. ly/thehappinessfestival) in November 2017 and became a curator at A Good Space since July 2017. Vincent shows us that sometimes we must accept the end of something in order to build something new.
and felt that I should find a mentor to guide me and accelerate my learning. I chanced upon an education startup on the internship portal Startup Jobs and felt drawn to their mission of enabling anyone with a mobile device to learn powerful skills from global experts to find happiness and career success. They wished to achieve that through a series of short five-minute videos that people could watch in their spare pockets of time, to learn skills like public speaking, speed reading, personal finance and more at a very affordable price.
This startup was in the self-help space and because of my experiences; the idea of making this content available to more people really resonated with me. The promise of getting to work on real tasks that impacted the company’s growth intrigued me and even through the three-month internship was unpaid; I jumped at it because I wanted to soak up as much as I could about entrepreneurship. Working for free helped me gain access to skills I wouldn’t have in Business School. Three months eventually became three years, until I left in 2016.
1) SHARE WITH US THE ACTIVITIES YOU TOOK PART IN DURING YOUR TIME IN NUS.
I had first been diagnosed with clinical depression in 2009, when I went through what I thought was a massive failure back then. Finding myself unmotivated, uninspired and disillusioned, I became a self-improvement junkie, spending all the money I had on motivational books and seminars, hoping to raise my self-esteem and
Besides this, I joined the NUS chapter of Conjunct Consulting in my freshman year. I loved volunteering but had always wondered how sustainable the social impact of us spending three hours at an old folk’s home each week was. In particular, the idea of volunteering our skills to help nonprofits and social enterprises
I matriculated in August 2013 and completed a degree in Business Administration in 2017. I had applied to Business School in hopes that it would teach me how to start a business but the reality was very different. Thus, my focus in NUS was really on trying to gain more entrepreneurial experiences, which I am grateful to have done so through valuable programmes like the NUS Overseas College (NOC) and organisations like NUS Enterprise. After National Service and before matriculation, I was reflecting on my failed business ideas over the years
PHOTO COURTESY OF VINCENT NG
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tackle their problems for long term change intrigued me. After going through their training program for a semester where they taught us basic problem- solving skills and consulting frameworks, I was selected to become a student consultant, eventually working with a local social enterprise to develop a start-up incubation program. In Year 2 of NUS, I was given the opportunity to become the trainer. This meant conducting a seven week training workshop (two hours per week) each semester for two semesters to train aspiring students to become student consultants. Hoping to create a larger social impact, I jumped on the opportunity. That experience further flamed my passion for education and learning. Year 2 was particularly tough as I was juggling my work in the start-up, my duties to Conjunct Consulting and managing my studies. There was just not enough time for me to do everything so I decided to prioritise the start-up over my grades and saw my grades fall significantly. At the time, it did not bother me as I felt what I was learning at the start-up was more helpful to my eventual goal as an entrepreneur compared to school. This routine was not sustainable as it was very emotionally and physically draining. I was up for 20 hours in a day. Then I discovered NOC Singapore (then called the iLEAD programme) and successfully convinced them to allow me to use the program to work on the start-up. I spent the entire second semester working at the start-up, with it counting as credits towards my degree – it was a win-win situation.
“One of the lessons I learnt from this was that if you don’t ask you will never know. If you don’t ask, the answer will always be a no, so know that there is nothing to lose in asking.” After the iLEAD programme, we were sent on a overseas study trip to Sil-
icon Valley, where we visited various start-ups and established companies (like Facebook and Google), spoke to founders, had a guided tour of Stanford University and attended several events. I remember that feeling of possibility in the air and feeling so inspired by how young the founders were. Upon returning, I made a bold decision to take a gap year and focus my energy on bringing revenue to the start-up. Three months into my gap year, we launched a web platform with videos from multiple experts in Singapore, including a Guinness Record Holder for memory, thinking there would be demand for the videos. Unfortunately, months went by and no revenue came in. I learnt a painful, but very important lesson then to always test a product with our target market before launching and not to make any assumptions.
was that space of non-judgment they created that helped us have deep conversations and connections with one another. At WDS, I attended a Meetup titled How to Revolutionize Higher Education by Michelle Jones, founder of the Wayfinding Academy. “Most of us are forced to pick a degree at age 18, when the real choice is what life to pick,” she said, sharing about a twoyear college she had set-up to help students discover their purpose and build a portfolio around it. There and then, I realised that my life’s calling was to serve Singapore’s education sector by setting up a similar school here to help more students find and pick the life they want to lead, finding their own definition of success and through that experience life’s ultimate goal – unconditional happiness.
With a lack of funds, we then pivoted into physical training and became a marketing company for trainers in Singapore–the complete opposite of the original business model. We eventually became profitable through this model and sustainable as a company yet I felt something was still missing for me.
Coming back to Singapore for my final year, I started learning from my mistakes in the past, deciding to test the idea before launching the school. This led me to organize a Happiness Festival shortly after graduation which brought over a hundred people in Singapore together to explore the question: what is a good life and how do I live it?
Towards the end of 2015, I woke up with a realization that I could not continue working in the start-up any longer. My values were just not aligned with the company anymore. I headed back to school to complete my education and felt a deep sense of sadness and inadequacy as I saw my batch mates building their resumes, having gone on multiple internships and exchanges. Deep down, I wondered if what I had did for the past three years was all worth it. It felt like everyone had progressed and I had regressed.
Around the same time in my final year, I met a friend who also experienced failure in her past business. We set out to find mentors who could guide us in various areas in funding, team building, marketing, negotiation; and with hard work, eventually interviewed 23 of Singapore’s top entrepreneurs who were willing to share their wisdom with us. We were learning so much and decided to write a book to share what we learnt with our friends, hoping to help aspiring but struggling entrepreneurs.
Determined to rediscover a sense of purpose, I chanced upon a conference called the World Domination Summit (WDS) in Portland, Oregon in the United States in the summer holidays of 2016 and decided to fly halfway across the world without knowing what it was after watching a video on their website – something about it just spoke to me. WDS brought together thousands of people from all walks of life around the world to explore how we can build a better world. There were entrepreneurs, social activists, digital nomads, professionals, art teachers, actors etc., and what was so beautiful
I spent most of my final year holed up in the Business and Central Libraries transcribing, researching and writing the 23 chapters page by page. This experience helped me to learn that sometimes success is about doing small things consistently. It all adds up. Eventually we published the book Why You Should Fail shortly after graduation. I’m very grateful that it was positively received, selling over 900 copies, became a bestseller in a local bookstore and received a feature in the Straits Times. With that, my life in NUS came full circle to completion.
Off the Beaten Track: Unconventional Paths in University Life 39
2) WHAT IS THE GREATEST TAKEAWAY YOU HAD FROM NUS? To build relationships rather than a contact list. In the business context, a lot of people are very transactional. We would go to a networking event, exchange name cards and only contact people when we have something to sell or want something from them. I think the most important thing we can do in university is to build meaningful relationships: not just with our friends but also with our professors. Our friends will provide us with a strong social support structure as we go through the ups and downs of life (which is inevitable). Our professors will give us a perspective that we may not necessarily have due to our limited experiences. I would lunch with professors whose classes I enjoyed and engage in deep conversations with them.
“Stand on the shoulders of giants. As a student, a lot of older and wiser people would be very open towards helping you because they like to play a part in grooming a younger person – in a sense you are part of their legacy.” Why would someone seemingly more successful than you want to help or mentor you? I pondered over the question a lot on my journey. I think there are two reasons, which primarily contribute to building lasting and meaningful relationships. One, because you are authentic. When you show up as who you really are, openly sharing your struggles, hopes and dreams, placing yourself in a space of vulnerability with a risk of being judged, you are real and people connect with that. It takes a lot of courage and self-awareness but it is really powerful. Two, when you find ways to create value for them. I translated English Whatsapp messages to Mandarin and also built a personal website to
PHOTO BY THE HAPPINESS FESTIVAL ON PEATIX
help out my current business mentor when she was struggling with both areas. Alternatively, you can work for them for free. But in working for free, remember to have a timeframe and key learning objectives and when you have met your objectives, continue to evaluate if you wish to continue working for free.
featured in the book), modeled after the World Domination Summit. We felt that the emphasis placed on one dominant definition of success such as grades in school and career achievements, wealth and status later on in life contributes to the toxic cycle of discontent, anxiety and stress we all feel.
Looking back, my mistake with the start-up was not having a clear timeline to exit. I had let my internship drag on for too long even when I was not learning much towards the end. It doesn’t have to be something technical. It could even be sending them a postcard during Christmas, sharing an article you know they will enjoy or just providing a listening ear. Do it with a sincere intention without expecting anything in return. Be a true friend.
So many of us end up comparing ourselves with others and never feel good enough; yet we rarely stop to ask ourselves: is this definition of success serving me? So, for the Festival, we brought together over a hundred Singaporeans to explore the question: what makes a good life and how I live it?
It will pay off in ways you can never imagine. Building relationships has created multiple personal and professional opportunities for me but most importantly, it has brought me a circle of friends and mentors I feel very grateful to be around with every day.
3) WHAT IS THE HAPPINESS FESTIVAL ABOUT? On 18th November this year, I organized a Happiness Festival with Raniel (one of the entrepreneurs
There were talks and games led by eight of Singapore’s most enlightened minds, together with a whole host of mystery activities and surprises! We hoped to use the Festival to test the curriculum for the Wayfinding Academy type of school we wanted to set up here. The positive response was very encouraging and we are hoping to do this annually. As for the school, we are hoping to enroll our first batch of students in January 2019, so 2018 would really be about creating more pilot tests to prove that the school can be a sustainable business. For example, in May 2018, we will be conducting a three-month program over the summer holidays, targeted at university students who might be feeling lost,
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PHOTO BY THE HAPPINESS FESTIVAL ON PEATIX
not sure why they are studying and what to do after graduation. I hope the curriculum we develop will teach them how to discover their purpose, experience fulfillment and find their own definition of success. We will pair them up with organisations to work on real projects and connect them to the network of mentors we’ve built over the years who can help them with the things they want to do. My vision is for us to complement the formal education system by producing changemakers, people who can invent their own path in this ever-changing world, picking their degree or major intentionally, knowing who they are and what they can be, instead of just being a brilliant checklist ticker.
4) WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG UNDERGRADUATES WHO ARE PURSUING ENTREPRENEURSHIP? Like Steve Jobs said, have faith that the dots will somehow connect for you in the future. Maybe life is a journey of experiments where at the end of our life, we find out how we should
have lived in the first place. If all that in my past did not happen, I would not have met all these people who I know now. In my perspective, you do not need to know 10 steps ahead, dream of it but be bold enough to take the first step. And evaluate from there. If an idea feels right to you, then make the decision and go validate it with the market because there will never be a time where there is perfect information. Put a timeline to your dreams. What does success look like? What are the objectives and metrics and by when would you like to achieve it? With these questions, you create a plan and your dreams become real. Find a definition of success that serves you and embark on a quest to find your purpose – your reason for being on Earth.
“Pursuing your passion is not meant to be easy – in fact pursuing your passion entails the caveat: what am I willing to suffer for?”
Entrepreneurship (and life) is filled with uncertainties. In fact, the only certainty is that life is uncertain. Your purpose and passion will be your anchor in guiding you through tough times. Even then, don’t feel too pressured to know all the answers now. It will take an entire lifetime to know yourself, to ask yourself what is important to you and that’s fine. Above all, keep failing (but make sure you learn from your mistakes) and know that you only need to be right once in life to succeed. Just hang in there long enough to be right once. This article first appeared on www. digitalsenior.sg.
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I N T E R V I E W W I T H Khoo Yi Feng Fo u n d e r of N U S Me n ta l H e a l th Win g
As a social service leader, young change maker, public speaker and aspiring academic, Yi Feng is known as the “mental health guy” as all his peers find him doing everything related to mental health. He is passionate about improving the community mental health-scape in Southeast Asia (SEA) through capacity-building, developing synergies and sharing knowledge. Currently, he is focused in understanding Singapore’s community health-scape and leading outreach efforts to removestigma on the people-public-private sectoral levels. Feeling especially for young persons(s) with mental illness, he committed to consistently contribute to the development of this community during his four years in NUS by founding and leading an award-winning group-up advocacy group, NUS Mental Health Wing on campus for two years. We speak to Yi Feng on how he can advise freshman and what to look out for in an undergraduate life in NUS!
1) SHARE WITH US ON ALL THE ACTIVITIES YOU PARTOOK IN IN YOUR UNDERGRADUATE YEARS IN NUS. WHAT
WAS THE HIGHLIGHT FOR YOU? Founding and leading the NUS Mental Health Wing was the greatest highlight of my undergraduate life. I am most grateful and honoured to work alongside my two amazing coheads Charmaine Lim (Psychology, 2017) and Ang Qiu Luan (Psychology, 2017) to raise greater awareness on mental health in NUS through creative approaches. Running a year-long campaign to raise awareness on campus is like running a marathon where fatigue can set in:humps might trip you and cramps can make you rethink your decision. I am grateful to be supported by these two angels and my team who made the run an enjoyable one, while overcoming obstacles, and for teaching me the value of a team.
2) WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST TAKEAWAY FROM NUS? The art of the ask. In my four years in NUS, I learnt to ask better questions.
In asking, we learn.
From kopi chats at the Deck with my professors and peers, to the bars in Phuket (SE2223) with bargirls (in studying perspectives on love) to hanging out at Angkringran (roadside stalls) in Yogyakarta (SE3550) with my Indonesian peers to conversations on dealing with trauma with Khmer Rouge survivors (SE2880), to visits with the community mental health team to persons with mental health issues who are pasung (physically restrained) for SE2660, I learnt a lot about humans, our coping strategies and raison d’être. Through asking and doing research, I became a more critical and empathetic thinker.
3) WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND SETTING UP NUS MENTAL HEALTH WING? Researchers Patrick Corrigan (2002; 2012), Tally Moses (2010) and Andy Tay (2012) identified peer stigma as one of the leading barriers preventing help-seeking among youths with mental health issues. Determined to build a stigma-free campus that’s supportive towards undergraduates in recovery as well as those at risk of developing mental health issues,
I founded the NUS Mental Health Wing in 2015 (under the auspices of the NUS Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Programme), with the vision of inspiring “mental wellness for all (undergraduates).” In 2016, I led the group to launch a year-long award winning campaign titled “Better Understanding for Better Wellness (BUBW),” to directly tackle this problem of peer stigma and treatment gap by raising awareness among undergraduates through innovative means.
4) GROWING UP, DO YOU HAVE A ROLE MODEL YOU LOOKED UP TO? I looked up to my uncles and admire how they managed to prioritise their families while still excelling at their careers. They showed great generosity to me and blessed me with my first computer and cycling trips at East Coast Park (travelling all the way from the West to pick me up).
5) WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF FIVE TO TEN YEARS DOWN THE ROAD?
leader in the social service sector. In 10 years’ time, I aspire to run a social service organization serving persons with mental health issues (PMHI) in the community. Besides management, I desire to be involved with policy / research work relating to the mental health sector to continuously improve practices to serve PMHI. With a strong belief in the importance of ground perspectives, I am currently working towards gaining in-depth ground experience serving in the mental health sector, driving innovations to create a more mentally healthy Singapore in these five years.
6) WHAT IS ONE ADVICE YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG UNDERGRADUATES WHO ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THEIR MEANING AND PURPOSE IN LIFE? Use curiosity as your compass and discover this world with your hearthead-hand in synergy. We live in an experiential economy, so step out to offer value to others and the world. By experimenting, experiencing, re-
I am working towards becoming a
Read more about Khoo Yi Feng and his inspiring works at: https://www.facebook.com/nusfass/ posts/1581015131911710 http://news.nus.edu.sg/highlights/prioritising-mental-health https://unleash.org/news/winners-of-health/
Let your curiosity guide you. flecting, applying and iterating this process, you can find yourself growing and your raison d’être showing.
7) SHARE SOME WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT YOU HAVE FOR THE INCOMING BATCH OF FRESHMAN. Prioritise your mental wellness amidst your busyness. There will be many things hankering for your attention, and you might get lost in the busyness. How well you do in NUS depend on how well you manage your time, your energy and commitments. There might be times where you experience the “FOMO” (fear of missing out) phenomenon but stand by your priorities and stay in the present to do the best you can. Make NUS your playground, to test ideas, grow your minds, fall in love and create a better campus, community, Singapore and region. You are brilliant: stay curious, stay hungry and stay present!
03 Student Life
NUS STUDENT UNION (NUSSU) NUSSU Freshmen Orientation Projects (FOPs) 44 The quick NUSSU Guide to Clubs and Committees around NUS! 46 NUStyle 49 NUSSU The Ridge Recruitment Poster 50
Here, we provide some insights on the vibrant student life in NUS!
44 NUS1101 FRESHMEN MAGAZINE AY 2018/2019
NUSSU FRESHMEN ORIENTATION PROJECTS (FOPS) BY TOH WEN HUI
New to NUS? Not to worry, the NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU) has various Freshmen Orientation Projects (FOPs) installed to give a sneak peek of what NUS life is all about!
NUSSU UNION CAMP – EXORDIA Union Camp - EXORDIA is the largest cross-faculty freshmen orientation camp in NUS. Organised annually by NUSSU, this is your chance to form invaluable networks of friends across different faculties. Bond with your fellow freshmen and seniors and forge lasting friendships that will stick with you throughout your university life! Dates: 16th to 19th July 2018
For more information... More information can be found from the NUSSU Website (http://www.nussu.org/freshmen-category/orientation) or the NUS Experience (NEXUS)’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/nus.students.union.nexus/).
Student Life  45
NUSSU RAG & FLAG A yearly flagship event and a longstanding tradition of NUS, NUSSU Rag and Flag (RnF) facilitates the integration of incoming freshmen into university, promotes engagement of our youth community and give back to the society. RnF begins with Flag Day, where NUS students from various faculties and halls take to the streets of Singapore to collect donations from the public for our beneficiaries. A fun fact, since 2000, NUS students have raised over $7 million in donations for our beneficiaries through this annual event. This is followed by Receive and Give (RAG) Day, where NUS students come together to showcase performances comprising spectacular dances and vibrant floats to appreciate the public for their kind donations. Wait no further! Spread love this summer by being a part of this wonderful experience! Dates: FLAG Day: 6th August 2018 RAG Day: 11th August 2018
PHOTO FROM OUTSIDE-IN @ NUS BUSINESS SCHOOL
NUSSU STUDENT LIFE FAIR Interested in joining a CCA but unsure of what’s suitable? Fret not, NUSSU Student Life Fair (SLF) is the right place to start! The largest annual fair, SLF showcases the exciting, vibrant and diverse campus experience that NUS has to offer. With more than 100 recreational activities to explore, chances are there will be something that catches your eyes! Goodie bags and freebies are also up for grabs, so be sure to join us for a vibrant student life beyond the curriculum! Dates: 16th to 18th August 2018
THE 9 NUSSU COMMITTEES 46 NUS1101 FRESHMEN MAGAZINE AY 2018/2019
THE QUICK NUSSU GUIDE TO CLUBS & COMMITTEES AROUND NUS BY TOH WEN HUI & GWENICE GWEE
OUR CONSTITUENT CLUBS
HALLS & RESIDENTIAL COLLEGES Beyond academic studies, the sheer number of clubs, societies and interest groups available in NUS will help to create an unforgettable University experience for you! Starting from the NUSSU Constituent Clubs – the various faculty and non-faculty clubs that organises various orientation programmes and activities, these clubs work together with the NUSSU Executive Committee to promote students’ welfare and create a vibrant student life for all.
Student Life 47
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Society
Description
Link
1
ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES CLUB
FASS Club creates and implements initiatives in areas of welfare, student life, student identity and academics for all FASS students. It also serves as a bridge between students and the FASS Deanery to build a most fulfilling university experience possible. Also, do catch our friendly FASS mascot, ARThur around!
https://www.facebook.com/FASSClub
2
BUSINESS CLUB
NUS Business Club (Bizad Club) is the faculty student leadership of NUS Business School, which strives to bring vibrancy to student life, take care of the welfare of all Business School students, and encourage pro-activity in professional development. Through our events and initiatives, we aim to forge the Bizad Spirit, foster lasting bonds amongst our fellow students, and facilitate communication with the BBA Office and other external parties.
https://www.facebook.com/nusbizadclub
3
COMPUTING CLUB
The NUS Students’ Computing Club (commonly known as CompClub) undertakes to serve the interest and welfare of more than 2,000 undergraduates in the School of Computing. CompClub also leads the charge for student life in SoC, facilitates new initiatives and organising academic and social events regularly to increase faculty vibrancy.
https://www.facebook.com/nuscomputing
4
DESIGN & ENVIRONMENT CLUB
Established since 1999, DE Club has evolved from a club which has organised a number of student orientation camps into an active one that covers all aspects of students' life such as academics, career planning, welfare and student vibrancy to enrich SDE students' NUS experience.
https://www.facebook.com/nusdeclub
5
DENTAL CLUB
The Dental Club was established in 1949 with the objectives of promoting extracurricular activities amongst its members and the advancement of dentistry-related studies.
6
ENGINEERING CLUB
The Engineering Club is the official faculty club and union representative for the undergraduates in the Faculty of Engineering. As the voice of the student body, the club facilitates various activities to enhance students’ experiences beyond academic pursuits.
https://www.facebook.com/nusenginclub
7
LAW CLUB
The NUS Students’ Law Club organises a variety of events for the well-being of its constituent body. These events include academic and informational seminars, mooting competitions, community service initiatives, sporting events and periodic chill-outs – all of which are typically held at the Bukit Timah Campus which the law students call home.
https://www.nuslawclub.com
8
MEDICAL CLUB
The Medical Club is a representative of the medical students within the Union. It also organises events that contribute to vibrant student life including the faculty’s Rag & Flag, Med-Nurse Games and Med-Law Games.
9
SCIENCE CLUB
The Science Club works towards a vision of a united Science family bonded by passion and pride. The club strive to be a credible and representative club that promotes welfare and enhance student vibrancy through extensive outreach, formulation and execution of quality events and upholding a positive club image.
https://www.facebook.com/nus.science.club
10
UNIVERSITY SCHOLARS CLUB
The University Scholars Club strives to create a close-knit USP community where students can engage each other in meaningful interaction and encourage student initiatives. Through a rich suite of events, the club aims to harness dynamism, creativity and diversity in the forging of the USCommunity.
http://www.nususc.com
11
COMMUNITY SERVICE CLUB
NUS Students’ Community Service Club (CSC) is committed to the idea that the less fortunate members of our society should never be forgotten. The club devotes continuous service to the community with 10 regular volunteering programmes, 7 special projects and 3 eXternal partners.
https://www.facebook.com/nus.csc
12
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES CLUB
The Cultural Activities Club (CAC) seek to encourage and promote the vibrant diversity and creative expression in the performing arts sector by expanding exposure and opportunities to the student population in NUS. Consisting 11 sub-clubs – Amplified, Angklung, Ballroom, BreakiNUS, d’Hoppers, Funkstyles, Jazztitude, Lindy Hop, Resonance, Salsa and Voices, all NUS students are welcomed to explore a myriad of learning and performance opportunities!
https://www.facebook.com/cac.nus
13
SPORTS CLUB
The NUS Students’ Sports Club is one of the most active and widely reached student-run organisation on campus. Dedicated to providing the NUS population with an array of sporting activities and a channel to enrich their campus lives, the Sports Club caters to the recreational sporting needs of NUS community.
https://www.facebook.com/NUSSportsClub
14
POLITICAL ASSOCIATION
Established in 1976, the NUS Students’ Political Association is the foremost student-based organisation for political expression and commentary. The association is dedicated to encouraging socio-political discourse and feedback within NUS.
https://www.facebook.com/NUSStudentsPoliticalAssociation
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THE 9 NUSSU COMMITTEES
Beyond the NUSSU Constituent Clubs, NUSSU’s nine committees also strive to make OUR CONSTITUENT CLUBS the NUS campus a more vibrant place to work and play. Check out their Facebook page and follow them for latest updates about happenings around school all year round! #
Society
Description
Link
1
NUSSU BUSINESS COMMITTEE (BIZCOM)
The marketing wing of the NUSSU Executive Committee, the NUSSU Business Committee (BIZCOM) seeks to bring the best deals, privileges and sponsorship to the NUS Community through its NUStyle platform. Under the NUStyle scheme, simply produce your NUS matriculation card to gain access to exclusive deals and discounts.
https://www.facebook.com/nusdiscount
2
NUSSU COMMITTEE
As the IT wing of NUSSU, NUSSU commIT currently operates two computer centres within the school, providing quality printing and IT services to the NUS community. Additionally, commIT is committed to imparting practical and useful software skills to the
https://www.facebook.com/NUSSUcommIT
FOR INFORMATION
students through various initiatives such as its flagship event Cyberia Camp, which teaches valuable IT skills to participants in an interactive, organised and informative camp setting, and regular training workshops.
TECHNOLOGY (commIT)
3
NUSSU GLOBAL RELATIONS UNIT (GRU)
NUSSU GRU aims to strengthen NUS’s global recognition and inculcate a global citizen mindset in NUS students through global engagement. Through hosting international university students from various countries and organising student leader conferences, NUSSU GRU hopes to engage in insightful dialogues and bond with the international community to reinforce NUS’ reputation internationally. Under NUSSU GRU’s efforts, students also have the opportunity to represent NUS at international conferences such as the Swiss International Hospitality Model United Nations Conference 2018 in Lausanne and the Asia-Pacific Student Forum 2016 held in Jakarta!
https://www.facebook.com/NUSSUGRU
HALLS & RESIDENTIAL COLLEGES
4
NUSSU INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE (IRC)
NUSSU IRC aims to provide a socially enriching environment for students to interact and foster friendships regardless of individuals' backgrounds. Through its initiatives, NUSSU IRC hopes to bridge the gap between local and international students within the NUS community to better understand, appreciate and celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of campus life. Check out their two flagship events - In-fusion and International Food Fair (IFF), and one long term programme - International Relations Programme on their Facebook page right now!
https://www.facebook.com/nussu.irc
5
NUSSU PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT (PRU)
NUSSU PRU seeks to enhance communication between the various NUSSU committees and entities, as well as between NUSSU volunteers and the student population. By carrying out various projects and events, NUSSU PRU acts as the internal relations and student relations arm of the Union to bond people together. Further, if you have any concerns about the school which you wish to voice out, feel free to do so via NUSSU PRU’s feedback collection campaign PRUBear Cares!
https://www.facebook.com/NUSSUPRU
6
NUSSU STUDENTS’ FUND (SF)
NUSSU SF is set up to raise financial awareness and promote financial well-being among NUS Students. Currently in its 25th year, NUSSU SF is constantly looking at new collaborations to best serve the financial needs of our students. Current initiatives include providing Bursary Awards and Book Grants (BABG) at the start of every semester and the Financial Literacy Carnival held in Semester 2, which aims to raise financial awareness among students through fun and games. Follow them on their Facebook page for the latest updates about these initiatives!
https://www.facebook.com/nussu.sf
7
NUSSU THE RIDGE
As the pulse of the NUS community, NUSSU The Ridge runs the largest student-run publication in NUS! The Ridge Magazine is active all-year round online at http://theridge.sg/ with a publication printed and distributed once every semester! NUSSU The Ridge covers a variety of topics and the latest events happening in NUS and Singapore, so do check out their Facebook page for updates on recent news, articles and special giveaways!
http://theridge.sg
8
NUSSU VIDEO AND PHOTOGRAPHIC COMMITTEE (VPC)
NUSSU VPC strives to provide high quality and affordable video and photography services to NUS students and offices. It is also home to aspiring photographers who want to hone their skills and nurture their passion for photography and videography. They bring together like-minded people from across the faculties by providing a platform to collaborate on event coverages and share their knowledge. NUSSU VPC also conduct photography workshops on photography fundamentals and more throughout the semester, so
https://www.facebook.com/nussuvpc
NUSSU WELFARE COMMITTEE
NUSSU Welfare prides itself with its caption “Making you smile”. Organising events that are targeted at further improving and enriching the University experience of students, NUSSU Welfare goes the extra mile to ensure that its events brighten up the days of all students. Do drop by the various events the committee organises throughout the semester including Freshmen Welfare Gift (a free shirt given to all freshmen during the Student Life Fair), Welfare Diary, Free Cone Day, Milk Tea Tuesday, Welfare Carnival as well as Exam Welfare Pack!
9
do look out for them!
https://www.facebook.com/nussuwelfare
04 Miscellanea
AY 2018/2019 Academic Calendar 52 Helplines 54 NUS Shuttle Bus Guide 55
Some extra stuff that could aid you in your freshmen life :)
ACADEMIC CALENDAR AY2018/2019
Page 1 of 2
(A) Dates
SEMESTER 1
Orientation Week Instructional Period Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Recess Week Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Reading Week Examination
Mon, 6 Aug 2018 ~ Sat, 8 Dec 2018 Mon, 6 Aug 2018
~
Mon, 13 Aug 2018 Mon, 20 Aug 2018 Mon, 27 Aug 2018 Mon, 3 Sep 2018 Mon, 10 Sep 2018 Mon, 17 Sep 2018 Sat, 22 Sep 2018 Mon, 1 Oct 2018 Mon, 8 Oct 2018 Mon, 15 Oct 2018 Mon, 22 Oct 2018 Mon, 29 Oct 2018 Mon, 5 Nov 2018 Mon, 12 Nov 2018 Sat, 17 Nov 2018 Sat, 24 Nov 2018
Sat, 11 Aug 2018 (a) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Fri, 17 Aug 2018 Fri, 24 Aug 2018 (b) Fri, 31 Aug 2018 Fri, 7 Sep 2018 Fri, 14 Sep 2018 Fri, 21 Sep 2018 Sun, 30 Sep 2018 Fri, 5 Oct 2018 Fri, 12 Oct 2018 Fri, 19 Oct 2018 Fri, 26 Oct 2018 Fri, 2 Nov 2018 Fri, 9 Nov 2018 (c) Fri, 16 Nov 2018 Fri, 23 Nov 2018 Sat, 8 Dec 2018
Vacation
Sun, 9 Dec 2018 ~ Sun, 13 Jan 2019 (d) & (e)
18 weeks 1 week
The following will be observed as University holidays during the academic year:
6 weeks
(a) National Day 9 Aug 2018 (Thu)
1 week
7 weeks
1 week 2 weeks
Instructional Period Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Recess Week Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Reading Week Examination
Mon, 14 Jan 2019 Mon, 21 Jan 2019 Mon, 28 Jan 2019 Mon, 4 Feb 2019 Mon, 11 Feb 2019 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 Sat, 23 Feb 2019 Mon, 4 Mar 2019 Mon, 11 Mar 2019 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 Mon, 25 Mar 2019 Mon, 1 Apr 2019 Mon, 8 Apr 2019 Mon, 15 Apr 2019 Sat, 20 Apr 2019 Sat, 27 Apr 2019
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Fri, 18 Jan 2019 Fri, 25 Jan 2019 Fri, 1 Feb 2019 Fri, 8 Feb 2019 (f) Fri, 15 Feb 2019 Fri, 22 Feb 2019 Sun, 3 Mar 2019 Fri, 8 Mar 2019 Fri, 15 Mar 2019 Fri, 22 Mar 2019 Fri, 29 Mar 2019 Fri, 5 Apr 2019 Fri, 12 Apr 2019 Fri, 19 Apr 2019 (g) Fri, 26 Apr 2019 Sat, 11 May 2019 (h)
Vacation
Sun, 12 May 2019 ~ Sun, 4 Aug 2019
Date: 2018-04-04
(c) Deepavali 6 Nov 2018 (Tue) (d) Christmas Day 25 Dec 2018 (Tue) (e) New Year’s Day 1 Jan 2019 (Tue) (f) Chinese New Year 5 Feb 2019 (Tue) 6 Feb 2019 (Wed)
17 weeks
(g) Good Friday 19 Apr 2019 (Fri) (h) Labour Day 1 May 2019 (Wed)
6 weeks
1 week
7 weeks
1 week 2 weeks 12 weeks
SPECIAL TERM Mon, 13 May 2019 ~ Sat, 22 Jun 2019 (i) & (j) Mon, 24 Jun 2019 ~ Sat, 3 Aug 2019
(b) Hari Raya Haji 22 Aug 2018 (Wed)
5 weeks
SEMESTER 2 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 ~ Sat, 11 May 2019
Public Holidays
6 weeks 6 weeks
(i) Vesak Day 19 May 2019 (Sun)* (j) Hari Raya Puasa 5 Jun 2019 (Wed) * The following Monday will be a public holiday. **For an up-to-date listing of public holidays in Singapore, please check the Ministry of Manpower website.
ACADEMIC CALENDAR AY2018/2019
Page 2 of 2
(B) Schedule of Activities Occurring within: Academic-related Activities CORS Bidding Exercise *
Semester 1
Semester 2
Please check for the latest information at the CORS website: http://www.nus.edu.sg/cors/index.html
Special Term (Part 1)
Special Term (Part 2)
-
-
"W" Grade Takes Effect
27 Aug 2018 ~ 30 Sep 2018
28 Jan 2019 ~ 3 Mar 2019
20 May 2019 ~ 26 May 2019
1 Jul 2019 ~ 7 Jul 2019
Declaration of Graduate Module(s) for Credit *
17 Sep 2018 ~ 21 Sep 2018
18 Feb 2019 ~ 22 Feb 2019
20 May 2019 ~ 24 May 2019
1 Jul 2019 ~ 5 Jul 2019
From 1 Oct 2018
From 4 Mar 2019
From 27 May 2019
From 8 Jul 2019
3 Oct 2018 ~ 17 Oct 2018
6 Mar 2019 ~ 20 Mar 2019
-
-
-
Please check for the latest information at the Special Term website: http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/event/s pecialterm.html
9 Nov 2018 ~ 23 Nov 2018
12 Apr 2019 ~ 26 Apr 2019
"F" Grade Takes Effect Critical Data Verification Exercise Special Term Module Registration *
Online Student Feedback Exercise Commencement Ceremonies
14 Jun 2019 ~ 20 Jun 2019
26 Jul 2019 ~ 1 Aug 2019
Please check for the latest information at the Commencement website: http://www.nus.edu.sg/commencement
* Only applicable for undergraduate students.
(C) MINDEF In-Camp Training The University has a standing arrangement with the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Home Affairs for undergraduate NSmen from SAF, SPF and SCDF to be called up for In-Camp Training (ICT) only during specific parts of the university vacation. There will not be any compulsory academic programme scheduled or conducted during the period reserved for the ICTs. Undergraduate NSmen who are called up for ICT during the reserved period will not be granted deferment on the grounds of academic commitments. The call-up periods are indicated below: Year of Study
ICT Call-Up Period and Duration
1st 2nd
3 Jun 2019 ~ 28 Jul 2019 10 Dec 2018 ~ 6 Jan 2019
3rd
24 Jun 2019 ~ 28 Jul 2019 4 weeks
Date: 2018-04-04
24 Jun 2019 ~ 28 Jul 2019 5 / 8 weeks
56 NUS1101 FRESHMEN MAGAZINE AY 2018/2019
A NUS STUDENTS’ UNION PUBLICATION