CHRONICLE - Nanyang Technological University

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02 NEWS News Bites CHRONICLE 18 05 NTU NTU SOLAR CAR BEATS ESTAB- LISHED TEAMS IN RACE An NTU-developed solar car beat more established teams like that from MIT and Cambridge when it travelled more than 2,000 km over six days in a solar racing competition, which started on October 16th and was held in Australia. The Nanyang Venture 5, developed by an 11-strong team, came in 14th at the Veolia World Solar Challenge. NTU INNOVATION CLINCHES “BEST OF SHOW” AT TECHVEN- TURE INNOVATION AWARDS Led by Dr Tan Ee Leng and Assoc Prof Gan Woon-Seng from the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, their innovation, Immersive Soundscape took the “Best of Show” (Blue Ribbon Award) at the TechVenture Innovation Awards 2011. The innovation demonstrated the ability to reproduce 3D sound effects from conventional sound inputs with applications in the media and gaming industry. NTU, A*STAR RESEARCHERS DE- VELOP HIGHLY EFFICIENT AND CHEAP SILICON SOLAR CELLS The new thin-film silicon solar cells are made from cheaper, lowgrade silicon and yet are able to generate electricity currents comparable to costly, high-quality silicon solar cells. Developed by NTU and A*STAR Institute of Microelectronics (IME), the new cells were created using nanostructure technology. With this development, the researchers hope to halve the costs of solar energy. NTU, INDUSTRY AND RESEARCH PARTNERS COOPERATE IN OCEAN ENERGY RESEARCH NTU is collaborating with industry players and world-renowned research partners on a multidisciplinary venture, the Joint Industry Programme in Offshore Renewables. This collaboration aims to develop efficient and effective wind and marine power generation systems. The programme will have over twenty-five projects over the next three years, such as offshore wind turbines and other sea-based power generation research. NBS’ MBA PROGRAMME RANKED SINGAPORE’S TOP FOR 8TH YEAR NTU’s Nanyang Business School has maintained its 69th position in The Economist magazine’s global rankings of MBA programmes, and is ranked third in Asia. Strong ratings for education experience and increasing new career opportunities have helped NBS maintain its position. NBS admits about 80 full-time MBA students and about 40 part-time students annually. SINGAPORE CALLS TO REVISE MEDISAVE At a debate in Parliament, Dr Lam Pin Min, head of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Health, said that Medisave spending should be expanded to cover more outpatient treatments, especially for chronic illnesses. Health industry experts and MPs suggested that the usage of funds be revised yearly to match rising costs in Singapore. Upcoming Events CHILDCARE CENTRES INTRO- DUCE SUPPORT STAFF AP- POINTMENTS The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) announced that childcare centres can now hire “para-educators” and “para-educarers” to aid childcare teachers in the development of children. This change will take effect from January 1st next year. In a statement released by MCYS, these new appointments will help teachers to “provide greater instructional attention for children who require additional support”. SLOWING EMPLOYMENT GROWTH The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced that employment growth is expected to slow down later this year, as the economy cools. MAS stated that job cuts have already been noted in the financial and trade-related sector. This is related to the weakening global growth. Unemployment rate in Singapore rose from 1.9 per cent in the previous quarter, to 2.1 per cent in three months ending June 2011. 5TH BODY FOUND AT BEDOK RESERVOIR The series of ghastly deaths at Bedok Reservoir have been a cause for concern for many Singaporeans on whether they could be due in part to the influx of immigrants and the detrimental effects of the two casinos. The recent deaths have also sparked discussions over the possible effects on property prices in the vicinity and future developments in the area. TRANSFORMERS THEME PARK RIDE TO OPEN AT USS The world’s first theme park ride based on the sci-fi franchise Transformers will open its doors to the public at Universal Studios Singapore, on December 3rd 2011. The ride will feature 12 scenes, 3D digital media, blending sets and special effects. Michael Bay—director of the movies—will celebrate the ride’s world premiere at an exclusive party on December 2nd. WORLD NEW CURBS ON ENTERTAIN- MENT IN CHINA China has been known for political censorship, but for years the Communist Party has tolerated a creeping liberalisation in popular culture. Chinese leaders proposed new limits on media and Internet freedoms that include some of the most restrictive measures in years. Major television stations were ordered to broadcast two hours of state approved news every evening and to disregard audience ratings in programming decisions. These measures will go into effect on Jan 1st 2012. 2 WEEK OLD BABY RESCUED FROM TURKEY’S QUAKE A two-week old baby was pulled out from the wreckage of a building 47 hours after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Turkey. The baby’s mother and grandmother are reportedly still trapped inside the crumbled building, but are believed to be still alive. The official death toll has been put at 366, with about 1,301 injured in the quake. MIXED REACTIONS OVER DIS- PLAY OF GADDAFI’S BODY As the public display of Gaddafi’s body ended, and more details of his last moments alive were revealed through the gruesome video recorded by one of the rebels who captured him, there were mixed reactions about what the brutal treatment of the deposed dictator might mean for Libya’s future. Rights groups called Gaddafi’s death a potential war crime. Arab journalists and bloggers noted that GaDuffy’s end was similar to the fate suffered by Benito Mussolini and Nicolae Ceausescu, two notorious European dictators. CROCODILES BREAK FREE IN THAI FLOOD Floodwaters in Bangkok have resulted in crocodiles that have broken loose, menacing the local population. Authorities have warned that crocodiles are swimming through rising floodwaters around the outskirts of Bangkok. Reports state at least 100 broke free last week in Ayutthaya province, north of the capital. Authorities have offered case rewards of 1,000 baht (S$40) for each crocodile caught alive. COMPUTERS IN JAPAN’S PAR- LIAMENT INFECTED WITH VIRUS In the latest series of mysterious cyber attacks that have raised concerns about leakage of sensitive information. Media reports said that one of three lawmakers accidentally released the virus. This comes a month after Japanese defence contractors revealed that they had also been targets of cyber attacks, which may have been aimed at classified military data. No known classified information has been stolen. NTU CAC IMPRESARIO NTU CAC Impresario 2012: Nationwide Talent Search Competition Categories: Vocal Solo, Duet/ Group, Original Composition, Dance Register online now at www. cacimpresario.com! Registration Closes on December 4th 2011. If you have any exciting events to publicise, please contact us at chronicle@ntu.edu.sg Vocal Auditions in Dec 2011. Dance Audition in Jan 2012. For further enquiry, email enquiry@cacimpresario.com, call Dorothy at 9668 2935 or Dawn at 9199 0143
News Interview with the Vice President – Page 5 Outstanding alumni awarded HAPPY HOMECOMING: WP Secretary General Low Thia Khiang (centre) was inspired by his NTU education to go into politics. PHOTO | WAN ZHONG HAO SINGER Stefanie Sun, and Members of Parliament (MP) Teo Ser Luck and Low Thia Khiang shared the stage with other industry leaders, all NTU alumni, at the Nanyang Auditorium to receive the Nanyang Alumni Awards on October 15th. Everest Mountaineer: redefine the impossible WHEN NTU Alumna Lee Peh Gee and her five women friends declared their goal of climbing Mount Everest, they were laughed at. But, that only made them more determined. “People laugh in disbelief when they cannot comprehend something so impossible,” said Singapore Armed Forces Major (MAJ) Lee Peh Gee, who was part of the Singapore Women’s Everest Team. She eventually stood on the 8,850m summit on May 22, 2009. “When you finally go and do it, you have redefined what they previously thought was possible or impossible,” the 35-year-old told a packed audience of students at the Nanyang Auditorium on October 12th. The seminar was the highlight of eFEST 2011 with the theme of ‘Learning is Everywhere’. The annual event, running in its fourth year, aims to promote the use of e-Learning tools and resources among NTU students. MAJ Lee said that learning does A total of 34 alumni, the biggest number since the award started in 2005, were awarded for either excelling in their fields, or for their contributions to the university or society. The Awards has four categories: the Nanyang Distinguished Alumni Award, Nanyang Alumni Achievement Award, Nanyang Outstanding Young Alumni Award and Nanyang Alumni Service Award. Education Minister Heng Swee Keat, the guest-of-honor, attributed the success of NTU to the strong examples set by earlier alumni members, so that future graduates will follow in their footsteps. “In a world of constantly evolving changes, our graduates not only come from books, but also from various life experiences. “I want to let others know that it is possible to pursue a dream,” she said. One important step to take is to step out of comfort zones, even when the outside world seems scary and dangerous, said MAJ Lee. During the expedition, she would wake up in her tent to hear it flapping violently at times. After all, Mount Everest is known for its notorious wind speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour and the temperature could dip as low as negative 40 degree celsius. “The storm always seemed worse from inside the tents,” said MAJ Lee. “But the storm outside may be nothing more than the regular winds we normally encounter.” “The moment you get out, you are just one step closer to your goal,” she said. The climb to Mt Everest’s peak from their base camp took the team about four days, and preparation for their climb took five years, where the team did staircase training at 30-storey HDB flats. MAJ Lee revealed that in t he road up to their expedition, all of them had to double up as marketers, fundraisers, public relation managers and public speakers so as to raise funds for their cause. She said that her education in NTU helped her in that aspect. “It was similar to the time when I was a hospitality and tourism management undergraduate balancing my eight months practicum and studies," she said. "I managed to do a hotel project and my own final year project then." MAJ Lee’s speech inspired Joel Gan, a third-year Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) student, in pursuing his dreams of achieving a “big feat” like that someday. Also, he felt that MAJ Lee’s experiences could be applied to his goal of setting up a business. “There will be multiple problems along the way, so the best thing is to never give up and always keep trying,” he said. Daniella Ng, a former national must be nimble and adaptable,” he said. They must not only have the confidence and ability to succeed, but must also be deeply rooted to Singapore, so that they can take Singapore forward.” Ms Sun, Mr Low and Mr Teo, who were all awarded the Nanyang Alumni Achievement Award with four others, expressed attachment to their alma mater. “I feel very honored (to receive the award) and also hope to work together (with the university) in the future to promote NTU,” said Ms Sun, who graduated in 2000 from the Nanyang Business School. Ms Sun was awarded for her achievements in the entertainment industry, both locally and internationally. About 100 fans at the ceremony cheered and chanted her name as she took to the stage to receive her award. Some even managed to get her autograph during the reception. “I feel that education helps you to mature in your thinking and helps you to see things in a different light,” Ms Sun said. Mr Low, Secretary General of the Workers Party, agreed with Ms Sun. Mr Low, who graduated in 1980 with an Arts degree, was awarded for his role of providing an alternative voice for the PURSUE YOUR DREAMS: MAJ Lee Peh Gee, speaking at a seminar for eFEST 2011, urged students to conquer their own Mount Everest. PHOTO | MALCOLM KOH people in Singapore’s political scene. According to him, his education sparked off his political thinking, which shaped his ideals of democracy. “I was particularly inspired by a lecturer who had a deep knowledge of political systems and I listened intently to his lectures. He taught me how to look at politics in a different light,” he added. Mr Teo, Minister of State of Trade and Industry, said that his education at Nanyang Business School helped in his current line of work as it developed his understanding of business and economics. “What it teaches you is to understand how to see an issue and come up with the solution. Issue changes everyday and what NTU teaches you is how to solve those problems,” he said. “That is the biggest advantage.” It was the second time Mr Teo was present at the Nanyang Alumni Awards, having received the Nanyang Outstanding Young Alumni Award last year. At the ceremony, NTU president Professor Bertil Andersson also revealed that eight in 10 students from the class of 2011 made a graduation gift to NTU, which he said is a sign of the growing sense of identification among younger alumni with NTU. sailor also found the determination of the team particularly inspiring. “It motivates me to set out some goals for myself to attain during my four years here,” said the first-year student from Sports Science and Management. For Ashekan Hosseinloo, the most memorable part of the seminar was when MAJ Lee challenged the audience to overcome their own Mount Everest. “It was a physical thing for them, but could be other things for us as well,” said the graduate student currently pursuing a masters in MAE. Everyone has an Everest.”
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