Connexscions Volume VIII Issue 02 Jan - WKWSCI Home - Nanyang ...

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COVER STORY 18 CONNEXSCIONS memorable final year projects A special characteristic of WKWSCI students is their desire to contribute to social growth and change. Here are 20 FYPs over the years that had students putting the spotlight on marginal communities and taking steps to better lives Brick by Brick (2012) This campaign helps troubled and underprivileged youth in Boys’ Town Singapore by updating their facilities. Locallydesigned t-shirts are sold on the http://brickbybrick.sg/ website to raise funds for this facility that is not funded by the government. By Charlene Low Ying Xiu, Seng Qian Ling Stellina, Sufiyan Bin Sulaiman and Seet Seng Joo Sean. They Work While You are Sleeping (2011) This project put the focus on graveyard shift workers in Singapore. The students burnt the midnight oil to interview more than 100 workers, their families, experts and doctors, immersing themselves in the world of the toilers of the night. The Invisible Force (2010) This illustrated journalism feature uncovered the Gurkha’s journey from Nepal to Singapore, their life here with their families and their fortunes after they returned home. The project was developed into an anthology of portraits and anecdotes entitled “Our Gurkhas” by Zakaria Zainal. By Zakaria Zainal and Chong Zi Liang. See & Be Seen (2012) An initiative to promote safe cycling at night, the campaign will reach out to 1,000 youths through social media and a night cycling event in the first quarter of 2012. The team collaborated with Firefly Night Cycling and PedalSG for the project. By Marcus Yong, Grace Auyong, Ginger Chia and Alex Shieh. http://www.seeabseen.com Sharing Plates: Cooking and Coping with Cancer (2010) An inspirational cookbook with recipes by cancer survivors, the initiative aimed to spread the message that cancer patients need not severely restrict their diets but have healthy yet tasty, home-cooked food. By Goh Ji En, Joan Kuang, Rachel Tan, Ng Jia Min, Rhys Lim and Kuek Jinhua. Reviving the Death Industry (2010) This project put the focus on the funeral industry to raise awareness about consumers’ rights and restore to them the right to mourn without worrying about getting fleeced. The students interviewed more than 40 funeral parlour owners, employees and clients to put a human face on an industry long shrouded in taboo. By Elizabeth Soh and Gwendolyn Ng. Food Waste Republic (2010) The rampant problem of food wastage in Singapore was addressed in this project. The students worked undercover at hotel banquets, spoke to more than 200 people and collected food waste from 150 households. By Chen Wei Li, Miak Aw and Estelle Low. www.foodwasterepublic.com The Big Bedroom Bustup @ Zouk – Overcoming Junk Sleep (2010) The campaign, touted as the first of its kind to tackle the problem of junk sleep among youths in Singapore, advocated responsible use of technology and getting sufficient hours of restful sleep. By Chew Siew Woon, Ho Ying Yi, Lum Aiyi Dawn and Nur Raihana bte Muhammad Razali. Out of Sight Out of Mind – A Photojournalism Exhibition (2009) This project aimed to foster an understanding of people with mental illness. By Adeline Ong & Lim Chin Ping. www.asightofmind.com India’s Growing Surrogacy Industry (2009) India’s growing surrogacy industry was the focus of this project, which aimed to raise awareness on surrogacy, women and poverty. The students spent 10 days in Gujarat and nine days in Mumbai, Maharashtra, where surrogacy activity was highest in India. They talked to about 70 people— including surrogates, intended parents and doctors, opening up discussions of class, culture and human rights issues. By Tan Wei Xin, David Lee and Muhd Nurluqman Suratman. Rebuilding Bukit Lawang (2009) This project examined the positive role that ICTs (Information and Communications Technology) played in the rehabilitation of a community after a flood—in this case, the population of Bukit Lawang, Indonesia. The study defined the role of ICTs in long-term disaster recovery and set out directions for policymakers for the livelihood rehabilitation of rural communities. By Shilvia Kasdani and Anisha Baghudana. The Funeral (2009) The short video explored how values and family relationships were threatened by conflicting faiths. Through the story of a typical Singaporean family preparing for a funeral, the dramatic short focussed on the emotional connection among family members with different religious beliefs. By Ang Guangzheng, Tan Chet Hua Darren, Wang Junjie and Zhang Zhengyong Johnson. Reclaim Land: The Fight for Space in Singapore (2009) This online journalism project explored the need for space in Singapore. It looked at the everyday life of ordinary people and how they created space in a setting where state planning dominated the cityscape. By Justin Zhuang, Wong Shu Yun, Sam Kang Li and Serene Cheong. For Rent (2009) A video documentary that uncovered the secrets of residing in subsidised one/two-room Housing Development Board (government housing) and rental flats in Singapore, the report shed light on the challenges and ethical dilemmas faced, and painted a clearer picture of the lives and challenges of these residents through personal accounts. By Goh Moy Yen, Lim Xin Hui Alicia, Ong Kai Wen and Thong Wan Ling Serene. • = Enclosed Worlds, Open Minds (2010) This project explored the neurological disorder that is autism. Through four profile feature stories, the study looked into the joys, woes, struggles and difficulties that individuals with autism faced as they battled with social stigma and insufficient resources. By Han Weiding and Wong Hui Foon. Nintendo Wii as an Intervention: improving the Wellbeing of Elderly in Long-term Care Facilities (2009) This study examined the positive impact of playing Nintendo Wii on the psychological, social and physical well-being of the elderly. It explored the unique benefits of the social interaction and physical activity that the elderly derive while playing Wii. By Koay Jing Li, Ng Sihui Janissa and Wong Li Chieh Gladys. Adults with Autism (2010) This project uncovered the plight of adults with autism. Students interviewed more than 50 autistic adults, their parents, doctors, and experts, results of which highlighted the lack of autism care for adults in Singapore as compared to children. By Amanda Tan and Fiona Low. Naturally Overused: An Analysis of Health Claims on “Healthy”, “All-natural” Supermarket Food Products (2009) Using content analysis, students examined the wording and images on the packaging of 328 food products in Singapore. An online experiment examined whether extrinsic cues and external seals effectively influenced consumers’ perception of a product’s nutritional attributes. By Ho Jia Hui Eunice, Klyne Mary Ann and Chua Wanlin Joanne. Unplug! World Wider than WWW (2011) This campaign addressing Internet dependency amongst youth in Singapore, raising awareness about the importance of moderating one’s time online. Via the agents of interactive programmes, interesting collaterals and a consistent media presence, the campaign encourages youths to embrace a world wider than the World Wide Web. By Chew Wen Jing, Lim Xinyi, Loh Cheryl and Quee Yan Jing. Daughters of God (2011) A documentary that centred on gender issues in Malaysia, the film uncovered the lives of Anusha and Varsha, who attended a Hindu temple built by Thirunankais (Indian transsexuals) during the day, but roamed the streets at night as prostitutes. By Chai Jac- Quinn, Lai Kahei. Wee family recognised the request to name the school after Dr Wee as a meaningful gesture, as the school was an embodiment of Dr Wee’s lifelong passion for journalism. “Journalism was the closest to his heart, and the Wee family recognised that,” said Professor Kuo. The First Batch of Graduates Any mention of the pioneer batch of graduates never fails to put a smile on Professor Kuo’s face. “The pioneer batch has a very special position in my heart as they were really the ones with the pioneer spirit. They grew up together with the school,” he said. The pioneer batch was a passionate bunch that played a major role in the development of the school. They founded The Nanyang Chronicle, decided the colour of the convocation gowns, and gave the first valedictorian speech. Convocations then were known to be solemn and boring affairs, but Professor Kuo recalled how “the instant our first batch of graduates appeared onstage, they really made a scene”. Associate Professor Detenber added with a chuckle, “They didn’t drop the F-bomb, but they did clap and cheer. They were boisterous. Our students have been known to be very outspoken and demonstrative.” This outspokenness is a characteristic of the WKWSCI students that Associate Professor Detenber takes pride in, as it has led to requests from the President for the attendance of students to enliven ministerial forums and other events. “We like them because they speak up” is a common observation. This contagious enthusiasm is a personality trait that still permeates the lively atmosphere of the school to this day, 20 years on. Continued on page 20 COVER STORY Former NTU President Cham Thao Soon offiiciating at the renaming of the school in 2002 CONNEXSCIONS 19
COVER STORY COVER STORY Current Affairs Today, WKWSCI has grown into a prominent school that is curiously described as “sexy” by students, faculty and the general public alike. The school holds a preeminent position in the region as a premier institution for Communication Studies, continuously generating research and analysis on critical communication topics and policy issues. Boasting undergraduate and graduate programmes designed to be on the cutting-edge of the industry, the school also maintains links to a global network of educators, researchers and practitioners dedicated to advancing knowledge and raising the bar of excellence in the communications landscape. The Bachelor of Communication Studies is a fouryear honours classified programme. Students receive an inter-disciplinary education when they first start out, equipping them with theoretical knowledge as well as all the basic functional skills they need. Once this foundation is in place, students have the opportunity to design their own customised curriculum by choosing one or more of the major tracks for indepth specialisation, taking the courses they are most interested in. The four major tracks now available to students are Broadcast & Cinema Studies, Journalism & Publishing, Communication Research & Policy, and Public Relations & Advertising. For the latter two, a minor in Information Studies is also offered. The minor examines new media technologies and applications from the perspective of information and knowledge management. From left: Prof Ang, Prof Kuo and former NTU President Cham Thao Soon at the school renaming in 2002 WKWSCI students continue to excel in all four tracks, showcasing their talent in their final year projects (FYPs) which are known for winning local and international awards year after year. Broadcast students have produced documentaries, dramas and multimedia projects that have been screened in film festivals and competitions worldwide. Papers written by Communication Research students have been presented at prestigious international academic conferences. Many finished works of Journalism students have been produced as compilation books or published in The Straits Times as Special Reports. Campaigns organised by Public Relations students have been adopted by small medium enterprises and multi-national companies. This spirit of excellence appears to be recognised by the industry at large in the way WKWSCI graduates are often snatched up for employment in media and PR agencies, at times even before they graduate. Breaking New Ground What’s next for this ambitious 20-year-old Associate Professor Detenber, and his team have set their sights on more groundbreaking moves. “We’re trying to develop a greater core of expertise around issues related to health. Health communication and health information are becoming very important in the 20th century and our school can play a part in that,” he said. There is ongoing research and development being done to bolster this health communication initiative. “We’re in the process of enhancing our doctorial training, increasing both the quality and quantity of the doctorial students that we’re bringing in,” he elaborated. One of his prime goals is to help the doctorial graduates attain faculty positions in leading universities around the world. “It will take us some time to get there,” he admitted, but added that he has the utmost confidence in the top-notch WKWSCI training and is certain that the students are up for the challenge. Another goal is to see the development of the school’s focus on overseas exposure. Every year, the International Student Exchange Programme (INSTEP), Global Summer Studies (GSS), Global Immersion Programme (GIP) and Professional Internship (PI) take Wee Kim Wee students to more than 20 overseas destinations, giving students invaluable, hands-on experience in the practice of real-world journalism and public relations. Associate Professor Detenber aims to provide even more opportunities for fully-subsidised overseas attachments for the students, ensuring that things will never remain at status quo at the undergraduate level. “I don’t know of other schools that have this level of participation in overseas programmes,” he said matter-of-factly. With its highcalibre faculty, zealous students, innovative curriculum, and a team of visionaries leading the school, WKWSCI can look forward to a future that promises creativity, excellence and continued relevance to the communications field and the world at large. C Installation of our familiar sculpture in 1997 Was it Love at First Sight Students and staff recall their first day at “We remember the Mediterranean buffet during the welcome ceremony held for the new students of WKWSCI. We were exclaiming that the students probably have really good benefits and welfare. During the orientation camp, we met with seniors and realised that they are the best. They were extremely helpful and really embodied the pass-it-on spirit.” Sherry Goh, Year1 (left) “It’s not just about helping us but also having a supportive community in WKWSCI and this is evident from Day 1. There are countless examples showing the seniors’ kindness! One instance is our Facebook page where seniors and graduates chip in to make it an informative platform for the new students. From Day 1, we have a comprehensive map of NTU and WKWSCI, and a good understanding of the course registration system. They have made a chaotic transition to university a smooth and heartwarming one.” Serene Chai, Year1 (right) “When I came to work on my first day I was thinking ‘this place looks great!’. The library was newly renovated so I felt really good working in this spacious and bright environment. I was given the opportunity to start my day at the service desk and I really enjoyed it. The students are the ones who really make the difference. They are cheerful, polite and very friendly. It was a great way to begin my journey here in WKWSCI!” Sri Deva Rani, Staff, Asian Communication Resource Centre “We had a great experience during the Freshman Orientation Camp! We made new friends and we really looked forward to meeting them after the camp. Everyone in school is connected and the entire cohort really share a bond that is indescribably and unmatched anywhere else.” Felicia Ee (left) & Cai Yi Ming, Year 1 20 CONNEXSCIONS CONNEXSCIONS 21
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Connexscions Volume VIII Issue 02 Jan - WKWSCI Home - Nanyang ...

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