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

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COVER STORY 14 CONNEXSCIONS A Pioneering Spirit “Go west!” is the iconic call of pioneers, and western Singapore (Jurong, to be specific) was literally where our fledgling school, with its pioneer communications programme, was staked out and set up. But the school as we know it almost did not come about. In 1980s Singapore, the field of Communication Studies was as yet unchartered territory. The first Mass Communications programme was launched in the National University of Singapore (NUS) as more of a department overseeing an enrichment programme. In 1987, Communication Studies became a subject in the Bachelor of Arts programme at NUS. Finally, in 1993, the School of Communication Studies (SCS) in Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was born, headed by its founding Dean, Professor Eddie Kuo. The initial plan was to set up a School of Journalism. Then-President of NTU, Professor Cham Tao Soon, was astute in his delegation of the responsibility of this new school to Professor Kuo. Having previously been Head of Sociology at NUS, Professor Kuo had established himself as a distinguished scholar in the fields of Sociolinguistics and Media. After analysing the increasingly vital role that Communications plays in various industries and the lack of human resources in this arena, Professor Kuo chose to expand the school’s field to cover Communication Studies as a whole rather than narrow its focus to just Journalism. The School of Communication Studies was born out of the pioneer team’s judiciousness and foresight, one of the many wise decisions that created and crafted the school into the elite institution that it is today. The first faculty, led by Professor Kuo, consisted of distinguished academia from around the world with invaluable professional experience, and they helped pave the way for the school’s brisk success. Professor Kuo and his pioneer team of colleagues, which included Professor Ang Peng Hwa, who was to be the school’s next Dean, deliberated over different curriculum models and decided on a structure that proved to be an important foundation for the school. One stand-out feature of the curriculum is the first Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies, which was unique to NTU. The Chinese Heritage Centre acted as a foster home for the Communication Studies students from 1993 to 1996. Although the critical audio and video suites in the location were not of the best quality, lacklustre equipment could not stall the progress and enthusiasm of the passionate students. Following the rapid growth of 2006 Officially named the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information 1999 Graduates its first PhD candidate 1997 Graduates the first class of undergraduate students who completed the school’s four-year honours degree curriculum 1994 Launches The Nanyang Chronicle 2010 Hosts the 60th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association 1992 Established as a free-standing School of Communication Studies 2004 Establishes the Singapore Internet Research Centre 2000 Hosts the global IAMCR 2000 conference 1996 Moves into a new $22.6 million building housing the latest in print, audio/ video, photo and multimedia technology MILESTONES 2012 Celebrates its 20th anniversary 2007 Hosts the first World Journalism Education Congress 2001 Becomes the School of Communication and Information 1998 Graduates the first class of Masters students School Official Opening by Minister of Commuication and Arts BG (NS) George Yeo student numbers over the span of three years, Professor Kuo and his team decided to construct a building that would serve as an intimate and personal space for this burgeoning community. Indeed, that marked the birth of the “benches”. On May 10, 1997, then Minister for Information and the Arts, Mr George Yeo, officiated at the grand opening of the SCS building. For the four-year-old school—an infant compared to the rest of its older NTU siblings—this was a magnificent and unforgettable event. The SCS was the first school in NTU to have a building of its own, and this building continues to be a source of gratification for Professor Kuo, who counts its construction as one of the wiser decisions he made with his team. It is “a building our students are proud of and that gives them identity”, he said with paternal pride. What’s in a Name Three name changes marked the three milestones that reflected the changing landscape of the school. The School of Communication Studies (SCS) was changed to School of Communication and Information (SCI) a year after the Division of Information Studies was added, to emphasise the school’s increasing IT slant. On December 5, 2006, SCI was renamed Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information in honour of the late beloved President of Singapore, who was also a respected diplomat and seasoned journalist.. In explanation of why the late President was chosen as an icon of the school, Professor Ang said fondly, “The only two persons I know whom nobody has ever said a bad word about is my grandmother and Wee Kim Wee.” Dr Wee also embodied the values of communication in his work as a diplomat, added Professor Ang. Associate Professor Benjamin Detenber, the current Continued on page 16 The late President Wee at the opening ceremony of the School of Communication Studies in 1997 THE WEE KIM WEE LEGACY FUND Wee Kim Wee is more than one of the Presidents of Singapore— he was a diplomat, the ex-chairman for MediaCorps’ precursor, the Singapore Broadcasting Centre (SBC), and above all, a journalist. His roots as a journalist moulded him to be a valuable diplomat and an irreplaceable President in every Singaporean’s heart and mind. The Wee Kim Wee Legacy Fund provides students with a chance to pursue a vibrant and holistic education in communication studies, by enabling many students to engage in enriching programmes. These opportunities enable them to experience first-hand the many intricacies of communication studies and the impact it has on society. Some of the initiatives of the Wee Kim Wee Legacy Fund are: SOJOURN The Short Overseas Journalism practicum exposes students to the experience of reporting in an overseas environment. Students are tasked to be a translator for readers— to translate the sights and sounds of a culturally diverse and different country into succinct articles to titillate readers’ minds. This programme is also fully sponsored by the Legacy Fund to ensure that worthy students are able to take advantage of the opportunity without financial concern. WEE KIM WEE UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP The undergraduate scholarship sponsors students with outstanding results and co-curricular records to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies on a full time basis in the Wee Kim Wee School of Communications and Information. GO-FAR PROGRAMME COVER STORY GO-FAR (Going overseas for advanced reporting) is an annual journalism programme which allows WKW students to apply their skills on a major project in a foreign environment. Students are tasked to prepare for their fieldwork and pitch their stories to the lecturers—an entirely independent process which hones their organisational skills and creativity. The Legacy Fund fully sponsors the programme expenses, which allows students from all backgrounds to participate as foreign correspondents. Countries that GO-FAR students have been sent to include Thailand, Myannmar, Timor Leste and Laos. CONNEXSCIONS 15
COVER STORY Chair of the school, elaborated, “Wee Kim Wee served as a diplomat, he was the ambassador in Japan, and he had a keen understanding of intercultural and interpersonal communication. These are things we feel are reflected in the values of the school.” The late President Wee was also a journalist who had an investigative spirit, as well as a passion for seeking the truth and presenting information that would help people and serve society. Assoc Prof Detenber said he regretted not having had the opportunity to meet Dr Wee personally, but added that he continually strove to represent Dr Wee’s personal and professional values in the school. Not only a journalist but also eventually the Chairman of SBC (Singapore Broadcasting Corporation), Dr Wee had dedicated his life to journalism and the media, as well as to serving people and serving Singapore. The Continued on page 19 birthday Wishes “Happy Birthday, WKWSCI! You will always hold a special place in our hearts no matter how old you grow. Thank you for all the wonderful memories! Miss Regina Tan, Class of 2010 “Happy 20th WKWSCI! Looking forward to many more years of producing the finest communication & information students and research.” Dr May Lwin, Associate Chair (Undergraduate Studies) COVER STORY OUR three pioneers ConnexSCIons uncovers what they really think of the students... and each other Do you think that the students at WKWSCI have taught you anything Dr Detenber What I’ve learned is that students help keep us young. I feel better connected with the way the world is moving because I work with young people and this is why I continue to teach. Seeing the world through their eyes gives me a better understanding of the way the world is changing. It’s good to be reminded that enthusiasm and willpower count for a lot. You may not have all the skills and talents but if you’re willing to dedicate yourself, and work hard, and you go about what you’re doing with great enthusiasm, you’re going to have some measure of success. We know how your contributions have changed the school. But has the school also contributed to shaping you as a person Dr Ang When I studied at law school, it was like four years of Year 1. I wanted our school’s programme to be exciting and different. The school has changed me in that I’ve learnt to be a little softer. I find that I’m able to work with a lot of people now. Tell us one thing that you admire about each other. Dr Ang For Eddie, one thing comes quickly to mind. When I first became Dean of WKWSCI, I found myself yelling at our estate management facilities staff. They said, “Why you yell at us, the previous deans didn’t do that.” Turns out that out of all the deans in the university, only Eddie had never yelled at them. Dr Kuo [laughs]: This is called soft power! Dr Ang Ben has a very good heart. He means well in many things. 16 CONNEXSCIONS From left: Prof Ang Peng Hwa, Assoc Prof Benjamin Detenber and Prof Eddie Kuo He takes care of colleagues. He’s the one who really pushes the research agenda in the school. Initially we didn’t have the reserve for that but by the time he took over he was really supporting and promoting conference participation and other activities. That was a major contribution to the school. Dr Kuo For Ben, one of his strengths is that he speaks very well. Ben has to deal with layers—different chairs, different offices. For that, he has to be articulate. He can express his position which is very important to the school. Dr Detenber What I admire in Eddie Kuo is his patience and perspicacity. There are few people in the world with the breadth and depth of academic experience that Eddie has, especially when it comes to leadership. What I have learned from Eddie, and admire greatly in him, is that one needs to take time to review complex situations in order to fully understand them and respond appropriately. What I admire in Peng Hwa is his compassion and concern for others. I know that whenever we are engaged in a difficult discussion or disagreement (yes, it’s true—we disagree at times) I know that he never loses sight of how others are feeling or might be affected. His sense of fairness drives him to look for the optimal outcome, not the most expedient. “We started off with no proper office, labs, studios, and only half a floor at the NUS computer centre in the early days. As this is a water dragon year, my birthday wish for the school is: May WKWSCI continue to water the plants of teaching and research. We will continue to shine and strengthen our place in the international academic community. Warm Congratulations!” Dr Lee Chun Wah, Assistant Chair “Twenty & forever sexy. That’s what you are, Wee Kim Wee.” Miss Evonne Ong, Year 1 “Happy birthday—you are no longer a teen, may you mature in producing the best media practitioners and journalists in Asia!” Miss Cassandra Yeap, Year 3, former chief editor of The Nanyang Chronicle “Happy birthday, SCI. Working life cannot hold a candle to the times we had in school. Minus the exams of course.” Mr Philip Lim, Class of 2010 “Happy 20th, SCI. You may be younger than me but you hold much, much more intellectual discourse at your benches than I did. I am jealous.” Miss Rosalinda Yapit, Class of 2010 “20 is a great age to be. When you hit 20, you leave the teenage years behind and approach the future with a new confidence. Anything is possible at 20, and you have the drive and the vision to make an impact on the world—the school has that potential and my wish is to see it realised.” Mr Andrew Duffy, Lecturer “For 20 years you moulded not just intelligent and sensitive professionals, but characters with heart and soul, a school every generation is proud to call home. To many more years of excellence and integrity.” Mr Tan Thiam Peng, Class of 2011, former CI Club president “WKWSCI is a place in the hearts of many who have graduated. Happy 20th Birthday.” Mr Zakaria Zainal, Class of 2010 “Happy 20th birthday, WKWSCI! Wishing you all the best and more fruitful years ahead!” Miss Nithiyah D/O Muthukrishnan, WKWSCI Graduate Programmes Office “Happy birthday SCI! I can’t think of a better school that would have made my undergrad experience more enjoyable and engaging! Here’s to many more years ahead :)” Miss Joanna Hor, Class of 2010 “Happy 20th birthday WKW! Don’t worry, half the student population is still older than you…” Miss Michelle Ann Kwara, WKWSCI, Year 1 “WKWSCI is just one year away from being legal! Trust that Wee will never lose the dynamism and passion that makes you unique. May all aspiring journalists, publicists, creative directors, filmmakers go through this rite of passage to fulfill their dreams. Happy 20th birthday!” Miss PeiRu Ng, Class of 2010 “I wish WKWSCI will continue to be the best communication and information school in Asia attracting the best faculty and students to come to NTU and also wish that our graduates will be most sought after not only in Singapore but beyond Asia.” Mr Vincent Teo, Assistant Director (Media) “Happy 20th WKWSCI! Stay forever young and more ‘hapz’ than other schools!” Miss Celine Chen, Year 2 “Congratulations on achieving a major milestone! Happy 20th Birthday!” Mr Ng Heng Ghee, IT Executive “Happy 20th WKW! You beautiful sexy thing. Stay awesome.” Mr Sulaiman Daud, Year 2 “20 years have come and gone, and you have given countless individuals like myself the chance to gain overseas exposure, enjoy school activities and learn from mentors and friends. Happy anniversary WKWSCI, and here’s to an even greater 20 years ahead!” Miss Maxie Au-Yeong, Year 4, former news editor of The Nanyang Chronicle “Happy birthday WKWSCI! Please bring back the sandwich machine!” Mr Benjamin Lim, Year 1 CONNEXSCIONS 17
Page 1 and 2: ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF THE VOL. 8 ISSUE
Page 3 and 4: CAMPUS Sojourning into Pyongyang Jo
Page 5 and 6: CAMPUS CAMPUS WEE DID IT AGAIN Conn
Page 7: COVER STORY years and beyond Even a
Page 11 and 12: COVER STORY COVER STORY Current Aff
Page 13 and 14: ALUMNI ALUMNI Desmond Lim SERENE LO
Page 15 and 16: ALUMNI ALUMNI JOHNSON ZHANG Class o
Page 17 and 18: ALUMNI ALUMNI GRACE KWAN ZAKARIA ZA

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

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