Month: March 2014
Annual Teaching Excellence Awards 2012/13
FASS is very pleased to extend our warmest congratulations to the following colleagues on their achievements. A total of 11 lecturers have won the Annual Teaching Excellence Award 2013 (for teaching done in 2012/13). Of these, four have further distinguished themselves by being placed on the Annual Teaching Excellence Award Honour Roll for having won the ATEA a total of three times. We would also like to extend warmest congratulations to Dr Aamir Rafique Hashmi (Department of Economics) for being inducted into the NUS Teaching Academy. Teaching excellence is something we are deeply committed to in the Faculty, and our colleagues are testimonies to this.
Here is the list of Annual Teaching Excellence Award (ATEA) 2012/13 winners:
| Name | Department |
| Dr Stephen Lim Wee Hun* | Department of Psychology |
| Mrs Chen Ing Ru* | Centre for Language Studies |
| Dr Yoshinori Nishizaki* | Department of Political Science |
| A/Prof Paulin Tay Straughan* | Department of Sociology |
| Dr Aamir Rafique Hashmi | Department of Economics |
| Dr Zhang Yang | Department of Economics |
| Prof Robbie Goh Boon Hua | Department of English Language & Literature |
| Dr Gilbert Yeoh Guan Hin | Department of English Language & Literature |
| Dr Christopher Michael McMorran | Department of Japanese Studies |
| Dr Terence Lee | Department of Political Science |
| A/Prof Irving Chan Johnson | Southeast Asian Studies Programme |
*will be placed on the ATEA Honour Roll.
Click here (http://www.cdtl.nus.edu.sg/tawards/) to read more about the awards.
NUS Open Day 2014
NUS Open Day 2014
More than 21,000 prospective students, friends and their families visited the NUS University Town (UTown) on 15 March 2014 for NUS Open Day. The visitors soaked up the carnival-like atmosphere as they made their way through the plethora of activities lined up by the faculties and student groups. The 16 exhibition booths representing NUS’ academic programmes were the main attractions for the students and parents who were eager to know more about the different courses offered.
Prospective students with families and friends at the FASS booth
Political Science PhD candidate, Hamoon, waiting to interact with visitors
The faculty talks were also very well-received as the speakers spoke candidly about the the programmes and courses their faculties offer. FASS Dean Prof Brenda Yeoh and Vice Dean for Undergraduate Studies Prof Robbie Goh talked to the students about the flexibility of the FASS curriculum and the wide range of choices in terms of courses and overseas study programmes available to them.
Full auditorium during one of the FASS admission talks
Armed with curiosity and keen interest, many made their way to the FASS exhibition booth at Stephen Riady Centre’s Hall 2 where professors and current students from the 17 departments fielded questions. The booth provided information on the various majors and special programmes that the Faculty offers. One of the key highlight showcased was the FASStrack Asia Programme where students will be attending classes held in a dynamic and multi-cultural learning environment with NUS and international students from various universities from all over the world.
Other than the FASS admission talks and exhibition booth, visitors could also find out more via the different fringe talks available. These included the Multidisciplinary Programmes at FASS, Special Degree Programmes with Other Universities and RNSMen talks.
FASS Dean, Prof Brenda Yeoh, greeting the visitors with a warm smile
The campuses and residential college tours were a big draw for the visitors. Many grabbed the chance to get a sneak peek of the residential colleges and to explore the different campuses. The campus tours consisted of two routes; one covered the Central Library, School of Design and Environment (SDE), and the University Cultural Centre, while the other led people to Business School and Sheares Hall. Shuttle services were also available for those who wanted to visit the Law School at the Bukit Timah Campus.
Amidst the seriousness of academic matters, the sights and sounds galore served by the different student groups provided a lively scene at UTown. While some were mesmerised by the break dance crews and various choir ensembles, others were drawn to the first ever NUS Student Union (NUSSU) Band Challenge. Things then took a captivating turn when a flash mob comprising students from the Raffles Hall appeared.
From academic talks to candy floss, ice cream, flash mobs and choir – there was something for everyone at NUS Open Day 2014.
Singapore and the MH370 saga: A friend in need
Monday, 24 March 2014
Lianhe Zaobao
This was a commentary by Associate Professor Bilveer Singh from the Department of Political Science at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Assoc Prof Singh opined that the disappearance of flight MH370 holds invaluable lessons, that despite having no Singaporeans on the flight, Singapore’s proactive role in the crisis reinforces the close ties with Malaysia while providing pointers for the future.
Click here to read the full article in Chinese.
Canadian Film Forum 2014
The High Commission of Canada and the NUS Office of Alumni Relations are jointly presenting the Canadian Film Forum 2014, from 24 to 26 March, at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House. The Forum will showcase the best of Canadian films to the NUS community.
For more information and to register, click HERE!
U@live with Lim Siong Guan
Join us for an evening with Lim Siong Guan! – 27 March 7.30pm
The Leader, the Teacher & you: Leadership through the Third Generation
Join the former Head of the Civil Service as he invokes his many years of stewardship under three Prime Ministers to tell us about this values-based and other-centered leadership – that asserts that the greatest wealth of the first and second generations must be the third generation itself.
Details of the event are as follows:
A unique feature of U@live is that not only will it be viewed by a live audience, it will be streamed live through a dedicated website (www.nus.edu.sg/ualive). The event will also incorporate a new interactive application that allows users to post questions and vote for their favourite questions in real time. The event will consist of a 10-minute talk by the speaker followed by a 20-minute interview conducted by Mr Viswa Sadasivan and a 30-minute Q&A session open to the live and online audience.
Date: 27 March 2014 (Thursday)
Time: 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm (Registration at 6:45pm, Seated at 7:15pm, Cocktail reception after event)
Location: Auditorium (2nd Storey), Shaw Foundation Alumni House, National University of Singapore, 11 Kent Ridge Drive, Singapore 119244
We sincerely hope that you will be able to join us for this event.
Register HERE!
FASS Student Leadership Award (FSLA)
In commemoration of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences’ (FASS) 85th Anniversary, the Faculty is introducing the FASS Student Leadership Award (FSLA). It recognises student leaders beyond academic excellence and aims to reward students who demonstrate student life leadership, foster experiential learning, and enhance outreach activities within FASS and the wider community. The FSLA also aims to identify student leaders who exemplify the “i-NUS qualities”.
Click here for more information.
Inter-religious dialogues a part of Islamic heritage
Sunday, 16 March 2014
New Sunday Times
This was an article contribution by Associate Professor Syed Farid Alatas from the Departments of Sociology and Malay Studies at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, in which he discussed the importance of inter-religious dialogues in the history of Islam. Citing the example of inter-religious relations between Islam and Christianity, he noted that Muslims today must continue this tradition to help create an environment of mutual understanding, respect and admiration between religious traditions and civilization, and to inculcate the spirit of multiculturalism.
We, The Inhabitants
14 young talents from the NUS Theatre Studies programme will provide their own take on some of Haresh Sharma’s most important works. Expect an interesting array of characters, from a prophet to a schizophrenic. Email wetheinhabitants@gmail.com to purchase tickets.
The four faces of poverty in region
Thursday, 13 March 2014
The Straits Times
This is an article contribution by Professor Jonathan Rigg from the Department of Geography, NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, where he examined the persistence of poverty in the face of rapid economic expansion in Southeast Asia. He opined that one need to think differently about poverty, how it is measured and experienced, and importantly, how it is tackled.
Click here to read the full article.