Month: November 2014
Islam, ISIS and the violence against Christianity
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
The Malay Mail Online
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, on the barbaric acts of violence against Christians and other religious minorities by forces fighting under the self-proclaimed caliph of ISIS, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. He noted that a proper approach to the interpretation of Qur’anic texts, involving a correct contextual understanding of its meanings, and the study of Islamic history, will reveal that tolerance and acceptance of Christians and other non-Muslim minorities were the norm.
Click here to read full article.
Islam’s tolerance of religious minorities (Opinion, Page A21)
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
The Straits Times
In today’s edition of The Straits Times, there 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. Assoc Prof Alatas discussed about the reconciliation of the idea of Islam as a religion of peace, with the verses of the Quran that appear to support the violence perpetrated against Christians, such as those during the reigns of Al-Hakim and Al-Baghdadi. He pointed out that a proper approach to the interpretation of Quranic texts, involving a correct contextual understanding of its meanings, and the study of Islamic history, will reveal that tolerance and acceptance of non-Muslim minorities were the norm.
Click here to read full article.
The politics behind ‘natural disasters’ (Opinion, Page A20)
Monday, 10 November 2014
The Straits Times
This was an article contribution by Professor Jonathan Rigg from the Department of Geography at NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and Dr Katie Oven from Durham University. The authors noted that a hazard becomes a disaster because of the ways that social, political and the economic environments and processes make people vulnerable. While hazards are often framed as physical problems requiring technological solutions, they opined that disasters, however, require that we think politically about hazards. They added that we need to recognise that poor people’s multiple vulnerabilities are also reflected in their exposure to hazards; that there is a usually a keen logic to their living with risk; and that social injustice often underpins vulnerability in the first place.
Click here to read full article.
Johar Buang and Yazid Hussien winners of the Singapore Literature Prize (Page 3)
Monday, 10 November 2014
Berita Harian
It was reported that Mr Yazid Hussein, a PhD candidate from the Department of Malay Studies at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, is among the recipients of the Singapore Literature Prize this year. His literary work, Armageddon, was awarded a prize under the short story category.
New challenges in shift to aspirational economy: ESM Goh (Home, Page B2)
Saturday, 8 November 2014
The Straits Times
This was a report on the gala dinner to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Department of Economics at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Speaking at the gala dinner, Emeritus Senior Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong said that as Singapore runs up against new social challenges, it will need more local social science researchers to understand the country’s situation, conduct applied research and offer possible policy solutions.
Professor Julian Wright, Head of the Department, said that it is critical that what the Department teaches is differentiated, locally relevant and more interactive. From next year, economics honours students will for the first time be able to specialise in a topic, in areas such as quantitative economics or financial and monetary economics. The Department will also introduce a compulsory module where award-winning lecturers from different fields are invited to address real-world economic questions.
Mr Goh also launched a student-led economics mentorship programme, a collaboration between the NUS Economics Alumni and the NUS Economics Society, at the event.
Click here to read full article.
Breakfast Dialogue with Serial Entrepreneur Andrew Kwan
Calling all NUS alumni & students!
Join us for breakfast and an interactive dialogue session with Serial Entrepreneur and Founder of Commonwealth Capital Group, Mr Andrew Kwan.
Click here to register!
Calling all Graduate and Undergraduate Students!
One Heart Source is currently accepting applications for our 2015 Volunteer Programs in South Africa.
In 2015, we are offering a variety of 2 and 4-week programs in Cape Town, South Africa! Programs Offered: April 20 – November 6, 2015.
We will be hosting live online information sessions Nov. 10, 12, 15, and 18!
Join us by Registering Here!
As an OHS Volunteer, you will:
* Integrate yourself into and work closely with members of the local community to create positive social uplift
* Teach primary school students through a mentorship program focused on building strong Math and English foundations, while empowering students
* Exchange ideas and culture with people from around the world
* Lead after-school programs in non-traditional subjects like dance, debate, art, and sports
* Work with a small, dynamic team of international university and graduate students
* Develop empathy, confidence, and leadership skills while pursuing social justice
We at One Heart Source believe in creating lasting social change through education and human connection.
We encourage you to take a step towards providing a more socially just future for some of the most marginalized communities in the world.
Both Graduate and Undergraduate students are encouraged to
APPLY NOW FOR OUR 2015 PROGRAMS!
Next Application Deadline: November 21st
For more information and to apply visit: www.oneheartsource.org/volunteer/apply/
Please contact volunteer@oneheartsource.org with any questions!
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ONEHEARTSOURCE is a non-profit organization designed to empower young people through education and to provide high quality education and care for vulnerable children in Tanzania and South Africa.
Caucasian bags role as NUS Chinese Studies head
Monday, 3 November 2014
My Paper
This was a report on the appointment of Professor Kenneth Dean as the first non-Chinese head of the Department of Chinese Studies at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. It reported that Professor Dean plans to introduce courses on Chinese religions and temples, and take students to temples so that they can better understand Singapore’s unique Chinese temple culture. On being the first Caucasian to head the department, he said: “Chinese studies has become a more international field. Many foreigners have had big achievements in the past, so it’s a field that’s not limited by boundaries.”
Click here to read full article.