A Singapore Management University Students’ Association Publication

The Blue and Gold

Issue 3 MICA (P) 149/02/2008 Bullion of Knowledge, Gears of Time October 2008

Perspectives
from Iran:
The people, the media,
and the politics

On Class participation:
A three hour oral
exam each class?

Where is the pa$$ion?

Is this school being
crazy about finance?
 Credits

Editorial

It has come to a brand new term, and The

This issue of Blue and Gold has stepped up with some
The Blue and Gold changes to increase the value we bring to
students.
is proudly
sponsored by: The biggest change of all is to make all
articles in The Blue and Gold informative
and knowledge based. We are taking a
further step in becoming more professional,
to become a platform for knowledge and
Credits: information for students to form their own
opinions. At the same time, our team will
strive to capture perspectives from all angles
Managing Director Campus Arts as much as possible.
Michael Ng Wai Ting Pang Hui Qing
This however does not mean that we are
drowning the students’ voice. Opinionated
Editor-in-chief Graphic Design and argumentative articles will remain in
Anirban Datta Gupta Faith Hu Jingyi the “Viewpoints” section. Students will be
asked to write and submit their thoughts
on various issues we pick each issue. These
Communications Illustrator articles will be chosen fairly based on
Secretary,SMUSA Kanika Malik quality, scope, and maturity of thought.
We are always open to suggestions to add
Lynnette Chua Su Lin new topics, so if you don’t find anything
Writers you like, feel free to suggest new ones to us
Terri-Anne Teo Mei Sze through email.
Editors:
Prof S. Ramaswami
School Events And as you can see, we have changed the
Tee Kian Hin form of the paper. We print only twice per
Bharath Ranganathan
Sohail Sardana term, that meant students were picking up
yellow, damp, smelly newspapers, especially
Dao Thanh Phuong
Viewpoint towards the end of the term. We just love
our writers for their in-depth writing, and
Suren Rastogi
Printer the new layout will be aesthetically and
ergonomically more pleasing to read these
KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd
Higher Learning lengthier articles.
Truong Thi Ngoc Anh Not only that, we have also taken another
step forward to make this the “Student’s
Worldscope voice” publication. We are looking to
get even more articles from the school
Esther Yeo Shu Xian community. Do take a look in our sections’
Talisa Kaur Dhaliwal ads and see how YOU too can contribute!

Regards,
Digital
Pranav Backliwal Michael Ng
Managing Director
The Blue and Gold
Travel
Truong Thi Ngoc Anh

Page 2, Issue 3, The Blue and Gold

 Contents

4 Stepping INTO THE RIGHT PLACE

A brief recap of the Freshman Experience 2008

6 For the Fearless

A recap of SMUX Nitebike 08

7 GLITTERATI...lITerati?
A glimpse into SMU’s first literature appreciation society.

8 Back to school
Is SMU what you thought to be?

13 GPA: Great Pressure Accumulation

Is the pursuit of grades spiraling out of control?

17 Unbranded column:
Why are you here? Why am I here? The U in SMU!

19 On Class participation:
A three hour oral exam each class?

22 Where is the pa$$ion?

Is this school being crazy about finance?

25 The Power of the Coca-Cola Bottle:

What you never knew about the Coca-cola bottle and the stuff about intellectual `
property it can teach you

26 Perspectives from Iran

The people, the media, and the politics

30 Industry Watch: Energy

The quiet revolution

31 Taming the Wild Horse:Inflation

32 Obama vs McCain - Race to presidency
Who will it be?

33 Pakistan’s new president:

Boon or bane?

34 5 Applications every SMU student must have

You’ll wonder how you ever surived without them

35 The iPhone 3G-Our verdict

The Blue and Gold’s take on the hype and aura surrounding this product

36 Travelogue: Vienna
38 Keluar Baris, Homecoming
A quick interview with Daryl Pan

38 Indian novelist Anita Desai:

Her experiences on writing

The Blue and Gold, Issue 3, Page 3

School Events
Stepping Into the Right Place
A brief recap of the Freshman Experience 2008
By Bharath Ranganathan
For the very first year since the inception of
SMU, the Students’ Association (SA) has
integrated the four events dedicated to welcome
the new batch of SMU students: the freshman
team building camp (FTB), Convocation,
Vivace and Freshman Bash. The idea was to
deliver a holistic experience and understanding
of the SMU culture to the newbies. The theme
for this central concept: Step In.
“I am extremely pleased with this year’s
Freshmen Experience. We received great
positive feedback from the freshies right
from the FTB. Our efforts have not gone in
vain” proclaimed Anthony, events secretary
of SMUSA and chairperson of Vivace and
Freshmen Experience.
So what were the efforts that went into planning
the events? Preparation for FTB started as early
as December. The objectives and end-goals
for the FTB were charted out and interviews
for the facilitators were held in the month of
January. The in-house training was provided
Page 4 • Issue 3 • The Blue and Gold
PHOTOS: Anthony
by the senior facilitators who wanted to reduce
on the external training component. This was
conducted in three phases: a team-building
session illustrating the differences between a
group and a team; a mock camp, where the
facilitators actually took part in the “activities”
and finally, a workshop for finishing touches.
Those who missed out on these sessions would
have to act as “shadow facilitators” under
another facilitator in a different run.
Although the process may be simple on paper,
it took the entire summer for some of the
juniors at SMU. “This was our full time job.
We couldn’t afford to go for an internship
because there was no time. The co-ordination
of events and managing the logistics can be
quite a big load to handle”, Anthony said,
nodding his head vigorously.
Was the Freshmen Teambuilding Camp
worth all the effort? A survey conducted by the
organizers showed that approximately 80% of
the freshmen said that they enjoyed the camp.
FTB’s goals to familiarize students with
events to come were also achieved. Most of
the freshman knew what major school events
were to succeed the Freshman Bash and knew
the tag lines as well.
“The convocation
seemed larger than life
at times. It was like
some of the pages from
Harry Potter had come
alive, when I saw the
profs walking through
the Suntec Hall”.
Following the 4 runs of the freshman team
building camp (which was dubbed Step In:
Be Challenged) was the Convocation – Step
In: Be Unique. The formal occasion was
marked by the faculty dressed in “the attire
of academia”. The symbolic event was graced
by several dignitaries including the Chairman
of the board of governors (and of Mediacorp),
Mr. Ho Kwan Ping and the SMU President,

Mr. Howard Hunter. The keynote address was
delivered by Dr Noeleen Heyser, Singapore’s
first female Under Secretary General of the
United Nations and Executive Secretary of the
Economic and Social Commission for Asia
and the Pacific. After the eloquent speech was
a post-formal segment - where various CCA’s
got to display their talents, thus trying to woo
freshman into their clubs.
One of the freshmen commented, “The
convocation seemed larger than life at times. It
was like some of the pages from Harry Potter
had come alive, when I saw the profs walking
through the Suntec Hall”.
Vivace: Be Involved was held on the first
Friday of the opening week of university.
Vivace was a great model of marketing success,
especially with their distribution of goodie
bags to all freshmen. The organization in itself
was immaculate with spaces being stringently
allocated for booths and performance areas.
The concourse was flooded with a Diaspora of
117 stalls representing diverse clubs that are
part of the SMU fraternity. Colourful displays
enchanted many freshmen into signing up for
numerous CCA’s.
“I missed out on Vivace. I had classes”,
exploded a particularly disgruntled freshman.
Although catered to service those who had
classes as well – the CCA day – couldn’t quite
engage with those who were busy on the day
with classes. There were a few who enthusiastic
first-year students who even suggested that it
be made a 2-day event.
For the first time, Freshmen Bash has been
integrated with the other freshmen events.
School Events
Previously Freshmen Bash was organized
solely by the Bizcom, Although Bizcom has
always been a subcommittee under SA, the
bash has always been organized separately from
other freshmen events. This year, collaboration
between the Bash chairpersons and the heads
for other FE events has helped integrate
this event with the rest of the Freshmen
Experience. This was a great platform for the
newcomers to interact with one another and
enjoy a night of fun.” Barring some grumbling
about the dragging events, bash was enjoyed
by all. It was a really fun night”, said one of the
organizers of freshman bash.
All in all, the Freshmen Experience achieved
what it promised to do. It inducted the
new pupils of the Singapore Management
University with arms wide open to the prospect
of an exciting four years ahead.
The Blue and Gold • Issue 3 • Page 5
 School Events
For the Fearless
A recap of SMUX NiteBike’08
By Anirban Datta Gupta
There are some events that challenge your
physical and mental endurance. And then
there are some events that redefine these terms.
Nitebike’08 was one such event.
NiteBike’08 offered participants a unique
opportunity to view the sights of sounds of
Singapore by night, while confronting the
unique challenge of cycling in the dark.
Organized by the SMU Xtremists (SMUX),
the theme for this year was ‘Mystery and
Suspense,’ personified by the name of the
event “Fear’is Wheel”, a pun on the word
“Ferris Wheel”.
The main aim of the event was to showcase
Singapore’s nightlife to students and faculty
members, while giving the participants a feel
of expedition biking. The contingent covered
a total distance of about 60 kilometers. After
meeting up at East Cost Park, they started
off cycling at 7.30pm and ended the next
morning at 7.30am. They covered areas such as
Page 6, Issue 3, The Blue and Gold
Serangoon, Hougang, Newton, Ang Mo Kio,
Kallang and Marine Parade.
Ensuring the safety of participants was the
top priority of the organizing committee, as
there were 160 bikers riding simultaneously on
the road. Comprehensive preventive measures
were taken.
The first of these was a detailed safety reporting
procedures which each of the Group Leaders
(GL’s) had to familiarize themselves with.
Secondly, four safety cars and an ambulance
provided safety support on the go. Each of these
safety vehicles had qualified first aiders. Also,
a command vehicle ensured that the organizers
knew exactly where each of the group leaders
and safety vehicles were. Testament to this
safety plan is that there were no major accidents
along the way, barring a minor fall, which was
attended to immediately.
Adding to the excitement of the event were
games organized at stations along the way.
These included classics like ‘Treasure Hunt’
PHOTOS: LIM ZAOYI
and innovations such as “Find one face among
1000 photos”, a thrilling murder mystery
of sorts! These games helped build a sense
of camaraderie, as friendships grew out of
the spirit of adventure and perseverance.
Participants also got a chance to recharge
themselves at a couple of the game stations,
where refreshments were organized.
Rebekah Yap Wan Xin, an enthusiastic
participant of Nitebike’08 said “Night bike
was a fantastic experience. It was very fun and
interesting, and at the same time the GLs did
a good job in ensuring the welfare of the group
members, going at a pace that everyone could
keep up with.”
The response to this year’s event was extremely
positive, and the experience was one which the
participants will definitely cherish for a long
time.
For further information, do feel free to email
SMUX at xtremists@sa.smu.edu.sg.

Glitterati… Literati?
A glimpse into SMU’s first literature appreciation society
By: Terri-anne,
It also means the literary intelligentsia, if some
of you are wondering.
More importantly, ‘Literati’ is the name of the
newest student venture in SMU. Apart from
being spanking new, this club is also the first
of its kind in the literary scene here. Its most
recent public appearance was at Vivace, along
with its ‘GET BOOKED’ banner and posters
posted across the SMU campus.
This is no ordinary book club. Undeniably, you
will be confronted with discussions on literary
devices and foreign terminology. It is, after
all, a literature appreciation club. Fear not,
however, Literati isn’t all about Sparknotes and
Shakespeare. It’s a study much more personal
than that.
Have you ever read something that made you
gasp with horror, sigh with emotion, smirk
with mirth? A story that contained so many
puzzles and possible endings that made you
crave a discussion? A quote so beautiful that
About: School Events
What this section aims to achieve:
Provide knowledge and information relevant
to the student body of events happening in the
campus.
Sharing of insights and experiences through
interviews with participants and organisers of
events in the campus.
you wished you had someone you could tell
who would understand your wonder?
You see, Literati is the brainchild of a group
of friends who have that very same simple but
burning desire. That very understanding has
translated into the birth of Literati.
Lovers of literature – prose and poetry alike, are
now able to come together with that common
desire to talk, gush, cry, laugh and even debate
heatedly about the books we read and love. It
provides a platform for the sharing of favourite
quotes, personal pieces and perspectives that
were always kept quietly shelved and lost
between pages before.
This was displayed at the recent launch party,
which was honoured by Professor Low Kee
Yang, who shared a poem that has always deeply
touched him. Students shared similar recitals
and experiences with literature that they felt
a bond with. In a way, this introduction-to-
self was a lot more intimate than the usual
How you can contribute as a club/ event
organiser:
Send us a short proposal of what you would
like to write about. Your article should cover
the following:
- Flow of events
- Feedback from the participants
- Any insights from the organisers regarding
preparation for the event to the final
execution.
School Events
ice-breakers—hopefully a good sign for the
meetings to come!
Speaking of meetings, Literati also had its
inaugural meeting last Monday. Helmed by
Professor Kirpal Singh, the group of about 30
students discussed two short poems. Although
this took place in an all too familiar Seminar
Room, this did not dampen the anticipation
of a stimulating literary affair. A rare, almost
magical spirit of participation was stirred,
as the crowd began to exchange a barrage of
opinion about the pieces. Nevertheless, do
rest assured, venues will soon evolve to more
scenic, inspirational ones.
Being fresh on the scene, there is still much
to look forward to apart from monthly reading
sessions. There is a book drive in the works,
along with a poetry slam that will be held as
part of the Arts Fest next January.
For further information, do feel free to email
Literati at literati@sa.smu.edu.sg.
How you can contribute as a student:
Share with us your insights and experiences
from any event or sighting. There is no
requirement on length or scope.
Freelance journalists:
Send us a brief regarding what you will
cover. We are looking for articles that have
perspectives from all parties as much as
possible.
The Blue and Gold, Issue 3, Page 7
Viewpoint
Back to school:
Is SMU what you thought to be?
A Place for Everyone
By Kate Lim
Before you stepped into SMU, I’m sure you had
your reasons for why you chose to walk through
those gantries. The city campus, ambitions of
being the next guy with a 5-figure pay check,
the vibrancy seen in the eyes of that girl hanging
in midair on the advertisements, the American
pedagogy, that professional degree and the list
goes on and on.
Have you found what you were looking for? You
have definitely found a lot more than you have
wished for. More pain? Or More pleasure?
After 4 years, I still find it hard to answer my
14-year-old cousin who asked, “What is SMU
life like?” I could always tell him about the
activities SMU has lined up for students, the
activities that students hold from year to year,
regurgitate the information on the school’s
website. How would this make sense to someone
whom I have no idea of what she expects from
her university education? Maybe the question
was really, “What is your SMU life like?” To
which I’d immediately respond, “Wow! I don’t
know where to start.”
It’s a myriad of personal experiences and
emotions for me alone, not to mention, your story
or those of the thousands of students walking
About the viewpoint section:
What this section aims to achieve:
Allows students to air their views on various
topics concerning them.
To generate student discussion through sharing
of different viewpoints.
Page 8 • Issue 3 • The Blue and Gold
through the school corridors. Complaining
about my ‘dreaded’ Week 14 or sharing the
‘very exciting’ club activities I’ve been through
suddenly seemed like an incomplete, judgment-
laden image of SMU that I shouldn’t paint.
And after all the above, I must admit that the
topic question ‘Is SMU what you imagined it
to be?’ is a ridiculous question for a less-than-
a-page article. There are simply too many facets
to write on, too many diverse opinions to decide
which are worthy to pen. If you wish that our
system would run better – less red-tape, more
constructive class interactions, better internships
– send an email to whoever-in-charge.
It’s a myriad of personal
experiences and emotions
for me alone, not to
mention, your story or
those of the thousands of
students walking through
the school corridors.
Besides evaluating the school or workplace we
‘belong to’, or what society and education system
we are placed in, maybe who we should really
critique is ourselves – the eyes through which
we see the world, the voice through which we
How you can contribute as a student:
Write to us and let us know what you want to
write about. Send us a short 100 - 200 word
excerpt and we shall get in touch with you as
soon as possible.
Writers will be judged on quality of argu-
ments brought forward, scope, and maturity
of thought. Selected writers will be invited to
write the full length article to be posted in the
paper.
make our opinions known and the actions that
we take to achieve what we desire.
It makes sense that more often than not, we
are the root of everything that ‘happens’. If you
hate SMU, you will only get 4 years of regret. If
you do nothing in SMU, you will get nothing.
If you love SMU, you will be too busy enjoying
and sharing the great experience with others.
Four years ago, SMU was a foreign land
that I stepped into thinking I knew what I
wanted. In Year Three, I realised I put myself
in the Alcatraz prison, struggling to live to
the day I see that degree scroll. One year to
graduation, SMU is the place through which I
found inspiration in many individuals and the
fireplace around which I found the warmth of
many good friends. Most importantly to me,
going through the past 3 years have allowed me
to find some answers to questions I never asked
or saw an end to.
Your SMU probably differs. Your life probably
differs. But definitely, it is just a mirror of who
we are inside, a function of how we choose to
lead our lives. If you seek an ordinary school
life, you will get an ordinary life. If you seek an
extraordinary life, you will find an extraordinary
life of your own.
Who to contact?
Send your emails to pubcomm@sa.smu.edu.
sg and give it the subject name “Viewpoint:”
followed by your query or excerpt.
Lookout for the topic lists emailers we send out!
Students are also encouraged to raise new topics
of their interests.

Concourse
Celebrations
By Vaishnavi K. Nair
A year ago, SMU was a faraway place; Smiling
professors, leaping students and a promise of
a difference. A few months ago, SMU was my
aim. I knew the school website inside out and
every telephone ring was looked on with hope,
lest it be an anticipated interview call.
Today, as I rush through the concourse for my
lessons at the LKCSB – for which I am always
barely on time - I pause to ask myself, prodded
on by The Blue & Gold’s topic, “Is SMU what
I imagined to be?”
From the very beginning,
I knew that classes would
be challenging but fun.
However, by the end of the
first week, I added another
adjective – “personalised”.
I could literally see the
attention and curiosity in
students as our professors
delivered their lectures.
The days following my acceptance were a blur
of activities. Almost my entire schooling was
done in Chennai, a city in India. And as I soon
discovered, saying goodbye to twelve years
worth of acquaintances in two short months
was no easy task. Add to this, extravagant
shopping trips, passport renewal troubles and
the student pass application process, my days
were royally filled.
In between the rush, my imagination was
working overtime trying to envisage SMU. I
was having a hard time adjusting to the thought
of leaving home and I wondered how life in
another country amidst strangers would be.
Everyone told me not to paint a perfect picture.
“There will be teething problems”, well-wishers
warned. “Your triumph lies in not loosing heart
and overcoming them all.”
I took their advice seriously. I chose to study
in SMU because of the tremendous reputation
and learned faculty. I had heard much about the
atmosphere which seemingly fostered learning
through practice. I was genuinely interested in
my subject. These seemed good enough reasons
to study in an institution. And as I constantly
reminded myself, cultural shocks and feeling
homesick were a part of the deal. I was prepared
for anything.
What I was not prepared for was … smooth
sailing. The first real shock was the Freshmen
Team Building Camp. I have never been
an outdoors person and the concept of FTB
completely put me off. I would have asked the
smiling senior at the registration counter at
least four times whether FTB was compulsory.
I am glad her answer was yes, because the camp
turned out to be one of the most interesting
experiences in my life. I learnt many things.
The importance of simulation, the need for
plan contingency and the concept of “one shot,
one kill” – I would never have understood them
to the extent I did had my group, after a series
of not-so-successful activities, not decided to
put these ideas into practice.
My group itself was another surprise all together.
I listened with interest as the girls explained the
educational system in Singapore and heard with
awe as the boys spoke of National Service.
Everyone seemed keen on making me feel at
home. And I was very thankful that my first
exposure to SMU and Singapore had gone off
so well. As I realised later on, the high spirits I
gained from the FTB experience translated into
enthusiasm for the University and everything
else the institution had to offer.
From the very beginning, I knew that classes
would be challenging but fun. However, by the
end of the first week, I added another adjective –
“personalised”. I could literally see the attention
and curiosity in students as our professors
delivered their lectures. Sometimes, when the
professor intersperses the lecture with personal
anecdotes or call on some student to include
him/her in the joke, the interest doubles. As we
all laugh heartily, I wonder how in less than four
weeks, some of my professors knew most of the
students by name. I can find no other term to
explain this phenomenon, except “personalised”.
In classes, the term “challenging” was also being
given new dimensions. As the days progressed,
our professors began to take us through denser
and more obscure material.
I listened carefully as my Economics professor
Viewpoint
asked us to expect the portions to be of a high
standard. “Because,” his eyes twinkled. “If we
teach an Engineer, we expect a bridge built
by him to stand the test of time… Not fall in
a day”. My Math professor put in simpler,
“freshmen, we are different, yes. Because we
work harder, much harder, than the rest!” I
joined the ensuing laughter uncomfortably.
It seemed like our professor was making
the statement after much forethought.
But whatever the challenge, the students seem
to rise to it magnificently, I noticed. The
professors set their standards quite high and the
Everyone seemed keen on
making me feel at home.
And I was very thankful
that my first exposure to
SMU and Singapore had
gone off so well.
students found a pleasure in rising above that.
I knew beforehand that the level of healthy
competition in SMU was quite high. But now I
realise that after some time, the question ceased
to be whether you were better than your peers.
I found myself questioning my limits. I have
begun to ask, can’t I write a better memo, make
a better presentation, have a better idea… the
real competition for each of us seemed to be
in bettering our own records and improving
ourselves as an individual.
As I started working in various groups for
different modules, I sensed that every person
brought in a particular strength into the
group. Since, most projects had a lot at stake
in them; each strength had to build on another.
Team work – that’s the word, I realised after
an LTB meeting. In the process, we developed
camaraderie too. It was difficult to spend hours
in the GSR and on MSN together without
ending up liking each other. Friends seemed
everywhere. It was hard to feel lonely at SMU.
I checked my watch hurriedly as I went up the
escalator. Good, I have made it on time to class.
I ask myself again, “Is SMU what I imagined
to be?” Waving at my LTB mates as they stood
outside the classroom, waiting for me, I smile
smugly. SMU is much better. SMU is home.
The Blue and Gold, Issue 3, Page 9
 Viewpoint
Singapore
through a
Mexican’s Eyes
By Karla Torres Castillo
Western, a name I’d never been called before
coming to Singapore. Born in Mexico, and
living in the U.S. and France before, life was
good.
However, the opportunity to visit Asia for the
very first time arrived at the beginning of this
year, and after some detailed research, Singapore
turned out to be “the place”. Before departing,
I felt anxious and overwhelmed. After all, I was
about to travel for twenty – two hours, with a
fifteen hours difference between home and my
new home. Therefore I decided that the best
option was simply to relax and enjoy the ride.
After one day here, my first impression of
Singapore was basically: People here never
seem to stop! They are always walking and
running in and out the MRT, which I now
understand, because I have become part of this
never stopping society. However, adapting took
a while.
For the first days I couldn’t help but feel like
a stranger, being stared at, and called a couple
of times western. And at the same time, I was
acclimatizing and learning the smallest details
such as eating with chopsticks, importance
Page 10, Issue 3, The Blue and Gold
and variety of chicken rice, taking my shoes off
before entering a house, to bigger ones, such
understanding a new culture, for example: the
concept and meaning of Hungry Ghost and
Moon Cake Festival.
And school! Because after all, school was the
reason I came here. Singapore Management
University has a very good rhythm of work.
There’s always something to do around; a project,
team group meeting, and classes; which are very
appealing - interactive and yet informative.
Getting around and meeting people at school
was without a doubt a very nice experience.
There was always someone willing to help me
find my way to the classroom, someone sitting
Definitely being
here is a challenging
decision; at least
it has been for
me, because in my
perspective, an
amazing combination
of races, languages,
and cultures brings
Singapore to life.
next to me while noticing I’m an exchange
student, and plenty invitations to have lunch.
As well, there was always someone giving me his
or her mobile number in case I needed help at
all. Therefore, my opinion of Singaporeans turns
out to be that they are a very considerate society,
who really seems to like having visitors from
all around the globe, and the most important
thing is that they are very helpful through the
adaptation process.
Definitely being here is a challenging decision;
at least it has been for me, because in my
perspective, an amazing combination of races,
languages, and cultures brings Singapore to
life.
And after staying here for over a month I came
to find this culture as a very open arm society,
interested in diversity, culture, and willing to
growing intra and inter personal. I feel very glad
of being here, because I’ve got to experience life
from a very different perspective and I’m sure
that this enrichment is definitely for lifetime.
And finally, that the biggest growth of an
exchange program is unquestionably the
experiencing, understanding, and enjoying of a
new culture. So if you are considering studying
a period abroad or have the chance to live this
opportunity in any form, go ahead is a great
experience in every form!

Have we
Forgotten to be
Different?
By DICKSON Su
In recent years, coming back to SMU has never
felt as exciting as it previously. In fact, I feel
a sharp dearth of spontaneity and creativity
amongst us students compared to the days
of our seniors. Perhaps, the greatest reason
for this loss of excitement is the increasingly
competitive environment that has evolved over
the years. Unlike the days of the old Bukit
Timah campus, where words like “vibrant” and
“different” truly reflected the people within the
school community. And I believe that many
other SMU students, especially those from
much earlier cohorts would concur with me.
Although I never got the chance to spend a
term at the old campus, the minimal time I had
spent at the old campus during my admission
interview days, as well as times when I visited
my female classmates from JC then at SMU,
were sufficient for me to experience first-
hand the kind of spirit that was alive in the
school. I remembered those times when SMU
students were branded as people who “dared
to be different”. Ethically speaking, there was
nothing wrong in so doing because the students
did indeed live up to the tagline. And to some
extent, these people were not afraid of going
against conformity; they were bold in both
thought and action.
A case in point was made when a female friend
of mine (an SMU alumnus in 2007), who
presently is working in a premier Swiss bank
in Singapore shared with me recently about
her fellow colleague whom, having also come
from the same alumni, had belonged to the first
intake of Business students. My friend had the
opportunity to work with him for one of the
bank’s marketing campaign and was pleasantly
caught off by the idea he gave – an effective
marketing tool that could help raise awareness
but yet had never been thought of before by
previous teams.
So comparing this new breed of graduates in
Singapore who “dared to be different” to the
other local universities, I knew that SMU was
where I wanted to be upon completing my
Viewpoint
national service. It was the value that SMU
imbued which attracted me deeply to the
school; the “unique pedagogy” that produced
individuals who were equipped with the skills
for the workplace where tertiary education
entailed more than just outstanding grades.
Three years have passed since I was called up for
the admissions interview, and now that it won’t
be long before I join the ranks as an alumnus,
my sentiment towards SMU is a stark contrast.
Perhaps to the meet the demands of the modern
local economy, the university has no choice
but to increase the volume of intake each year.
The result, in my opinion, is that quality was
sacrificed for quantity. These days, I don’t really
see how different SMU graduates are from the
It was the value that SMU
imbued which attracted
me deeply to the school;
the “unique pedagogy”
that produced individuals
who were equipped with
the skills for the workplace
where tertiary education
entailed more than just
outstanding grades.
graduates of other universities. Interestingly, the
same friend of mine shared that she had similar
sentiments during her final terms as well.
Perhaps some would argue that what we have
experienced might be nothing more than the
“Year Four Syndrome” – marked by a general
tiredness from all the years in university, which
in no thanks has been exacerbated by the
increase in stress levels every new term – (again)
attributed by each new cohort. Nevertheless, it
seems to me without a doubt that the school
has turned into another university-machine
frantically churning out degree-holders for
the economy’s well-being. Sadly, these days,
any kind of description that is used during
the admissions campaign appears to be mere
marketing slogan, rather than a genuine
attempt to promote the school through the
unique talents of our individuals. It is with deep
longing that I recall the days when SMU was
truly “different”.
The Blue and Gold, Issue 3, Page 11
 Viewpoint
Fresh off the Boat
By Stella Ong Chong Yen
Contrary to popular belief, SMU students do
not, as commercially advertised, erupt into
spontaneous SMU Jumps in an unadulterated
celebration of having a SMU Matriculation
Card bestowed upon them. Neither are there
random Mambo outbursts as I witnessed in the
loosely governed school camps. Nevertheless,
SMU has its many quirks and surprises. I
would love to ramble on aimlessly, but just so
that academic writing fans don’t launch a sit-
in outside Koufu, I categorize my argument as
shown below:
Academics - Class Participation
I always registered the fact that SMU
manufactures outspoken graduates by the
landfills, thanks to the ingenious and shrewd
tool christened “Class Participation”, or Class
Part for short. In the naïve days before SMU,
I believed that Class Part was a pretentious
synonym for “remaining conscious”. Needless
to say, SMU was a rude awakening. In a
nutshell, Class Part transfigures each student
into our favorite hand-raising muggle (and
mugger) Hermione Granger. Understandably,
the surprise I got attending my first class can
be crudely likened to having Sadako climb out
of your (school-ordered) Fujitsu Laptop screen
– terrifying, in-your-face and completely the
school’s fault.
CCA
When I was in still in JC, my friend claimed
that her sister founded the gourmet club. At
that point, I concluded that CCAs in SMU
should really be taken with a tablespoon-ful
of salt, since an eating club doesn’t exactly win
Page 12, Issue 3, The Blue and Gold
medals and bring the school glory. Yet my jaw
hit the SR (Seminar Room) carpet when I
was introduced to Underwater Hockey. Then
came Mahjong Club. By the time Vivace rolled
around, all these CCAs didn’t seem so frilly or
unsound after all. (No offence). I think a diu-
diu* club should be in order for Year 2009.
Camps
I’ve had the immense fortune of attending
three (Bondue, Escapade and FTB) and I
must say that my definition of a camp has been
drastically altered. After having experienced the
many brainless and pointless games (chubby
bunny, yee-haw, and my favorite – diu diu),
forfeits (kaching!, human pole-dance) nightly
drinking sessions and shameless match-making
(all mouth-to-mouth games included), I’ve
rationalized that there is much to be gained
from 3 days’ worth of acts of stupidity. However,
I must make it clear that FTB, with a fassy
(facilitator) constantly demanding to know
how much planning and simulation time we
need, is far from a no-brainer camp. So in the
name of good Comprehension skills, are the
camps what I imagined them to be? Judging
from the extreme levels of intellect involved,
and outrageous activities, I’d be hard-forced to
say no.
Facilities
Before actually stepping foot into campus,
I attributed the higher SMU school fees to
the fact that the campus being in town, and
perhaps higher salaries for the Profs because,
well, holding the fort down from overwhelming
Class Part is extremely stressful. But the pleasant
realization came that, this is no truly longer
JC. Once in SMU, hands are rather useless as
automation is king here. Granted, there are
(Stick ad here)
Your ad could be here!
Reach out to the masses! Advertise with us!
Contact us at: pubcomm@sa.smu.edu.sg
many times where after tango-ing in front of
the automated doors to no avail, I wish I could
just push the doors open myself. Gone are also
the days where I have to walk out of an elevator
with a fake limp in fear of getting booked. I
think it’s unanimous that SMU Facilities are
absolutely top-notch. Gym equipment with
personal TVs, air-conditioned GSRs, escalators
instead of stairs; at the rate we’re being spoiled,
it’s no wonder that we have to do 80 hours of
CSP to remain grounded.
Retail outlets
This is one area of the school that still continues
to astonish. To understand, firstly contrast
the open-sale of beer in SMU to the under-
the-table illegal fried chicken wing sold in
Primary/Secondary School/JC. Then slowly
think about the rationales behind the various
cafes, restaurants and stores in school. Florist &
gift shop for dating, travel agency for holiday,
bars for a quick mind-numbing; the immediate
reasons seem to deviate from the ideal student’s
formula of studying hard and attending CCA
(one that wins medals). That said, I do appreciate
the presence of the dental clinic, physiotherapist
and medical-related services, just in case I injure
myself in a game of Quidditch (Sports Fiesta)
In conclusion, SMU is everything I thought
it would be, but much more. In the spirit of
a business school, I believe it will continue to
impress and shock in a plethora of unimaginable
ways. But before our Matriculation Cards (and
sadly, Mr Bean discounts) expire, SMU should
really be attended with an open mind and a
child’s innocence, for it is the surprises that
make school memorable (cliché and cheesy as
it sounds).

GPA: Great Pressure Accumulation
Is the pursuit for grades spiraling out of control?
Who should we blame?
By SHISHIR SINHA
Hearing students complain about their peers
being more competitive and preachers being
more pressurizing is no uncommon notion
to any student who has spent more than a
semester in SMU.
The various components of the so called ‘Great
Pressure Accumulation’ include the numerous
readings, countless group meetings, and high
class-participation rates, increased number of
individual projects, and, obviously, the ever-
daunting midterms & exams. And being
SMU students, purely academic merits don’t
satisfy many, so there is added pressure from
Co-Curricular Activity groups year by year in
order to achieve greater heights.
Is all the complaining justified?
Ironically, we all point fingers at each other,
blaming the others for being overly competitive,
but we effortlessly choose to overlook the
mere fact that we as individuals practice that
competitiveness ourselves. SMU maintains a
high standard of education and it is clearly
reflected in us - we are greatly involved, we set
tall goals, we want to achieve the best jobs and
it becomes one very long list.
The important point is that we are all creators
and therefore bearers of this accumulating
pressure. We choose to set our own goals &
standards, and intentionally, or unintentionally,
choosing SMU as the provider of tertiary
education is setting a high standard in itself.
The complaining may be justified with the
physical amount of work increasing but as
students we choose to raise our intellectual
levels by aiming for the highest grades, and
that requires certain pressure.
One has to realize that the rationale behind
such competitive behavior is because, at a
subconscious level, we recognize that we
must step out into the real world one day,
where people value each other based on
Viewpoint
One has to realize that
the rationale behind such
competitive behavior is
because, at a subconscious
level, we recognize that we
must step out into the real
world one day, where people
value each other based on
their intellectual capabilities.
their intellectual capabilities. And in that
big bad real world, we are all just individuals,
contending for those very places that everyone
wants; including our peers.
With few places and many contenders, the
employers are looking for students who have
more to offer; more activities, more skills,
more hobbies, more experience, more Grade
Point Average and yes, that does result in
further pressure accumulation. But this
pressure accumulation results in making us
better people; more diverse, more informed,
more focused, more balanced, and eventually,
better educated.
It is easy to fall into the downhill spiral of being
behind in readings, missing classes, being late
for meetings; but we must proactively improve
our time management in order to accomplish
the standard we have set for ourselves while
not getting overwhelmed by work.
While one is free to complain about the
stressful environment in SMU, it is vital for
us to understand that the real world is often
more demanding. Schooling at SMU is an
opportunity to experience reality, on a smaller
scale, along with a freedom for experimentation
and some great friends. Most importantly,
here you will at least get a second chance.
The Blue and Gold, Issue 3, Page 13
 Viewpoint
Run Nerds, Run

BY JENNIFER KING
Do your palms start sweating at the mention of
the bell curve? Does caffeine and blood-drained
eyes sound as familiar to you as LTB? Well then,
welcome to SMU, your future, and the rat race.
You better take out your best running shoes,
because this is no easy sprint. You’re competing
against the same determination you yourself
bring forward, and higher, tending towards
infinity. Theoretically, this compilation of resolve
is conducive to our educational environment;
it spurs everyone to perform better. But
realistically, there’s an inherent problem – we
can’t all succeed at the highest levels.

Not to sound like a doom-mongering pessimist,

but if you’re opting for top-tier success, don’t
take advice from your fellow slackers, because
grades do matter. If you ever hear this statement
in its negative form, it’s probably proclaimed
by someone who is standing on the sidelines,
watching those who haven’t given up yet rush
by him.Opponents of perfectionism may argue
that the relentless drive for a higher GPA is
ultimately hurting the individual. To all those
with logic behind their reasoning – how can the
desire to succeed be detrimental? Let me clarify
that there’s a fundamental difference in adaptive
and maladaptive perfectionism. Those in the
latter category intentionally set themselves up
for failure, by elevating the bars of achievement
to the point where no matter how high they
jump, they’ll fall short. However, if you’re
adaptive, then occasional under-performance
doesn’t throw you off, and you derive pleasure
from the fruits of your work. This, as the
healthy option of perfectionism, eliminates the
psychologically-backed arguments of health
hazards, and is the ultimate goal-driver.

Therefore, determination and perfectionism

are probably the most relevant, albeit not
exclusive, ingredients for success. If you’re still
willing to raise your hand to argue against the
exponentially multiplying madness of GPA
pursuit – please sit down. Our college résumé
is the non-refundable ticket into the world of
possibilities, and if that dimension is where you
want to end up in, pay the fee. As economists
tend to remind each other, there’s no such
thing as a free lunch. Well, there’s also no
such thing as a free summa cum laude. Unless
you’re a polymath, or already have specialized
knowledge à la Einstein, you probably need to
join the crazy chase. Obviously, if you’re hoping
to spend your life as a couch potato by marrying
rich, consult the “how to entice the archduke
of Monaco” guide and ignore everything here.
Unfortunately, there’s simply not enough royalty
out there for all of us, so it’s always good to have
a back-up plan.
As college graduates, the summary of our graded
workload, a.k.a our GPA, is the dominant
measure of qualification in the business world.
The government or firms are not likely to come
up with any novel designation schemes anytime
soon, so trying to do well in the current one
is a sure bet. So until someone is reported to
have died from an overdose of studying, there is
ample justification in hitting the books.

Page 14, Issue 3, The Blue and Gold


The Carrot becomes the
Donkey
BY- NIVEDITA VENKATEISH
A fight over decimals. A squabble over a curve.
A nasty number that threatens to take over
whatever is left of your college experience, and
quashes any hopes of retaliation. Welcome to
the world of the GPA.
The GPA system was meant
to be a carrot at the end of
a stick. It was meant to be
something that incentivize
the youth of today to
evaluate their performance
and know where they are
going wrong.
The grade point average: a number meant to
indicate current performance as an incentive to
do better in the future has morphed into The
Great Pressure Accumulation- A number that
is synonymous with whether you float or sink
in this “rat race” of a college world.
Today students perceive success to be
synonymous with how well you know a textbook,
how much you can manipulate a given system
in order to get that A+; all for the ultimate goal
of increasing that one number.
The GPA system was meant to be a carrot at
the end of a stick. It was meant to be something
that incentivize the youth of today to evaluate
their performance and know where they are
going wrong .It was meant to be one of many
indicators of knowledge and not knowledge in
itself. However this definition has morphed and
transgressed to solely encompassing textbooks
and rote learning. The other facets of college,
CCA’s, friends, a “school spirit” have taken a
backseat. The importance placed on GPA is so
great that we have down-traded the importance
of knowledge and substituted it with that one
number.
An indicator to the level of pressure on students
these a days can be evaluated with the hours
a general SMU student spends burning the
midnight oil at the library in order to reach
Viewpoint
the so desired 4.0, what we see is a change in
the basic definition of what an SMU student
requires out of education.
By just doing what the system requires, by just
focusing on the important parts of the syllabus,
by doing just as much but not beyond nor
below, all that we as students of SMU achieve
is the basic prerequisite of education but not
education as a whole.
Another important issue is how the race
to achieve this GPA is run. Students put
themselves under such high pressure in order to
achieve this utopian GPA that they fail to enjoy
the nuances of college.
These include important activities like
socialising or joining a CCA. The rat race
towards achieving the magical GPA has
rendered these redundant, and instead of
maximising the college experience what we see
is people cooped in a room working.
The lure of a “Better Job” and consequentially a
better GPA has surpassed the fun, excitement
and uniqueness of the college experience. When
today’s SMU students leave college they will be
overtired (from way too many hours spent in
front of a computer in the library), jaded (due
to their mad dash for the 4.0) and left wanting
(for lack of extending themselves towards their
friends and work).
In conclusion we refuse to waste a minute on
something that doesn’t lead to GPA inflation.
Gone are the days when college was meant to be
a place to learn, explore and try out new things.
Today as collegiate we won’t try out something
The lure of a “Better Job”
and consequentially a better
GPA has surpassed the fun,
excitement and uniqueness
of the college experience.
new for fear of wasting precious time that
could be spent “mugging”, we won’t take that
necessary risk that helps us grow - because we
are afraid.
“Whatever happened to enjoying education?”
The Blue and Gold, Issue 3, Page 15
 Viewpoint
Chasing those A’s
The BY- DAMIEN TAY KIAN PING
Blue and Gold The first few batches of graduating seniors
proved to the job market and conservative
parents that the “dumping ground” SMU
Recruitment could produce confident, articulate and worldly
graduates ready to step into the McKinsey’s,
Notice Goldman Sachs and Ogilvy’s of the working
world.
Back in 2003, I still remember my mother
questioning my decision to enroll into
SMU despite having an offer from the NUS
Business School. Her concerns were that (i)
Want to we had no alumni; (ii) the university had no
history, and worse still, (iii) was known to be
write? a dumping ground for ‘A’ Level triple-C grade
students. She was worried that almost no
company would take a chance on this young,
untested upstart. However, things took a turn
Have a burning passion for the better due to our seniors’ excellent job
placement records, magnified by our school’s
for journalism? slick marketing campaigns heralding the
various poster boys/ girls at so-and-so top
firms.
Today, we have around 10 JC/ poly students
Waiting for the perfect knocking on our doors for every place.
opportunity to Naturally, the admissions committee tended
to choose the “cream”—those holding
make a difference ‘Distinction’ diplomas or an ‘A’ Levels
certificate with 4 A grades.
in the campus?
In order to achieve these kinds of results, a
student has to be either (i) intelligent, (ii) very
hardworking, or (iii) a combination of both. It
is highly probable that these students would
continue their work ethic; hence we have the
intense competition for grades, especially in
Join us! the faculties where the grades are awarded
on a bell curve. These juniors are simply not
accustomed to receiving ‘C’ or even ‘B’ grades,
and they will compete with one another to
get the top grades—it is simply part of their
nature/ make-up. This is the first contributor
to the chase for the GPA.
The second contributor. Let’s be frank, almost
no SMU student wants to work for some
small SME based in Tuas. A big, safe, brand-
name MNC/ bank with a nice office in Raffles
Place is what most of us yearn for. Note the
words “most of us” in the previous sentence.
There are just too many of us applying to the
Email us at “The Blue & Gold” or
same top firms. To preserve their sanity and
sauser14@smu.edu.sg
enough time for their coffee breaks, the HR
Page 16, Issue 3, The Blue and Gold
personnel in most MNCs have instituted the
first hurdle—a minimum GPA—let’s say it’s
3.3 initially. HR then realizes that the stack
of resumes has been reduced from a 20cm to
10cm thickness, but it is still too many resumes
to screen. So a cut-off of 3.6 is implemented
to make the stack manageable at 5cm. I don’t
think you can blame the students for chasing
the GPAs—this is imposed by most of the top
companies, as a result of too much demand for
limited job vacancies.
And finally, the third contributor. A smaller
group of students may appear in this
category—if you have very few friends, have
not joined a CCA in SMU and use the GPA
to inflate your sense of self-worth, then I just
think you are sad. A high GPA does not mean
that you are automatically cool or will get the
chicks.
On a more serious note, as a (just slightly)
wiser senior, I would like to remind the
younger ones to know what you are doing. If
you are bent on getting a hotshot investment
banking/ consulting/ MNC job, make sure
you know why.
Let’s be frank, almost
no SMU student wants
to work for some small
SME based in Tuas. A big,
safe, brand-name MNC/
bank with a nice office in
Raffles Place is what most
of us yearn for.
You must also recognize the fact that for
every summer holiday that you choose to
take summer classes or an internship, that
holiday will never return, especially when you
look back upon your school days as a working
adult. It would be a waste for one to sacrifice
all the holidays and time spent with friends
to prepare for a job that you actually have no
passion for. On the other hand, if you make
the decision that these sacrifices are essential
for the XYZ job, then please go ahead—you
will avoid the regret of “playing too much” and
not doing enough for your career prospects.
 Viewpoint

Unbranded column*
Why are you here? Why am I here?
This space
could be
YOURS.

Advertise
with us!

The U in SMU!
BY- S. RAMASWAMI
PRACTICE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
OF MARKETING
The last column asked “Is that it? Is that what
you are here for? Is that what faculty are here
for? To put our brains and brawn, and blood,
sweat and tears, together, to find out what is
the best starting salary you can get when you
FREE
advertising
slots for
student-
organised
meet people very different from yourself, to
challenge every assumption you were born events
into, to make lifelong friends, and even
(and I wish everyone of you the very best) a
lifelong partner, to learn of things that you
never imagined existed, to learn that many of
the things that exist are not really what you
For enquiries,
thought they were, to learn what your special
talents are, to at least start seeking a spiritual
contact us at:
understanding of the world (is there a God?
What happens when we die? Why should I

leave school – by striving to get the highest
GPA you can get while at school?”
Education, especially in a first degree program,
should be a lot more than that. You are never
again going to get such an opportunity to
spend four full years of your life relatively free
to discover the world and your own role in it
– to understand who you are, to understand
why you are, to develop a life philosophy, to
pubcomm@
wake up tomorrow?), to understand what parts
of you are defined by your various identities
(your gender, your age, your nationality, your
ethnicity etc.).
sa.smu.
edu.sg
U too!
For all the stress that so many of you fret
about, and use as a reason/excuse for not
pursuing these other goals of an education,

The Blue and Gold, Issue 3, Page 17

 Viewpoint
note that much of this stress is brought on by
The your own selves. You all complain that others
Blue and Gold
are studying way too hard, and are changing
the culture of this university. Well, note that
the rest of the University would say that about
you. They’re in the library, in the second week
Recruitment cramming the text, because you are. So many
of my ex-students have moaned to me about
Notice the GSRs being full on the second Saturday
of the term and their feeling stressed about
that sort of competition – hello! Well, what
brought you to school on that second Saturday,
dear friend?
The minute you start living life living up to
others’ standards (of material goals, of time
Waiting for the perfect priorities, of grooming, of brand choices),
note that you are entering a game where you
opportunity to are always going to be a bit player. Some
make a difference amorphous average of what others around you
are chasing is going to be your constant, ever
in the campus? changing goal. And you are almost guaranteed
to never be happy, even if you achieved that
goal, because it would have shifted by the time
you reached it.
Positions available: A campus does not a University make – U do!
Finance Manager
This great University is a lot more than those
Marketing Director 35 courses, and the hours spent cramming
Photographers for them in the GSRs and library. There
are huge opportunities for extra curricular
Journalists activity, great museums and libraries and art
galleries and concert theatres within a short
walk, a huge number of opportunities to
travel abroad (exchange, BSM, community
service, internships). And these are not only
for the moneyed student – there are grants,
scholarships, there are internships that pay
you. If you get hung up on Wharton or some
American or “branded” school as the only
exchange program worth getting into that
would look good enough on your resume, you’re
overlooking the huge learning opportunity for
Join us! learning in the Czech republic or in Bangkok
or in China. If you always strategically decide
to form groups with your JC or year 1 buddies
in all your classes in years 2-4, you are greatly
stunting your growth and your ability to work
with a diverse bunch of people. If you participate
in class discussions strategically to maximize
the chances that the TA would notice you and
get you that CP point, you are likely never to
raise that really bigger fundamental question
behind whatever the class is talking about.
If you take courses based on which professor
Email us at “The Blue & Gold” or gives the most As or is the most entertaining,
pubcomm@sa.smu.edu.sg
Page 18, Issue 3, The Blue and Gold
you could be losing out on courses that could
be a lot more challenging intellectually. If
you read only the text books and course packs,
you are losing the huge opportunity to learn
outside of those books.
The U in SMU stands for University
A university should be about knowledge.
That is why we are here, the professors – to
discover new knowledge about the world and
to share our love for and search for knowledge
with those who seek it. Even in a business
school. An even in a management University.
We are a university, not a trade school, not a
polytechnic, not a job training program, or a
corporate placement agency. The minute you
start thinking of this institution that way, that
you are here to learn at a University (and one
that aspires to be among the best in the world),
perhaps Monday morning in term time would
not be so daunting. That assignment would
not be something that was an obstacle to your
free time, that exam would not be something
to be dreaded, that class session would not
be some way of earning a class participation
point. You would be here because you sought
knowledge – you would take courses that
would challenge you, you would read beyond
the class notes and course texts, you would
seek knowledge wherever it came from – from
an exchange student, from a museum exhibit,
from the Blue and Gold! - you would seek
to work with people very different from you,
you would explore various faiths by talking to
people who believed in them, you would go to
movies and plays and concerts that challenged
your mind, and not just those that titillated
your eyes and ears. You would try to assimilate
knowledge across courses – ask a professor in
course ‘A’ in class or out of class, to contrast
that learning from what you learnt in some
other part of your life.
And then you would not even care what grade
you got. The graduation ceremony would not
mark an end to your learning, but just the start
of a lifelong learning process. You would have
got a great education, and every day after that,
that investment will pay off, as you would be a
better human being for it – a better employee, a
better manager, a better son/daughter, a better
spouse, a better friend.

Unbranded
On Class Participation
column*
A three hour oral exam
each class?
BY- S. RAMASWAMI
There was a very good reason that SMU was
built the way it was, in hardware (small class
rooms, with many structured as horse-shoe
shaped tiers, cutting short the desk in front to
a small collapsible lectern) as well as software
(admissions assessment involving interviews,
class participation having weight of 10-20%
in most if not all courses, new faculty being
oriented to participant-centered learning
even before teaching their first class, etc.).
And the reason was that the founders of this
University did market research, among the
potential employers of our products (you!).
They asked them to name the most critically
lacking attributes in Singaporean business
school graduates, and which most needed to
be strengthened while at SMU. The employers
said two things – communication skills
(oral and written), but especially interactive
communication skills (ability to participate
effectively in a meeting, or in leading a small
team, for example), and ability to be a good
team player (knowing how to work effectively
with other people). Both these became
cornerstones of the SMU pedagogy.
Conditioning?
Unfortunately, in my humble opinion, the
founders also decided that the best way
to get at the first of those two attributes
was to incentivize it. There is a widespread
belief in many societies and cultures in
our part of the world, that instrumental
conditioning (instituting a system of material
rewards and punishments to encourage or
discourage behaviours) is the only way to
change behaviour. So if we imposed 20% as
a requirement for class participation, students
would learn to speak up in class because they
would be penalized for not speaking up and
rewarded for doing so. And by speaking
in class over and over again, they would
eventually become what the employers wanted
them to be. Further, by actually interviewing
Viewpoint
applicants, we could and would also selectively There is a widespread
eliminate those who were tongue tied, or belief in many societies and
unable to speak intelligently on command.
And like with many instrumental conditioning
cultures in our part of the
schemes, there are often immediate results. I world, that instrumental
have personally taught some pioneering batch conditioning (instituting
students, both in their first and fourth years a system of material
and experienced the huge change in their rewards and punishments
personalities. They had become a lot more
open and communicative and expressive over to encourage or discourage
the four years at SMU. And it felt really good behaviours) is the only way
to have seen that happen and to have been a to change behaviour.
small part of that process of transformation.
Hey! Wait a minute!
But like with many other things in life,
perhaps even most things in life – cause-effect
relationships are rarely that simple. These
students from that first batch were also much
better off in those four years, because that first
batch was a very small (just three hundred
or so) yet diverse batch. Many of them were
getting their second (and perhaps last) chance
at a University education. Further, many of
them did not want to be in business school
(and we had just one school then), but this
was their only shot at getting a University
education. They struggled academically
sometimes (a huge percentage was on
probation after the first term), and there was
very little infrastructure, so they had to build
it themselves. Nobody had heard of them and
everyone constantly confused their school
with SIM, so they felt an extra sense of pride
and belonging and in yelling to the world that
they were from SMU and were proud of it.
And they wanted to demonstrate visibly, if
a little too loudly sometimes, that they were
different.
That was then! This is now!
But over the years, our student intake has
tended to conform much more to the earlier
Singapore university stereotype. Most of our
current students could have gone to any school
they wanted to but came to SMU instead.
And they want to study management and
work for profit in results-oriented enterprises.
Our entry level standards on the academic
The Blue and Gold, Issue 3, Page 19
 Viewpoint
Whenever I have had that
20% requirement in my
classes (I don’t anymore),
it would be noticeable how
as the term proceeded to
its end, the volume and
diversity of participation
would increase gradually
– as students could sense
that these were the last
opportunities to make their
participation count.
Page 20, Issue 3, The Blue and Gold
criterion have become tougher over the years.
The SAT is no longer a requirement (it used
to be earlier) and no longer provides that
balance to the A level or polytechnic scores.
We interview in groups (two faculty members
to eight applicants) rather than one-one (two
faculty members to one applicant earlier).
So the kinds of students we have today are a
little different from the kinds of students whom
we had at the start. This is not a direct causal
effect of it, but perhaps at least indirectly, the
spirit of the class participation requirement
has suffered a bit too. When academic grades
matter more to incoming students, they are
going to see everything ahead of them also in
academic grade terms.
So CP is now clearly an assignment – something
that is going to get you 20% of your grade, so you
plan how to get it, like a good manager might.
Whenever I have had that 20% requirement
in my classes (I don’t anymore), it would be
noticeable how as the term proceeded to its end,
the volume and diversity of participation would
increase gradually – as students could sense that
these were the last opportunities to make their
participation count.
Then there are the strategic participators –
those who would note and repeat what I said
a few minutes later, hoping to get a nod and
recognition for having said something that
was smart (for it came from the professor’s
own mouth a minute ago), people who share
participation points with a friend (so you split
your comment into two, so you can share one
with a friend), or those who befriend the TA
or email them constantly, so that the TA is
aware of your name and presence in class. Or
those who see the professors after class often,
or email them, or generally hang around them,
hoping that the name would register when
those professors were grading participation. All
of that is perhaps the smart managerial thing
to do after all.
Ok, it’s our fault too!
And it can be dysfunctional for a professor too,
to be teaching you while evaluating you during
every minute of the class. To listen to you as a
teacher would, to see what you were getting and
not getting out of class, and yet simultaneously
to listen to you as an examiner would, assessing
what you were asking or saying. That can be
unnecessary additional stress for both educator
and student that can take away from the basic
objective of classroom interaction – to ensure
that the students are learning something
substantive about some course topic.
Some of the fault, or perhaps even the bulk of the
dysfunctionality of class participation lies with
us professors. My colleagues have a wide variety
of approaches to grading participation and do
not always tell students what it means in their
class, or provide on-going feedback throughout
the term on this big component. Many do not
reveal the scores of this component even at
the end of the term to their students, perhaps
using it as some invisible leverage to reward or
punish students perceived to be deserving or
undeserving.
Others have never been taught in or taught
inside such an environment before, so have to
suddenly come with new ways of incorporating
this requirement into their pedagogy. So they
continue to teach like they were taught and just
transform some attendance component into a
participation component adjusted a little bit to
reward regular and voluminous participants.
How else could it be?
Over the last summer and winter, I had an SMU-
sponsored opportunity to learn from professors
who are masters of this sort of pedagogy. The
central philosophy is this respected business
school is that learning must be participant
–centered and not instructor-led. The instructor
is a facilitator. The students are generating
their own learning. So the purpose of class
participation is not just to prepare students to be
effective meeting participants later on. Instead,
it is to make them responsible for their own
learning. The questions posed to them in class
are thought through before thoroughly, as are
follow-up questions. And through this process,
and by soliciting diverse opinions on the same
issue and confronting them against each other
online, students internalize the learning, each in
his or her own way.
In this school, in most of the courses, 50% of
the weight is for class participation. But the
entire curriculum and pedagogy is meticulously
planned around this philosophy. There is not a
single lecture in two years of MBA education

– not even in economics or in operations
research.
Every class is devoted to a case discussion, every
minute of it. And every case session is planned
in detail, from the first opening question that is
asked, to whom it is asked (because the instructor
knows the background of every student in that
class), and who the next participant is going to
be who will be called on to rebut the first student,
etc. These are highly choreographed classes, and
students almost never get a chance to simply raise
their hands and spout their wisdom. They have
to answer very specific questions asked of them
at strategically chosen points in the discussion.
They have to answer specific challenges to their
answers online that are raised by the professor
and by other students. They have to comment
spontaneously and intelligently to other students’
responses.
There is almost no way you can game the system,
because what happens in class under the smooth
facilitation of the instructor (who is steeped in,
and experienced in, this participant-centered
teaching philosophy) is not under your control.
All you can do is to prepare the case as much
as you can before the class, and participate fully
in your small group discussions before class. So
a great part of the learning has already begun
before class. And every classroom session is
a great learning experience, because you are
learning that there are other points of view, some
diametrically opposed to yours, which are just as
valid. And you learn the skills of persuasion, of
spontaneous repartee, of listening carefully, of
being confronted by those opposed to your ideas
and yet maintaining your equanimity. And with
no one to summarize for you at the end of the
class, what you learnt. You have to figure that
out yourself.
If we truly did that at SMU, if we made
participant centered learning (and not just
instructor led teaching with just the additional
burden of keeping tabs on the mean and variance
of air time contributed by various students), we
could yet make this work.
Yes, you can!
Meanwhile, you have a role too, even in the current
system. Do not expect the professor to come to
class to just transfer his or her learning to you in
class. Textbooks are a lot more efficient for that.
Come to class eager to learn with an open mind
on where the learning can come from, from the
Viewpoint
professor or from the comments and responses
of your fellow students. Shut down that laptop. Do not expect the professor
Turn off that handphone. Come to class having to come to class to just
prepared by having actively (meaning, with a transfer his or her learning
questioning mind) read the assigned readings
to you in class. Textbooks
for the class. Think every minute about what
the professor is saying and what other students are a lot more efficient for
are saying and challenge those ideas constantly that. Come to class eager to
in your own mind. Ask even that question learn with an open mind on
which you are afraid might make you laughed where the learning can come
at. Sometimes the most basic questions are the
most philosophical and difficult ones to answer.
from, from the professor
And finally, participate as though there were or from the comments and
no grades for participation. Let the grades fall responses of your fellow
where they fall. Never mind what others got. students.
As long as you are focused on your learning, and
as long as you are getting your big doubts about
that course topic clarified, be happy that you got
something useful out of that course. And then
you win, every time and every class. Every class
is not the stressful 3 hour oral exam that it seems
to be now. And you learn from every course
exactly what you wanted to learn from it.
*Send in your thoughts! We are seeking for
perspectives from all students. Look out for
our Viewpoint topic list emailers!
* The main objective of
this column is to convey an
independent faculty perspective
on academic matters that seem
of great importance to SMU
students – on grades, class
participation, group projects,
examinations, grade reviews,
etc. The author does not claim
to represent the official SMU
view.
In the last column, we asked
readers to guess the author
of this article and to provide a
title. I was overwhelmed by the
response – heh! – not really,
there was only one response,
but that was the correct one.
Emir Iylia bin Shafri guessed
correctly! Congrats, Emir!
Come get your prize! There was
no suggestion for the title, so
this modest title will have to do.
The Blue and Gold, Issue 3, Page 21
Higher Learning
Where is the pa$$ion?
Is this school being crazy about finance?
“Coupled with financial
literacy, we (students)
can be very profitable in
the long run. ...I want to
learn how the professional
investors think and make
decisions. Hopefully, one
day in the future, I can
educate the society with
this knowledge.”
-Larry, SMU Year 2 Finance
student
Photos: Anh
Page 22 • Issue 3 • The Blue and Gold
By: Truong Thi Ngoc Anh
As I start asking a random student what his
major is, there is a big likelihood that he will
declare “Finance”. The course is getting hotter
as several students in city campus are striving
to obtain a seat in finance clubs, finance classes,
finance workshops and finance career talks.
Let alone internships and job opportunities in
Finance industry!
The reason? Those students regard Finance
as a fundamental tool in every work scope.
Especially in education perspective, Finance
major is very compatible with other disciplines.
Economics students take Finance to deep their
knowledge.
Marketing students consider Finance to
balance their background. Information system
students think Finance is a good support for
their career. Business students take Finance
as default major. Accounting students treat
Finance as complimentary module. Even a few
Social Science students take Finance simply
because they find it interesting.
Ms. Tan Hwee Hoon, OBHR professor in
SMU remarked: “It is like the education trend
in Singapore 15-20 years ago. Everybody went
for science stream. A lot of students now take
Finance as a trend. Everybody does it. So
should they.” This is a hurt in mentality and
the easiest way to relieve it is to go with the
flow. She has seen so much of this view among
her students. Some individual obviously don’t
like Finance but they still study it. Otherwise
they would lose out in the competition. They
study Finance now to back up for their future.
Still, there must be more things about Finance
rather than just an academic trend nowadays.
Let’s question people’s motivations for Finance.
To put it frankly, do they choose Finance
because of the money it can bring?
Perspectives from SMU
students
Nguyen Tue Vy, final year Finance Student
said: “I chose Finance firstly because I liked
it. Secondly, it offers good job prospects and
high payment level.” Vy stressed that initially
she took Finance with a like, not material
motives. After many Finance courses at
school and an internship with DBS bank, she
started to realize about good job prospects,
personal development and attractive payment.
Those factors reinforced her motivation to join
Finance world.
To Larry, year 2, Finance student, executive
committee member of SMU E.y.E Investment,
the reasons are more knowledge-oriented.
He thinks financial literacy is important for
everyone including himself- “ We (students)
have time on our hands. Coupled with
financial literacy, we can be very profitable in
the long run. That is- we invest, not gamble. It
is frustrating to see so many people speculate in
stocks today without having an opinion on the
market. I want to learn how the professional
investors think and make decisions. Hopefully,
one day in the future, I can educate the society
with this knowledge.”
Though he has quite clear objectives for Finance,
Larry is not sure about his satisfaction for it.
His biggest motivation is to achieve financial
freedom. Until this time, he admitted that he
had never been exposed to the “real” world of
finance (e.g. working in a financial institute).
“From what I heard from my seniors in my
FIIM course, working in a financial institute is
totally different from learning about Finance.
It’s mostly related to high stress levels, insanely

long working hours, but the money is good.
I’m not sure if I want that kind of lifestyle.”
So the answer is always attached with “not
sure” part?
Perspective from SMU Alumni
There is a SMU student who was sure about his
goals when he chose to pursue Finance career.
He is Hans Cheong, SMU alumnae, part-time
student of Information System, class of 2004.
This 37 year-old guy had worked in Finance
industry for 6 years and became a successful
investment banker whom every commercial
bank would always crave for. After graduating
from SMU, he joined Banking industry with a
clear goal in mind-“I want money”! “Banking
industry proved to be lucrative enough to
meet my desire. I decided to go for cash flow.”
Without any prior background, Hans took
subsidiary Finance courses to join the industry.
He did not care whether he liked Finance or
not. He just wanted to earn as much money
as possible.
More than 6 years attached to banking industry
and later became an excellent investment
banker, Hans must have been working hard to
get on well with the industry. It is a state when
he dealt with the work so often that he could
almost persuade himself that he enjoyed that
career. But it was just “almost”…
He reflected that winning an investment
deal was a fulfilling achievement. Yet at the
end of the day, he got deprive of the work.
The happiness for an achievement cannot last
long if a person doesn’t really enjoy what he
has done. As a matter of fact, finance industry
is very profit-driven and sales-orientated.
Everything surrounds the investment quota.
Much as he tried to catch up with the quota
and the expectation of banking industry, he
could not force himself to proceed further.
“I know that I am not a sales-driven person
so I definitely did not enjoy a sales-oriented
work. Moreover, finance industry caused bad
health issues. So after a while, I realize that I
no longer wanted to go on with it. To most of
professionals in Finance industry, the majority
is not able to work beyond 45 years old.”
Mr. Hans also mentioned the complicated
working relationship in bank industry that
Higher Learning
made him move out. According to him, people
working in this industry must have enough
drive to survive. Most of the time, they need to
hide their personality away, put on a cool mask
and aggressively fight to win the next deal.
“Banking is tough with many complicated
working relations and harsh management.
After a while, you will hardly recognize your
own self. And to me, it is bad.”- He shared
frankly.
Mr. Hans also brought up a very interesting
point about the passion at work. According
to his experience, passion should stem from
positive working relationship with people. If
the working relationship is bad, it will cause
you stress and disappointment along the way.
No matter how enjoyable your work scope is,
negative working relationship will badly affect
your performance. If working relationship
is good, it will constitute a passion to a work
scope. Hans deemed that there is no such
thing as real passion in corporate world but
satisfaction in working process. He strongly
emphasized the importance of working
relationship in shaping job satisfaction.
From an investment banker, Hans now
becomes one of volunteer leaders in YMCA.
Less payment yet higher job satisfaction with
friendly co-workers, chances to get in touch
with other people and a lot of time to revitalize
his life. He has no intention of returning to
Finance industry.
Three years working in non-profit organization,
he has not earned much money (perhaps he had “I know that I am not a
earned enough the time before) but he has got sales-driven person so I
chances to experience a totally different type of definitely did not enjoy
working relationship. Most importantly, he is
living up to his own way. Talking to this calm
a sales-oriented work.
man with a happy-go-lucky smile, I could never Moreover, finance industry
imagine that he had been so aggressive before. caused bad health issues.
Again, this state of life marks his satisfaction. So after a while, I realize
Hans is still figuring out his true passion in life
that I no longer wanted to
and how to pursue it.
go on with it. To most of
Even an experienced person is not able to professionals in Finance
affirm what his passion is. What to look for in industry, the majority is
an undergraduate student, when most of career not able to work beyond 45
talks at the moment are urging that students
years old.”
-Hans Cheong,
SMU alumnae
The Blue and Gold • Issue 3 • Page 23
 Higher Learning

“It is like the education
trend in Singapore 15-20
years ago. Everybody went
for science stream. A lot of
students now take Finance
as a trend. Everybody
does it. So should they.”
needs to follow their true “passion” to work
happily?
Perspectives from the faculty
Prof. Tan believed that at this early stage in
student’s life, it was difficult for them to find
something that they would be really passionate
about. The reason is understandable- student
haven’t experienced enough! They have not
known enough about subject matters or gained
enough work experience to decide what they
are keen on doing.
“For this early age, I would not expect people
to say they are passionate in something, rather
that I am better in something and I want to do
it.”- She said. While a few people can confirm
their passions in early stage, most of us can
only understand, at least what we like to do
after trials and errors. Through this process,
we can practically find out what drives us, what
motivates us go to work everyday and what
makes us talk enthusiastically about the work.
When asked for OBHR’s viewpoints on how
students can realize their passion, Ms. Tan
strongly recommended them to figure out
what their strengths are. Again, let’s practice
the easiest method-trial and error. You don’t
know what you are strong at until you take the
job. Find out what you want to do. Then follow
that direction.
Sounds cliché?
reason is that the university wants to impose
certain values on its students. SMU has tried to
define what an ideal SMU student is for labor
market and for its communication purpose.
As a result, many SMU students go for what
they “expect to be”, instead of what they “can
be”. This shaping process has affected students’
career choice.
Money is an easy tool to quantify and justify
a job. Earning much money may mean self-
esteem and high capacity to a person. If money
is what a person practically wants for his life,
then let him do it. Mr. Han emphasized that
if he could return to post-graduation point, he
would have still gone for Finance even though
it had brought a lot of stress to him. With that
path, he got what he wanted.
Both Ms. Tan and Mr. Han agree that there
is nothing right or wrong about a personal
decision on the way of finding his “passion”.
If you are money driven, then join Finance
industry. If money is not your priority, go for a
sector that nurtures for personal development.
Finance students know why they study
Finance. That some love; the others suffer does
not matter “passion” much. Rather students
just need to expose to more angles of Finance
world to figure out a suitable way for them to
work and live with.
Remember to start with what is really
important to you.

-Prof Tan Hwee Hoon, SMU Prof Tan admitted that though that is the most
OBHR professor useful advice to SMU students as other adults
may say, not many students would follow. One

About: Higher learning

In this column, we bring knowledge beyond the textbooks to the student body.

To help students better prepare for their career, we gain perspectives and insight from various sources. These include: 1) internship, BSM’s,
exchange, community involvement project reflections, 2) in-depth interviews with SMU alumni, working executives as well as faculty members in
the campus, 3) quick reports on the “behind-the-scenes” of things we usually look past, and 4)short summaries of academic papers that will prove
useful to the students in their school life and in their professional careers.

We aim to share with students both “hard skills” and “soft skills” to excel in their careers while doing what they love to do. In future issues, we
will also aim to provide practical tips on event/project management in campus activities.

Any submissions/news tips for this section is welcome from all members of the school community.
Page 24, Issue 3, The Blue and Gold

The Power of the Coca-Cola Bottle
What You Never Knew about the Coca-Cola Bottle and
the Stuff about Intellectual Property It can Teach You.
BY: ESTHER YEO
The concept of intellectual property dates
back to as early as the 18th century, when
the French recognized that ‘All discoveries
are property” and enshrined this in their law.
With the Industrial Revolution in the 19th
century, the explosion of ideas and innovations
pressed upon the need for the strengthening of
intellectual property rights.
There are many different types of intellectual
property, but an amazing thing is that a Coca-
Cola bottle has managed to encompass the
various types. We present a summary of the
types of intellectual property using the humble
Coca-Cola bottle.
Coca-Cola was coined as alliteration in
response to the coca and kola ingredients which
John Pemberton used to create the drink.
Intellectual property protection: Trademark.
Trademarks are used as distinctive signs to
identify uniquely the source of a product as
well as to distinguish the product from others.
Interestingly, the first users of trademarks were
blacksmiths in the Roman Empire who forged
swords. These swords were typically imprinted
with a distinctive symbol or logo.
The drink is created from a recipe by John
Pemberton, which has been a closely guarded
trade secret. The famous Merchandise 7X is
the secret ingredient in the recipe, and many
have tried to identify this ingredient through
reverse engineering. Coca-Cola has denied the
accuracy of any published recipes consistently
through the years.
Intellectual property protection: Trade Secret.
Trade secrets are not treated given the same
Higher Learning
intellectual property protection as most
intellectual property such as patents due to
its non-disclosure. They are given protection
under the Law of Confidential Information
instead.
The logo was created by Frank Manson
Robinson, a bookkeeper in Coca-Cola in 1885.
The distinct cursive typeface used was used as
a dominant font for formal writing in that era.
Intellectual property protection: Copyright.
Copyrights protect the expression of an idea
or information that is substantive and distinct.
However, it does not protect the idea or the
information itself. To illustrate this- A person
may hit upon the idea on writing a book on
the different ways of eating bread and starts
writing it. Nearing completion, another like-
minded author has released a book on the
same idea. No copyrights are infringed as both
(probably) expressed their idea in different
ways through their writings.
The bottle’s design was conceptualized with
the aim of ensuring people would be able to
tell what the bottle was when felt in the dark
and recognise it immediately from its shards
if broken.
Intellectual property protection: A design
patent. Such patents are filed based on the
aesthetic design of an object which has
practical utility.
The Blue and Gold, Issue 3, Page 25
Worldscope
Perspectives from Iran: The People,
the Media, and the Politics

“What I’ve seen: Kind people, great

hospitality (probably the best in my
travels so far), surreal landscapes,
a civilization with great history and
PHOTOS: culture, impressive architecture, and a
TEE KIAN HIN nation in transition.”
IZATI

BY: TEE KIAN HIN
“You went to Iran?”
“Why?”
“Isn’t it dangerous?
These are the questions that still confront me,
whenever I talk about my travels there.
Not unpredictably so.
Mention Iran, and the following impressions
come to the mind: Axis of evil, terrorism,
suicide bombings, nuclear programme, Islamic
fundamentalism, headscarves.
What I’ve seen: Kind people, great hospitality
(probably the best in my travels so far), surreal
landscapes, a civilization with great history
and culture, impressive architecture, and a
nation in transition.
So stark is the contrast my Izati (my travel
partner) and I were frequently confronted with
the question “Why? How could this be?”
After all, this is a glorious civilization that first
dominated the Western world in ancient times,
during the reigns of Cyrus and Darius, before
being usurped by Alexander and the Greeks.
These are the first peoples that worshipped
a singular God, with beginnings in
Zoroastrianism, which still exists today.
The Persians are also renowned for their
contributions towards science, philosophy, art
and architecture, etc.
First Impressions and the People I Met
I admit. It was definitely an intimidating
experience initially when I first set foot on the
country.
The first language here is Farsi (or Persian),
written in ‘scary’ Arabic script. For the first
time in my life, I found myself illiterate; unable
to derive anything useful from what is written,
when there were always Latin alphabets or
Chinese characters to help me out prior.
Moreover, being a country isolated politically,
with so much negative media coverage, few
people come here for travel, and especially in
less touristy places such as Tabriz, a city near
the border with Turkey. I frequently found
myself the only ‘yellow man’ on the street.
There was no way to hide myself. I was the
centre of attraction and curiosity by default.
However, it didn’t take me long to settle
down.

Page 26 • Issue 3 • The Blue and Gold


“In Tabriz, Fazad, a person whom we met
randomly on the street, was so intent on
bringing us around as many places before
we depart for Tehran that he had forgotten
to take us for dinner!”
People in the country are surprisingly relatively
proficient in English. At the train stations,
airports, museums, or any major attractions,
we faced little problems because there was
always the presence of staff fluent in English at
the information counters.
Even along the streets, most people around
do have some rudimentary command of the
English language, so we were able to get
directions pretty easily.
Furthermore, there were always people who
were willing to volunteer their help, even
when we didn’t ask for it; we were guests of the
country, and they take serving their guests well
very seriously.
In Tabriz, Fazad, a person whom we met
randomly on the street, was so intent on
bringing us around as many places before we
depart for Tehran that he had forgotten to take
us for dinner!
The lack of pretence from the people we have
met was something new. People would come
to us and ask us questions, talk to us, probably
guide us around, and occasionally invite us
to their homes, but never did they ask for a
return. If anything, it was because meeting
foreigners was a chance for them to practise
their English, and many are serious in learning
the language.
The same treatment occurred while we were in
Tehran. We were invited by an elderly couple,
Mr Aboufaz and Mdm Azize, to their home
while meeting them on the train in Turkey.
Worldscope
Dinner servings were colossal and never-
ending accompanied by a free-flow of tea and
‘Islamic beer’ (which I didn’t like), and they
even invited some of their relatives along.
After dinner, Mdm Azize’s brother-in-law
even insisted driving us around the city, even
though it was late at night and there was work
the next day.
Media and Understanding of the World
Despite being a country that is apparently
isolated from the rest of the world, Iranians
KNOW what is happening in the world. They
know what the world thinks of them, and they
strongly dislike the way they are portrayed by
the Western media.
The Blue and Gold, Issue 3, Page 27
 Worldscope

“What do the people in your country think of

our country?” asked Mdm Azize’s sister over
dinner while in Tehran. “Do they think we are
terrorists?” she continued. It was an awkward
moment.

Despite its illegality, television from satellite

dishes is ubiquitous throughout the country
and there was little that the government could
do about them apparently. News channels
such as CNN, BBC and Al-Jazeera are easily
accessible across the country, together with
other channels such as National Geographic,
Voice of America (VOA), Channel V and
those of Christian Evangelists (which was a
real surprise).

Media companies such VOA even have

channels broadcasted in Persian language, and
these are beamed all the way to the homes of
the people in Iran. Many of these channels,
based mainly in Canada and USA, were set
up by the overseas Iranian community with
Iranian audience in mind.

Open and frank discussion about Iranian

politics and society are common in their
programmes, I was told. Now, even the state
television is imitating these programmes, to
keep hold of their audience. At our hotel in
the city of Esfahan, the hotel owner was even
openly displaying and watching news from
BBC at the lobby.
The internet, while largely censored, has also
become another major source of medium for
information.
While I was at an internet café, I was frustrated
by the blockage of many of the sites I wanted
to surf, for no apparent reason. Upon seeing
my frustrations, a staff approached me and
asked, “You don’t want filter?” Immediately, he
helped turned on the anti-filtering devices and
voila, I was able to Facebook and blog freely
without much trouble, albeit at a slow pace (the
result of the anti-filtering device in place).
Indeed, in the age of new media and the
internet, even young Iranians are galloping
past the controls and regulations instituted and
there is no stopping them from gathering even
more information from the outside world. The
hunger for information outside the country
was intense, especially among the educated
elite and the young.
And interestingly, the people do know
Singapore and where it’s located. “Ahhh!
Sang-ger-poo!” was often the response when
revealing where we are from. It was really a
pleasant experience when some of them were
even able to continue describing about us being
a modern, beautiful and wealthy city-state, and
that we are “the country near Malaysia”.
Politics
“We have the ugliest president in the world”
“Just like Iran!” (A reply received when we
revealed that Singapore’s only newspaper
company is controlled and sanctioned by the
government)
“We don’t like our movies; they are not
original” (referring to censorship)
“Iran Islamiyeh… No good! Ahmadinejad…
No good! Ali Khamenei… No good!”
These were some of the dissent we’ve
encountered with the people we’ve met, and
some outright openly. Many we had met were
clearly unhappy with the controls and the
performance of the authoritarian government,
and especially so when they know what the
outside world is like.
However, not everyone is anti-government,
nor are the people as bitter and desensitized
by the oppression as portrayed by what we see
on TV.
En route on the train, we met a lovely family
whose young daughter, Sepideh, a university
undergrad, was a pro-reformist, who supports
the reformist ex-president Mohammad
Khatami. She believes the country should
liberalise and open up to the outside world.
Her father, on the other hand, prefers the
governance by the current administration of
Ahmadinejad. In spite of that, Sepideh believes
that Ahmadinejad ‘is a good man’, but not one
who is well versed in economic policies.
While visiting a madrasah in Tehran, I was
confronted, by the otherwise polite teenage
boys who brought me around, with the

Page 28, Issue 3, The Blue and Gold


Indeed, in the age of new media and the
internet, even young Iranians are galloping
past the controls and regulations instituted and
there is no stopping them from gathering even
more information from the outside world.
question, “Ahmadinejad or Bush?” Not an easy
question to answer. (I dislike both, certainly
the latter)
On the streets in Tehran, many women are
literally pushing the law on headscarves. Some
even go as far as covering only their rear-
heads. Besides, these women are also making
a fashion statement out of it, and colouful
and stylish ones are common especially in the
wealthier regions in north Tehran.
Indeed, things are not black and white as
it seems, and there are people out there
commenting about the politics of the country
without even knowing what they are talking
about. And certainly, the Columbia president
who introduced Ahmadinejad as ‘a petty and
cruel dictator’ was one of those. Ultimate
power does not even lie with with him! (The
religious order led by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
has the final say, by the way).
Conclusion
Throw away the prejudices we have about the
people in the Middle East (and elsewhere).
Not everywhere out there is like an Iraq nor
Afghanistan. Nor are the constant images
of political tensions and suicide bombings a
correct depiction of the Middle East, and Iran
in particular.
How many people out there know that 60% of
college undergrads in Iran are women?
How many people still remember there was
a bloody 8-year war in the country with Iraq
which Saddam, with the backing of US and
the other western states then, declared.
Do we even know that so many more people,
even in middle-eastern countries, die from
road accidents each year than those killed by
bombs?
In fact, most places out there are safe, and
probably even safer than many the streets in
Europe and especially in America (with the all
homicide incidents due to shootings). On the
streets in the various cities throughout Iran,
I certain didn’t have to worry as much about
being robbed and pick-pocketed.
Often, the media do not give us an objective
Worldscope
and balanced view as we want them to be. And
it is only through seeing things for ourselves do
we have a better understanding of the world,
and the people around it.
This was one of the most extraordinary
experiences of my life. The moments, especially
the sights and scenery that I didn’t touch upon,
were so bountiful there is still so much more
that is left to be said.
P.S. The author feels that the current nuclear
issue, and the desire for nuclear capability, for
better or worse, strongly parallel that of China
in the 1950s and 60s, in terms of the political
and historical issues behind it that stretches
back over 100 years.
The Blue and Gold, Issue 3, Page 29
 Worldscope

Industry Watch: Energy

The Quiet Revolution
BY: ESTHER YEO
The fate of Mankind was rewritten
continually by the different revolutions that
took place. The most influential revolution
of all was undoubtedly the Industrial
Revolution, which heralded a golden age
of progress for civilization. The Industrial
Revolution was sparked off by the finding
of coal, which provided energy to fuel the
revolution. It shaped economies, propelled
the lives of the people to higher standards of
living, encouraged a hotbed of inventions and
innovations and the list goes on.

Today, a different kind of revolution has been

sparked off- by the non-finding of coal. The
world’s coal and oil resources have dwindled
rapidly due to the ever-increasing demand
for energy around the world. In response, the
quiet revolution has started to take place, with
the energy industry spearheading the way as
it did hundreds of years ago in the Industrial
Revolution.
The energy industry has been shifting its
focus quietly from oil to renewable energies,
with the modest increase in investment in
renewable energies signaling this shift. By
mid-2007, the renewable energies industry
was worth at least $100 billion in market
capitalization.
The shift in direction has resulted in
a greater inflow of investments in the
renewable energies sector, and this injection
has been translated into rapid market
commercialization. Countries who are now
reluctant to pay more than US$100 per
barrel for oil have found this shift favourable,
pumping in even more resources to help
develop this sector.
With rapid market commercialization,
many innovations have popped up. The most
notable innovation would be the hybrid cars,
which can run on electricity and/or hydrogen
gas. Many innovators are still thinking, and
they are thinking hard to develop a slew of
applications to embrace renewable energies.
While it is true that the energy industry
is still dominated by the oil industry, the
fact remains that it has started a revolution
on its own. And this is one revolution that
will certainly be one to rival the Industrial
Revolution.

About: Worldscope
World Scope (Economics) provides a platform for students be updated on current global economic issues
that have an impact on indviduals. It aims to inspire thought among readers, and provide a background for
readers to research on the topics they are interested in. Rigourous in content, World Scope (Economics)’s
articles are meant to break down complex concepts into digestible bits of information for readers to under-
stand.

Interested contributors can choose any topic that affects the global economy, and provide a well-substanti-
ated article. Alternatively, new ideas proposed on what makes the global economy tick based on research
papers are also welcome.

Page 30, Issue 3, The Blue and Gold

 Worldscope

Taming the Wild ZPRAZZD8669ZEX-eng.ai 9/25/08 5:58:42 PM

Horse: Inflation
BY: ESTHER YEO
Asian Governments are desperately seeking
solutions to quell this problem that landed
suddenly in their backyards.

Overnight, governments in Asia woke up

to the very unwelcome sound of inflation
galloping right into the region. Currently,
inflation averages 7% throughout the region
and this is a sharp increase from the 3.5% rate
the region was averaging a year ago.

Central banks and policymakers caught off-

guard have resorted to different measures
such as price controls and food export bans,
in a bid to combat this problem that threatens
to destabilize the region. There is a growing
disgruntlement among the poor and the middle
class who have been affected by an increase in
prices. For the poor, inflation forces them to
spend more on basic necessities without the
necessary adjustments done to wages. The
middle class has been seeing the value of their
hard-earned assets decrease slowly as the
inflation rates rise.

Yet, it seems that governments’ efforts have

yielded little results. One main problem is
that the inflation the region is seeing is one
not driven by surges in domestic demand but
the spike in oil prices and food prices, a factor
which is out of the individual governments’
control. If so, the best solution currently would
be for governments to wait out the temporary
supply shock which drove food prices through
the roof and for the oil markets to stabilize.

Asian governments are roughing the ride

out now by tightening monetary conditions
and letting their currencies appreciate. This
means that prices of imports are now lower
to curb imported inflation yet consumers
are discouraged from spending too liberally.
However, the consequences of having more
expensive exports pose a problem for many
Asian economies which are heavily dependent
on exporting to the rest of the world.

Governments in Asia are possibly facing their

biggest challenge since the Asian financial
crisis in trying to tame this wild horse.

The Blue and Gold, Issue 3, Page 31

 Worldscope
Obama vs. McCain - Race to presidency
Who will it be?
BY: SOHAIL SARDANA
Soon, America will vote for a new President,
as the eight-year reign of George W. Bush
comes to an end. He has left behind a legacy
of indecision and blunders, as characterized
by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the dire
state of the US economy, the mismanagement
of Hurricane Katrina and his now infamous
Bushisms. We now see the attention shift to
the Democrat and Republican candidates,
Barack Obama and John McCain.
It has been a difficult battle for both thus far.
We see that John McCain started out as a
clear underdog in the race for the Republican
nominee. However, he was able to fight off
the challenge of seasoned politicians such as
Mitt Romney and Rudolph Giuliani. Barack
Obama, concurrently, was busy battling it
out with Hilary Clinton in the race for the
Democrat nomination. Both were trying
to rewrite history- Obama as the first black
President, Clinton as the first female President.
Obama too began as the underdog, but he was
able to assure the Democrats he was their best
hope of regaining the White House.
The race for the US Presidency is currently
neck-to-neck, and according to a recent
Newsweek opinion poll, both men are currently
tied. In such a scenario, the small details will
decide the elections. Therefore, it becomes
very important to analyze such factors as their
backgrounds, policies and choice of running
mates.
Barack Obama was born to a Kenyan father
Page 32, Issue 3, The Blue and Gold
and American mother. He spent his childhood
in Hawaii and Indonesia. After working as a
lawyer and lecturer, he was elected to the
Senate in 2004 and has spent one term there.
McCain is clearly the more experienced
candidate. Following an illustrious career in
the US navy, including five years in a North
Vietnamese POW camp, he began on his
journey in politics and has served four terms
in the US senate. He lost out narrowly to
George W. Bush in the race for the Republican
nominee during the 2000 US elections. It will
be interesting to see if the US public prefers
the old, experienced warhorse or the fresh,
inspiring maverick.
Barack Obama was voted the ‘most liberal
senator’ during his term and has taken a
typical liberal position on several policy issues.
He has spoken out in support of alternative
sources of energy, abortion, universal
healthcare, the withdrawal of US troops from
Iraq and gun control. Clearly, he is distancing
himself from the Bush administration. John
McCain’s policies remain conservative and
Republican. He has proposed building more
nuclear reactors to deal with the energy crisis,
a tax credit system of healthcare and has even
spoken out against abortion.
Their choices of running mates have been
very strategic. Obama opted for 65 year
old experienced Delaware senator, Joe
Biden, despite popular speculation pointing
towards Hillary Clinton. Obama’s weakest
demographic is the middle class and Biden’s
blue-collar appeal will prove to be an excellent
foil. McCain’s choice, in 44 year old Alaska
governor, Sarah Palin, came as a surprise.
Clearly, this was an effort to counter Obama’s
infectious youth and charisma. However,
Palin has already courted controversy, as a
card-carrying member of the National Rifle
Association and with her daughter’s teenage
pregnancy.
Obama has played his cards well thus far. He
has utilized the media to his advantage and
his natural charisma has always attracted the
crowds. During his tour of Europe, thousands
came to hear what he had to say. Despite such
factors, McCain has made a strong comeback
in the Presidential race. This can be attributed
to several factors. Obama has changed his
stance on a few issues, such as off-shore oil
drilling, which has irked some voters. McCain
has shown himself to be an able and committed
candidate; a true patriot.
Following 43 white US Presidents, Obama’s
presidency would represent a revolutionary
change. This would represent a step towards
the realization of Martin Luther King’s
dream of equality for African Americans. But
it remains to be seen if America is ready for
the change Obama will bring. The race to the
White House is bound to get more intense and
exciting.

Pakistan’s new president: Boon or Bane
BY: TALISA
Short of a decade long rein in the much
turbulent Pakistan, President General Pervez
Musharraf, has finally left the scene of politics.
Seen as having reformed his political outlook
several times from that of a being a war
monger to a ‘US lackey’, Musharraf ’s colourful
facets has finally come to a finale. With the
loosening of his grip over Pakistan, his liberal
visions of emulating Pakistan’s founder
Mohammad Ali Jinnah have come to an end.
However, the pressing question plaguing the
minds of Pakistanis and the world alike is
one. On which path will Pakistan now trend
on? Would the ousting of this dictator, bring
eventual peace or otherwise?
Widower of Benazir Bhutto and leader of
the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali
Zardari has emerged from the mires and
risen to become Pakistan’s president. In a
period of such turmoil, it is applaudable that
he should rise to handle the mess left behind
by Musharraf. However, an air of uncertainty
does seem to envelope the political atmosphere.
Taking a peek into the past of Zardari, the
stain of corruption charges on him remain
indelible and so is the phrase ‘Mr. 10%’,
which continues to remain synonymous with
him. Thus, such controversies do question the
capability of his rule as well. However, facts
remain that Zardari’s win of 481 votes out
of 702 makes him the popular choice of the
parliamentary elections. This definitely secures
the legitimacy of his rule since he is seen as the
best fit candidate for the post.
However, will Zardari be effective in restoring
Worldscope
The currency is quickly
depreciating and internally,
inflation rates have hit a high
of 25%. Its is a grim outlook
for the Pakistani economy
and Zardari has to now find
ways of dealing with this
pressing issue.
This space could be
peace in Pakistan by successfully dealing with
the pervading force of terrorism? This is another
crucial issue pivotal in forging Pakistan’s future.
YOURS.
In spite of the immense financial and military
support Musharraf ’s government received from
the US, reports show how terrorism continued
to increase in Pakistan. ‘Talibanization’ is still
Advertise
very much permeating the borders of Pakistan
today. The new president must act fast and
deal with the gradual rise of fundamentalists
within Pakistan, as well as combat the Taliban
insurgents who have taken to the Pakistani-
with us!
Afghan border. Should the current civilian
government in Pakistan weaken now, chances
are that this will be exploited as an opportunity
for the fundamentalists to grab hold of control
FREE
in Pakistan. That is essentially what Zardari
now has to prevent at all costs.
The other problem which Zardari has to set
right is the economic situation of Pakistan. advertising
Zardari is literally going to see himself clear
up the mess left behind by Musharraf. As slots for student
Pakistan found itself swirling closer towards
the vortex of the political crisis, the economy
was very much abandoned. As a result, trade
organised events
deficits have soared while foreign reserves
left almost drained. The currency is quickly
depreciating and internally, inflation rates
have hit a high of 25%. Its is a grim outlook for
the Pakistani economy and Zardari has to now
find ways of dealing with this pressing issue.
Clearly Musharraf ’s exit from the political
scene has left open many areas of dire concerns
for the current or future leaders to address. The
Pakistani public does want to see some form of
For commercial rates,
stability return to their lives. However, viewing please contact us at:
the magnitude of problems bombarding pubcomm@
Pakistan leaves us with no definite conclusion
on the future of Pakistan. The Pakistani
sa.smu.edu.sg
population can only hope for Zardari to now
deal deftly with these issues once and for all.
The Blue and Gold, Issue 3, Page 33
Digital
5 Applications Every
SMU Student Must Have
You’ll wonder how you ever survived without
them
BY: Pranav Backliwal
The following is a list of tools or software,
which has been compiled keeping in mind
common needs of various SMU students.
All the tools listed below are free to use and
potentially very useful. We urge our readers to
try out some, if not all of these applications.

WebMynd
Do you constantly find yourself “losing” a
webpage that you had visited just recently? If
so, then this Firefox extension is tailor-made
for you. WebMynd is a tool that records your
browsing history page by page, so that you
can revisit interesting websites you had found
earlier. Understandably, the company behind
its creation advertises WebMynd as a “Tivo
for the Web”, in reference to the popular video
recorder.

The best part of the tool is its interface. A
departure from traditional search methods,
searching for a web page involves literally
scrolling backwards through time, while
viewing high-resolution pictures of all the web
pages recorded to memory. Of course, one can
start or stop the recording as and when they
please. In addition to this, we can also specify
certain websites that will never be recorded, to
retain our surfing privacy.
This tool can be especially useful for SMU
courses that require copious amounts of
research. We urge everyone to keep Webmynd
in mind when researching for his or her next
report or presentation. Please note however,
that only Firefox users can avail of the benefits
of this tool. Webmynd can be found at http://
www.webmynd.com.
Laptop Alarm
Based on our guesstimates, the average SMU
student leaves his or her laptop unsupervised
at least a few times a day, be it in the library,
in a GSR or on one of the numerous study
benches lying around college. Under such
circumstances, Laptop Alarm is a must-have.
The functionality is simple – it emits an
unbearably loud and annoying alarm if anyone
tries to move your laptop while you are away.
Configuring this tool is more or less a three-
click process. You can set the alarm to go off
if your computer loses power, is shut down/
logged off, or even if your USB mouse is
unplugged. The software is extremely small
and light on system resources. What’s more, it
runs without snags or false alarms.
While cases of laptop theft may be few and far
between on campus, it is definitely better to be
prepared. And while Laptop Alarm may not
be able to stop a thief, it definitely will attract
enough attention to act as a deterrent. Laptop
Alarm can be found at http://www.syfer.nl.
CCleaner
Two or three semesters into their SMU
education, most students find their laptop to
have become considerably slower than at the
time of purchase. The appropriately named
CCLeaner (stands for “Crap Cleaner”) may
not be a silver bullet that magically revitalizes
your PC. It is however, one of the better
tools available to optimize your computer’s
processing speed. It is a simple, yet powerful
registry cleaner that expunges old and unused
registry entries. In plain English, this means
that your computer takes less time to process
tasks, and is hence faster.
On the downside, cleaning out the crap in
your computer might take a while. The entire
process of scanning and deleting piles of
refuse in a computer typically takes around 10
minutes but it is time well invested. CCleaner
runs quite stably most of the time, and regular
updates to the software mean that fewer
bugs remain with each release. One word of
warning to users: Registry cleaning is a delicate
process, and mistakes can be catastrophic. It
is dangerous to use any feature of CCleaner
unless you are sure what the repercussions
will be. Fortunately, the software comes with

Page 34 • Issue 3 • The Blue and Gold


The iPhone 3G –
Our Verdict
The Blue and Gold’s take on the hype and aura
surrounding this product
BY: Pranav Backliwal
Even if most of your SMU life has been spent
mugging, it is inconceivable to think that you
have not come across information about the
iPhone – Apple’s revolutionary new product.
Rarely, if ever, has a single product commanded
such attention from such a diverse set of people.
We at the Blue & Gold are no different. We
have given the iPhone a test drive, and we
present to you our verdict.
Superbly designed, this phone is an ergonomic
breath of fresh air. The touch screen works
almost faultlessly. Though the screen attracts
fingerprints, it can be cleaned with the wipe
of a cloth, and it is quite resistant to scratches.
The onscreen virtual keyboard takes a few
days to get used to, but once the initiation
phase is over, it is a joy to use. In fact, a survey
shows that two out of three users prefer it
a comprehensive system backup utility, and
it is recommended to back up before every
run. CCleaner can be found at http://www.
ccleaner.com/download.
DownThemAll
As far as Firefox extensions go, DownThemAll
(DTA) is one of the most useful. Have you
ever found embedded in a website, an excellent
video that you could not download to show
in your presentation the next day? DTA can
accomplish this and more. In a nutshell, this
extension allows you to download the links,
images, videos and other elements of a web
page in one single click.
The interface is slightly confusing and takes
some time to get used to. To get our readers
started, the “Inclusive filters” tab is extremely
helpful, as it allows you to filter out all the
pictures or videos on a page. On top of this,
DTA has an excellent built-in download
manager, which can accelerate downloads by
up to 400 percent. This tool can be found at
to traditional PDA keypads. Some clever
underlying software corrects practically all
the common typing mistakes. The in-built
accelerometer, which detects the motion and
orientation of the phone, allows for various
extremely innovative functions. Motion
sensitive games, effective video recording,
photography and iTunes CoverFlow are all
available for use, with the accelerometer as
the enabler. However, there are some glaring
(if minor) gaps in functionality. For instance,
you cannot forward an SMS. Also, the display
dims automatically after 30 seconds, and this
time interval cannot be changed.
Connection to SMU’s WLAN network is
a breeze. Often, it connects faster and more
stably than many laptops. Checking and
replying to SMU email therefore is an added
advantage over other PDA’s, which have
difficulties in accessing the SMU network.
There are performance issues with Oasis and
SMU Vista, as the inbuilt Safari browser finds
it difficult to display such heavy content. MSN
and other instant messengers run seamlessly
Digital
http://www.downthemall.net.
One for the Mac users…
Senuti
Some of our more perceptive readers would
have noticed out that Senuti is actually iTunes
spelt backwards. This little utility does exactly
what its name claims – it reverses the iTunes
process by allowing you to copy music, videos,
play lists and photos from your iPod back on
to your Mac.
While most similar utilities charge money
for the same functionality, Senuti is a stable,
rich featured alternative. The interface and the
menus are simple and polished. Songs take
the same time to extract as they would take to
load on to an iPod. Play lists and songs mostly
transfer without a hitch. Since the application
is still a beta version, there are regular updates
to address issues. Senuti is compatible with all
models of the iPod, no matter how old or new.
The application can be downloaded at http://
www.fadingred.org/senuti.
with the iPhone. Youtube videos stream
reasonably quickly too. The speed is dependent
of course, on the network connection.
The new software update (version 2.1) addresses
many flaws. In addition to improving battery
life by almost 100%, the update addresses
common crash scenarios. There are thousands
of applications available for download, many
of which are free or nominally priced at 99
cents. Some applications in particular like
Bloomberg, Facebook and Twitter greatly
enhance the functionality.
Overall, the iPhone represents a significant
technological leap, as far as PDAs are
concerned. Competitors like HTC, O2
and Samsung have since released iPhone
substitutes. However, the overall design and
ease of use of this gadget is something that
no other company has been able to match.
Under Singtel, a price tag of about $500 is not
prohibitively high. Our verdict: A must-buy
for just about everyone!
The Blue and Gold, Issue 3, Page 35
Travel
Travelogue:
Vienna
BY: Dao Thanh Phuong
A short stay in Vienna last December has left
a great impression in me. There is no doubt it
is my favourite city in Europe with remarkable
architecture and excellent performances.
Vienna welcomed me with great weather and
a large green dome, which turned out to be
the Karlskirche (St.Charles Cathedral), which
is famous for its marvellous frescos displayed
different stories of the saints. You have to be
there to see up-close and fully appreciate this
masterpiece.
Upon reaching the city center, which is called
the Inner Ring, the beautiful architecture of
Vienna started to unfold. In the Inner Ring, all
Page 36 • Issue 3 • The Blue and Gold
PHOTOS: DAO THANH PHUONG
places of interest are within walking distance,
though you can save your day by buying the
metro ticket available for single trip, single day
or up to 1 month of unlimited use of the trams,
buses and underground metros. Alternatively
you can buy the Vienna Card, which includes
72 hours of public transport and discounts
for many museums and galleries. And what’s
more, as students, we can get even better deals
than the Vienna Card, simply by showing the
ISIC (International Student Identity Card)
which costs S$15 and lasts for 1 year.
Keep walking and you will find yourself
overwhelmed with wonderful and artistic
designs of the Hofburg Palace, onced
the residence of the Habsburg dynasty. I
recommend the Sisi ticket, named after
Empress Elisabeth, praised as the most
beautiful woman during her times. This Sisi
ticket costs €20 and allows you to visit three
popular musems and palaces in Vienna.
One of which is the “Imperial Apartments,
Sisi Museum and Imperial Silver Collection”
inside the Hofburg Palace where you can
immerse yourself in the luxurious and imperial
life of 19th century. You are also entitled to
visit the Imperial Furniture Museum and the
Schloss Schönbrunn, which is a must-see. You
can’t say you have been to Vienna without
visiting the Schönbrunn, where architecture
and nature blend so well with each other. A
day long strolling in the palace, discovering 40
 Travel

About: Travelogue

Travelogue is committed
to connect SMU commu-
nity to different places of
interest worldwide. Let
your traveling experi-
ence handle the pour of
“what” and “how”. Share
your tips on “what” to
do, to see, to hear, to
speak, to eat, followed
with “how” to achieve
those goals. Recommend
At night, Vienna city becomes
vibrant and busy just like any
an affordable journey
modern cities in the world. yet full of fun and dis-
Walking along the Mariahilfer coveries for your peers!
Straße, the biggest shopping
street and full of activities, About:
you can get a taste of
Viennese night life.
Art and Literature

The Art and Litera-

state rooms with superb interior decorations
before finding yourself lost in the labyrinth in
the garden will be one of the most memorable
experiences for you.
At night, Vienna city becomes vibrant and
busy just like any modern cities in the world.
Walking along the Mariahilfer Straße, the
biggest shopping street and full of activities,
you can get a taste of Viennese night life.
Even if you are not into classical music or
operas, there is no harm in getting a ticket
into the Wiener Staatsoper (Opera House)
to understand why Vienna is the gathering
destination for all classical music lovers. With
only €2, you can buy a standing ticket and enjoy
the 3-hour long opera or ballet. This type of
ticket is usually available about 2 hours before
the performance at the “standing tickets” office
on the left of the opera house. Be early to find a ture column welcomes
good standing place. Of course you can always
splurge hundreds of euros to buy a much better any articles on the arts
seat and indulge in the atmosphere. scene in SMU, artists in
SMU (musicians, actors,
Vienna still has a lot to offer such as the
Parliament, the Rathaus (City hall) and painters, singers, etc.),
Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Cathedral), which reports on related events
make you “wow” at the very first sight of them. in campus or submis-
For museum addicts, there is Kunsthistorisches
Museum (Museum of Fine Arts), which is as sions of creative works.
great as the Louvre museum in Paris.
On the last note, if you happen to be in Vienna
in December, Christmas markets are too good
to miss. Not only you are surrounded by the
Xmas music and decorations, you can shop
souvenirs, taste the local snacks and simply
feel the joy and happiness from everybody.

The Blue and Gold • Issue 3 • Page 37

Art & Literature
Keluar Baris, Homecoming
A quick interview with Daryl Pan
BY: Terri-Anne Teo
Keluar Baris, “fall out” in Malay, also known as
“Homecoming” was directed by Boo Junfeng.
It took home the Best Short Film Award at
this year’s SIFF Awards.
The first scene introduces a nascent teenager
arriving home from his exchange program in
Spain, brimful with youthful excitement. As
we later discover, he is also on the thrust of
entering what could be his first transformation
into manhood – National Service. With this,
he battles inner conflicts involving wanderlust,
family and self-perspective.
A poignant film, Keluar Baris yearns to tug
at our heartstrings with the turmoil of this
young boy. It seems as though he has emerged
from a phase of self-discovery abroad, only
to touchdown to the harsh reality check of
enlistment, a seemingly disillusional, cruel
contrast to his newfound freedom.
The lightness of youth is barely discernable by
the protagonist’s dragging shuffle and serious,
pensive eyes. This is compelled by scenes of
familiar local surroundings, captured in a most
tender manner. The National Stadium, empty
but a lone figure bowed forward in his seat, is
revisited in a different half-light. Rain drips in
the midst of this melancholy, delivered upon
by dark skies and rooftops. The weight upon
his shoulders is almost tangible, the burden of
NS burying him into a downward crouch. This
cinematographic pathetic fallacy is a brilliant
expression of the film’s intent.
The film carries with it a message of personal
struggle embodied in its star, who some of us
may find startlingly familiar.
This 16-minute movie stars our very own Daryl
Pan, a 2nd year student who hails from SMU’s
School of Business.
Having experienced NS himself, Daryl
Page 38 • Issue 3 • The Blue and Gold
Indian novelist
Anita Desai shares her
experiences on writing
BY: PANG HUI QING 25 August 2008
identifies with certain aspects of it, such as the
The rows of seats at the Reading Room of the
fear of entering an unknown discipline, along
Li Ka Shing Library filled up briskly as staff,
with the lessons of responsibility, camaraderie
students and other guests, some from NTU
and independence that it instills.
and NUS, waited for Indian novelist Anita
Desai to share her experiences on writing.
With a fervent passion for the arts, he
vehemently professes, “It is never enough!”
Desai was in Singapore to give a series of
when asked if more can be done to enhance
talks entitled ‘Writing Across Cultures’.
the arts scene in SMU. Though readily
Her works capture the intricacies of Indian
admitting that SMU has a burgeoning artistic
households with rich character studies
environment, with the Concourse’s tall white
and realistic dialogue. She is the mother of
walls as its perfect canvas for exhibitions, he
Booker Prize winning novelist Kiran Desai
insists that there is and always will be room for
and teaches the Creative Writing module at
more movement.
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Having a personal relationship with the arts,
India is a well known contributor to the
especially in the local sphere, Daryl expresses
world of English literature. One of the early
his regret that oftentimes, talent can go by
successful Indian writers, Desai credits this
hidden and unnoticed. Here, he feels that
to sustained interest from British publishers
publicity is an integral instrument in raising
in the writing of their former colony. Before
awareness, to appreciation and eventually,
she was discovered, she wrote exclusively
evolution in the arts scene.
for herself and described the experience as
“being in a dark cave”. During this period,
Exposure to the arts can complement the
she read widely the works of overseas
busy SMU student’s life dynamically. Despite
authors. Dostoyevsky, the Russian novelist,
being in the same boat as all of us, in the rat-
was a particular influence. She commented
race for a mind-blowing GPA, Daryl has also
that Indian writers like herself, worked on
managed to infuse his time with modeling and
acquiring a unique voice in their writing
acting. Incidentally, Keluar Baris is hardly his
rather than mimicking the voice of the British
only acting experience.
novel. She cited the popularity of the magical
realism genre among modern Indian writers
Most recently, he starred in another local film,
as a result of Salman Rushdie’s success with
Bedok Jetty, which was directed by Boo Junfeng
Midnight’s Children. She ended the talk
as well. This is part of ‘Digital Homelands’,
with a reading of her short story Winterscape
a project by the National Museum where
and a question and answer session.
Singaporeans are able to share their stories and
memories about places they have a personal
This is the second talk Desai has given to
connection with through a short video.
Singapore audiences. In the first talk, which
was held at the National Library the day
Constantly pushing for the arts, Daryl’s
before, she revealed how she had students who
parting words are truly inspirational. “It’s all
wanted to drop out of university to pursue
about opportunities,” he says, “give local talent
a full time writing career. Desai managed
a chance to show you what they’ve got, and
to convince some to stay on, but some left
you’ll be impressed.”
anyway, demonstrating the mysterious allure
of the craft.
 How YOU can contribute!Art & Literature

As a student Freelance Journalists Clubs and Societies

See something new and Want to get a go at Have an event organised

interesting happening being a journalist? for the students?
in the campus? Have
an interesting photo Would like to try your We have free
to share? Send in your hand in covering advertising slots for
news tips! events and conducting you! Contact us for
interviews? more information on
Share with us your publication dates and
insights and experiences Send in a brief on what requirements.
from anywhere! We are you would want to write
open to anything! From on, the angle of the Have some valuable
internship experiences story, as well as where knowledge to share with
to overseas trips! and how you plan to get the student body? Want
No minimum length information from. to have a write-up done
required. on your club? Drop us a
Outstanding journalists mail!
will be invited to join
the team, where we
give exclusive media
passes into big scale
events both in and out
of campus!

Contact us at:
pubcomm@sa.smu.edu.sg

The Blue and Gold, Issue 3, Page 39

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