FASS Commentaries
Expert opinions and thought leadership from FASS faculty, researchers, students and alumni.
Exploring Teochew Culture Inheritance Through Art of Temple Carving
A profile by Lianhe Zaobao of undergraduate and FASS Student Ambassador Tan Guan Fan (NUS History) who recently attained the prestigious Ngee Ann Kongsi Distinguished Scholar Award, and whose recently published paper “If Roofs could Talk and Walls could Speak: The Understated Arts of Yueh Hai Ching Temple” was a lauded study in Teochew culture and the arts.
Xi’s China Dream – Its Appeal and Dangers
Whatever personnel and policy changes emerge from the 20th party congress, China’s ambitions and revanchist ethnonationalist goals will endure, says Mr Bilahari Kausikan, Chairman of the Middle East Institute at NUS, former Singaporean diplomat and NUS Political Science alumnus.
Caring is Complicated
How societies can better adapt to an ageing population is an important issue. By 2030, more than 20% of Singapore’s population will be aged 65 or above, which means that every fourth person you encounter at a kopitiam will be a senior citizen. ‘Caring is Complicated’ (The ALUMNUS, Oct-Dec 2022) …
Closer Neighbours are Better than Distant Relatives
Associate Professor Thang Leng Leng from NUS Japanese Studies shares how her experience and that of her friends’, having lived in Japan and Singapore, has led her to appreciate the value of having a good neighbourhood.
Singapore Youth: In Defence of ‘Strawberries’
Dr Chew Han Ei, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS, and Assoc Prof Vincent Chua from NUS Sociology and Anthropology ask: What can be done to engage young people in Forward Singapore?
What does Queen Elizabeth’s Death Mean for Countries where she’s Head of State?
Queen Elizabeth II was a powerful obstacle to republican calls from Commonwealth countries that wanted to break the link to the British crown. But she is now gone, and the new King cannot match that stature, says NUS history professor Brian Farrell.
Weathering challenges ahead: Education on security issues is key
In ‘Weathering challenges ahead: Education on security issues is key’ (The Straits Times, August, 2022), Associate Professor Bilveer Singh (NUS Political Science) argues that security issues have become one of Singapore’s key priorities in light of surging inflation around the world. Southeast Asia is facing growing geopolitical uncertainties. Regional powers …
Weathering challenges ahead: Education on security issues is key Read More »
Situation in Taiwan Strait: Lessons for Southeast Asian Youth
Commentary by Tan Zhan Tiam (NUS Political Science and NUS Chinese Studies) in Lianhe Zaobao.
A Lot of Swot – Good or Not?
Dr Kelvin Seah Kah Cheng, Senior Lecturer from NUS Economics answers questions from The Straits Times readers.
Abdullah al-Misri and why Hikayat Mareskalek is Still Relevant to this Day
Commentary by Dr Azhar Ibrahim Alwee (NUS Malay Studies) on Abdullah al-Misri’s ‘Hikayat Mareskalek’.
Raise salaries to attract more locals to hospitality and F&B? It’s not so simple.
As COVID-19 safe distancing measures were eased, demand for hotels and F&B experiences bounced back. However, the hospitality sector has been plagued with slow service due to a labour crunch. In “Commentary: Raise salaries to attract more locals to hospitality and F&B? It’s not so simple” (Channel NewsAsia, July 2022), …
Raise salaries to attract more locals to hospitality and F&B? It’s not so simple. Read More »
Reforestation Could Boost Water Security in some Asia-Pacific Areas
A new study led by researchers at the NUS Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions (CNCS) indicates that if all areas suitable for forest growth in the Asia-Pacific were planted up, rainfall would go up in 4 of its 15 water-stressed regions, writes NUS CNCS Science Communication and Outreach Lead and FASS alumna Audrey Tan (NUS Sociology, ’13) in this The Straits Times article.