<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Department of Philosophy</title> <atom:link href="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo</link> <description>NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences</description> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 06 Dec 2024 04:46:03 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <item> <title>AI’s challenge to universities: What happens when EQ trumps IQ?</title> <link>https://fass.nus.edu.sg/news/2024/12/01/ais-challenge-to-universities-what-happens-with-eq-trumps-iq/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 01 Dec 2024 04:44:38 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/?p=11078</guid> <description><![CDATA[By Prof Simon Chesterman, NUS Vice Provost (Educational Innovation) and Dean of NUS College, and Assoc Prof Loy Hui Chieh, from the Dept of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS, and Vice Dean (Academic Affairs) at NUS College.]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fl-builder-content fl-builder-content-11078 fl-builder-content-primary fl-builder-global-templates-locked" data-post-id="11078"><div class="fl-row fl-row-fixed-width fl-row-bg-none fl-node-98a1coklqmhg fl-row-default-height fl-row-align-center" data-node="98a1coklqmhg"> <div class="fl-row-content-wrap"> <div class="fl-row-content fl-row-fixed-width fl-node-content"> <div class="fl-col-group fl-node-xljg87ta6wcs" data-node="xljg87ta6wcs"> <div class="fl-col fl-node-bzvto25er4mg" data-node="bzvto25er4mg"> <div class="fl-col-content fl-node-content"><div class="fl-module fl-module-rich-text fl-node-xwc16qm4073z" data-node="xwc16qm4073z"> <div class="fl-module-content fl-node-content"> <div class="fl-rich-text"> <p><strong style="font-size: 14px; font-family: system-ui, '---apple-system', BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">IN BRIEF | 10 min read</strong></p> <ul> <li>By Prof Simon Chesterman, NUS Vice Provost (Educational Innovation) and Dean of <a href="https://nuscollege.nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUS College</a>, and Assoc Prof Loy Hui Chieh from <a href="/philo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUS Philosophy</a> and Vice Dean (Academic Affairs) at NUS College.</li> </ul> <div class="ppmodule_textblock pp_moduleblock"> <hr /> <p><a href="https://tinyurl.com/356pfacj" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click through image below to read this piece.</a></p> <p><a href="https://tinyurl.com/356pfacj" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-32338 size-large" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-06-at-12.39.19 PM-1024x824.png" alt="" width="1024" height="824" /></a></p> </div> <p> </p> <div class="ppmodule_textblock pp_moduleblock"> <hr /> </div> <p><em>This story first appeared in </em>The Straits Times and <a href="https://news.nus.edu.sg/ais-challenge-to-universities-what-happens-with-eq-trumps-iq/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUSNews</a> <em>on 28 November 2024</em><em>.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="uabb-js-breakpoint" style="display: none;"></div>]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>New Course Charts Interdisciplinary Paths to Effective Altruism</title> <link>https://fass.nus.edu.sg/news/2024/11/22/new-course-charts-interdisciplinary-path-toi-effective-altruism/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 22 Nov 2024 02:58:14 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/?p=11070</guid> <description><![CDATA[HS2921 by Dr Martin Mattsson (NUS Economics) and Dr Joel Chow (NUS College) prepares students to craft and execute interdisciplinary solutions “to help others as much as possible.”]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fl-builder-content fl-builder-content-11070 fl-builder-content-primary fl-builder-global-templates-locked" data-post-id="11070"><div class="fl-row fl-row-fixed-width fl-row-bg-none fl-node-ktmy9q87bfxd fl-row-default-height fl-row-align-center" data-node="ktmy9q87bfxd"> <div class="fl-row-content-wrap"> <div class="fl-row-content fl-row-fixed-width fl-node-content"> <div class="fl-col-group fl-node-l3nr7mgdsz1q" data-node="l3nr7mgdsz1q"> <div class="fl-col fl-node-083k6fx7hg2n" data-node="083k6fx7hg2n"> <div class="fl-col-content fl-node-content"><div class="fl-module fl-module-rich-text fl-node-1m49ri7yxfp8" data-node="1m49ri7yxfp8"> <div class="fl-module-content fl-node-content"> <div class="fl-rich-text"> <div class="ppmodule_textblock pp_moduleblock"> <div class="text_companyprofile"> <div class="pp-overflow-hidden pp-min-width-5"> <p><strong>IN BRIEF | 10 min read</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://chs.nus.edu.sg/programmes/common-curriculum/interdisciplinary-courses-i-ii-/#hs2900s-18" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HS2921</a> by <a href="https://discovery.nus.edu.sg/21000-nils-martin-mattsson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Assistant Professor Martin Mattsson</a> (<a href="/ecs">NUS Economics</a>) and <a href="https://discovery.nus.edu.sg/3328-ken-q-joel-chow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr Joel Chow</a> (<a href="https://nuscollege.nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUS College</a>) prepares students to craft and execute interdisciplinary solutions “to help others as much as possible.”</strong></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="fl-module fl-module-rich-text fl-node-6ep28gnjvwu7" data-node="6ep28gnjvwu7"> <div class="fl-module-content fl-node-content"> <div class="fl-rich-text"> <div class="ppmodule_textblock pp_moduleblock"> <div class="text_companyprofile"> <div class="pp-overflow-hidden pp-min-width-5"> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-32232 size-large" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Rsz-shutterstock_1366275452-1024x566.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="566" /></p> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">‘How can we best use our resources to help others? How do we ensure that our efforts are effective in improving the wellbeing of others? The newly launched course at the <a href="https://chs.nus.edu.sg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUS College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS)</a>, <a href="https://chs.nus.edu.sg/programmes/common-curriculum/interdisciplinary-courses-i-ii-/#hs2900s-18" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HS2921 Effective Altruism in Theory and Practice</a>, is devoted to teaching approaches to answering questions such as these along interdisciplinary (crossing Economics and Philosophy) lines.</span></p> <div class="ppmodule_textblock pp_moduleblock"> <div class="text_companyprofile"> <div class="pp-overflow-hidden pp-min-width-5"> <p>We ask the creators and instructors of this course in its maiden semester this year – <a href="https://discovery.nus.edu.sg/21000-nils-martin-mattsson/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Assistant Professor Martin Mattsson</a> (<a href="/ecs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUS Economics</a>) and <a href="https://discovery.nus.edu.sg/3328-ken-q-joel-chow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr Joel Chow</a> (<a href="https://nuscollege.nus.edu.sg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUS College</a> and the <a href="https://chs.nus.edu.sg/programmes/ppe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Philosophy, Politics and Economics Cross-Disciplinary Programme, PPE-XDP</a>) – why they developed this course on Effective Altruism and why it needs to be interdisciplinary.</p> <p>“’Effective altruism’ is growing as a social movement globally, but there aren’t many university courses on the topic,” says Dr Mattsson, moving on to explain the need for interdisciplinarity. “A popular definition of Effective Altruism is to ‘use evidence and reason to figure out how to benefit others as much as possible and taking action on that basis’. When trying to figure out how to benefit others, we inevitably have to deal with complex questions such as ‘How can we best improve the lives of others?’ and ‘How can we reliably tell if our methods of benefiting others are effective?’ To address these questions, one has to leverage multiple academic disciplines. So, while the course mostly draws on Philosophy and Economics, it also touches on subjects like Political Science, Psychology, Engineering, and Computer Science.”</p> <p>“Therefore, we believe it is a natural fit with the <a href="https://chs.nus.edu.sg/programmes/common-curriculum/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CHS common curriculum</a>, as we hope to show students that to address complex real-world problems, we need to bring together insights from multiple disciplines and integrate them,” adds Dr Chow, who further points out that the syllabus they crafted and the assignment they set reflect this approach. “For example, in their work on the group project students are expected to analyse an intervention using philosophical and economic tools, and bring together these disciplines to better examine, and ultimately evaluate, an intervention on its impact and ability to benefit others.”</p> <p><strong>Equipping and Inspiring Students to Act on their Own</strong><br /> Dr Mattsson and Dr Chow’s syllabus for HS2921 seeks to train students in how to approach questions as a philosopher by evaluating non-empirical values such as our moral obligation towards the global poor, non-human animals and future populations. It also trains students in how to think like economists. For example, students are taught to identify situations in which markets can lead to good outcomes and in what situations interventions by governments or philanthropists are needed. Furthermore, the class encourages quantitative analysis using concepts such as expected value calculations and operationalised measures of human wellbeing such as quality adjusted life years.</p> <p>“The main goal of the course is to provide students strategies for how to answer the question, ‘How can I benefit others as much as possible?’ and hopefully inspire some students to act on their own answers to that question,” says Dr Mattsson. “To do this we discuss different theories for what constitutes morally good behaviour, basic economic logic and evidence, and finally we do a deep dive into three fields that many in the Effective Altruism community think are areas where one can benefit others a lot.”</p> <p>In examination of these three areas – welfare of the global poor, animal welfare and our legacy for future generations – with their students, Dr Mattsson and Dr Chow do not only just draw from the perspectives and ideas of other fields like social psychology and politics, but also call in major thought leaders, such as renowned utilitarian and <a href="https://cpree.princeton.edu/people/peter-singer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University, Peter Singer</a>, who delivered a lecture to their class early this month.</p> <p><figure id="attachment_32233" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-32233" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-32233 size-large" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Peter-Singer-Lecture-QA-IMG_1828-scaled-e1732243990837-1024x575.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="575" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-32233" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="color: #999999;"><strong>PROFESSOR PETER SINGER'S LECTURE Q&A | (From left) Professor Peter Singer, Dr Joel Chow and Assistant Professor Martin Mattsson</strong></span></figcaption></figure></p> <p><strong>The Challenges and Advantage of Being Among the First</strong><br /> HS2921 is one of a few university courses in the world devoted to Effective Altruism and while that speaks well for its future popularity among students it also brought on unique challenges towards its launch.</p> <p>Dr Mattsson explains. “Although Effective Altruism is growing as a social movement, there aren't many university courses on the topic and there are no textbooks. We are happy to teach the first university course on Effective Altruism, that we are aware of, in Asia, but it meant we had to create a lot of the materials ourselves,” he says. This was challenging as some of the topics, like existential risks, are quite far away from our own research and teaching focus. Fortunately, there are lots of great materials like books, blogposts, and podcasts, created by people both inside and outside the effective altruism movement and we drew on these materials to create our course.</p> <p>Dr Chow indicates another issue they had to contend with in the development of their course. “It is also always challenging to teach students from very diverse academic backgrounds and with very different interests, most of whom have no background in neither Philosophy nor Economics,” he says. “We have tried to design the course so that students can follow their own interests and leveraging their own strengths by doing group projects and writing essays on topics of their choice. We hope that for some of the students these projects will be the first step towards a deeper engagement with these topics.”</p> <p>All their challenges aside, Dr Mattsson and Dr Chow have seen enrolment to their course this semester exceed their initial expectations and are encouraged to consider hosting a larger class in future. “This is the first year that we are teaching the course, so we really didn't know what to expect in terms of student interest. We had set a cap of 100 students and gotten a lecture theatre with capacity for that enrollment,” says Dr Mattson. “We thought that this would be more than enough, but we were pleasantly surprised that more than 150 students tried to enroll in the course!”</p> <p>“Yes, unfortunately we had to say no to some students due to space constraints,” says Dr Chow. “But we intend to increase the number of students we can accommodate in future years and hopefully the interest among students will continue to be strong.”</p> </div> </div> </div> <hr /> <div id="content " class="site-content"> <div class="ast-container"> <div id="primary" class="content-area primary"> <p style="text-align: left;"><em style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"><em>For more information on HS2921 go to <a href="https://canvas.nus.edu.sg/courses/66172/assignments/syllabus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Canvas</a> (for NUS Students) or <a href="https://nusmods.com/courses/HS2921/effective-altruism-in-theory-and-practice" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUSMods</a>.</em></em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="uabb-js-breakpoint" style="display: none;"></div>]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Philosophy, AI, and mental health: Perspectives on World Philosophy Day</title> <link>https://fass.nus.edu.sg/news/2024/11/21/philosophy-ai-and-mental-health/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 21 Nov 2024 07:08:21 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/?p=11062</guid> <description><![CDATA[On World Philosophy Day 2024 (21 November), NUS Philosophy faculty and students share their thoughts on the study of Philosophy and its role and currency in the world today.]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fl-builder-content fl-builder-content-11062 fl-builder-content-primary fl-builder-global-templates-locked" data-post-id="11062"><div class="fl-row fl-row-fixed-width fl-row-bg-none fl-node-2l4t58hynm6f fl-row-default-height fl-row-align-center" data-node="2l4t58hynm6f"> <div class="fl-row-content-wrap"> <div class="fl-row-content fl-row-fixed-width fl-node-content"> <div class="fl-col-group fl-node-1vk7oc98njla" data-node="1vk7oc98njla"> <div class="fl-col fl-node-mn3wkhr82alp" data-node="mn3wkhr82alp"> <div class="fl-col-content fl-node-content"><div class="fl-module fl-module-rich-text fl-node-s2j137tuhlvx" data-node="s2j137tuhlvx"> <div class="fl-module-content fl-node-content"> <div class="fl-rich-text"> <div class="ppmodule_textblock pp_moduleblock"> <div class="text_companyprofile"> <div class="pp-overflow-hidden pp-min-width-5"> <p><strong>IN BRIEF | 10 min read</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Embodying On World Philosophy Day 2024 (21 November), NUS Philosophy faculty and students share their thoughts on the study of Philosophy and its role and currency in the world today.</strong></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="fl-module fl-module-rich-text fl-node-fm4y5chbz1un" data-node="fm4y5chbz1un"> <div class="fl-module-content fl-node-content"> <div class="fl-rich-text"> <div class="ppmodule_textblock pp_moduleblock"> <div class="text_companyprofile"> <div class="pp-overflow-hidden pp-min-width-5"> <p><figure id="attachment_32218" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-32218" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-32218 size-large" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/nusnews-worldphilosophydaygroup-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-32218" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="color: #999999;"><strong>(From left) Lecturers and students from the NUS Department of Philosophy, Associate Professor Loy Hui Chieh, Christopher Chin, Sofia Marliini Heikkonen, Assistant Professor Song Moonyoung, Dr Daryl Ooi and Joan Lim share their thoughts on the importance of critical thinking, the exploration of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge and ethics, as well as the role of philosophy in shaping societies and guiding future generations.</strong></span></figcaption></figure></p> <p>Each year on World Philosophy Day on 21 November, people around the globe are invited to reflect on the role philosophy plays in shaping our understanding of the world.</p> <p>Philosophy, meaning ‘love of wisdom’, is interpreted differently by different people, and this diversity of interpretation is one of its most enduring strengths. For some, it’s an intellectual pursuit, a way of seeking deep truths about existence, morality, and knowledge. For others, it’s simply a practical guide to living more meaningfully.</p> <p>“Philosophy is an attempt to make sense of life, the universe, and everything, through human reason,” says Associate Professor Loy Hui Chieh from the <a href="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/">Department of Philosophy</a> at the <a href="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/">NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences</a>.</p> <p>For final-year Philosophy major Christopher Chin, the understanding of philosophy challenges our norms and forces us to grow, while final-year <a href="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/hist/">History</a> and Philosophy double major Sofia Marliini Heikkonen believes it offers the privilege of interrogating life.</p> <p>Dr Daryl Ooi, a lecturer at the Department of Philosophy agrees, saying that, “Philosophy is one of the activities humans practice when we’re trying to figure out how to relate and orientate ourselves to this exciting, complex and confusing world we live in.”</p> <p>Fundamentally, however, philosophy is a way of thinking that cuts to the heart of what it means to be human.</p> <p><strong>‘Confucius says…’</strong></p> <p>The foundational ideas established by many great thinkers and philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle have shaped our understanding of the world. These renowned philosophers pioneered the use of reason and logic to explore the workings of the universe while delving into the complexities of human morality.</p> <p>Although Confucius lived around 500 BC, some 2,500 years ago, today he remains synonymous with wisdom and insights into life. The expression ‘Confucius says...’ is often cited when imparting general wisdom, exemplifying how philosophy transcends time and generations.</p> <p>In the context of retaliation, for example – whether in war or conflict – one might consider Confucius’ wise words before determining a course of action: ‘Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.’</p> <p>“A common misunderstanding about philosophy is that it’s purely abstract and impractical, dealing only with questions that have no real-world impact. In reality, many of the questions discussed in philosophy have significant real-world implications,” said the Department’s Assistant Professor Song Moonyoung.</p> <p><strong>A compass for the modern world</strong></p> <p>Some may question the relevance of philosophical thinking today given the proliferation of science and technology that comes with the promise to simplify our lives and even make decisions on our behalf. Philosophers, however, agree that as the world changes rapidly through technology and social upheaval, the role of philosophy will only grow in importance.</p> <p>Dr Ooi believes that as long as humans continue to ask big and narrow questions about the world today and attempt to make sense of their beliefs, values, emotions and ideas, philosophy will continue to endure.</p> <p>Likewise, Asst Prof Song believes philosophy is even more relevant in a time when science and technology are at the forefront. “Philosophy encourages us to consider the ethical implications of technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and genetic engineering, and guides us in making thoughtful, responsible choices about their development and use,” she says.</p> <p>Assoc Prof Loy views philosophy as one part of a much larger repertoire now available to modern humanity. Its strength stems not from disregarding developments in other fields and domains, but from working in tandem with them. “Take artificial intelligence or AI for example. I have been drawn to research projects that look into how AI will affect education because it involves contributions from social science, data science, computer science and many others,” he says.</p> <p>Related to that is the complex task of developing a practical governing framework for the development of AI and, even more critically, the ethics of its application. Dr Ooi, himself a former student of Assoc Prof Loy, says that the intricacy of such tasks is precisely the reason we recognise the value of interdisciplinary education.</p> <p>He explains, “We need specialists from different disciplines to work together – and philosophers certainly have much to contribute towards the development or shaping of any kind of moral framework that would support the development and application of AI. Get a philosopher in the room to ask questions about ethics and morality, or even what it means to be human. This will trigger some incredibly meaningful and important conversations, and sometimes, you may even get something like an answer!”</p> <p>Assoc Prof Loy, who is also Vice Dean (Academic Affairs) for <a href="https://nuscollege.nus.edu.sg/">NUS College</a>, adds that he sees philosophers as some of the most interested and equipped people to discuss complex issues, not necessarily by supplying any ready-made “moral framework”, but simply by being people who are keen on thinking very carefully and working with experts from other technical disciplines.</p> <p>Expanding on this perspective, Asst Prof Song, who specialises in the philosophy of art, notes that the increasing integration of AI into our lives invites us to reflect on what truly defines humanity. The answer may not lie in what we can do better than AI. Instead, what makes us special may indeed be our limitations, such as the fact that humans have physical bodies that inevitably age and perish.</p> <p>She adds, “These limitations give human achievements – such as artwork – a completely different meaning, even if, on the surface, they may look similar to AI-created products.”</p> <p>In recent years, mental health has become another area where philosophy provides a unique lens through which we can understand and address psychological well-being. Commenting on the role of philosophy or philosophical ideas in mental health treatment or in helping people cope with mental health challenges, Dr Ooi highlights the increasing attention given to the therapeutic value of philosophical ideas.</p> <p>He says, “The idea of ‘care for the soul’ and ‘care for the self’ is a historically important one that is of immense relevance for us today, and there are many important philosophical questions that we can ask that are highly relevant to issues surrounding mental health today. For instance, how do we understand the obligations individuals have to care for one another, should education systems have an ethical responsibility to ensure that students do not suffer certain harms, or how can individuals and societies understand values such as ‘respect’ and ‘dignity’ so that those values shape the way humans treat each other?”</p> <p>Many of the tools employed in philosophy and the intellectual dispositions it nurtures have broad applications – particularly in instances where careful reasoning is needed or when navigating any situations without any clear precedents. This intellectual rigour is what has drawn some undergraduates to take up Philosophy to complement other fields of study, recognising the value of the discipline’s critical thinking and reasoning skills.</p> <p>Joan Lim, a final-year Philosophy and <a href="https://www.dbs.nus.edu.sg/lifesciences/">Life Sciences</a> double degree student, was first introduced to Philosophy in secondary school.</p> <p>Joan was part of the pioneering batch at the <a href="https://chs.nus.edu.sg/">College of Humanities and Sciences</a> and says she jumped at the opportunity to take two contrasting degrees, believing in the importance of an interdisciplinary education to gain a deeper understanding of our increasingly complex and interconnected world.</p> <p>“I feel that the disciplines are complementary because science needs to be ethically applied, and the humanities benefit from the real-world grounding from the sciences. Fields such as AI and sustainability consider the best ways to apply science and technology such that harm may be reduced; a purely scientific approach may lack that moral analysis.”</p> <p>Armed with the insights gained from her philosophy studies, Joan is looking for a career that will allow her to contribute to the field of sustainability, another existential challenge for mankind. “I hope to provide an ethical and logical lens for analysing complex issues such as sustainability and AI, but also in the vein of the philosophical training that I have received here at NUS, one which is empathetic and kind,” she says.</p> <p>Marliini, who has always felt very strongly about diversity, representation and inclusivity, is looking for opportunities to build bridges within the communities around her. “I'm still discovering what exactly my career will look like post-graduation, and what excites me is the prospect of fostering environments where people feel empowered, accepted and connected.”</p> <p>Beyond its influence on society, Christopher believes that philosophy’s teachings have made an impact on his personal relationships.</p> <p>“The clarity and discernment that philosophy teaches us should be channelled towards goodness. It reminds us to be compassionate because as (Chinese Confucian philosopher) Mengzi suggests, all humans have the heart of compassion. Whatever the psychological pain, I believe being compassionate, empathetic, and present should be our first response,” says Christopher, reflecting on the wisdom drawn from philosophy when dealing with friends and loved ones in need.</p> <p><strong>Enduring influence in shaping humanity</strong></p> <p>From artificial intelligence to mental health, philosophy offers a powerful lens for understanding and navigating the complexities of contemporary life. Whether for those immersed in academic inquiry or individuals looking for clarity in a fast-paced world, philosophy provides a space for thoughtful reflection, grounded in the search for truth and meaning.</p> <p>Assoc Prof Loy has noted how students get to have a lot of intellectual fun reading philosophy while giving them leverage for other intellectual pursuits.</p> <p>“Everyone stands to gain from the process of philosophical inquiry,” says Marliini. “The skills we learn are beneficial far beyond academics because philosophy at its core teaches us how to hold space for different perspectives while maintaining the rigour to examine and articulate our own.”</p> <p>In the words of Peter Singer, one of the most highly regarded modern philosophers alive today, “Philosophy ought to question the basic assumptions of the age. Thinking through, critically and carefully, what most of us take for granted is, I believe, the chief task of philosophy, and the task that makes philosophy a worthwhile activity.”</p> </div> </div> </div> <hr /> <div id="content " class="site-content"> <div class="ast-container"> <div id="primary" class="content-area primary"> <p style="text-align: left;"><em style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">This story first appeared on </em><a href="https://news.nus.edu.sg/philosophy-ai-and-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUSnews<span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> </span></a><em style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">on 21 November 2024.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="uabb-js-breakpoint" style="display: none;"></div>]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Kishore Mahbubani: In order to succeed in the global geopolitical competition, one must win over the Global South</title> <link>https://fass.nus.edu.sg/news/2024/09/28/kishore-mahbubani-in-order-to-succeed-in-the-global-geopolitical-competition-one-must-win-over-the-global-south/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 28 Sep 2024 06:54:49 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/?p=11026</guid> <description><![CDATA[A report in Lianhe Zaobao of Distinguished Fellow of the Asia Research Institute Professor Kishore Mahbubani's discussion points at the second Asia New Vision Forum (25-27 September 2024).]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fl-builder-content fl-builder-content-11026 fl-builder-content-primary fl-builder-global-templates-locked" data-post-id="11026"><div class="fl-row fl-row-fixed-width fl-row-bg-none fl-node-dt5c6j8912gm fl-row-default-height fl-row-align-center" data-node="dt5c6j8912gm"> <div class="fl-row-content-wrap"> <div class="fl-row-content fl-row-fixed-width fl-node-content"> <div class="fl-col-group fl-node-rdf4on756eul" data-node="rdf4on756eul"> <div class="fl-col fl-node-qag7kin1pfc8" data-node="qag7kin1pfc8"> <div class="fl-col-content fl-node-content"><div class="fl-module fl-module-rich-text fl-node-wi9glo6pqy0a" data-node="wi9glo6pqy0a"> <div class="fl-module-content fl-node-content"> <div class="fl-rich-text"> <p><strong style="font-size: 14px; font-family: system-ui, '---apple-system', BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">IN BRIEF | 10 min read</strong></p> <ul> <li>A report in <em>Lianhe Zaobao</em> of Distinguished Fellow of the <a href="https://ari.nus.edu.sg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asia Research Institute</a> Professor Kishore Mahbubani's discussion points at the second Asia New Vision Forum (25-27 September 2024).</li> </ul> <div class="ppmodule_textblock pp_moduleblock"> <hr /> <p><a href="https://www.nus.edu.sg/newshub/news/2024/2024-09/2024-09-26/GLOBAL-lhzb-26sep-p3.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click through image below to read this piece.</a></p> </div> <p><a href="https://www.nus.edu.sg/newshub/news/2024/2024-09/2024-09-26/GLOBAL-lhzb-26sep-p3.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-31653 size-large" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-01-at-2.51.52 PM-1024x491.png" alt="" width="1024" height="491" /></a></p> <p> </p> <div class="ppmodule_textblock pp_moduleblock"> <hr /> </div> <p><em>This story first appeared in </em>Lianhe Zaobao<em> and </em><a href="https://news.nus.edu.sg/kishore-mahbubani-in-order-to-succeed-in-the-global-geopolitical-competition-one-must-win-over-the-global-south/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUSNews</a> <em>on 26 September 2024.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="uabb-js-breakpoint" style="display: none;"></div>]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Going the Distance: NUS Athletes Scoop Up Medals and Degrees</title> <link>https://fass.nus.edu.sg/news/2024/07/15/nus-athletes-scoop-up-medals-and-degrees/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 15 Jul 2024 02:36:12 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/2024/07/15/nus-athletes-scoop-up-medals-and-degrees/</guid> <description><![CDATA[No matter the sport, being a competitive athlete is an exhilarating journey that can push you to your emotional, mental, and physical limits. Now, imagine going through all this while studying for a degree. Three student athletes who are graduating from NUS in July 2024 did just that, rising admirably to the challenge of balancing training, schoolwork, and competitions.]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fl-builder-content fl-builder-content-10959 fl-builder-content-primary fl-builder-global-templates-locked" data-post-id="10959"><div class="fl-row fl-row-fixed-width fl-row-bg-none fl-node-8y4bjsr5oct9 fl-row-default-height fl-row-align-center" data-node="8y4bjsr5oct9"> <div class="fl-row-content-wrap"> <div class="fl-row-content fl-row-fixed-width fl-node-content"> <div class="fl-col-group fl-node-37hz14umdfv2" data-node="37hz14umdfv2"> <div class="fl-col fl-node-wsco1fekb4vn" data-node="wsco1fekb4vn"> <div class="fl-col-content fl-node-content"><div class="fl-module fl-module-rich-text fl-node-s1nvhg0xwjm5" data-node="s1nvhg0xwjm5"> <div class="fl-module-content fl-node-content"> <div class="fl-rich-text"> <div class="ppmodule_textblock pp_moduleblock"> <div class="text_companyprofile"> <div class="pp-overflow-hidden pp-min-width-5"> <p><strong>IN BRIEF | 10 min read</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>No matter the sport, being a competitive athlete is an exhilarating journey that can push you to your emotional, mental, and physical limits. Now, imagine going through all this while studying for a degree. Three student athletes who are graduating from NUS in July 2024 did just that, rising admirably to the challenge of balancing training, schoolwork, and competitions.</strong></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="fl-module fl-module-rich-text fl-node-41cdvbsl0ife" data-node="41cdvbsl0ife"> <div class="fl-module-content fl-node-content"> <div class="fl-rich-text"> <p><figure id="attachment_30532" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-30532" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-30532 size-large" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/nn-1-9-1024x559.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="559" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-30532" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="color: #808080;"><strong>From left: Jerome Teo, Kok Hui Wen and Toh Wei Soong (Photo credit: Jerome Teo, Kok Hui Wen and Joseph Koh)</strong></span></figcaption></figure></p> <p>No matter the sport, being a competitive athlete is an exhilarating journey that can push you to your emotional, mental, and physical limits.</p> <p>Now, imagine going through all this while studying for a degree. Three student athletes who are graduating from NUS in July 2024 did just that, rising admirably to the challenge of balancing training, schoolwork, and competitions.</p> <p><figure id="attachment_30533" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-30533" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-30533 size-large" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dance2-2-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-30533" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="color: #808080;"><strong>Jerome Teo (left) and his dance partner – his younger sister, Rachel Teo – participated in a Dancesport competition in Italy in 2019, as part of their preparation for the 2019 SEA Games. (Photo: Jerome Teo)</strong></span></figcaption></figure></p> <p><strong>Jerome Teo Sze Yong:</strong> <strong>Finding his rhythm<br /> </strong>Dancer Jerome Teo Sze Yong excels at displaying grace under pressure. At NUS, he was a national DanceSport athlete, President of <a href="https://tembusu3.nus.edu.sg/">Tembusu College</a>’s Students’ Committee, and a double-degree major in Electrical Engineering and Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at the <a href="https://cde.nus.edu.sg/">NUS College of Design and Engineering</a> and <a href="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/">NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences</a> respectively. In both student life and competitive ballroom dancing, this was his key secret: keeping perfect time.</p> <p>“I tried to balance everything by knowing my priorities for each day, week and month,” said Jerome, 26, noting the importance of time management.</p> <p>With dates of competitions confirmed months in advance, Jerome could dance to the beat of his schedule. “When am I a student? When am I an athlete? Most of the time, the situation was not binary," he said.</p> <p>Sometimes he needed to spend more time in the ballroom, while sometimes the lecture notes waiting to be reviewed required his immediate attention.</p> <p>Juggling a packed schedule, Jerome had to navigate purposefully. When he went for dance practice, he set out to accomplish specific objectives, such as working on smaller sections of a routine, building stamina, or honing fundamental techniques.</p> <p>When he ran into scheduling issues which simple time management could not solve, NUS swooped in to help. In his freshman year in 2019, Jerome and his dance partner – his younger sister, Rachel Teo Jia Hui, who was also an NUS student – represented Singapore at the Southeast Asian Games. They won a silver and two bronze medals, but Jerome missed his end-of-semester exams.</p> <p>“I wanted to make sure I could pass the modules and not have to retake them the next semester,” he recalled. “NUS was very supportive to make alternative arrangements, like make-up examinations at the start of the next semester.”</p> <p>Jerome is taking a hiatus from DanceSport, and he is now working as a digital design engineer, designing hardware for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as smart home devices and smart lighting. “At any point in time, if I want to resume dancing, I can always return to it,” he added.</p> <p>On 17 July 2024, Jerome will be graduating with Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) with Honours (Highest Distinction) and on 19 July 2024, he will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics with Honours (Highest Distinction).</p> <p><figure id="attachment_30534" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-30534" style="width: 960px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-30534 size-full" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/kokhuiwen-1.jpeg" alt="" width="960" height="540" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-30534" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="color: #808080;"><strong>As Programme Head for Project Barrios, Kok Hui Wen (front row, first from right), and her team ran health education programmes for the local communities, including the elderly, during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: Kok Hui Wen)</strong></span></figcaption></figure></p> <p><strong>Kok Hui Wen: Riding the waves<br /> </strong>The most important thing about sports, said former competitive canoeist Kok Hui Wen, is to enjoy what you do. “As much as training is serious, it should be fun as well. It should fill you up,” she remarked.</p> <p>This was what drove the water sports enthusiast, who studied Nursing with a second major in Public Health, to join NUS Canoeing and also surf in her own time.</p> <p>Hui Wen, who started competitive canoeing in junior college, credits the sport for developing her resilience and self-assurance. “It gave me the confidence to know that whatever hardships I am facing now, I have what it takes to overcome it,” the 23-year-old said.</p> <p>These qualities proved to be invaluable during her clinical postings as an <a href="https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/nursing/">NUS Nursing</a> student. The first two years of Nursing studies were not easy for Hui Wen as she delved deeper into the complexity of the Nursing profession. The resilience that she developed from canoeing, her trust in her mentors, and the reassurance that she would eventually find her own footing in Nursing helped her navigate the period of uncertainty. “I am sure there’s a place in Nursing for me and I could value-add to healthcare in my own special way,” she reflected.</p> <p>Keen to apply her healthcare knowledge to benefit the community, Hui Wen took on the role of Programme Head for Project Barrios, a nursing-led project that focused on providing health education for overseas and local communities. Initiated as an overseas Community Involvement Project, Hui Wen and her team restructured the project to serve underserved local communities during the COVID-19 period. They ran education programmes for the elderly, migrant workers and underprivileged children to raise awareness of common health ailments specific to each group and educate them on the prevention, early detection and community resources to mitigate these health risks.</p> <p>The Nursing programme’s hybrid learning approach, with a mix of online tutorials and lectures as well as in-person classes, made it easier for her to fit canoeing and surfing into her schedule. During the semester, Hui Wen would sometimes travel to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka to ride the waves.</p> <p>She has retired from canoeing, but still does recreational water sports such as surfing. For now, she is looking forward to starting her new job as a nurse at the National University Hospital.</p> <p>Hui Wen will be graduating on 14 July 2024 with a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) with Honours (Highest Distinction).</p> <p><figure id="attachment_30535" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-30535" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-30535 size-large" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/teamsingaporeswimmertohweisoongrewrotehisownnationalrecordatthetokyo2020paralympicgames-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-30535" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="color: #808080;"><strong>Team Singapore swimmer Toh Wei Soong rewrote his own national record at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games (Photo: Team Singapore Facebook)</strong></span></figcaption></figure></p> <p><strong>Toh Wei Soong: Diving into the deep end<br /> </strong>National para-swimmer Toh Wei Soong pulled off a stunning victory at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games, scooping up gold medals in backstroke, freestyle, and butterfly. But the competitions were not his only race against the clock.</p> <p>Then a PPE undergraduate at NUS, he had spent the previous few years juggling classes and assignments on top of a gruelling training schedule for international competitions, including the Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympic Games.</p> <p>It was not easy. Wei Soong – who has Transverse Myelitis, a rare neurological condition affecting his lower spinal cord – had to take Leave of Absence to make time for swimming, and he also chose classes that best suited his training and competition schedule.</p> <p>His passion for philosophy and interest in PPE since secondary school were what kept him going, said Wei Soong, who penned an Honours thesis on “A Wittgensteinian Solution to Vagueness”, and helped set up an undergraduate student academic journal for Philosophy – <a href="https://blog.nus.edu.sg/theredstonejournal/"><i>The Red Stone</i></a><i> </i>– during his time as<i> Deputy Director for Publications </i>for the <a href="https://nusppeclub.squarespace.com/publications/republic"><i>Republic</i></a>, a PPE undergraduate journal.</p> <p>“I am very glad these journals are continuing to serve our communities, and giving students opportunities to learn how the publishing system works and to commemorate the best student essays from each semester,” noted the 25-year-old graduate of NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and <a href="https://nuscollege.nus.edu.sg/">NUS College</a>.</p> <p>As a PPE student, Wei Soong enjoyed interacting with his peers on complex and broad-ranging topics during class. “Overall, I did have a lot of fun in my undergraduate degree and a lot of fun in learning the subjects,” he mused.</p> <p>After more than a decade as a student athlete, Wei Soong, who is gearing up for the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games, will be focusing on swimming and savouring life as a full-time athlete.</p> <p>On 19 July 2024, Wei Soong will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics with Honours (Merit).</p> <hr /> <p><em><i>This story first appeared in <a href="https://news.nus.edu.sg/nus-athletes-scoop-up-medals-and-degrees/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUSNews</a> on 12 July</i></em><em><i> 2024, as part of a series covering Commencement 2024, and celebrating the achievements of NUS graduates from the Class of 2024.</i></em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="uabb-js-breakpoint" style="display: none;"></div>]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Are our Singaporean Youths Ready for the Working World?</title> <link>https://fass.nus.edu.sg/news/2024/04/11/are-our-singaporean-youths-ready-for-the-working-world/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 11 Apr 2024 01:53:24 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Visible]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Op-Ed]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/?p=10902</guid> <description><![CDATA[Column on <i>CNA Online</i> by Jonathan Sim, Associate Fellow of the NUS Teaching Academy and Lecturer from NUS Philosophy.]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fl-builder-content fl-builder-content-10902 fl-builder-content-primary fl-builder-global-templates-locked" data-post-id="10902"><div class="fl-row fl-row-fixed-width fl-row-bg-none fl-node-eu5nmxdsacj9 fl-row-default-height fl-row-align-center" data-node="eu5nmxdsacj9"> <div class="fl-row-content-wrap"> <div class="fl-row-content fl-row-fixed-width fl-node-content"> <div class="fl-col-group fl-node-pvlje1kh893x" data-node="pvlje1kh893x"> <div class="fl-col fl-node-gfevh0ux35b2" data-node="gfevh0ux35b2"> <div class="fl-col-content fl-node-content"><div class="fl-module fl-module-rich-text fl-node-lj8or94pi2n0" data-node="lj8or94pi2n0"> <div class="fl-module-content fl-node-content"> <div class="fl-rich-text"> <p><strong style="font-size: 14px; font-family: system-ui, '---apple-system', BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">IN BRIEF | 10 min read</strong></p> <ul> <li>Column on <em>CNA Online</em> by Jonathan Sim, Associate Fellow of the NUS Teaching Academy and Lecturer from <a href="/philo">NUS Philosophy</a>.</li> </ul> <div class="ppmodule_textblock pp_moduleblock"> <hr /> <p><a href="https://tinyurl.com/yrtw8xj3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click through image below to read this piece.</a></p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-29425" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-15-at-9.47.17 AM-e1713145889889-1024x574.png" alt="" width="1024" height="574" /></p> </div> <div class="ppmodule_textblock pp_moduleblock"> <hr /> </div> <p><em>This story first appeared in </em><a href="https://news.nus.edu.sg/are-our-singaporean-youths-ready-for-the-working-world/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Straits Times</a> <em>and</em><em> </em><a href="https://tinyurl.com/yrtw8xj3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNA Online</a> <em>on 9 April 2024.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="uabb-js-breakpoint" style="display: none;"></div>]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>NUS Open House 2024 Attracts more than 8.4m visitors as Screens and Campuses Buzz with Action</title> <link>https://fass.nus.edu.sg/news/2024/03/14/nus-open-house-2024-attracts-more-than-84m/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 14 Mar 2024 15:38:07 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/2024/03/14/nus-open-house-2024-attracts-more-than-84m/</guid> <description><![CDATA[Open House 2024 returned to an enthusiastic reception as visitors turned up in force to experience one of NUS’ largest events of the year. Held in a hybrid format from 2 to 9 March 2024 and pulled together by the efforts of 2,674 faculty, staff, students and alumni, the event attracted more than 8.4 million visitors – up from 7.7 million in 2023 – as they explored the comprehensive showcase of what NUS has to offer both online and in-person.]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p><strong>IN BRIEF | 10 min read</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Open House 2024 returned to an enthusiastic reception as visitors turned up in force to experience one of NUS’ largest events of the year. Held in a hybrid format from 2 to 9 March 2024 and pulled together by the efforts of 2,674 faculty, staff, students and alumni, the event attracted more than 8.4 million visitors – up from 7.7 million in 2023 – as they explored the comprehensive showcase of what NUS has to offer both online and in-person.</strong></li> </ul> <figure id="attachment_29071" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29071" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/untitled2-1024x576.png" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-29071" class="wp-caption-text"><strong>Through a diverse array of informative talks, booths, masterclasses and other activities, prospective students got a comprehensive overview of what NUS has to offer at the NUS Open House 2024.</strong></figcaption></figure> <p>Open House 2024 returned to an enthusiastic reception as visitors turned up in force to experience one of NUS’ largest events of the year. Held in a hybrid format from 2 to 9 March 2024 and pulled together by the efforts of 2,674 faculty, staff, students and alumni, the event attracted more than 8.4 million visitors – up from 7.7 million in 2023 – as they explored the comprehensive showcase of what NUS has to offer both online and in-person.</p> <p>Kicking off the eight action-packed days was a slate of engaging virtual talks, webinars, and social media sessions. <a href="https://bschool.nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUS Business School</a> put together an informative line-up of virtual sessions featuring an Ask-Me-Anything session with its Vice Dean Associate Prof Chng Chee Kiong, an overview of the various majors with insights from faculty and students alike, and a glimpse of its vibrant student life via the Bizad Club.</p> <p>At the online showcase by <a href="https://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUS Computing</a>, prospective students joined a Discord live chat to get their questions answered by professors and student ambassadors on topics such as the differences between the school’s five degree programmes. During a Zoom session by <a href="https://www.nus.edu.sg/gro" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUS Global</a>, they heard about the University’s exciting study abroad opportunities from students who embarked on exchange programmes with universities in Scotland, Canada, Switzerland and Hong Kong.</p> <p>The on-campus segment on 9 March saw crowds throng the programme booths, talks, special classes, campus tours, student life performances and residential venues, with students gaining perspectives into all aspects of a world-class education at NUS, from the comprehensive curricula and career prospects to student life and global opportunities.</p> <p><img decoding="async" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/infographic-2-01-scaled.jpg" alt="" /> <img decoding="async" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/infographic-2-02-scaled.jpg" alt="" /> <img decoding="async" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/infographic-2-03-scaled.jpg" alt="" /> <img decoding="async" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/infographic-2-04-scaled.jpg" alt="" /> <img decoding="async" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/infographic-2-05-scaled.jpg" alt="" /> “The NUS Open House was an absolute delight! It provided me with invaluable insights into campus life and academic offerings,” said prospective student Sim Wen Hao, who is currently in national service. “From informative discussions to first-hand testimonials, every interaction left me feeling more confident about my potential home away from home.”</p> <figure id="attachment_29077" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29077" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/oh-psychology-1920-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-29077" class="wp-caption-text"><strong>Dr Matthew Lim from NUS Psychology spoke about the growing concern of mental health and his journey into Psychology at the talk “What Mental Wellness and Health Means in the 21st Century” jointly held with NUS Social Work.</strong></figcaption></figure> <p><strong>Charting pathways in humanities and sciences<br /></strong>The <a href="https://chs.nus.edu.sg/">College of Humanities and Sciences</a> (CHS), comprising the <a href="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/">Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences</a> (FASS) and the <a href="https://www.science.nus.edu.sg/">Faculty of Science</a> (FOS), showcased how it is equipping students with skills to integrate knowledge across these domains and the wide range of programmes they can choose from through a variety of major and minor combinations.</p> <p>An FASS panel featuring a <a href="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/geog/">Geography</a> major, a <a href="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/pol/">Political Science</a> major with a minor in <a href="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/ecs/">Economics</a>, a <a href="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/">Philosophy</a> major pursuing a Double Degree, and a <a href="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/sea/">Southeast Asian Studies </a>major taking a minor in <a href="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/hist/">History</a> dispelled misconceptions about their disciplines while discussing the potential career paths. Another joint talk by <a href="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/psy/">Psychology</a> and <a href="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/swk/">Social Work</a> on addressing mental health challenges in the 21st century explored how the issue is approached from their respective disciplines.</p> <figure id="attachment_29078" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29078" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/oh-fosbooth-1920-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-29078" class="wp-caption-text"><strong>Prospective students had the opportunity to hear directly from faculty members about the breadth and depth of the interdisciplinary pathways offered at the College of Humanities and Sciences at the programme booths.</strong></figcaption></figure> <p>The boom in big data was the focus of the <a href="https://www.stat.nus.edu.sg/prospective-students/undergraduate-programme/data-science-and-analytics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Data Science and Analytics</a> talk that highlighted how the programme offers students industry exposure through real-world projects and internships. Another talk by the <a href="https://chs.nus.edu.sg/programmes/bes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Environmental Studies Cross-Disciplinary Programme</a> discussed its mission to develop environmental sustainability advocates keen to derive creative solutions to complex problems, along with its exciting fieldwork opportunities.</p> <p>Lee Sue Ning, a Hwa Chong graduate who is interested in applying to Psychology, said of the FASS student panel: “The four students were from courses that I would never have considered. Hearing their experiences opened new doors for me, making me consider these courses as possible minors that I can take,” she added.</p> <p><strong>Intersection of design and engineering<br /></strong>The talk on<a href="https://cde.nus.edu.sg/chbe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Chemical Engineering</a>,<a href="https://cde.nus.edu.sg/mse/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Materials Science and Engineering</a>, and<a href="https://cde.nus.edu.sg/bme/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Biomedical Engineering</a>, held by the<a href="https://cde.nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> College of Design and Engineering</a> (CDE) gave students valuable insights on the curriculum and disciplines, as well as showcased students’ research. In an Ask-Me-Anything panel, the professors also shared about the flexibility of the curriculum, future career prospects, intersections between the various fields of engineering, and their thoughts on the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of taking a degree in Engineering.</p> <figure id="attachment_29079" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29079" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/jaf-8579-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-29079" class="wp-caption-text"><strong>The panel discussions allowed prospective students to clear their doubts on a myriad of topics, from admissions and curriculum to student life and career prospects.</strong></figcaption></figure> <p>The talk on<a href="https://cde.nus.edu.sg/arch/programmes/bachelor-of-arts-in-architecture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Architecture</a>,<a href="https://cde.nus.edu.sg/did/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Industrial Design</a>, and<a href="https://cde.nus.edu.sg/arch/programmes/bachelor-of-landscape-architecture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Landscape Architecture</a> gave students the inside scoop on how the programmes provide the core foundation, training, skills, and knowledge for students to become the next generation of effective and innovative architects and designers.</p> <figure id="attachment_29080" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29080" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/jaf-2427-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-29080" class="wp-caption-text"><strong>The informative booths gave prospective students and their parents a chance to interact with faculty and students, gleaning a first-hand perspective on life in CDE.</strong></figcaption></figure> <p>Over at SDE3, CDE’s Built Environment Research Tour took participants behind the scenes-from live demonstrations of how 5G robotics reduce manpower and increase efficiency, to a lab tour of NUS’ hydraulics laboratory facilities to explore wave mechanics and how natural coastal ecosystems like mangroves can protect shorelines against climate change. Students also participated in a hands-on session to design their own shoreline adaptation, choosing from models of nature-based solutions as well as traditional infrastructure.</p> <figure id="attachment_29081" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29081" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240309-140659-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-29081" class="wp-caption-text"><strong>The hands-on experiential learning segment of the hydraulics lab tour allowed prospective students to experience an actual class.</strong></figcaption></figure> <p>“It was nice to be able to see the facilities and get an idea about what Singapore is currently trying to improve on-designing a world with humans and robots, and coastal protection,” Nur Annatasyia Binte Joferi, from Singapore Polytechnic, said. “It made me think about how things will progress and what comes next after those goals are met.”</p> <p><strong>Immersive learning experiences<br /></strong><a href="https://nuscollege.nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUS College</a> offered prospective students a window into its extensive interdisciplinary education that blends small-group seminars with experiential learning and a rich residential immersion through special classes on topics such as love, food, and even Shakespeare’s plays. During Dr Chan Chi Wang’s class on quantifying facial attractiveness using mathematics and statistical methods, prospective students busily plotted measurements of facial features on graph paper. In Associate Professor Stuart Derbyshire’s class, they decoded mysterious sounds and intriguing illusions – sometimes with the aid of 3D glasses – understanding the science behind brain mechanisms that influence our perception.</p> <figure id="attachment_29082" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29082" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/oh-nusc-facialparameters1920-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-29082" class="wp-caption-text"><strong>At Dr Chan Chi Wang’s class, students interested in NUS College explored how concepts from mathematics and statistics can be used to quantify the beauty of human faces.</strong></figcaption></figure> <p>Foo Jun Wei, a Hwa Chong Institution graduate who will be joining<a href="https://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/programmes/ug/cs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Computer Science</a> and NUS College, came away with useful information on what to expect as an incoming NUS student. “I enjoyed taking part in the guided tour where I got to see first-hand the facilities and accommodations that NUS College provides, as well as the immersive sample lesson on quantifying facial attractiveness. Above all, I was glad to be able to clarify my existing doubts and seek advice from the friendly student ambassadors on the ground,” he added.</p> <figure id="attachment_29083" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29083" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/oh-nusc-illusions-1920-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-29083" class="wp-caption-text"><strong>Prospective students donned 3D glasses to observe optical illusions as part of NUS College Associate Professor Stuart Derbyshire’s special class that discussed how sensory receptors and brain mechanisms influence perception.</strong></figcaption></figure> <p>Over at Bukit Timah Campus, visitors to <a href="https://law.nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUS Law</a> had the choice of two masterclasses on criminal justice and conflict resolution approaches. At its mock moot sessions, visitors sat attentively in the gallery witnessing a simulation of a court case.</p> <p><strong>Mastering the ‘heart’ and science of healthcare<br /></strong>Prospective students interested in Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy had the chance to find out about the new <a href="https://news.nus.edu.sg/nus-enhances-healthcare-education-to-future-proof-singapores-healthcare/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Common Curriculum for Healthcare Professional Education</a>, which has been designed to align with Singapore’s shift towards preventive healthcare. Aside from touching on the Common Curriculum, talks by NUS Medicine offered an overview of its academic journey, highlighting features such as its strong mentorship support and Pathway programmes aimed at broadening their skill sets. During a special class by NUS Nursing, visitors tried out basic nursing skills like using a stethoscope and learnt the importance of collaboration between healthcare professionals.</p> <figure id="attachment_29084" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29084" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/oh-healthcare-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-29084" class="wp-caption-text"><strong>From immersive demonstrations to engaging special classes and consultations with faculty members, prospective students interested in Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy had plenty of ways to discover the programmes.</strong></figcaption></figure> <p>Prospective students interested in Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy had the chance to find out about the new <a href="https://news.nus.edu.sg/nus-enhances-healthcare-education-to-future-proof-singapores-healthcare/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Common Curriculum for Healthcare Professional Education</a>, which has been designed to align with Singapore’s shift towards preventive healthcare. Aside from touching on the Common Curriculum, talks by NUS Medicine offered an overview of its academic journey, highlighting features such as its strong mentorship support and Pathway programmes aimed at broadening their skill sets. During a special class by NUS Nursing, visitors tried out basic nursing skills like using a stethoscope and learnt the importance of collaboration between healthcare professionals.</p> <p>The interactive<a href="https://pharmacy.nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Pharmacy</a> masterclass, titled “Unveiling the Pillars of Pharmacy: The Science and Art of Medication Therapy”, saw prospective students participate in the decision-making process of a real-life clinical case study. They also gained insight into how NUS Pharmacy structures its curriculum to incorporate live interactive classes, science practicals, skills labs, and collaborative learning workshops, to help students apply concepts in real case studies.</p> <p>Prospective student Wong Hon Wei from Anderson Serangoon Junior College said, “The Pharmacy masterclass was quite enjoyable yet unique, as the way the collaborative learning workshop was structured was engaging, incorporating the Biology and Chemistry concepts learnt in classrooms into real-world medical applications.”</p> <p><strong>Innovating solutions for society and the world<br /></strong>Another popular feature at this year’s Open House was the Innovation and Impact Hub, which showcased groundbreaking projects by students from CDE, <a href="https://ctpclc.nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Centre</a>, NUS College, and FOS that are making a tangible impact on society and the world.</p> <figure id="attachment_29085" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29085" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/oh-nuspresident1920-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-29085" class="wp-caption-text"><strong>One of the booths at the Innovation and Impact Hub featured RoboMaster, a multidisciplinary student-run team that designed, assembled, and tested seven unique robots, and won second prize at the prestigious RoboMaster University League 2023.</strong></figcaption></figure> <p>Visitors caught the interactive projects in action, from The Moving Farm, a movable modular tower system for hydroponics farming that increases crop yield sustainably, to TinkerThings, a project on AI-based gamified activities innovated to improve seniors’ mental wellbeing and cognitive faculties.</p> <p>Aside from exploring academic pathways, visitors also discovered <a href="https://enterprise.nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUS Enterprise’</a>s suite of entrepreneurship initiatives, including the NUS Overseas Colleges, NUS Enterprise Summer and Winter Programmes in Entrepreneurship, and incubation hub THE HANGAR.</p> <p>At a panel session on student entrepreneurship, prospective students heard from NUS alumni who founded three start-ups – Pitchspot, Wateroam and Skilio. The founders shared how their involvement in Enterprise’s entrepreneurship programmes and the support they received through the HANGAR enabled them to nurture their business ideas.</p> <p><strong>Exciting array of student and residential life activities</strong></p> <p>Over at the Student Village, a smorgasbord of vibrant student performances took Town Plaza by storm throughout the day, treating visitors to an exhilarating kaleidoscope of talent from student clubs and interest groups.</p> <figure id="attachment_29086" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29086" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/j1-1312-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-29086" class="wp-caption-text"><strong>The exciting smorgasbord of performances throughout the day showcased the vibrant student life that NUS is known for.</strong></figcaption></figure> <p>Getting a glimpse of the diverse student life opportunities that await, visitors were hyped up by the energetic cheerleading displays of<a href="https://nus.edu.sg/osa/keviihall" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> King Edward VII Hall</a>‘s KE Titans, the snazzy beats of NUS Rappers, and the slick dance moves of the<a href="https://nus.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/korean-cultural-interest-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> NUS Korean Cultural Interest Group</a>. They were also serenaded with catchy tunes from the<a href="https://nus.edu.sg/osa/sheareshall" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Sheares Hall</a> band, a capella group<a href="https://cfa.nus.edu.sg/explore/talent/arts-groups/music/resonance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> NUS Resonance</a>, and<a href="https://cfa.nus.edu.sg/explore/talent/arts-groups/music/nus-fingerstyle/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> NUS Fingerstyle Guitar</a>.</p> <p>On top of A-Day-in-the-Life videos and 360° virtual tours of the various Residential Colleges, Halls, and Houses, Masters and student representatives from the residences mingled with prospective students at the booths, talks, and Ask-Me-Anything panels, where they shared their insights and anecdotes on the on-campus experience, as well as the distinct culture of each residential unit.</p> <p>Along with offering guided in-person tours and simulated classes, the residential units also showcased the interest groups available. Other engaging activities, such as <a href="https://tembusu.nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tembusu College</a>‘s live performances and <a href="https://rvrc.nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ridge View Residential College</a>‘s sports experience zones, coffee pour demonstrations, and <i>warli</i> art making gave prospective students a taste of the many facets of holistic residential life.</p> <figure id="attachment_29087" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29087" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/j1-1374-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-29087" class="wp-caption-text"><strong>Prospective students got to learn first-hand about the residential experience and the differences in the housing models from student representatives of the Halls, Residential Colleges, and Houses, to discover what best suits their needs.</strong></figcaption></figure> <p>Prospective students Inez Ang from National Junior College and Vishnu Raj from Millennia Institute said the residential showcase gave them a better picture of living on campus.</p> <p>Runyi Zhang, a graduate of St Andrew’s Junior College who is applying to Business, said she had an enlightening experience sampling both the academic and extracurricular options. “Through the Open House, I’ve managed to capture a glimpse of student life in NUS… allowing me to have a clearer and more vivid image of what my future could be like here,” she added.</p> <hr /> <p><em><i>This story first appeared in <a href="https://news.nus.edu.sg/nus-open-house-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUSNews</a> on 14 March 2024.</i></em></p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Let Our Shared Passion for Science and Engineering Shape the World Around Us</title> <link>https://fass.nus.edu.sg/news/2024/03/07/let-our-shared-passion-science-engineering-shape-the-world/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 07 Mar 2024 03:39:57 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Visible]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/?p=10817</guid> <description><![CDATA[NUS News speaks to two young women in NUS who share a common passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and who are determined to make a difference in their respective fields.]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fl-builder-content fl-builder-content-10817 fl-builder-content-primary fl-builder-global-templates-locked" data-post-id="10817"><div class="fl-row fl-row-fixed-width fl-row-bg-none fl-node-iq4p735x2w1k fl-row-default-height fl-row-align-center" data-node="iq4p735x2w1k"> <div class="fl-row-content-wrap"> <div class="fl-row-content fl-row-fixed-width fl-node-content"> <div class="fl-col-group fl-node-3jxoye851amb" data-node="3jxoye851amb"> <div class="fl-col fl-node-43b7cd6npjur" data-node="43b7cd6npjur"> <div class="fl-col-content fl-node-content"><div class="fl-module fl-module-rich-text fl-node-whfj2gm1pnei" data-node="whfj2gm1pnei"> <div class="fl-module-content fl-node-content"> <div class="fl-rich-text"> <div class="ppmodule_textblock pp_moduleblock"> <div class="text_companyprofile"> <div class="pp-overflow-hidden pp-min-width-5"> <p><strong>IN BRIEF | 5 min read</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><span style="color: #000000;">NUS News speaks to two young women in NUS who share a common passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and who are determined to make a difference in their respective fields.</span></strong></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <p>Four NUS researchers from the <a href="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/">Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences</a> (FASS) were honoured for their early career contributions to the field of psychology in the Association for Psychological Science’s (APS) 2024 Awards.</p> <p>Associate Professor Sacha Epskamp received the Janet Taylor Spence Award for Transformative Early Career Contributions, which honours particularly creative and promising APS members who embody the future of the field. As part of the win, Assoc Prof Epskamp will automatically receive APS Fellow status in the review cycle following his award.</p> <p>Assistant Professors Adela Isvoranu, DongWon Oh, and Steven Pan were named APS Rising Stars, recognising outstanding APS members in the earliest stages of their research careers post-PhD. The designation is conferred on early-career researchers whose innovative work has already advanced the field, signalling great potential for their continued contributions.</p> <p>The Association for Psychological Science is an international association headquartered in Washington, DC, with over 25,000 members globally. Its awards are conferred on members who have contributed significantly to the field of psychology at various stages in their careers, and recipients hail from a broad range of prestigious institutions including Ivy League universities.</p> <p>The four <a href="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/psy/">Psychology</a> researchers join <a href="https://news.nus.edu.sg/four-nus-faculty-members-recognised-by-the-association-for-psychological-science/">other NUS faculty members who have been recognised by APS</a> in the past including Assoc Prof Eddie Tong from FASS, Prof Sam Yam and Asst Prof David Peter Daniels from <a href="https://bschool.nus.edu.sg/">NUS Business School</a>, and Asst Prof Reuben Ng from the <a href="https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/">Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS</a>.</p> <p><strong>Janet Taylor Spence Award for Transformative Early Career Contributions: Assoc Prof Sacha Epskamp<br /> </strong>Assoc Prof Epskamp said he was thrilled to receive the Janet Taylor Spence Award, noting: “APS is a world-leading association with thousands of members, active in every subdiscipline of psychological science. To this end, this is a very prestigious and highly selective award to receive. It is a great honour to have my early career contributions recognised as such.”</p> <p><figure id="attachment_28972" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-28972" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-28972 size-large" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240307iwd24-photo1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-28972" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="color: #808080;"><strong>Both Chaithanya Laxminarayan (left) and Asst Prof Iris Yu (right) share a common passion for STEM and are determined to make a difference in their respective fields.</strong></span></figcaption></figure></p> <p>International Women's Day, observed on 8 March, is a global occasion that celebrates the resilience, achievements, and empowerment of women. As we honour the strength, wisdom, and indomitable spirit of women who continue to shape our world, NUS News speaks to two young women in NUS who share a common passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and are determined to make a difference in their respective fields.</p> <p><figure id="attachment_28973" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-28973" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-28973 size-large" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240307iwd24-photo2-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-28973" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="color: #808080;"><strong>Asst Prof Yu’s ground-breaking research earned her a spot on MIT Technology Review’s Innovators Under 35 (TR35) Asia Pacific list last year.</strong></span></figcaption></figure></p> <p><strong>On the nature of luck and the transformative power of catalysts<br /> </strong>Assistant Professor Iris Yu believes that the quest for personal knowledge and self-discovery is not an easy task. But it is an important process that can guide one’s life work and lead to individual fulfilment. Analysing one’s childhood predilections and propensities, as well as the feedback received from teachers and peers, can be especially instructive, she said.</p> <p>“When I was a little kid, I enjoyed watching documentaries about the natural and physical world, such as those on animals and space. I knew that I wanted to do something related to the environment,” she said. But it was only in school that this interest gained traction and direction.</p> <p>Luck played an outsized role too, she recounted. She had the good fortune to encounter not one, but two chemistry tutors in secondary school who solidified her desire to pursue a career in STEM. “They made chemistry seem like magic – and showed us that everything can be created with chemistry.”</p> <p>Asst Prof Yu, who joined the <a href="https://cde.nus.edu.sg/cee/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering</a> in the <a href="https://cde.nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUS College of Design and Engineering</a> in 2023, said that even though the journey may seem circuitous, “it’s absolutely alright to follow at your own pace.”</p> <p>“I came across the field of green chemistry during my PhD studies in Environmental Engineering. This aligns with my interest in both chemistry and environmental protection.” Her current area of research focuses on understanding the effects of microwaves within a catalytic system, and converting food waste into useful chemicals efficiently.</p> <p>Asst Prof Yu’s <a href="https://news.nus.edu.sg/nus-researchers-commended-as-asia-pacifics-leading-young-scientists/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ground-breaking research</a> recently earned her a spot on MIT Technology Review’s Innovators Under 35 (TR35) Asia Pacific list in 2023.</p> <p>“I consider myself lucky and did not encounter extreme difficulties. As an early career researcher, doubts and failures are normal. I tend to take the constructive feedback and improve myself and my work and leave the negativity behind. I hold on to the belief that ‘there must be solutions’. This helps me face problems, failures, and rejections.”</p> <p>While hard work and resilience is important, there are factors beyond one’s immediate control that can shape a life’s trajectory. “I must say I am very lucky that I’ve got to work with very supportive and outstanding supervisors or mentors at different stages of my career. Their sharing and advice have added new perspectives to my thinking.”</p> <p><figure id="attachment_28974" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-28974" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-28974 size-large" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240307iwd24-photo3-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-28974" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="color: #808080;"><strong>Chaithanya is currently pursuing a double major in Physics and Philosophy at the NUS College of Humanities and Sciences.</strong></span></figcaption></figure></p> <p><strong>A devotion to the spirit of scientific inquiry<br /> </strong>Chaithanya Laxminarayan, or Chai, is a curious and ambitious student who wants to understand how the universe works.</p> <p>Chai’s interest in understanding the physical world began early in her childhood. She recalls being fascinated by questions like: “Where does everything come from? How does it all work?” Theology was a natural starting point. Slowly, she gravitated towards the disciplines of Science and Philosophy, drawn by the rigours of the scientific method and analytical thought.</p> <p>She soon found a home for her diverse interests in NUS. The third-year student in the <a href="https://chs.nus.edu.sg/2022/04/28/probing-reality-through-physics-and-philosophy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUS College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS)</a> is currently pursuing a double major in Physics and Philosophy. She is also undertaking a year-long <a href="https://www.science.nus.edu.sg/undergraduates/undergraduate-research/urops/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">independent research project</a> in Physics, at Associate Professor Alexander Ling's <a href="https://www.science.nus.edu.sg/your-future-here/surprising-science/physics.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spooqy Lab</a> in the <a href="http://www.quantumlah.org/">Centre for Quantum Technologies</a>. Broadly put, Chai is working on improving the efficiency of a silicon chip single photon (light particle) source.</p> <p>“The fusion of Physics and Philosophy resonates perfectly with my interests. Physics teaches one how to describe the universe with its useful methods and mathematical language. Philosophy, on the other hand, gives you tools to derive meaning and understanding of the workings of the world from these descriptions,” she shared.</p> <p>As a CHS student, Chai enjoys the varied opportunities to combine her scientific rationality with philosophical inquiry. “I am very grateful for being able to explore different disciplines. I have taken Math, Computer Science, and even South Asian Studies classes, along with Physics and Philosophy. This broad exposure expanded my mind and values.”</p> <p>Her parents, who had STEM backgrounds and jobs, are supportive of her wide-ranging interests, and Chai is also grateful for the opportunities to interact with and study under many brilliant women. For young women who are considering to embark on a journey in STEM fields, Chai shares this advice, “You’re the only one who gets to define your limits. So, explore and pursue what you choose, on your own terms. University is an opportunity to learn about various disciplines, join different groups, and know your interests and priorities better. Allow those experiences shape your path ahead!”</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="fl-module fl-module-rich-text fl-node-lvmi24s5zyu1" data-node="lvmi24s5zyu1"> <div class="fl-module-content fl-node-content"> <div class="fl-rich-text"> <div class="ppmodule_textblock pp_moduleblock"></div> <hr /> <p><em><i>This story first appeared in <a href="https://news.nus.edu.sg/international-womens-day-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NUSNews</a> on 7 March 2024.</i></em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="uabb-js-breakpoint" style="display: none;"></div>]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Commentary: How can Singapore keep up with the unique needs of prodigies?</title> <link>https://fass.nus.edu.sg/srn/2024/02/07/commentary-how-can-singapore-keep-up-with-the-unique-needs-of-prodigies/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 07 Feb 2024 10:52:56 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Philosophy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Research]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Singapore Research Nexus]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Visible]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/2024/02/07/commentary-how-can-singapore-keep-up-with-the-unique-needs-of-prodigies/</guid> <description><![CDATA[Singapore’s education system is notorious for its rigour and quality, with Singaporean students consistently performing well in international assessments, such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Yet, there are some who surpass the demanding requirements of the education system – most recently, a …<p class="read-more"> <a class="" href="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/srn/2024/02/07/commentary-how-can-singapore-keep-up-with-the-unique-needs-of-prodigies/"> <span class="screen-reader-text">Commentary: How can Singapore keep up with the unique needs of prodigies?</span> Read More »</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Singapore’s education system is notorious for its rigour and quality, with Singaporean students consistently performing well in international assessments, such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Yet, there are some who surpass the demanding requirements of the education system – most recently, a 13-year-old prodigy who has already graduated from a university in Australia.</p> <p>This incident has sparked a discussion about how these ‘prodigies’ ought to be taught in schools. In “Commentary: How can Singapore keep up with the unique needs of prodigies?” (<em>Channel NewsAsia</em>, January 2024), Jonathan Sim (NUS Teaching Academy and NUS Philosophy) discusses the shortcomings of the Singapore education system in engaging these exceptional students, arguing that more can be done to nurture their full potential.</p> <p>Sim acknowledges the difficulties of simultaneously managing students of differing abilities and learning needs, having experienced this challenge himself. In response, he suggests several engagement strategies, for educators to use this diversity to enhance learning instead. He advocates for the benefits of peer-to-peer teaching, allowing for slower learners to review concepts, for faster learners to learn to explain them simply, and for all students to form friendships as a result. He also suggests that educators become more open to co-creation opportunities with fast-paced students, allowing them to partake in the lesson planning process.</p> <p>Read the article here: <a href="https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/prodigies-gifted-children-university-school-system-challenges-balance-4064776">https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/prodigies-gifted-children-university-school-system-challenges-balance-4064776</a></p> <p><figure id="attachment_10792" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10792" style="width: 2435px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-10792 size-full" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/srn/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/02/ccp-12-e1707303101216.jpeg" alt="" width="2435" height="1369" srcset="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/ccp-12-e1707303101216.jpeg 2435w, https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/ccp-12-e1707303101216-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/ccp-12-e1707303101216-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/ccp-12-e1707303101216-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/ccp-12-e1707303101216-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/ccp-12-e1707303101216-2048x1151.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2435px) 100vw, 2435px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-10792" class="wp-caption-text">Photo: ‘A child’s spotlight’ by Filbert Koung from SRN’s SG Photobank</figcaption></figure></p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Commentary: How Hustle Culture is Robbing Our Youths of Self-Discovery</title> <link>https://fass.nus.edu.sg/srn/2024/02/06/commentary-how-hustle-culture-is-robbing-our-youths-of-self-discovery/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 06 Feb 2024 05:00:08 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Research]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Singapore Research Nexus]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Visible]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/?p=10787</guid> <description><![CDATA[Amidst the hustle and bustle of life in Singapore, meditative activities like introspection often take a back seat. In ‘Commentary: How Hustle Culture is Robbing Our Youths of Self-Discovery’ (Channel NewsAsia, January 2024), Dr Jonathan Sim (Lecturer, NUS Philosophy) delves into the silent crisis surrounding youths’ inability to engage in self-reflection due to their relentless …<p class="read-more"> <a class="" href="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/srn/2024/02/06/commentary-how-hustle-culture-is-robbing-our-youths-of-self-discovery/"> <span class="screen-reader-text">Commentary: How Hustle Culture is Robbing Our Youths of Self-Discovery</span> Read More »</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="font-weight: 400;">Amidst the hustle and bustle of life in Singapore, meditative activities like introspection often take a back seat. In ‘Commentary: How Hustle Culture is Robbing Our Youths of Self-Discovery’ (<em>Channel NewsAsia</em>, January 2024), Dr Jonathan Sim (Lecturer, NUS Philosophy) delves into the silent crisis surrounding youths’ inability to engage in self-reflection due to their relentless pursuit of productivity.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Through the use of compelling anecdotes, Dr Sim identifies a core issue: youths’ constant chase of tangible achievements, such as grades and accolades, leaves little room for self-reflective practices. Despite the perception that these activities are unproductive in a society that values measurable outcomes, Dr Sim argues that engaging in introspection is actually crucial for fostering emotional maturity and growth.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Dr Sim posits that our digitally connected world serves as a constant distraction. Coupled with the demands of daily life, he suggests that young Singaporeans often feel too busy to self-reflect. He observes that the lack of reflective practice then contributes to students’ mental stress and compounds the pressure they put on themselves.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">To combat this, Dr Sim advocates for the integration of structured reflection sessions into educational settings. He employs the ‘Model of Reflection’ which involves three simple yet profound questions: 1) ‘What?’, 2) ‘So what?’, 3) ‘And now what?’. Through his experiences using this model to encourage his students to reflect, Dr Sim believes that incorporating this reflective model into educational settings can kickstart a habit of regular introspection.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">In conclusion, Dr Sim emphasizes the need to shift from a culture of relentless doing to one of meaningful becoming. He envisions this change as crucial for nurturing emotionally resilient individuals who are capable of navigating life’s complexities. The article hence serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of self-reflection in personal development, all while calling for a societal re-evaluation of our priorities in order to support the holistic growth of Singapore’s younger generation.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Read the article <a href="https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/new-year-resolutions-youth-hustle-culture-learn-self-reflection-4015916">here.</a></p> <p><figure id="attachment_10788" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10788" style="width: 2048px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-10788 size-2048x2048" src="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/iStock-1222330569-e1707118570247-2048x1152.jpg" alt="" width="2048" height="1152" srcset="https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/iStock-1222330569-e1707118570247-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/iStock-1222330569-e1707118570247-300x169.jpg 300w, https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/iStock-1222330569-e1707118570247-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/iStock-1222330569-e1707118570247-768x432.jpg 768w, https://fass.nus.edu.sg/philo/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/iStock-1222330569-e1707118570247-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-10788" class="wp-caption-text">Photo: ‘Asian teenage boy studying at home wearing headset’ from iStock/allensima</figcaption></figure></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"> ]]></content:encoded> </item> </channel> </rss>