‘Estranged from the Ideal Past: Historical Evolution of Madrasahs in Singapore’ (Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 2005), by A/P Khairudin Aljunied (Dept of Malay Studies) and Mr Dayang Istiaisyah Hussin, Alumnus (Dept of Sociology), examines the historical evolution of the madrasah in Singapore as against its ideal Islamic past. The authors argue that a few […]

An article titled “Interdependence in Asian Families: The Singapore Case” by A/P Thang Leng Leng (NUS Dept of Japanese Studies) and former FASS faculty member A/P Kalyani Mehta explores the dynamics of “interdependence” between generations of Asian families. Published in the Journal of Intergenerational Relationships in 2006, the qualitative research study involved 30 interviews conducted […]

‘Mothers, Maids and Tutors: An Empirical Evaluation of their Effect on Children’s Academic Grades in Singapore,’ published in Education Economics (2005), is authored by Dr Euston Quah, former FASS faculty member, and Dr Roland Cheo, teaching faculty at the Department of Economics. In this paper, the authors explain how the basic economic unit—the home—has become […]

Dr Edwin Thumboo is one of Singapore’s most acclaimed poets. An Emeritus professor (1997) at NUS, he was the Head of Department of English Language and Literature from 1977-1993, and our first Dean of FASS from 1980-1991. With his wealth of contributions made to the Arts and Literature scene in Singapore, it is no surprise […]

‘The conservation-redevelopment dilemma in Singapore: The case of the Kampong Glam historic district’ (Cities, 1996) by Prof Brenda Yeoh and A/P Shirlena Huang (Dept of Geography), discusses the ‘Conservation-Redevelopment’ conflicts that are increasingly gaining prominence in the urban agendas of cities in the developing world. The study examines the role urban conservation plays within the […]

‘Hope Among Terminally Ill Patients in Singapore: An Exploratory Study’ published in Social Work in Health Care (2007), is authored by Dr Rosaleen Ow, Senior Lecturer at the Dept of Social Work, and Mr Ivan Woo Mun Hongan. The paper explores conventionally neglected patients’ definition of hope, factors that cause changes in their hope and […]

This post features a short story by Cyril Wong, who completed his doctoral degree with the NUS Department of English Literature in 2012. Cyril Wong is best known for his style of confessional poetry, which often explores the fragility of human connection and features relentless self-querying as well as brutally candid sexuality. He received the […]

Singapore celebrated its 51st National Day on 9th August 2016 and we were all treated to the spectacular National Day Parade. What is the significance of organizing this annual parade? Prof Lily Kong (Provost’s Chair Professor, Dept of Geography) investigates this question in a 2007 article, “Civil Religion and the Invention of Traditions: Constructing ‘The […]

‘Jiao Huan’ is featured in A Collection of Micro Novels by Dr Wong Meng Voon (黄孟文微型小说自选集) . Best known for his contributions to the genre of micro-fiction, Wong Meng Voon, who also writes under the pen name Meng Yi (孟毅), became Singapore’s first Chinese-language literature recipient of the Cultural Medallion in 1981. He went on […]

The library is a repository of knowledge and an important pillar for any educational institution. In this reflective essay, ‘Tu Shu Guan’ (图书馆) which means Library, Wong Wai Kit vividly expresses his sentiments about the NUS Library, and characterizes it as the heart and soul of the university. Wong’s experience resonates among us. Wong’s essay […]