Dialogue Session with Senior Minister of State Lawrence Wong

Transcription

1 School Highlights Dialogue Session with Senior Minister of State Lawrence Wong On 25 October 2012, the students of PSYC 111 Subjective Well-Being were treated to a lively closed-door session with Senior Minister of State Lawrence Wong. Professor Christie Scollon invited Minster Wong for the session following his speech on Happiness in Singapore during the National Day Rally this year. As part of the 2-hour meeting, the class first share what they had learnt about the scientific study and advantages of happiness. Following this, the class engaged Minister Wong in a spirited dialogue session that covered topics ranging from the role of government in individual happiness, to cultural obstacles to happiness to ideas on how to raise the happiness levels of Singaporeans in general. By Sharon Koh, PhD in Psychology, Year 3 Indra Alam Syah Bin Aziz explains what Subjective Well-Being is and how it is measured. Minister Wong and Associate Professor of Psychology Christie Scollon Sagar Hiren Desai explains the advantages of happiness to Minister Wong. Professor Scollon presents Minister Wong with a thank-you gift. Christabel See Jia Ching explains the relationship between money and happiness. 1

2 School Highlights Dean s List Award Presentation 21 Sep 2012 The SOSS Dean s List Award Presentation Ceremony was held on Friday, 21 Sep 2012 at the SMU Gallery. 52 students were placed on the Dean s List for their outstanding academic results in AY2011/12. Each awardee received a certificate and a plaque. Congratulations to all winners! Front row (L-R): Margaret Chan, Serena Wee, Jennifer Tong, Evelyn Au, Huang Xiangling Sharon, Ivy Lau, Tim Mou Hui, Ann Florini, Christie Scollon Back row (L-R): David Chan, Ijlal Naqvi, William Tov, Nicholas Harrigan, Tsai Ming-Hong, Chung Wai Keung, Norman Li, Tay Ek Kiat, James Tang, Gordon Yeo Tian Wee Front row (L-R): Chung Wai Keung, Simranjit Kaur, Margaret Chan, Serena Wee, Jennifer Tong, Evelyn Au, Ivy Lau, Kelly Koh Kia Woon, Christie Scollon, S Bhuvaneswari, Ng Shin Ray Samantha, Shayus Shahida Sharif Back row (L-R): Tan Qing Hui, Clarence Lau Mung Wai, David Chan, Boon Guo Ping, Ijlal Navqi, William Tov, Nicholas Harrigan, Tan Yu Xun, Tsai Ming-Hong, Wysen Kwek Wei Sheng, Norman Li, James Tang, Matthew Chan Toh Han, Mark Nowacki, Ann Florini, Aakanksha Srinivasan Front row (L-R): Kan Wing Kiong, Phan Hoang Viet, Wan Shi Yun, Chung Wai Keung, Margaret Chan, Jennifer Tong, Serena Wee, Evelyn Au, Ivy Lau, Tay Soo Han, Koh Chiu Yee, Lau Seng Yap, Subadevan S/O Mahadevan, Sharyn Soh Shu Lin Back row (L-R): Tan Ser Ern Jonathan, Sim Jing Han, Darryl Ang Wei Ren, David Chan, Sudip Roy, Ijlal Navqi, William Tov, Nicholas Harrigan, Tsai Ming-Hong, Norman Li, James Tang, Christie Scollon, Mark Nowacki, Ann Florini, Subir Roy 22

3 Faculty News Faculty Achievements Assistant Professor Nicholas Harrigan received the Innovative Teacher Award. This award recognises faculty members who make significant contributions to promoting new ways of teaching that have an impact on enhancing learning. Assistant Professor Hoon Chang Yau received the Most Promising Teacher Award. This award recognises outstanding teaching potential among junior faculty members, in particular in the area of providing an enriching classroom experience for students. SOSS New Appointments SOSS is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Ann Florini as Professor of Public Policy with effect from 1 October Courses to teach: - Global Issues and Institutions - Public Roles of the Private Sector Ann FLORINI Professor of Public Policy PhD (Political Science) University of California, Los Angeles Research Interests: - Global governance - Business and public policy - Energy governance - Transnational civil society - Innovations in governance - China and governance SOSS welcome Ms Tan Lijing who joined the School on 10 Sep 2012 as Senior Executive. 33

4 Student Activities DIALOGUE with Mr George Yeo 15 October 2012 By Matthew Chan, BSocSc year 3 On 15 October 2012, students from the School of Social Sciences engaged former Cabinet Minister, Mr George Yeo, in an evening of discussion on issues ranging from the changing global and regional landscape, societal issues in Singapore and how Singapore s youths can be equipped to play a role in bringing the country forward. Mr Yeo encouraged youths to expand their skills across different domains to remain competitive, while also emphasizing the strength of group networks and the vast potential of collective, cooperative action. He also observed the changing nature of hierarchies in the world today, shifting towards web-like networks of nodes and communities that allow for increasing autonomy. Communities, according to Mr Yeo, are ideal because of their ability to influence individuals to work towards achieving common goals and the potential of a strong community would be greater than that of individuals. Mr George Yeo (2nd from the right) Mr Yeo was previously Singapore s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Trade and Industry, Minister for Health, and Minister for Information and the Arts. He is currently Vice- Chairman of Kerry Group (HK) Pte Ltd and Chairman of Kerry Logistics Network Limited. 44

5 Student Activities Social Science Day 7 Sep 2012 By Ignatius Tan, BSocSc Year 3 True to the Social Science spirit of familial ties, Social Science Day is an annual event that aims to foster cohesion as the School of Social Sciences celebrate their Birthday! Social Science Day 2012 was a rousing success with tickets being snapped up so fast that they sold out in just three days. This stands as mute testimony to the passion, enthusiasm and sense of belonging the School of Social Sciences has fostered within their students. Ever brimming with energy and zest for life, the School of Social Sciences has once again proved that, despite their small size, they are no pushovers when it comes to throwing a great party. Freshmen, seniors, professors and alumni members joined in the revelry as they commemorated a memorable landmark in their history. Special thanks go out to the Social Science Day Organizing Committee for making this event a day to remember! The Social Science Day Organizing Committee would also like to thank everyone who participated or expressed interest in the celebrations. Looking forward to another year of excellence with you! 55

6 Student Activities International Youth Leadership Conference 22nd to 27th July 2012 Last May, I was nominated to attend the International Youth Leadership Conference (IYLC). Organised on an annual basis in Czech Republic, Prague, the IYLC seeks to facilitate an exchange of ideas across an ethnically diverse and socially responsible group of young international leaders. The week-long youth forum on world politics, international relations and justice provided student candidates from all around the world with an opportunity to test their leadership skills, debate current issues, deliver speeches, draft resolutions, make executive decisions, and realise the complexities of international relations through handson experience. Beyond the packed schedule of the UNSC, ICJ & EU Parliamentary simulation sessions, embassy visits, and discussion forums, it was truly the interactions amongst the candidates that impacted me the most throughout the conference. To witness a global gathering of 200 youths, putting aside national or regional differences and conferring about contemporary issues in manner that fostered newfound appreciation and understanding was truly awe-inspiring. It was their interaction through communication and dialogue that, throughout the week, provided an unparalleled learning experience and cross-cultural adventure. It was indeed heartwarming to meet people from halfway across the globe having similar interests than with a local neighbour living beside you. Reflecting on these meaningful experiences I believe I ve gained a greater appreciation of global politics; and a realisation that many of the contemporary multilateral issues we face today may gain traction if we first learn to have a complete understanding of each other s cultural beliefs and putting aside nationalistic sentiments when appropriate. Perhaps that is a start to yield more positive outcomes. Text and Photos By Aaron Yeo, BSocSc Year 4 Aaron, 2nd from right, debating with fellow student candidates. 66

7 Faculty in the News CHENG Chi-Ying - 15 Nov 2012, The New York Times A recipe to enhance innovation Ann FLORINI - 8 Nov 2012, Lianhe Zaobao Obama s re-election stabilised the global economy and Sino-US relations John DONALDSON - 8 Nov 2012, Lianhe Zaobao Three reasons for Obama s victory: timely economic improvements, support from female population and new campaign strategies James TANG - 7 Nov 2012, Channel NewsAsia US Presidential Election 2012 MORE Faculty Research Conference Papers The 7 C s of Credibility Assessment, David CHAN, 01/2012 Publisher: Asia-Pacific Seminar of American Polygraph Association MORE 77