Narrow Mindedness in Education

I have been reading in the papers recently the complaints that have emanated about the fall in ranking globally for the National University of Singapore and about the rankings given to the other local universities. Of course, the fall in rankings for Singapore's premier university caused a huge stir about how accurate the rating system is. This issue got me thinking seriously about this matter of how status in the Singaporean society affects how we look at ourselves and our prospects in life.

As background, I am educated in 4 different countries and have lived in numerous cities around the world and experiencing life in these countries including working amongst the locals. Mind you, I worked as a local in each of these countries and did not have the luxury of an expat package that shielded me from the challenges that the local population in each country faced. However, my most amusing experience still comes from working in Singapore in terms of how the school that you come from affects your prospects in life.

Let me give you an example. I had a friend who recently met up with a local professor who headed a department about entrance into a program. The professor stated that graduates with a Bachelor degree from either NUS or NTU would be given priority as these were known entities. When my friend expressed that she was graduating from an Australian Group of 8 university, the professor's remark was that she would have to check if the credentials of that university were recognized in Singapore. Surprising remark coming from a supposed academic in a Singapore university.

Another experience I had was with a client who remarked that they would only hire university graduates who had undertaken their degree full time in the university (local or overseas) and not through their overseas campus in Singapore. When asked why this was the case, the client's remark was that the standard of the degree from the university's campus was not as good as if the graduate studied full time in that country - something that I find hilarious should these overseas schools hear about it.

Yet another example pertained to my credentials. I undertook my degrees in recognized universities in the US (albeit they were smaller schools) but when I applied for jobs in Singapore, I was asked all kinds of questions because I did not graduate from an Ivy League school; I was even told that had I graduated from an Ivy League school, they would be interested as these credentials were easy to ascertain.

The combination of the three examples got me thinking about the views in Singapore society with regards to education. In addition, I am utterly surprised that the importance that people place on the school that one comes from. Why do I say this?

Let's look at example one (the one involving the university professor). The remark by a university academic (albeit a Head of a Program) is surprising considering that you deem yourself to be someone familiar with the global academic scene. Even though she was a graduate from the Singaporean education system (NUS graduate), I am sure that she is aware that higher education involves schools other than local Singapore universities. The very fact that she was unfamiliar with the credentials of the Group of 8 Australian universities is shocking as the public service commission had recognized these and other Australian universities for years. In addition, such a professor would be the person who is going to assess if an applicant were eligible to apply for a course of study at the school. Based on this theory and remark, shouldn't this university state in their application that "only graduates of Singapore universities need apply because we are ignorant of the credentials of schools around the world"? If they had stated this, I am sure things would be clear but again, schools here cannot discriminate based on ignorance right? With professors like these, I would ask who needs apply anyway because the eligible pool is limited anayway.

In terms of the second example, again, I am appalled by the ignorance of the client. Singapore's government has time and again emphasized one of their desire to make Singapore a regional education hub. The government has continuously encouraged foreign schools to set up programs here in order to increase opportunities for the population to gain higher education. Noble ideals indeed. However, again, there are people out there who discriminate against others because they undertake distance learning. Bear in mind, these programs set up by the foreign universities are quality programs that undergo similar rigor in terms of assessments and course requirements. With this in mind, I am curious how anyone can justify their statements to say that such programs are below the level (as such should be viewed as 2nd class) of comparable onsite programs? Again, I am surprised by the ignorance.

In my last example regarding the schools I had attended. The same ignorance comes through which I feel trickles from the academics in local universities (i.e. the narrow mindedness). For any readers who have been educated overseas, especially in the US, they would learn that the term Ivy League doesn't mean anything. For the information of anyone who is reading this and is not familiar with the US education system, Ivy League actually refers to the sports conference that the particular group of universities belong to and does not refer to their academic prowess. I would challenge anyone to list out the Ivy League schools apart from Harvard and Yale that comprise the schools (BTW, UCLA and UC Berkeley are not Ivy League schools!). Let me place another example of this...what would be your reaction if I were to tell you I received my degree from Brown University in the US? Would anyone take me seriously? Surprise...surprise...no one would but it is an Ivy League school!

The point that I am making is that just because one has never heard of a schoold does not mean that it is not as good as your own school. We have to be cognizant of the fact that different countries have different education systems and setups. For example, schools in the US have strengths in particular courses of study. For example, MIT is strong in technology studies, Harvard in business and law etc. Lesser known schoold like the University of Missouri is strong in broadcast journalism etc. Again, without this understanding, we may assume that a Graphic Design graduate from Harvard is definitely better than all because of the Harvard name; a flaw that I believe needs to be corrected in Singapore.

The key to a bachelor degree should be to teach the candidates of such degrees to think and create a thought process; the fact that one graduates from a particular school does not necessarily make this person a better employee or candidate than another. As we all know, as we progress through life and learn, it is the experience we gain (both work and life) that define us and not the school we graduated from. Also, what's the use of a degree from the best school in the world when you are ignorant about the world and cannot see beyond your own nose because education is a lifetime process involving learning new things, experiencing new things and innovating things; this is the true value of the education and not what school one comes from.

Lastly, Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein did not receive degrees or get their education from notable schools. Based on my above discussion, should we now discount their theories and contributions in Singapore as we are not sure of their backgrounds? This has now gotten me thinking...

A last thought from the Chancellor of my university when I graduated: "Today is your graduation. As you embark on your journey out of this school thinking you know everything with your degree, you will soon find out how little you know". I was angry with him at the time but this statement is ringing through now as I see the ignorance of many who have refused to grow beyond their university days.

I hope everyone gives some thought to this as I feel it is time for change in Singapore and it begins in the schools with the so-called elite academia....

I'm Probably Facing the Wrong Way

Ever experienced a time in your life when everything seems to be going wrong for you? In fact you may even be going through such a time now.

Everyone has days when everything seems to go wrong. They said that we must recognize that days like this happen and not have an unrealistic idea that all days are going to be perfect, productive, smooth-flowing days. This is the key to not getting totally frustrated. It's also good to step back if we can. Don't just push and get externalized if things aren't working out right. Allow the mind to relax and the subsuperconscious to come through.

If everything seems to go wrong... turn around. We're probably facing the wrong way. This universal experience that everyone have in common. It is the feeling of disappointment and discouragement.

During our darkest hours we basically have only two choices. Choose to believe that our destiny is a matter of time, circumstance or luck and what happens to us is merely the result of some kind of fate. If this situation is correct then all our efforts are essentially worthless and our personal struggles in vain. If this situation is correct, then everyone and every action wind-up to the same conclusion. Another is to choose to believe that the planned path are of right choices and values somewhere come out at the right place. The right road eventually leads to the right destination.

Do ask ourself if there is anything that we are doing, or failing to do, that is causing the hardship or perhaps unnecessarily increasing the hardship.

However, no matter how successful we are, we still suffer hardships and setbacks from time to time in our life. If we are confident that we are on the right track then the best strategy is to increase the amount of goal directed action that we are taking.

When nothing comes your way

They say, "If you don't work and have enthusiasm, nothing comes your way."

However, sometimes even if we out 100% hard work and enthusiasm, it still doesn't come the way we want it to be.

It has been said that when life deals you a lemon, pause for a while and then make lemonade from it. To put it another way, there is an opportunity hiding in every problem that we face.

We all go through down periods, times when it seems that nothing seems to work out for us. Even something that may seem insignificant to others that weighs heavily on our mind.

No matter what it is that has happened, it is important to deal with the situation as soon as possible. The longer that we let the mental baggage weigh us down, the more difficult it will be to shift later.

Let's deal with the issue. Facing up to any situation no matter how tough it may seem at the time, will at least give us the ability to actually gather the facts. Once we know exactly where we are, there will be a very good chance of knowing which direction to go in.

Get busy on activities that we enjoyed before. Get in touch with family and friends.

Watching our diet. Eat healthy foods to keep our energy level high and less chance of succumbing to illness.

Read many self-help books to help us understand our emotions and overcome problem areas in life.

Learn how to best relax ourselves by meditation and breathing exercises to control stress.

Staying active helps. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind. Work off stress with physical activity, whether it's jogging, tennis, gardening or any leisure. Get enough sleep. However, too much time spent in bed or moping around can however lead to increased levels of depression. Like all things try to maintain a healthy balance.

Every experience we have on this earth can be treated as a learning experience. It is way better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. It is better to have tried and failed that to not have tried at all.

You only get out of life what you put into it.

Is he the Bigger Man?

I was shopping down the city area and saw some men dressed in their professional shirt, pants and tie sitting down at the platform googling at some women and making fun on their dressing, their faces, how they walk, etc.

The men aren't in their teenage anymore but they behave like one. Actually this is not the first time I encountered men over here behaving this way.

There was one time, I walked past a group of men and one of them started whistling and said loudly, "Hi xiao jie, can I get to know you?"

I keep ignoring him and then he said, "you think you very pretty meh?" And with that he and his friends starting laughing.

What is wrong with the men nowadays, behaving so ungentlemanly and childishly?

I read in a magazine the 17 small acts that prove a bigger man:

1. Return that wallet- With all the dough. Witnessing the owner's delight is worth more than money.
2. Abstain- If the Starbucks line snakes out the door, thou shalt not wip, frap, steam, cream, or half-caf. When time's of essence, take it like a man: straight up.
3. Wave- your entire hand, not just your middle finger. Thousands die each year in aggressive driving-related accidents.
4. Stop at second base on a first date- You're definitely on your way, because she's begun to trust you. This restraint almost guarantees fireworks next time - when she'll be gagging to go all the way.
5. Laugh- at that humorless 'joke' your father trots out at every reunion dinner.
6. Donate your platelets- Whose life have you saved today?
7. File that complaint- The day we're too tired to fight even the bureaucrats break out the tattoo needles and bar codes.
8. Put in writing- Its too easy to dismiss a casually uttered 'thanks' or 'sorry'. If you really mean it, commit it to paper.
9. Hold your tongue- every man possesses a simple superpower: Silence. Too few exercise it on a regular basis.
10. Dance- Especially if you can resist a man who puts her pleasure ahead of her ego.
11. Don't laugh- when the guys make fun of the new IT bloke with the ill-fitting shirts. standing up for your beliefs doesn't always require a lecture. see number 9, 'Hold your tongue'.
12. Cash in your chips- In a perfect world, the dealer would continue to bust and that luscious lass at the bar is crisscrossing her legs for your benefit. But Lady Luck is a fickle mistress. Take the coinage and run.
13. Donate to charity- Anonymously.
14. Order a salad in a steak house- So what if your buddies are biting down on mattress-sized porterhouses and tauting you midchew? Your payoff comes at the beach; theirs vanish with a belch.
15. Wear blinders- When the attractive waitress with the heaving chest and the microscopic tanktop bends over. So what if she wouldn't notice or mind: You gain more power by exercising restraint when sin comes in the form of 40D cleavage. To wit..
16. Forgo- As in 'Thanks, but I think I'll pass,' to that foreign karaoke hostess who's trying to help you part that extra $100.
17. Conceal your connections- At first at least. Sure, mentioning your father's golf Sundays with the MP might land you the job, but saving it until you're on board earns you respect.
    

Show this to the men.

They can be a Barrier to doing your job

Recently, my friend told me that his company could not fill up positions fast enough and that the candidates are not suitable even though the company is using headhunters. I thought, "this is the best time to find good, qualifying candidates. So what is happening?"

Sometimes the Human Resources department already had the candidate's resume buried in its files. HR departments are so busy that they lose good candidates without realizing it. While a hiring manager may be interested in the candidate, an HR might have put a big X on the application. This is the risk companies take when they let someone other than hiring managers sort through resumes. HR doesn't necessarily have the depth of knowledge that a department manager does.

A good headhunter can help navigate the muck and mire of the candidate review process in most companies. A good headhunter has direct access to the hiring manager and is more motivated than the HR department to make a connection, because he earns a fee. They may be able to both speed up the process and get the candidate in front of the manager in advance of candidates that are brought in by the HR office.

Mistakes that a HR makes:
1. They don't recruit. Because of the volume of "resume flow", they don't identify and pursue the people they want. Instead, they take what comes along.

2. They rely too much on ads. The best candidates are lost to headhunters and to employers who leverage personal connections to attract them.

3. They know too much about HR and too little about their industry. The typical recruiter spends more time reading HR journals than trade and professional publications that are read by the people they want to recruit.

5. They don't know how to 'update' or 'sell' the managers of a good candidate. HR should stay close to the department they are recruiting for. That's how they can daily influence the hiring manager's of recruiting activities.

6. They waste candidates' time. Good candidates don't have time for applications, tests and screening interviews before they talk with the hiring manager.

7. They waste headhunters' time. Engaging with too many headhunters to 'fight' for one position and not disclosing whether candidates' are suitable for the role. Which result in more resumes being sent over that are not relevant and having headhunters having bad impression of the HR or company.

And the old saying goes, "If you don't know how you are doing, you can't fix anything."

Party Behave

Many people no longer know how to behave at a party. It's always better to be more formal whenever you're in doubt.

If going for the office party, do arrive no later than 10 minutes after the start time. If you don’t have gifts for everyone, don’t give any out. Presents for select colleagues should be given to them in private. Also, introduce yourself to the company big 'shots'. If they look like they’re busy, just tell them you enjoy working there and move on. And please try to stick to soda. Everyone only remembers the guy who danced on the tables.

If at a friend’s party. RSVP – even if it’s only a casual event. The host needs to know how many people they’re feeding. You can show up anytime between 5 minutes after the party starts, and 30 minutes before the invitation says it’ll end. And don’t bring flowers as a gift. They might not go with the decorations, but your friend will still feel obligated to set them out.

If its the Festive bash. Arrive no later than an hour after the start time. Bring a gift. They’ll have plenty of champagne, so opt for a morning after basket of teas and coffee Also, the best way to show your appreciation for being invited is to get into the spirit of the party. Not sure when to leave? Look for these signs: The music is turned down, the lights are turned up and the food is no longer being replenished.

Always say goodbye to everyone before you leave, including your host.

Not to teach homosexuality in school? Then when?

I ventured to write this as so many parents have express concern over teaching sex education and homosexuality in school. Parents feel that it is inappropriate to even discuss homosexuality for less than 2 minutes during the sex education programmes in school.

I disagreed and see that it is necessary to cover sensitive issue as students this day are finding out things from sources like internet about their own sexuality. Students being taught in school about sexuality and homosexuality won't grow up having misconceptions about either.

When people are born a certain way through no choice of their own -- such as race, or looks, or handicaps -- should they be penalized by society?

Schools need to prepare students for their adult life and beyond. Teaching sex education involves three very "hot" topics: human sexuality itself, the behavior of sexual minorities, and youth sexuality.

Schools in Singapore are in a lose-lose situation. They will be attacked by both groups. One group will be the social and religious conservative students, parents, and organizations. The other groupwill be therapists, social workers, human sexuality researchers, human rights organizations, liberal students, liberal parents, gays, bisexuals, and lesbians.

It is the responsibility for parents to guide their children. While it is based on our view points, our beliefs and how we were taught; it is the core of who we are and what we believe children should be. Parents owe it to their children to be as knowledgeable and open minded themselves. Guiding them means allowing them to form their own ideas, own understanding and providing them with a foundation to make their own decisions. Giving them the ability of strong cognitive reasoning provides them a structure in which they will continue to grow into productive, contributing members of society as it evolves from generation to generation.

Today, students are exposed to many issues and homosexuality is just one them. They are challenged everyday with understanding drug use or abuse, sexual promiscuity, pregnancy, marriage, divorce, puberty, alcohol use or abuse, issues on religion, race, politics with the current war, and death; to name a few. Put that on top of academics, friendships, sports and learning basic personal hygiene and it can be quite stressful these days.

Homosexuality is not the root of pedophilia, it is not condemned. It is a difference that, like other human differences, should be accepted. Homosexuality is not evil, and it is not simply a lifestyle choice, but it is often uncomfortable for people who realize they are homosexual in a largely heterosexual and sometimes homophobic society. Society's response to homosexuality should be, not condemnation or marginalization, but acceptance.

However, school still have to run sex education. And what should be shown in the programme is critical cos' that will be the messages that will be send out to the youngters who may interpret it wrongly.