A Splashing Good Time at Kallang Basin
- Pey Zhao Wen, President, SMA Sports Student Committee

The SMA Sports Student Committee, in conjunction with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Navigator and Paddlers Gateway, organised an introductory course to kayaking for SMA students on 21 February 2005 at Kallang Basin .

A total of 11 students from the Innovation in Manufacturing Systems & Technology programme (IMST), Molecular Engineering of Biological & Chemical Systems programme (MEBCS) and Computer Science (CS) programme participated in this kayaking event. They were joined by 20 NTU undergraduates.

The activity sought not only to impart basic kayaking techniques but to further develop the camaraderie and teamwork among SMA students. It was also a refreshing break from usual hectic academic preoccupations.

Participants were taught how to wear a life vest and some basic kayaking techniques such as forward and backward strokes. One of the highlights that the students enjoyed thoroughly was the “Capsize Drill” where students deliberately capsized their boats and had to swim safely to shore, dragging their boats with them as they swam. Land games were also played. In the first game, students split into three teams and lined themselves up in 3 lines. The teams competed with each other to see who could pass mandarin oranges from one end of the line to the other using only their paddlers. They had to do this without dropping the oranges. In another game, the teams had to form human chains to transfer sea water into water bottles using their bare hands. The fastest team would be the winner.

Although the entire activity was physically strenuous, everyone enjoyed themselves tremendously. They not only went home with a tanner and fitter body, but also a sweet and indelible memory of this enjoyable kayaking experience.

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Student Recruitment at NUS and NTU
- Eleaner Loh, SMA Singapore Office

Every year, the SMA organises presentations to final-year undergraduates at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to encourage them to apply to programmes offered by SMA. The main presentations were held on 9 October 2004 and 16 October 2004 at NUS and NTU respectively. Final-year undergraduates from the Faculties of Engineering and Science and School of Computing were invited to the talks.

The presentation at NUS saw a large attendance of 156 students. Prof Andrew Nee, SMA Co-Director, started with a welcome address followed by an overview of the SMA. Presentations on the programmes offered by SMA were then made by the Programme Co-Chairs and Fellows who included Prof Lam Yee Cheong, Prof Hew Choy Leong as well as Assoc Prof Choi Wee Kiong, Assoc Prof Khoo Boo Cheong, Assoc Prof Too Heng-Phon and Assoc Prof Leong Tze Yun.

The presentation at NTU was well attended by 158 students. Besides Prof Nee, other speakers included Prof Yoon Soon Fatt, Prof Chow Gan-Moog, Assoc Prof Tor Shu Beng, Assoc Prof Hanry Yu, Assoc Prof Cham Tat Jen as well as Asst Prof Lim Kian Meng.

Following the main presentations held in October 2005, focused presentations on programmes were arranged on 8 November 2004 and were attended by 16 final-year NUS and NTU students. The presentations gave them the opportunity to find out more about particular programmes that they were interested in from the respective Programme Co-Chairs and Fellows.

On 15 January 2005 and 5 February 2005 , SMA organised presentations to third-year undergraduates at NUS and NTU respectively. This was the first time that presentations were made to third-year students. Undergraduates from the Faculties of Engineering and Science and School of Computing were invited to attend the presentations. The aim of talking to these groups of students early in the year was to enable them to have sufficient time to make necessary preparations in applying to SMA programmes after they complete their undergraduate studies and to sit and pass relevant qualifying tests to be able to matriculate into SMA.

94 students attended the presentation at NUS. Presentations on the programmes offered by SMA were made by the various Programme Co-Chairs and Fellows who included Assoc Prof Choi Wee Kiong , Assoc Prof Tor Shu Beng and Asst Prof Lim Kian Meng .

The presentation at NTU saw an attendance of 73 students. Prof Nee, Prof Lam Yee Cheong, Assoc Prof Choi Wee Kiong and Assoc Prof Khoo Boo Cheong presented on their programmes.

The last round of presentations to invite applications for the July 2005 intake were held for final-year NUS and NTU undergraduates on 28 January 2005 and 3 February 2005 respectively. Students were invited to attend break-out sessions where they had the opportunity to find out more about the programmes they were interested in from the respective Programme Co-Chairs and Fellows. 40 students attended the presentation at NUS and 28 students attended the presentation at NTU.

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International Student Recruitment Roadshows 2004
- Joann Poon, SMA Singapore Office

Recruitment road-shows by SMA were conducted on an international scale as staff, management and faculty members went to India , China , Vietnam and Malaysia as part of the annual student recruitment drive. Presentations on the programmes offered at SMA were made to potential candidates who also had informal chat sessions with representatives of the programmes offered. The recruitment drive centred on programmes that will begin in July 2005, namely

• Advanced Materials for Micro and Nano Systems (AMM & NS)
  

• Computational Engineering (CE)
  
  
• Computation and Systems Biology (CSB)
  
  
• Manufacturing Systems and Technology (MST)

Presentation in India

The presentation was held at Taj Coromandel Hotel, Madras , on 17 October 2004 and was attended by approximately 90 students. Area Director Ms Bridget Goh and Marketing Officer Ms Nirmala from the Singapore Tourism Board were among the attendees. The audience in Madras was given an overview on the general aspects of living and studying in Singapore by Mr Kandhavel from Contact Singapore.

On the second day of the visit, the SMA delegates visited the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras , where Prof Chua Soo Jin , Deputy Co-Director of SMA, gave an overview of the programmes that will begin in July 2005. This was followed by a press interview with The Hindu Times.

Presentation in China

Presentations were held at Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing , on 30 October 2004 and Crowne Plaza Hotel, Shanghai , on 31 October 2004. A total of 129 students attended the presentation in Beijing and 156 students attended the presentation in Shanghai .

The SMA delegation also paid courtesy visits to Peking University , Shanghai Jiaotong University and Fudan University . Prof Andrew Nee, Co-Director, SMA, updated the universities on the new degree programmes that will begin in July 2005.

Presentation in Vietnam

The presentation was held at Duxton Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City, on 6 November 2004. A total of 182 students attended the presentation.

Presentation in Malaysia

Presentations were held at Hilton Petaling Jaya Hotel, Kuala Lumpur , and Shangri-La Hotel, Penang, on 27 and 28 November 2004 respectively. They were attended by 35 students.

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Ushering in the Year of the Rooster
- Badarinath Karri, President, SMA Social Committee

On the occasion of the start of the Year of The Rooster, the SMA Social Student Committee organised a celebration for the current batch of students. As many would have gone home for the holidays, we decided to usher in the celebrations early by having it on 5 February instead of on the first day of Chinese New Year, 9 February.

At around 7 pm that day, 25 students from the three programmes gathered outside the Chinatown MRT station. What better place to view the Chinese New Year decorations than the ethnic Chinese heartland in Singapore ? Many were elated at the prospect of rekindling friendships formed with students from other programmes during the previous outings and gatherings. After a hearty dinner, we immersed ourselves in the festive atmosphere and walked around Chinatown . It was a great experience for the non-Chinese amongst us as it opened our eyes to the unique aspects of Chinese culture. The decorations provided great photo opportunities for the shutter bugs. The avid shoppers also had a great time bargaining and getting some great souvenirs.

About an hour later, we proceeded towards Clarke Quay for the much awaited boat-ride on the Singapore River . While enjoying the breathtaking view and pleasant breeze, we feasted on the cakes and New Year candies which we had earlier bought from Chinatown . The river cruise was truly an amazing and memorable experience indeed! All good things must come to an end and so did the day. The boat ride ended at around 9:30 p.m. and we all bid adieu to each other with anxious thoughts on when and where the next wonderful experience would be.

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