Tomorrow is the Matriculation Day for the academic term 2010/2011. Matriculation Day is the official event where a new student is officially and ceremonially enrolled to be a member of the university.
I arrived in the UK exactly two years ago, a day before the 2008 Michaelmas Term Matriculation. These two years have been an interesting and exceptional journey. There have been many "ups and downs". I have encountered frustrations where ideas were rejected, lived with a terrible amount of uncertainties, and grappled around the literature searching for a research gap or question.
However, on the bright side, in these two years, I have also learned many important lessons:
One, a PhD is a test of persistence. It is not so much about the intellectual abilities, but more about the persistence and emotional "stamina" to run this awful long journey.
Two, I have also learned to value and appreciate criticisms. Increasingly, I realised I actually enjoy being criticised and challenged rather than being praised, especially with my work and writings.
Three, I performed better under pressure. Although I knew about this many years ago while in university doing an undergraduate degree, I reaffirmed this finding about myself that I tend to be more efficient when I am busy and therefore will perform better. That is why I have been, and will continue to, keep myself busy.
Two down, one more year to go. Hopefully, and with God's grace, I will have more interesting things to share about this journey.
Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
15 October 2010
28 June 2008
Wonderful News
This morning, I woke up half-awake and was about to start reading The Star newspaper (28 June 2008), saw an interesting picture that immediately got me fully-awake. The picture showing someone whom I have personally met few years back. Without hesitation, I turned to page 18 of the local news for the full coverage.
This piece of news was reported as if it is a sad piece of news. However, in my personal opinion, this is indeed one of the best news to have happened in the higher education sector of Malaysia. A Vice-Chancellor's (VC) service in a state-owned university was terminated.
This VC has previously "laboured" as Deputy VC at the oldest university in the country while I was still a student there. In his job capacity to handle students' affairs, I have the "bad luck" of meeting him personally. During my second year, I was heading a cultural and sports delegation to visit Beijing. My proposal was rejected twice and I have personally made an appointment to meet with him to find out exactly what went wrong. The so-called DVC was 30 minutes late for the appointment and even before allowing me to finish my first sentence trying to explain to him about the project, he "raised" his voice and agitatedly said why waste his time by talking about projects that had been rejected. He went on to say that the committee in project is not multi-racial. (I really cannot understand - 20 member delegation with 8 malays, 8 chinese and 4 indians as not multi-racial?)
Due to the multitude of problems given by this person, the project was shelved. Two years later, a junior of mine, took up the project and send in the same proposal and the project was approved. The reason could probably be that I'm a Chinese and he's a Malay. Probably, he just cannot accept a delegation led by Chinese to visit China.
To cut it short, he is an extremely racist person, who single-handedly transformed the so-called political landscape of the oldest university into an extreme racial-based segregation. To sum it up, he is a true-blue political creature.
I could also clearly remembered his first meeting with students in my residential college when he took up the DVC position. He spoke to passionately about internationalisation and his "rich" experience of studying in one of the Ivy League university. What was striking indeed was his inability to speak fluent English. Initially, I would have given him the benefit of doubts but my subsequent unfortunate experience of attending some of the events as student leader, fully affirmed my conviction that he simply can't speak English fluently. For someone who have difficulties to speak English fluently to lead the internationalisation of students, we can understand why internationalisation in the country's oldest university is still at such infancy stage.
If someone that truly loves the universities in Malaysia and understand the problems these institutions are going through, I am certain you would have agreed with me that such a person will do more harm than good for the higher education of the country. Indeed this is the best News of the Day!
This is just a personal opinion.
This piece of news was reported as if it is a sad piece of news. However, in my personal opinion, this is indeed one of the best news to have happened in the higher education sector of Malaysia. A Vice-Chancellor's (VC) service in a state-owned university was terminated.
This VC has previously "laboured" as Deputy VC at the oldest university in the country while I was still a student there. In his job capacity to handle students' affairs, I have the "bad luck" of meeting him personally. During my second year, I was heading a cultural and sports delegation to visit Beijing. My proposal was rejected twice and I have personally made an appointment to meet with him to find out exactly what went wrong. The so-called DVC was 30 minutes late for the appointment and even before allowing me to finish my first sentence trying to explain to him about the project, he "raised" his voice and agitatedly said why waste his time by talking about projects that had been rejected. He went on to say that the committee in project is not multi-racial. (I really cannot understand - 20 member delegation with 8 malays, 8 chinese and 4 indians as not multi-racial?)
Due to the multitude of problems given by this person, the project was shelved. Two years later, a junior of mine, took up the project and send in the same proposal and the project was approved. The reason could probably be that I'm a Chinese and he's a Malay. Probably, he just cannot accept a delegation led by Chinese to visit China.
To cut it short, he is an extremely racist person, who single-handedly transformed the so-called political landscape of the oldest university into an extreme racial-based segregation. To sum it up, he is a true-blue political creature.
I could also clearly remembered his first meeting with students in my residential college when he took up the DVC position. He spoke to passionately about internationalisation and his "rich" experience of studying in one of the Ivy League university. What was striking indeed was his inability to speak fluent English. Initially, I would have given him the benefit of doubts but my subsequent unfortunate experience of attending some of the events as student leader, fully affirmed my conviction that he simply can't speak English fluently. For someone who have difficulties to speak English fluently to lead the internationalisation of students, we can understand why internationalisation in the country's oldest university is still at such infancy stage.
If someone that truly loves the universities in Malaysia and understand the problems these institutions are going through, I am certain you would have agreed with me that such a person will do more harm than good for the higher education of the country. Indeed this is the best News of the Day!
This is just a personal opinion.
22 January 2008
First Working Trip
My first working trip in my new job, is surprisingly relaxed and enjoyable. Took a plane from Penang to KL and had the whole Sunday evening to myself, spending the entire night catching with a close friend that I have not met for couple of months.
The job assignment was as expected, a rapporteur. This is one of the most interesting rapporteuring experience for a very simple reason - strong personal interest in the subject of discussion. I even felt like raising my hands, asked questions and engaged in the discussion but I refrained from doing so.
It has been a pleasant working trip throughout until I reach the airport. I arrived about 2 and half hours before my scheduled flight. When to the ticketing counter to try my luck in getting an earlier flight home, which is due to fly off in about 50 minutes. Reaching the counter, I was given a number, indicating that there were 11 other customers in front of me. The 12-counters ticketing office was packed with passengers but to my surprise, only 4 or 5 counters were operating.
After 10 minutes of waiting, I went to the customer enquiry counter to reconfirm whether should I continue waiting or should I proceed to the check-in counter. The trainee sitting there proudly and rudely told me this is the only place to get an earlier flight.
By 3.20pm, after 30 minutes of waiting, I could not tolerate the inefficient service of the staff there. There were only 4 counters operating but there were easily more than 20 staffs hanging around behind the counters doing nothing. I finally got someone to check the ticket status, as I was visibly frustrated, as the flight is about to leave in 15 minutes. I was then told that my request to board an earlier should be done at the stand-by check-in counter in Level 5 and not in this "inefficient and useless" ticketing counter in Level 3. I know I'm going to miss the flight.
With a cunning smile, I went over to that trainee at the customer service and requested for her full name. Although slightly surprised at my request, she happily give me her full name. Following that, she asked me why I wanted her name. I then strongly told her the reason that I am pissed with the service and I had missed the flight, which I will proceed to lodge a complaint.
She then in a very uncompromising voice said, "Hello......". I just walked out straight.
After this incident, I can understand why our country's National Carrier is in such a bad shape. The customer service is horrible. Loaded with staff but highly or even completely inefficient. In other word, "rubbish". I am sure those waiting in the queue of the ticketing counter will agree with me.
The standard of food and beverages on board is lousy. A Rm500 two-way ticket from Penang to Kuala Lumpur is superly expensive. They only serve a packet of peanuts (cost less than RM1) and three-quarter filled cup of fruit juice, which was diluted with water. From this experience, I wonder why the national carrier is under-performing so badly.
Although it has shown sign of recovery from the financial loss, but from this experience, I wonder how long can the profit sustain. I will certainly not be taking such flight again if not for my employer's policy to only fly with the national carrier.
The job assignment was as expected, a rapporteur. This is one of the most interesting rapporteuring experience for a very simple reason - strong personal interest in the subject of discussion. I even felt like raising my hands, asked questions and engaged in the discussion but I refrained from doing so.
It has been a pleasant working trip throughout until I reach the airport. I arrived about 2 and half hours before my scheduled flight. When to the ticketing counter to try my luck in getting an earlier flight home, which is due to fly off in about 50 minutes. Reaching the counter, I was given a number, indicating that there were 11 other customers in front of me. The 12-counters ticketing office was packed with passengers but to my surprise, only 4 or 5 counters were operating.
After 10 minutes of waiting, I went to the customer enquiry counter to reconfirm whether should I continue waiting or should I proceed to the check-in counter. The trainee sitting there proudly and rudely told me this is the only place to get an earlier flight.
By 3.20pm, after 30 minutes of waiting, I could not tolerate the inefficient service of the staff there. There were only 4 counters operating but there were easily more than 20 staffs hanging around behind the counters doing nothing. I finally got someone to check the ticket status, as I was visibly frustrated, as the flight is about to leave in 15 minutes. I was then told that my request to board an earlier should be done at the stand-by check-in counter in Level 5 and not in this "inefficient and useless" ticketing counter in Level 3. I know I'm going to miss the flight.
With a cunning smile, I went over to that trainee at the customer service and requested for her full name. Although slightly surprised at my request, she happily give me her full name. Following that, she asked me why I wanted her name. I then strongly told her the reason that I am pissed with the service and I had missed the flight, which I will proceed to lodge a complaint.
She then in a very uncompromising voice said, "Hello......". I just walked out straight.
After this incident, I can understand why our country's National Carrier is in such a bad shape. The customer service is horrible. Loaded with staff but highly or even completely inefficient. In other word, "rubbish". I am sure those waiting in the queue of the ticketing counter will agree with me.
The standard of food and beverages on board is lousy. A Rm500 two-way ticket from Penang to Kuala Lumpur is superly expensive. They only serve a packet of peanuts (cost less than RM1) and three-quarter filled cup of fruit juice, which was diluted with water. From this experience, I wonder why the national carrier is under-performing so badly.
Although it has shown sign of recovery from the financial loss, but from this experience, I wonder how long can the profit sustain. I will certainly not be taking such flight again if not for my employer's policy to only fly with the national carrier.
15 November 2007
Time Flies
Time really flies! I'm into the final 2 weeks of the Master program in NUS. The past one month had been one of the craziest month for the past 16 months of graduate studies.
Was this stint in NUS worthwhile? Have I made the right decision to pursue this Master, at the cost of giving up two jobs - a glamorous one and a high-paying one?
Well, as I reflect on the decision to give up the jobs, I do not have such a great regrets about it. Perhaps missed the money a little but the worthiness to come to NUS is ambiguous.
The 16-month had been generally demoralising and demotivating. I have encountered more of the negatives than the positives. Met more unpleasant characters rather than pleasant individuals. It's getting too negative! I guess no point going into the details about negativity but rather look into the positives.
On the positive side, I have benefited from several dedicated academicians, AB, SY, LBT and RCKS. They truly performed to the best of their abilities to be a dedicated teacher, despite their busyness with research and publication, unlike the general phenomenon, "Research is the priority, publication is everything, but teaching is a distraction and waste of time".
However to be fair, the lecturers that I encountered in modules I took outside of my department have been superb. They - PB, ET, RW and AR - are worthy to be called a teacher as they have done their teaching duties excellently. Therefore I would conclude that my bad experiences with "researchers hiding behind the mask of educators" as more a problem of the department rather than NUS as a whole. In reflecting this, I realized the teachers that I have respected very much - since primary, secondary, undergraduate and master level - have always been those who are dedicated and committed to teach, share, mentor and guide their students, rather than those with superb knowledge or high intellectual level.
Talking about the peers, I have benefited less than I expected. The general objective of fellow classmates were more towards securing a degree with A's and head off into the job market. Few were truly there to learn and expand their intellectual capabilities. For those of you who fall into the later category, I would like to let you know that your willingness to share, debate and argue on many different issues has certainly impacted me positively. I hope I had also done the same to you!
One more positive thing about this graduate program, the scholarship. I really have to thank NUS for this. No doubt, excellent!
In general, this 16-month has been a good eye-opener to many different things. It has been a good learning opportunity to me, but if given a choice again, I bet I would have chosen differently.
Was this stint in NUS worthwhile? Have I made the right decision to pursue this Master, at the cost of giving up two jobs - a glamorous one and a high-paying one?
Well, as I reflect on the decision to give up the jobs, I do not have such a great regrets about it. Perhaps missed the money a little but the worthiness to come to NUS is ambiguous.
The 16-month had been generally demoralising and demotivating. I have encountered more of the negatives than the positives. Met more unpleasant characters rather than pleasant individuals. It's getting too negative! I guess no point going into the details about negativity but rather look into the positives.
On the positive side, I have benefited from several dedicated academicians, AB, SY, LBT and RCKS. They truly performed to the best of their abilities to be a dedicated teacher, despite their busyness with research and publication, unlike the general phenomenon, "Research is the priority, publication is everything, but teaching is a distraction and waste of time".
However to be fair, the lecturers that I encountered in modules I took outside of my department have been superb. They - PB, ET, RW and AR - are worthy to be called a teacher as they have done their teaching duties excellently. Therefore I would conclude that my bad experiences with "researchers hiding behind the mask of educators" as more a problem of the department rather than NUS as a whole. In reflecting this, I realized the teachers that I have respected very much - since primary, secondary, undergraduate and master level - have always been those who are dedicated and committed to teach, share, mentor and guide their students, rather than those with superb knowledge or high intellectual level.
Talking about the peers, I have benefited less than I expected. The general objective of fellow classmates were more towards securing a degree with A's and head off into the job market. Few were truly there to learn and expand their intellectual capabilities. For those of you who fall into the later category, I would like to let you know that your willingness to share, debate and argue on many different issues has certainly impacted me positively. I hope I had also done the same to you!
One more positive thing about this graduate program, the scholarship. I really have to thank NUS for this. No doubt, excellent!
In general, this 16-month has been a good eye-opener to many different things. It has been a good learning opportunity to me, but if given a choice again, I bet I would have chosen differently.
8 August 2007
Trip to China
I was with the 8th China Synergy Programme, visiting Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Xian, Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai from June 30 until July 16, 2007.
The trip was an eye-opening in many ways. Firstly, I have truly experience the rapid growing metropolitan of Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. Without doubt, the public transportation of Hong Kong was well-managed and user-friendly, way beyond my expectation of an efficient public transportation system. On top of that, the opportunity to be in Hong Kong as this Special Administrative Region celebrate its 10th Anniversary was indeed memorable. The fireworks display on July 1, 2007 for more than 30 minutes was simply superb.
Glancing on the development of Beijing and Shanghai, without doubt, these cities are certainly on track in preparing itself for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2010 Shanghai World Expo. The infrastructure development has been remarkable but there are still rooms for further improvement, perhaps when the big event draw closer. The Mass Transit, public bus system and even the airport system can be further improved.
However, throughout the trip, a puzzling thought kept tinkling in my mind. As we know, China is facing a problem of growing disparity between urban and rural area. The disparity has indeed grew worse since the last decade. With the rapid development in Beijing and
Shanghai due to these international events, will the disparity eventually grow further to the point of no return? Furthermore, it seems that the opportunity costs for the development is indeed huge. Pollution, congestion and increasing social ills are among the obvious problems resulting from rapid development.
On a positive note, I have the opportunity to visit some of the tourism highlights of China. Visiting the Terracotta Warriors in Xian; Great Wall and Palace Museum in Beijing; the Peak in Hong Kong; the Bund in Shanghai; West Lake in Hangzhou has indeed been an amazing experience. Without doubt, the wonders and the beauty of these places were almost indescribable by words. It was these visits that made the tiring trip memorable with a satisfying feeling.
In addition, the trip also enabled me to meet many outstanding Chinese youth from all over the world. The opportunity to learn from others is indeed valuable. Furthermore, through the interaction between Chinese of different background, I reaffirmed my identity sense of being a Malaysian Chinese.
The trip was an eye-opening in many ways. Firstly, I have truly experience the rapid growing metropolitan of Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. Without doubt, the public transportation of Hong Kong was well-managed and user-friendly, way beyond my expectation of an efficient public transportation system. On top of that, the opportunity to be in Hong Kong as this Special Administrative Region celebrate its 10th Anniversary was indeed memorable. The fireworks display on July 1, 2007 for more than 30 minutes was simply superb.
Glancing on the development of Beijing and Shanghai, without doubt, these cities are certainly on track in preparing itself for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2010 Shanghai World Expo. The infrastructure development has been remarkable but there are still rooms for further improvement, perhaps when the big event draw closer. The Mass Transit, public bus system and even the airport system can be further improved.
However, throughout the trip, a puzzling thought kept tinkling in my mind. As we know, China is facing a problem of growing disparity between urban and rural area. The disparity has indeed grew worse since the last decade. With the rapid development in Beijing and
Shanghai due to these international events, will the disparity eventually grow further to the point of no return? Furthermore, it seems that the opportunity costs for the development is indeed huge. Pollution, congestion and increasing social ills are among the obvious problems resulting from rapid development.On a positive note, I have the opportunity to visit some of the tourism highlights of China. Visiting the Terracotta Warriors in Xian; Great Wall and Palace Museum in Beijing; the Peak in Hong Kong; the Bund in Shanghai; West Lake in Hangzhou has indeed been an amazing experience. Without doubt, the wonders and the beauty of these places were almost indescribable by words. It was these visits that made the tiring trip memorable with a satisfying feeling.
In addition, the trip also enabled me to meet many outstanding Chinese youth from all over the world. The opportunity to learn from others is indeed valuable. Furthermore, through the interaction between Chinese of different background, I reaffirmed my identity sense of being a Malaysian Chinese.
7 February 2007
Condolences
Tonight, everything around the house (I rented a room) was quiet. I came back after dinner thinking no one is at home. I closed the door in my room and waited for ZL to come online. Sadly, she has to stayed back to finish off her assignment in office.
Then I was engaging in some online discussion with a friend from BB. Things were getting pretty bored as I was doing some reading for tomorrow's module while chatting online. Then I realise my landlady's son, BC, came back. While taking a break, I went out and said hi to him. After that, I went back to the computer and started to feel like writing some sort of farewell note of my BB ministry.
Just as I was about to logged on into the blogspot webpage, BC suddenly opened my door without knocking and called for help. Immediately, I rushed out of my room and saw the landlady lying there motionless. I then asked him to try to wake her up and I telephoned the ambulance. After calling the ambulance, I went to join BC trying to wake her up. I felt so helpless at that point, knowing I could do something like CPR but I simply lost the courage. Closer observation could see my landlady's face was already darken and the body was already stiff.
The ambulance arrived and pronounced the bad news. Then the police came and recorded statement from both me and BC. Then we waited for the relatives and doctor to come.
At that moment, I felt life was so fragile. I could felt the pain of BC losing his mother. I felt so helpless that I could not do anything to help or even comfort him. After much ordeal, my landlady was carried away from the house for the very last time.
Despite of all this incident, I hoped my landlady has accepted Christ as she was attending church but yet to be baptised. At least it was a great comfort knowing that she have heard of the good news and proclaimed herself as Christian.
I take this opportunity to express my condolences for the family.
"Dear Lord, may You bless the soul of Mdm L. Although she has yet to be baptised, nevertheless it was a comfort to hear that she has proclaimed herself being a Christian. May Your grace and comfort be with the family as they struggle silently within their heart for the lost of their loved ones, especially BC. Grant them the strength and courage in moments of sadness. May Your blessing be with them and ministered to them, especially those who have yet to accept your salvation. I commit their family into Your hands. Amen."
Then I was engaging in some online discussion with a friend from BB. Things were getting pretty bored as I was doing some reading for tomorrow's module while chatting online. Then I realise my landlady's son, BC, came back. While taking a break, I went out and said hi to him. After that, I went back to the computer and started to feel like writing some sort of farewell note of my BB ministry.
Just as I was about to logged on into the blogspot webpage, BC suddenly opened my door without knocking and called for help. Immediately, I rushed out of my room and saw the landlady lying there motionless. I then asked him to try to wake her up and I telephoned the ambulance. After calling the ambulance, I went to join BC trying to wake her up. I felt so helpless at that point, knowing I could do something like CPR but I simply lost the courage. Closer observation could see my landlady's face was already darken and the body was already stiff.
The ambulance arrived and pronounced the bad news. Then the police came and recorded statement from both me and BC. Then we waited for the relatives and doctor to come.
At that moment, I felt life was so fragile. I could felt the pain of BC losing his mother. I felt so helpless that I could not do anything to help or even comfort him. After much ordeal, my landlady was carried away from the house for the very last time.
Despite of all this incident, I hoped my landlady has accepted Christ as she was attending church but yet to be baptised. At least it was a great comfort knowing that she have heard of the good news and proclaimed herself as Christian.
I take this opportunity to express my condolences for the family.
"Dear Lord, may You bless the soul of Mdm L. Although she has yet to be baptised, nevertheless it was a comfort to hear that she has proclaimed herself being a Christian. May Your grace and comfort be with the family as they struggle silently within their heart for the lost of their loved ones, especially BC. Grant them the strength and courage in moments of sadness. May Your blessing be with them and ministered to them, especially those who have yet to accept your salvation. I commit their family into Your hands. Amen."
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