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
Minister Wong and Associate Professor of Psychology Christie Scollon
Professor Scollon presents Minister Wong with a thank-you gift.
Indra Alam Syah Bin Aziz explains what Subjective Well-Being is and how it is measured.
Sagar Hiren Desai explains the advantages of happiness to Minister Wong.
Christabel See Jia Ching explains the relationship between money and happiness.
1
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!
, Ivy
Huang Xiangling Sharon
nifer Tong, Evelyn Au,
Chan, Serena Wee, Jen
ret
rga
Ma
):
(L-R
row
Front
g-Hong, Chung Wai
Florini, Christie Scollon
holas Harrigan, Tsai Min
Lau, Tim Mou Hui, Ann
Naqvi, William Tov, Nic
Ijlal
n,
Cha
id
Dav
):
e
Back row (L-R
don Yeo Tian We
Ek Kiat, James Tang, Gor
Keung, Norman Li, Tay
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
Bhuvaneswari, Ng Shin Ray Samantha, Shayus Shahid
,S
a 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
Evelyn Au, Ivy Lau, Tay Soo
aret Chan, Jennifer Tong, Serena Wee,
Wan Shi Yun, Chung Wai Keung, Marg
Viet,
g
Hoan
Phan
,
Kiong
Wing
Kan
Front row (L-R):
Lin
Harrigan, Tsai Ming-Hong,
evan S/O Mahadevan, Sharyn Soh Shu
Roy, Ijlal Navqi, William Tov, Nicholas
Han, Koh Chiu Yee, Lau Seng Yap, Subad
Darryl Ang Wei Ren, David Chan, Sudip
Han,
Jing
Sim
han,
Jonat
Ern
Ser
Back row (L-R): Tan
Roy
n, Mark Nowacki, Ann Florini, Subir
Norman Li, James Tang, Christie Scollo
22
Faculty News
Faculty Achievements
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.
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.
SOSS New Appointments
SOSS is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Ann Florini as Professor
of Public Policy with effect from 1 October 2012.
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
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 ViceChairman of Kerry Group (HK) Pte
Ltd and Chairman of Kerry Logistics
Network Limited.
44
Student Activities
Social Science Day
7 Sep 2012
By Ignatius Tan, BSocSc Year 3
T
rue 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.
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!
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
55
Student Activities
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July 2012
22nd to 27th
L
Aaron, 2nd from right, debating
with fellow student candidates.
66
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