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posted : 08 March 2007
an e-mail correspondence with dean of students From: #CHEN YING-HSU DENNIS# Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2007 3:44 PM To: Dean-Students Subject: A Grieving ExperienceImportance: High Dear Prof, I would like to share with you an experience that grieved my heart. I went for the Global Immersion Program (Switzerland) interview on 8 March 2007, 1425hr. The moment I sat down, the interviewer gave an appalling remark, quoted “Dennis, I don’t think you even have a chance to be short listed for the Switzerland program based on your academic standing. Would you like to consider other programs?” I explained that I would not be able to graduate in time if I were to opt for other programs, as GIP Switzerland is the only pure study program available. Then I asked a question in the most subtle way possible, “May I know what are the criteria used to assess the students for the program?” The interviewer replied, “It is based on academic standing. I mean we definitely want the best students to represent NTU.” The whole interview was wrapped up within 5 minutes. The interview was like a protocol the interviewers must adopt and carry out for the sake of carrying out, because it is evident that choices were already made based on results which they have access to. I liken the interviewer’s perception as: Good academic result=Good character=Good values=Leadership capability=Loyalty to NTU=Good ambassador of NTU After spending close to 2 years in NTU, instructors and professors told me that result is not everything. Have they deceived me? NTU aims to offer a holistic education to all its students, through various programs and Extra-Curricular Activities, to nurture and groom students, to unleash each and everyone’s potential and to mould our character to be the eventual leader ‘for Singapore and beyond’. Are all these merely gimmicks that NTU puts forth, or does NTU practise what it preaches? There seems to be a great contradiction between the portrayed image and the actual operation and execution. If NTU were to select students for GIP based solely on merits, why do we have to submit an approximately 3,000 words essay in the application? Is it just a cliché because all application forms need to have the essay portion? NTU might as well shorten the application form to include only particulars and results, so that students do not need to spend hours and days to write the best possible essay, so that students will not cling on to false hopes that will never come to pass. Perhaps, there is not even a need for an interview, since the fundamental purpose of an interview has been defeated. If I were to realize earlier that academic result means everything, then I would not have invested my time into serving the school as a student leader at the expense of academic excellence, health and time, when there is no recognition and appreciation. I would have rejected the post of the Nanyang Arts Festival Director in the Cultural Activities Club 15th Executive Committee; neither would I have wasted the time of 80 main and sub-committee members under my committee. We should not have collaborated with South-West Community Development Council to market NTU as a vibrant cultural hub, neither would we have partnered with Esplanade Youths to bring art closer to teenagers and young adults. Most importantly, we should not even have raised a 5 figure sum to stage the first ever Nanyang Arts Festival to the public in Toa Payoh HDB Hub in 2006, which witnessed thousands of residents indulging themselves in the limitless boundaries of art, at the same time, changing the perception of a boring and ‘Chinese’ university to that which is vibrant, relevant and excellent. Thoughts rushed through my mind after a mere 5 minutes of ‘interview’, thoughts that are so provoking, thoughts of injustice and thoughts of lamentation. I wonder if I regret rejecting NUS’ offer, and will my loyalty to NTU fade gradually to an extent that I do not wish to be associated much with my alma mater. Thank you for your attention. Regards, Chen Ying-Hsu Dennis |
