I am Victor Chan, a 4th year student of NUS Bioengineering. I am a hard working person who loves challenges. This semester is particularly challenging to me as I am taking 6 modules (including my final year project). In addition, I am managing a club as I have accepted the appointment of being the club’s coordinator. And, I was previously coaching my tutee to prepare for his Cambridge Normal level examination.
I believe in hard work. You reap what you sow.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Reflecting on the Research Project Experience
The survey report was finally completed. Thanks to my team mates, Huiping & Kendra, who had put in much effort and endured a few sleepless nights in order to complete the report. Their dedication to the report made the entire writing progress more enjoyable.Regarding communication within the team, I always try to adhere to the following principle. Whenever, you instruct a person to do a task, you have to tell him why the task is important and how it is going to affect him personally if the task is done badly. I believe this is the most important and basic principle of communication. To further explain my point, do you think a person will work as hard or put in his best if he does not even know the importance and significance of his task? The answer is obvious.
Why it is of paramount importance to tell a person how a badly completed task is going to affect him? Human is governed by incentives. By understanding the consequences of a badly done task and relating the dire consequences to himself personally, a person will foresee a great incentive to perform. Consider a situation where you need to convince your boss the importance of delivering the goods on time to the client.
Which of the following do you think is more effective in conveying the message across to your boss?
1) Our client needs the goods urgently. He has phoned us a couple of times to check on their arrival. I am sure he will never trust us again if we fail to deliver on time again.
2) Your reputation together with the firm’s is going to be damaged if the client does not receive his goods on time. By delaying our clients’ goods, you are doing yourself a great disservice.
Once again, you know the answer. Working with my fellow team mates testified the importance of the above communication principle. It is effective. And, I hope to always apply the above principle of communication to my future team project.
Why it is of paramount importance to tell a person how a badly completed task is going to affect him? Human is governed by incentives. By understanding the consequences of a badly done task and relating the dire consequences to himself personally, a person will foresee a great incentive to perform. Consider a situation where you need to convince your boss the importance of delivering the goods on time to the client.
Which of the following do you think is more effective in conveying the message across to your boss?
1) Our client needs the goods urgently. He has phoned us a couple of times to check on their arrival. I am sure he will never trust us again if we fail to deliver on time again.
2) Your reputation together with the firm’s is going to be damaged if the client does not receive his goods on time. By delaying our clients’ goods, you are doing yourself a great disservice.
Once again, you know the answer. Working with my fellow team mates testified the importance of the above communication principle. It is effective. And, I hope to always apply the above principle of communication to my future team project.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Evaluating Intercultural Behaviour
Witnessing the Ramadan in Malaysia (Johor Bahru)
In Singapore where there are 4 main races, Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasians, racial harmony is of paramount importance. Effective communication allows us to better appreciate the differences between cultures and understand more in depth about the feelings and sensitivity of other races. Hence, effective communication among the 4 races is critical in order to achieve the desired racial harmony.
In this article, we are going to explore the significance of the Malay festivals, particularly Hari Raya Puasa & Ramadan. I had the fortune of witnessing the Ramadan in a Muslim majority country, Malaysia.
I spent my last weekend in Malaysia, Johor Bahru and was fortunate to witness a major fast-breaking event. As I was looking for dinner along the outdoor dining streets, I saw a large group of local Muslims waiting patiently for the sunset in order to break their fast. This is because the local Muslims are very particular about the actual time of breaking their fast, which is when the sun sets and which on that day was 7.15pm. At 7.00pm, there were almost no more seats available along the dining streets as local Muslims had already gathered at their respective tables. Various foods filled up the dining tables, waiting to be consumed. Right on the dot at 7.15pm, chanting prayers from the nearby mosque could be heard. The chanting signaled the starting of a prayer prior to the meal. Most Muslims obeyed and folded their hands for their short prayers. Within a minute, the chanting and prayers were completed and the long awaited rich meal began.
Background of Hari Raya Puasa & Ramadan
Hari Raya Puasa is a very important occasion that is celebrated by Muslims all over the world. It is also known as the festival that marks the end of one month of fasting, known as Ramadan. The words ‘Hari Raya’ mean 'day of celebration.' Many mistake Hari Raya Puasa for the Muslim New Year but it is not.
Ramadan is the name of the one-month fasting period when Muslims fast for a period of almost 12 hours. They fast from dawn till sunset. The primary purpose of fasting during Ramadan is to remind all Muslims of self-control and submitting to Allah, the holy one. It is a known fact that during the period of fasting, apart from eating and drinking Muslims are also forbidden from smoking and having sexual relations. Only the sick are excused from fasting during this month. Muslims are expected to avoid lying, breaking promise or cheating during the month of Ramadan.
In Singapore where there are 4 main races, Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasians, racial harmony is of paramount importance. Effective communication allows us to better appreciate the differences between cultures and understand more in depth about the feelings and sensitivity of other races. Hence, effective communication among the 4 races is critical in order to achieve the desired racial harmony.
In this article, we are going to explore the significance of the Malay festivals, particularly Hari Raya Puasa & Ramadan. I had the fortune of witnessing the Ramadan in a Muslim majority country, Malaysia.
I spent my last weekend in Malaysia, Johor Bahru and was fortunate to witness a major fast-breaking event. As I was looking for dinner along the outdoor dining streets, I saw a large group of local Muslims waiting patiently for the sunset in order to break their fast. This is because the local Muslims are very particular about the actual time of breaking their fast, which is when the sun sets and which on that day was 7.15pm. At 7.00pm, there were almost no more seats available along the dining streets as local Muslims had already gathered at their respective tables. Various foods filled up the dining tables, waiting to be consumed. Right on the dot at 7.15pm, chanting prayers from the nearby mosque could be heard. The chanting signaled the starting of a prayer prior to the meal. Most Muslims obeyed and folded their hands for their short prayers. Within a minute, the chanting and prayers were completed and the long awaited rich meal began.
Background of Hari Raya Puasa & Ramadan
Hari Raya Puasa is a very important occasion that is celebrated by Muslims all over the world. It is also known as the festival that marks the end of one month of fasting, known as Ramadan. The words ‘Hari Raya’ mean 'day of celebration.' Many mistake Hari Raya Puasa for the Muslim New Year but it is not.
Ramadan is the name of the one-month fasting period when Muslims fast for a period of almost 12 hours. They fast from dawn till sunset. The primary purpose of fasting during Ramadan is to remind all Muslims of self-control and submitting to Allah, the holy one. It is a known fact that during the period of fasting, apart from eating and drinking Muslims are also forbidden from smoking and having sexual relations. Only the sick are excused from fasting during this month. Muslims are expected to avoid lying, breaking promise or cheating during the month of Ramadan.
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