Varsity entrance exams not up to the mark
straits times/17 July 2006

China's university chiefs have called for changes to admission procedures and teaching methods to attract more creative students. They believed that the current system of university admission tests rewarded rote learning but ignored qualities such as creativity. All of this is done in the hope of producing more innovative talents.

Today, majority of the developed countries overcame these problems by letting students take a combination of mandatory and elective courses. In Singapore, the government had also taken up this measure to boost creativity and an open mind among the young Singaporeans. An example is the introduction of project work in tertiary schools and the H1H2 and H3 system offered in junior colleges which prevents students from narrowing their tracks of study only into the Arts or Science streams. Creativity and innovation would soon become a deciding factor for an efficient and productive workforce and hence a striving economy in the future.

Tourists pose danger to anicient Tibetan palace
straits times/ 17 July 2006

With the new launch of a railway linking Tibet to 1.3 billion people in China proper, the task of safeguarding the ancient Tibetan palace soon becomes a major task. People who were in charge of the safe keeping of the the palace were afraid that the large masses of tourist in the palace would exert tremendous pressure on the wooden structure of the palace rooms and destroying the ancient monument as a result.

This article has shown us the adverse effects of Globalisation. Eventhough Globalisation may cause mobility of people and hence technology ecentra, it has its disadvantages too, that is, even people who are so incline to their culture would start losing theirs when these surburbs moves towards advancements. Which, in my opinion is inevitable. One day, the world would be so homogenized by culture or in other aspects that the world will soon become a mundane place to live in.

Lets talk about family values
youth link/straits imes/ 17 July 2006

Many young Singaporeans today take their parents for granted and having no time, no money should never be the best excuse for them to shift away from their responsibilities in having to care for their parents.

Many Singaporeans are often too caught up in the excitement of receiving their pay checks that most of the times that they regulate their parents to the bottom of the priority list when it comes to planning for the monthly budget. Does it make someone an equally successful person when they are unable to fulfill the basics of family values? I am aghast by the way how one could be so selfish to the extent of neglecting their parents, and forgetting the times where their parents would shed their blood and tears just to get anything they wanted.

Eventhough many of our parents do not expect us to provide for them like the way we used to. I believe there is no harm in providing them a listening year and to serve as their companion at the very least. If everyone in the society were to place their parents in the care of the government, social issues like lower birth rates and higher taxes will eventually seize to exist, whats more, if Singapore is soon to suffer from a ageing population.

Positive motivation key to happiness
straits times/forum/17July2006

Everyone ranks happiness differently and most of the times, happiness is being detered by one according to their lifestyles.

In Singapore, we have one of the best airports in the world, an elite workforce, first class educational institutions, an effective government and a safe city. Yet, eventhough we are doing so well on the fronts, why do we have the dubious honour of being ranked among the most miserable people in the world?
In my opinion, I feel that it is no coincidence that the wealthiest nations are among the least happy ones in the world. Afterall, the pursuit of material wealth is often an end in itself. An example is if you a living in a condominium today, you would want to move into a semi detached house and then into a bungalow. It is not wrong in being ambitious. However, we need to draw a distinction between positive and negative motivation. Negative motivation means to supress your happiness until you have achieved your desired results. On the contrary, positive motivation means to be optimistic about the present and to work harder for better results.

As such, Singaporeans should stop lamenting about their stresses and unhappiness. But instead, to view their lives from a different angle and hopefully, realise the ture meaning of happiness.