NUss Honorary Membership

THE GRADUATE OcTOber - DeceMber 2011 A PUblicATiON Of THE NATioNAl UNivERsiTy of siNGApoRE sociETy
The Magazine of The National University of Singapore Society October - December 2011
Renaming of
Kent Ridge
Guild Hall
Drs Della lee & lee
Seng Gee recognised
for their contribution
NUss
Honorary
Membership
Conferred on
Mr Lee Kuan Yew
Graphene
Revolution
2010 Nobel laureate
in Physics discovers
world’s thinnest and
strongest material

Club news
OCT-DEC 2011 THE GRADUATE 23

President’s Message
Dear Members
The past few months have been
fulfilling, inspiring and equally
exhilarating.
NUSS marked yet
another significant milestone
in its history when it conferred the
Society’s highest accolade, the NUSS
Honorary Membership, on Mr Lee Kuan
Yew in recognition of his visionary and
transformative leadership and contributions
to the nation. At the joint NUSS/NUS
Conferment and Celebratory Dinner held at
KRGH on 29 July 2011, Mr Lee also presented
tokens of appreciation to the founding
benefactors of the NUS University Town
(UTown). It was certainly a momentous
evening and I wish to convey our thanks to
the joint Organising Taskforce, co-chaired by
Dr Joshua Kuma and Mr Holman Chin for
their dedication and efforts in making the
event a great success.
On this note, I am pleased to report
that the Society succeeded in raising more
than one million dollars for the recently
established NUSS Endowment Fund for
UTown Student Advancement. The funds
raised, together with a 1.5:1 matching from
the Government, will go towards providing
financial assistance to needy students
enrolled for studies at the UTown. I would
like to take this opportunity to express our
utmost gratitude once again to Drs Della Lee
& Lee Seng Gee, who responded generously
to our fundraising efforts with their
munificent gift of $1 million.
Although we had fulfilled our pledge of
$1 million, we will continue to grow the Fund
to help ensure that no deserving student will
be denied a place at the UTown.
Our NUSS Golf Section did just that
when it raised $270,000 towards the Fund
at a golf tournament at Sentosa Golf Club
on 26 July 2011 to commemorate the
Section’s 25th anniversary. I thank all
our golfers and sponsors for their strong
support, and acknowledge the wonderful
effort put in by Golf Covenor Mr Eddie Lee,
Organising Committee Chairperson
Mr Joseph Ng and members of his
Committee which made this possible.
Also doing its part for our alma mater
and medical research, our NUSS Choir staged
a charity concert, September Reigns, at the
Esplanade Concert Hall on 7 September 2011
to support research in NUS, on Alzheimer’s
disease and dementia prevention.
The concert which featured
performances by the NUSS Choir and
special guest appearance by Mr Dick Lee,
was warmly received by the audience of
more than one thousand members and
guests. Over $130,000 was raised from
this event. The Choir Section will continue
to raise funds for this worthy cause over
the coming few years and we hope the
research will lead to a significant medical
breakthrough in the not-too-distant future.
I would like to thank sponsors and
members for their generous contributions,
and also record our sincere appreciation to
Dr Fong Poh Him, Dr Maurine Tsakok, Mr
Darius Lim, Mr Dick Lee as well as members
of the NUSS Choir for their concerted efforts
in presenting the impressive concert.
In the spirit of giving back to the
society and helping the needy, our NUSS
Community Care Sub-Committee, led by
Chairperson Mr Archie Ong, organised
yet another successful ‘NUSS Groceries
On Wheels’ event on the morning of 23
July 2011. Thanks to the donations from
members, sponsors and well-wishers as well
as help from some 400 volunteers, more
than 2,000 bags containing essential grocery
items worth about $30 each were delivered
to needy households in the North West
District. The event was flagged off by the
Mayor of North West District, Dr Teo Ho Pin.
Although setting a record was not our
primary objective, we are nonetheless
pleased that in the process we set a new
record in the Singapore Book of Records of
having the ‘Largest Grocery Distribution
Social Service’. Congratulations to members
of the Community Care Sub-Committee and
all our volunteers – you have done NUSS
proud!
At the national level, I am pleased to
share that 63 NUSS members were among
the recipients of this year’s National Day
Awards. On behalf of the Management
Committee, I would like to extend my
heartiest congratulations to them for having
gone beyond the call of duty to serve the
society and nation.
This year’s NUSS National Day Golf
Tournament was again held at the Marina
Bay Golf Course on 20 August 2011. We were
privileged and honoured to have Emeritus
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong as our Guestof-Honour.
Also teeing off with our members
were the High Commissioners of Australia,
Canada and India, the Japanese Ambassador
as well as friends of NUSS. The lunch and
prize presentation was held at KRGH, and
golfers and guests were later taken on a tour
of the UTown specially organised and led by
NUS Provost Professor Tan Eng Chye and
Vice Provost Professor Tan Tai Yong.
Two distinguished speakers, one a world
renowned scientist and the other a veteran
career diplomat, spoke to our members
during the preceding months.
On 7 July Nobel Laureate Professor
Andre Geim, NUSS Professor for 2011,
spoke on his groundbreaking discovery
of graphene, one of the thinnest and
strongest materials ever found on Earth to
an audience comprising members and the
public. His Excellency Dr T.C.A. Raghavan,
India’s High Commissioner to Singapore,
engaged our members on 11 August in a
lively discussion on India’s political and
economic landscape as well as the bilateral
relations between Singapore and India.
Both speakers enriched our understanding
of the world around us, and on behalf of
NUSS, I would like to express our gratitude
to Professor Geim and His Excellency
Dr Raghavan for spending time and sharing
their insights with us.
With the festive season approaching,
the Society has an exciting programme of
celebrations and F&B promotions including
our popular year-end countdown party,
planned for you and your loved ones. Do
look out for more details on our website and
other Society’s publications.
I wish you and your family a happy
holiday season.
Johnny Tan
President
Oct-Dec 2011 THE GRADUATE 1

OCTOBER-DECEmBER 2011
10
12
4
COVER STORY
Mr Lee Kuan
Yew Conferred
Honorary
Membership
Singapore’s former
Prime Minister was
presented with NUSS’
highest accolade in
recognition of his
leadership and service
to the nation.
10
HIGHLIGHTS
Opportunities
to Learn and
Grow
Indian High Commissioner
to Singapore,
HE Dr T.C.A. Raghavan
spoke about India’s role
in Asia and relations
with Singapore.
12
SPECIAL REPORT
A Passion For
The Ride
Cycling has become
a popular sport and
leisure activity in Singa-
pore, from ‘endurance’
and mountain biking to
touring and BMX.
16
CLUB NEWS
Unveiled: Della
& Seng Gee
Guild Hall
Kent Ridge Guild Hall
was renamed after Drs
Della Lee and Lee Seng
Gee in appreciation
for their $1 million
donation to the NUSS
Endowment Fund for
UTown Student Advancement.
20
CLUB NEWS
NUSS Choir
Reigns At The
Esplanade
A concert to raise
awareness and funds for
research on dementia
prevention showcased
the choral group’s singing
skills and extended
repertoire.
20
22
INSIGHTS
Winning The
Nobel: Luck
And Hard Work
2010 Nobel Prize winner
in Physics and 2011
NUSS Professor, Prof
Andre Geim shares his
success formula.
24
HIGHLIGHTS
Groceries On
Wheels Rides
Into Second
Year
Over 400 volunteers hit
the road to deliver groceries
to needy families
in North west District.
26
MONEYSENSE
Insurance: Make
Sure You Know
What Is Covered
This article looks at the
pitfalls of not clarifying
or fully understanding a
product’s features, benefits
and limitations.
30
LIVING
Come On, Give
Us A Smile!
Proper dental care is
essential for your teeth,
and the specialists share
their knowledge and
advice.
40
TRAVEL
Beach Town,
Surf Central
The charms of Santa
Cruz exude both a soothing
and sporting vibe.
we check out this surfing
town also known for
other interesting sights
and activities.
46
CAREER
How To Get
That Pay Raise
Although approaching
and negotiating with
your boss for a salary
increase may seem like a
daunting task, it need not
always be so as long as
you believe in your own
worth and ability.
NUSS CLUB NEWS
1 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
10 HIGHLIGHTS
19 CLUB NEwS
35 SNAPSHOTS
36 SPORTS
49 DINING
53 CALENDAR OF EvENTS
40
COVER PHOTO BY YAP YEW PIANG
Singapore’s former Prime minister mr Lee
Kuan Yew was conferred an NUSS Honorary
membership to recognise his contributions
to the nation.

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Office Bearers
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cOmmiTTee memBers
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cover story
4 THE GRADUATE OCT-DEC 2011
Mr Lee Kuan Yew
Conferred
Honorary
Membership
to recognise
his contribution
to the nation.

Former Prime Minister
Lee Kuan Yew was conferred
an NUSS Honorary
Membership on 29 July
to recognise his contribution
to the nation at Kent Ridge
Guild House.
“Mr Lee’s visionary and
transformative leadership of
Singapore has enabled us to
make remarkable progress since
independence. NUSS is indeed
privileged to have the opportunity
to recognise his contributions to the
nation with the highest accolade
that the Society can bestow on such
a distinguished person,” said
Mr Johnny Tan, NUSS President.
The event was attended by NUS
senior management, NUS UTown’s
founding benefactors, NUSS
members and invited guests.
Professor Wang Gungwu,
Chairman of the East Asian Institute
and University Professor, NUS,
delivered the citation on Mr Lee and
said that he could not imagine what
Singapore would have been like
in its formative years without the
alumni of the University of Malaya
and the private Nanyang University.
They were openly active in two
lively campuses. Many served as
Mr Lee’s comrades who helped to
hammer out the governance and
economic structures that Singapore
must have to make its mark among
the new nations.
Thanking NUSS for conferring
the Honorary Membership upon
him, Mr Lee spoke about the
Society, the largest graduate
community in Singapore with
more than 15,000 members whose
objective is to foster a strong and
lifelong relationship with NUS and
its community, “binding students of
each cohort together.”
“Strong alumni support is
necessary for the success and
continued growth of any university
in the world,” he said.
He contrasted the American and
British practices and experiences of
university alumni support, stating
that compared with the United
States, Britain had no such tradition.
“However in recent years British
universities have tried to revise the
cover story
Welcoming Mr Lee are NUSS President Mr Johnny Tan (left) and Organising Taskforce Cochairperson
Dr Joshua VM Kuma (extreme right).
“Mr Lee’s visionary and transformative leadership
of Singapore has enabled us to make remarkable
progress since independence. NUSS is indeed
privileged to have the opportunity to recognise
his contributions to the nation with the highest
accolade that the Society can bestow on such a
distinguished person.”
Mr Johnny tan
NUSS President
Members and guests mingling at the event.
OCT-DEC 2011 THE GRADUATE 5

cover story
system by following the American
tradition,” he said, adding that it is
however difficult to do so.
In spite of this, Mr Lee said it
was a move in the right direction.
“The alumni play many important
roles in a university,” he said.
Some would return to teach, and
others to help to support various
programmes and initiatives.
He also believed that the
loyalty the alumnus feels for
the alma mater is not built after
graduation but developed in
the course of his or her journey
through the university.
Mr Lee hoped that the NUS
UTown would be a place to foster
such identity and belonging, as
6 THE GRADUATE OCT-DEC 2011
well as global learning.
“I am glad that NUSS, many
alumni, well-wishers and friends
of NUS have donated to this
cause,” he said. “I hope that this
concept of giving back to their
alma mater would become well
established.”
Honouring Founding
Benefactors of NUs Utown
The event, co-hosted by NUS
and NUSS, also recognised the
UTown founding benefactors,
whom Mr Lee presented tokens
of appreciation to.
“The University Town is a
very significant development
undertaken by NUS to create a
Founding benefactors of NUs Utown
NUS Board of Trustees 2009-2010
Ngee Ann Kongsi
The Silent Foundation Ltd
Keppel Corporation Ltd
Suntar International Pte Ltd
Mr Wong Ngit Liong, Chairman of NUS Board of Trustees
Mr Chua Thian Poh, Chairman and CEO of Ho Bee Group
Dato’ Low Tuck Kwong, Founder of Bayan Resources
Ms Elaine Low, Director of Kaiyi Investment Pte Ltd
Dr Tahir, Founder and Executive Chairman of Mayapada Group
Drs Della Lee & Lee Seng Gee, DS Lee Foundation
“Strong alumni
support is
necessary for
the success
and continued
growth of any
university in
the world.”
Mr Lee Kuan yew

cover story
Performance by the
NUS String Quartet.
Mr Lee said: “Strong
alumni support is
necessary for the
success and continued
growth of any university
in the world.”
OCT-DEC 2011 THE GRADUATE 7

cover story
Mr Lee with other distinguished guests.
thriving and an all-inclusive
learning community. This is a
major step forward in fulfilling
its vision of becoming a global
university centred in Asia,” said
Mr Johnny Tan.
“University Town will substantially
enhance the physical
facilities for learning arts, culture
and sporting activities for NUS
students,” said Professor Tan
Chorh Chuan, NUS President.
He emphasised that the
donations would enable the
University to recruit additional
professors and teaching staff
who would facilitate smallgroup
learning within the
Residential Colleges. “The gifts
will also provide scholarships
and bursaries to financially
needy students admitted to the
Residential Colleges,” he said.
Founding benefactors
included the NUS Board of
8 THE GRADUATE OCT-DEC 2011
From left: Dr Joshua VM Kuma, Mr David Ho, Mr Johnny Tan, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Mr Wong Ngit
Liong and Professor Tan Chorh Chuan.
Trustees 2009-2010, Ngee Ann
Kongsi, The Silent Foundation Ltd,
Keppel Corporation Ltd, Suntar
International Pte Ltd, as well as
individuals such as Chairman of
NUS Board of Trustees Mr Wong
Ngit Liong, Chairman and CEO of
Ho Bee Group Mr Chua Thian Poh,
Founder of Bayan Resources Dato’
Low Tuck Kwong and his daughter,
Director of Kaiyi Investment Pte
Ltd Elaine Low, Founder and
Executive Chairman of Mayapada
Group Dr Tahir, and Drs Della Lee
and Lee Seng Gee from the DS Lee
Foundation.

OCT-DEC 2011 THE GRADUATE 9

HIgHlIgHts
HE Dr T.C.A. Raghavan speaking at Kent Ridge Guild House.
An insight into India’s role in Asia and relations with Singapore, as Indian High
Commissioner, His Excellency Dr T.C.A. Raghavan shares his views with candour
and humour.
Meet-tHe-AMbAssAdor serIes
Indian High Commissioner to
singapore, His excellency
dr t.C.A. raghavan
Date: 11 August 2011
Venue: Kent Ridge Guild House
Topic: Singapore - India Relations and
Economic Growth
there are “signs of a new
axis developing between
South and North Asia” in
Southeast Asia, creating
opportunities for business
and investment between India and
Singapore, said HE Dr T.C.A. Raghavan,
High Commissioner of India to
Singapore.
Speaking at the latest session of
this regular series of talks, he focused
on broader trends and forces, beginning
with his country’s location, size,
diversity, and political characteristics;
its economic experience over the past
two decades; and the emerging trends
and economic relations between India
and Singapore via his government’s
‘Look East’ policy.
10 THE GRADUATE OCT-DEC 2011
opportunities
to grow and
learn from one
Another
HE Dr Raghavan receiving a token of
appreciation from Mr Johnny Tan.
India’s leading export?
Contrary to popular perception, he
said, diversity is a fact of daily life
in India and has proved to be one of
his country’s greatest strengths in an
increasingly globalised world.
He gave the example of the many
Indian CEOs in various multinational
corporations, from banks to the food
and beverage industries. “Time magazine
in one of its recent issues had for
instance said that CEOs are, quote,
‘India’s leading export’, unquote.”
Drawing laughter from the audience,
HE Dr Raghavan went on to
explain how foreign audiences should
keep in mind that Indians are used to
negotiating difference. “Plurality is inbuilt
into our system and we’re used
to navigating our way through it. So,
what may appear to defeat a foreigner
otherwise is something an Indian
takes in his stride early on in life.”
He said that the Indian elite are
also immersed in English, the global
language of business and commerce.
In addition, India’s elite educational
institutions and universities impart
solid training to those lucky enough to
pass through their doors.
the Argumentative Indian and
India’s democracy
The diversity of opinion in his country
is important, HE Dr Raghavan said,
“because all of you have also heard of
the ‘argumentative Indian’.”
While this elicited another round of
laughter, he said most Indians appreciate
their country’s democratic structures,
including its political parties,
systemic free elections, uncensored
media, free speech, and the independent
standing of the judiciary, among
other characteristics.

Although there are many Indians
who are critical of the “serious flaws”
in India’s system, they also take into
account what India has achieved in
sustaining democracy in contrast to
other countries.
development, empowerment
and growth
There is a tension between development
and empowerment in India,
which includes concerns about inclusive
growth, preservation, and affirmative
action, he said.
Locating the debates within India’s
current imperatives – the problems of
substantially reducing mass poverty
while maintaining a similar pace of
growth – the High Commissioner
listed some statistics that painted a
picture of continued growth due to a
number of factors, particularly from
2004 onwards.
Firstly, there has been an increase
in the savings and investment
ratios which are currently at a
level reminiscent of Singapore or
other ‘Tiger’ economies of the
1990s; secondly, a young workingage
population; thirdly, growing
middle class influence leading to an
increasing sense of buoyancy and
domestic demand especially in rural
areas; lastly, India’s rapid progress
in social and physical infrastructure
Members of the audience participating in the discussion.
and better access to cutting-edge
technology, which is likely to see
dramatic changes in productivity.
Regardless of these, he emphasised
that what will make growth in India
sustainable is its inclusiveness. “If
we cannot percolate the benefits of
that growth down to all sections of
our population, it will not be sustainable.
That lesson I think spreads itself
through the entire political spectrum.”
looking east
The High Commissioner also showed
his audience an upside-down map of
the Indian sub-continent to illustrate
India’s ‘Look East’ policy.
He said that
India is a nation
where a sense of
sharing maritime
borders and
civilisational space
has shaped his
country’s current
policies since the
early 1990s.
“Our
relationship with
ASEAN was the
natural pivot in
this deepening
collaboration,” he
said. “It is often
not sufficiently
“Our relationship
with ASEAN was
the natural pivot
in this deepening
collaboration. It is
often not sufficiently
recognised that
India is in many
ways a Southeast
Asian nation as
much as it is a South
Asian nation.”
HIgHlIgHts
recognised that India is in many ways
a Southeast Asian nation as much as
it is a South Asian nation. This has
much to do with the linguistic and
ethnic mosaic of our northeast, and
the fact that we share borders with a
large ASEAN neighbour, Myanmar.”
Much integration, he added, has
occurred in two decades of India’s
‘Look East’ policy.
relations with singapore
Reminding his audience that
Singapore was the first Southeast
Asian country that India had struck
a free trade agreement with, HE Dr
Raghavan presented information on
India-Singapore
bilateral trade and
investments.
The statistics
showed that
investment flows
between the two
countries were not
as high compared
with some others.
He suggested
that Singaporebased
economic
entities should
keep in mind
certain areas of
co-operation “to
reap the harvest
of the future”
in India, with
infrastructural projects such as
new and “smart cities”, airports,
industrial estates, as well as in other
areas like education, water treatment
plants and logistics.
What was more important is the
“very strong political relationship
based on certain common values
of multiculturalism and pluralism,”
he said. “It would be reasonable to
posit that in this new axis of trade
and financial flows, India-Singapore
relations would be crystallised at a
new level.”
During the discussion session, HE
Dr Raghavan responded to questions
covering a range of subjects such
as India-China comparisons, the
intricacies of Singaporeans doing
business in India, and how Indians
and Singaporeans have different
types of skills which they can learn
from each other.
The discussion also included
queries about home-grown
terrorism in India, the bureaucratic
environment, nuclear power, and
educational and public policy linkages
between India and Singapore.
OCT-DEC 2011 THE GRADUATE 11

special report
a passion
For the ride
Cycling has become a popular sport and leisure
activity in Singapore. ‘Endurance’, mountain biking,
touring, and BMX have all taken root. This article
takes a look at issues in this milieu and their growing
presence and popularity here.
photos Shutterstock, Benedict Chong & Tham Chen Munn
12 THE GRADUATE OCT-DEC 2011
aAll over the island
almost every weekend,
different groups
of cycling enthusiasts
converge on various
parts of the country. Their bikes,
comprising various makes, sizes and
types depending on the respective
groups and their activities, are generally
well-maintained and the pride of
their owners. They would have to be,
if they wanted to stay safe and have
functioning bikes for their activities.
And their activities are varied.
Some do them for sport or to indulge
in a passion. Others do so to challenge
themselves, keep fit, or because
it helps charitable causes. More often
than not, it is a mixture of motivations
that compel them to do this and keep
at it.
increasing popularity
When one thinks of ‘bikes’, either
motorised bikes or various types of
cycling come to mind. For aficionados
or serious practitioners of cycling, the
term refers to the latter – where the
only form of motorisation is done via
one’s own strength and will.
The words ‘cycling’, ‘biking’, and
‘riding’ are used interchangeably, and
there is no mistaking the reference to
it as a sport – which can be defined as
an athletic activity requiring skills and
physical prowess, often of a competitive
nature.
Competition is a natural expression
of biking activities, as can be gleaned
from those involved. However, there
are also nuances and complexities.
One is the issue of whether ‘endurance
cycling’, a term sometimes used
in biking circles, is a ‘discipline’ in
itself. Although the word has a range
of meanings, when applied to sports it
implies having a distinct following and
set of practices essential to engage in
an activity. It also denotes competition.
Both endurance cycling and the
idea of using it as a competitive activity
are sometimes conflated with the
concept of ‘extreme sports’, a term
that has become more well-known
over the years.
However Mr Benedict Chong and
Mr Dave Henkel, both serious bikers
coming from different forms of biking,
have a different take on these
concepts.

“I’m not entirely comfortable with
the term ‘endurance cycling’. I prefer
to call it ‘touring’ or ‘bike touring’.
What I do, I don’t consider a sport in
the sense that it isn’t competitive – in
fact, ideally, it’s the opposite. The cycling
is the point,” said Mr Dave Henkel,
a long-distance biking enthusiast.
As a young boy he cycled almost
everywhere, according to this United
States (US) citizen who spent part of
his childhood in Singapore. “First it
was into the city from Changi, then
all the way to Tuas, finally we starting
riding to Malaysia – places like Pasir
Gudang, Batu Pahat and Mersing. We
did this on BMX bikes, no less!”
Not-so-extreme sports
Familiarity with BMX is in the purview
of business owner and student
Mr Benedict Chong. “Endurance
cycling is strictly speaking not a
‘discipline’ as such,” he said. The 25year-old
has been a BMX rider for 10
years. BMX stands for ‘bicycle motocross’,
involving stunt riding on rough
ground or over an obstacle course.
A discipline in cycling sports, he
said, involves three main types of
riding: Trail or off-road, road, and triathlon
events. ‘Extreme sports’ was a
term adopted by marketing companies
to sell the ‘X Games’ created by US
commercial sports broadcaster ESPN.
The definition and scope of an extreme
sport is debatable. A dictionary
defines extreme sports as featuring ‘a
combination of speed, height, danger
and spectacular stunts’.
So in the sense of being part of
the X Games, said Mr Chong, extreme
sports started with just three kinds:
BMX riding, inline skating, and skateboarding.
BMX as originally conceived is an
early example of trail riding. It started
with American children in early 1970s
California who rode off-road with
standard road bikes for fun, then
evolved to the commercialised and
corporate-sponsored spectacles we see
today. Sometime in between that, it
BMX freestyle stunt riding.
CyCLing On CiTy ROaDS
3 Key safety tips
Be VisiBle
Wear light-coloured
clothing and have
working lights installed
on your bike – white in
front and blinking red
at the rear.
Be saFe
Wear a helmet. Make
sure your bike is
properly maintained
- working brakes, inflated
tires and working
lights. Keep alert
on the roads.
“First it was into the
city from Changi,
then all the way
to Tuas, finally we
starting riding to
Malaysia – places
like Pasir Gudang,
Batu Pahat and
Mersing. We did
this on BMX bikes,
no less!”
Mr Dave Henkel
Long-distance biking enthusiast
became an organised sport in the US,
with manufacturers specially designing
bikes for it.
This development occurred as its
visual appeal was enhanced not just
by its original inspiration from Motocross
– where motorcycle racing was
taken off-road – but also by a series of
variations called ‘BMX freestyle’. This
special report
Be respoNsiBle
you need to obey traffic rules because your
movements on the road – just like other road
users’ – can be anticipated.
involves stunt-riding and is very different
from its BMX trail predecessor, and
did much to promote the use of BMX
bikes for sporting and riding activities.
While riding BMX bikes is still
being enjoyed, other facets of bike riding
are becoming more noticeable in
Singapore.
One of these is an increasingly
visible and active community of
‘philanthropist-bikers’.
Going the Distance For charity
Mr Henkel is one who combines his
love for biking with charity. He is an
active member of Bike-Aid (Singapore),
a group of cyclists who organises
long-distance trips to raise funds
for charitable causes.
The American museum curator
started with riding BMX bikes as a
child, and gradually moved on to road
bikes. When he returned to Singapore
to work after his tertiary studies, he
rode a bike to work. Eyebrows were
raised and his Singaporean colleagues
all thought he was “mad” to ride a
bicycle “so far” – from Kampung Ubi
to Empress Place.
“One of my colleagues introduced
me to a friend who rode with Bike-
Aid. I thought what they were doing
sounded cool, and I was motivated to
take up the challenge of the 2004 ride
from Kota Bahru back to Singapore
along the east coast of Malaysia.”
He does not always ride longdistance
for charity, he said. “But I
love something that’s just fun and
use it to raise awareness for charitable
projects.”
OCT-DEC 2011 THE GRADUATE 13

special report
For bike touring, he believes that
“literally almost anyone can do it”
as long as they are realistic about
their physical limits. “Not many can
do 500-plus kilometres in 24 hours,
although a few can.”
It is a very physical sport that tests
the limits, as Ms Sarah Lim can attest. A
bank executive in her early 40s, she has
been riding seriously for competitions
and to keep fit for the past 13 years.
“We finished about 300 km in two
days,” she said. In Johor, Malaysia, the
group rode from Kota Tinggi to Desaru
and back again, to raise funds for two
social welfare organisations in Singapore.
Each stage of the ride took up to
seven or eight hours at a time.
Like Mr Henkel, Ms Lim has also
been involved with Bike-Aid activities,
and recently completed a fundraising
touring event with another group called
Charity Bike ‘n’ Blade (see box story).
She is a member of a gender minority
in such activities – men generally
have an advantage over women in
biking sports. “Riding a bike long-distance
is not a skill-based activity like
table-tennis, where women sometimes
have an advantage. Also, we are all
out in the sun, with the danger of falling
and other mishaps occurring, and
so long-distance biking doesn’t really
appeal to the ladies,” she said. “But
I’ve noticed that over the years more
women are joining, riding bikes for
sport. There’s also an overall increase
in serious cyclists.”
During her university days overseas,
Ms Lim used to ride a BMX bike
all over campus. Back in Singapore,
she needed some exercise and continued
riding around her home in the
East Coast area.
There is general agreement that
more Singaporeans now feel the need
for exercise – sometimes influenced
by friends who were bikers – which in
part explained the increasing number
of enthusiasts.
riding safely in Urban singapore
With increased biking traffic comes
increased traffic issues. A challenge
Ms Lim faces when cycling on roads
here are other vehicles and inconsiderate
drivers. Compounding this is
another factor that has deeper roots
and implications: Infrastructure.
“Although Singapore has its own
particular constraints, some other
cities have road markings that guide
cyclists towards their own space
between cars and other vehicles,” said
Mr Tham Chen Munn.
14 THE GRADUATE OCT-DEC 2011
long-Distance rides For charity
• Bike-aid (singapore) is one of the few bike-riding groups in the country
that organises activities for charitable causes. it is an informal, voluntary
group that combines its diversity of biking enthusiasts with a desire to help
the less privileged through cycling and related activities. Members who
comprise the group ride a range of bikes, though mostly of the road and
trail (or off-road) variety. They have raised funds for a welfare home in Thailand
and a number of Singapore-based organisations such as the Kidney
Dialysis Foundation and Down Syndrome association.
• charity Bike ‘n’ Blade is another group that organises regular activities to
raise funds for various charitable causes. it was started in 2005 with the
idea that a group of people can collectively participate in an activity they
love in order to raise money for the underprivileged. Their beneficiaries
include St Luke’s Hospital and Peacehaven nursing Home.
BiKe laNes FroM aroUND tHe worlD
Gold Coast, Australia. Lucerne, Switzerland.
Brooklyn Bridge, New York City. Kensington Park, London.
Beijing, China. Chiang Mai, Thailand.
“although Singapore has its own
particular constraints, some other cities
have road markings that guide cyclists
towards their own space between cars
and other vehicles.”
Mr tham chen Munn
Director of a traffic consultancy firm in Singapore and avid biker

Called ‘sharrows’ in some countries,
these marked lanes for cyclists
are an integral part of the urban traffic
landscape in countries as diverse as
Spain and The Netherlands, Thailand
and the US.
A director of a traffic consultancy
firm in Singapore, Mr Tham is an avid
biker himself, and is familiar with problems
that road cyclists face in the citystate’s
densely built-up environment.
“We basically need an acceptance
of others when on the road. To start
with, I would suggest an educational
campaign for both bikers and motorists.
It can be just a one-day event – an
exhibition or something similar.”
He felt that all road users, whether
bikers or motorists, have to remember
There is general
agreement that
more Singaporeans
now feel the need
for exercise which in
part explained the
increasing number
of enthusiasts.
that others such as pedestrians also
share the same road spaces. For bikers
a few simple key safety tips are essential
(see box story on page 13).
Mixed Goals and a sense of
reward
A different set of tips exist for longdistance
bikers such as Mr Henkel
and Ms Lim, whether for competition
or not (see box story). But the fundamental
principles remain – to ensure
one’s safety, and by extension the
safety of those around you.
It also gives a unique sense of being
rewarded if the activity is combined
with philanthropy. For instance,
organisations like Bike-Aid and
Charity Bike ‘n’ Blade are important
in Mr Henkel’s view, because “they
recruit people who are into sports
and specifically cycling, but might not
necessarily be into charity work. They
provide folks with an opportunity to
do something they like and also help
the less fortunate.”
Perhaps such a broad observation of
biking in Singapore so far, though not
comprehensive, will have illuminated
various aspects of the activity, and in
the process encourage more people to
take up the challenge of a ride.
CyCLing WiTH EnDURanCE
tips For long-Distance
events training
training for endurance or longdistance
cycling is straightforward
but not easy
Do weekly long rides starting about
six to eight weeks before the event
to build up at least 75% of your
target distance. if your target event
is a century (100 miles, or about 160
km) on 1 December, you need to
reserve one day a week in October
and november to ride up to 75 miles
(120 km). if you can start earlier, e.g.
in august, then you need to build
a ‘base’ so that by October you
would be able to ramp it up. To do
so, your base kilometres would need
to be increased by 10-15% at most
every month, with an overall 10-15%
increase in distance per year.
weekly long ride by the end of
base training
The goal: To comfortably ride onethird
to half of the target distance.
By the end of September, your ‘base
preparation goal’ should be up to 50
miles of your 100-mile event. your
weekly increase should be by about
5-10%, at the same rate as your
weekly total. you also might want
to build it up a little faster, but then
throw in an easy week, say, every
four to six weeks.
identify and eliminate ‘limiters’
Limiters are those things that stop
you from completing an event
comfortably, e.g. problems with pain
or numbness at the hands, feet, and
seat of your buttocks. it may be time
to find:
(1) a saddle that fits your unique
anatomy.
(2) a comfortable aerobar position
so that you can spend most of
special report
your flat and downhill riding
time in it.
(3) Shoes/inserts that keep your
feet and knees comfortable.
When you identify a potential
limiter on a long ride, fix it before
the next weekend of riding.
experiment with your diet
Use the long rides to experiment
with eating and drinking to find out
what kinds of food and drink work
to sustain you. When you find out,
use it for the rest of your training
rides and particularly for your target
event.
riding a long loop
it would be good to do these rides in
one loop or one trip ‘out-and-back’.
This is especially important if your
longest rides approach 24 hours.
you may be at least halfway through
before you start to tire, but the fastest
way home is to keep going.
regular riding
Ride at least four days a week to get
fitter. get in regular rides through
commuting to and from work. Riding
a trainer is good too. and try
to ride briskly for 45 minutes, three
night a week than doing it only for a
couple of hours once a week.
Be specific in training for events
Start doing a couple of short, hard
rides a two or three months before
your event. E.g. do a couple of fast,
flat rides a week if you are training
for a fast, flat 12-hour race, but remember
to include some easy riding
time for recovery. if you are going to
take part in a mountainous century,
go out and train in the hills.
Adapted from ‘Endurance Training for Long Distance Cyclists’ by Peter Penseyres, in http://
www.ultracycling.com/training/endurance_training.html.
OCT-DEC 2011 THE GRADUATE 15

Club News
ReNamiNg of KeNt Ridge guild Hall | 13 July 2011 | Kent Ridge Guild House
uNveiled:
Della & Seng Gee Guild Hall
Kent Ridge Guild Hall renamed after Drs Della Lee and Lee Seng Gee as a gesture of
appreciation by the Society for their generous S$1 million donation.
the lobby exploded in a
sea of colours on 13 July
2011 as guests mingled,
awaiting the arrival of
our distinguished guests
for the evening, Drs Della Lee and
Lee Seng Gee. Guests came dressed
in colours of the rainbow and even
the gentlemen got into the spirit and
gamely donned pink party hats.
Unveiling of Della & Seng Gee Guild Hall.
16 THE GRADUATE OCT-DEC 2011
It was a very special occasion for
the Society for two reasons — the
unveiling of Della & Seng Gee Guild
Hall and the celebration of Dr Della
Lee’s birthday.
their generous s$1 million
donation
The renaming of the guild hall was
the Society’s gesture of appreciation
to Drs Lee for their generous
donation of S$1 million to the NUSS
Endowment Fund for UTown Student
Advancement (see box story).
“Drs Della Lee and Lee Seng
Gee’s names are synonymous with
philanthropy, altruism and generosity.
Their generous gift will go a long way
towards cultivating a thriving and an
all-inclusive learning environment and

Club News
From left: Dr Della Lee, NUSS Fundraising Chairperson Dr Fong Poh Him, NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan and NUSS President Mr Johnny Tan.
ensuring that no deserving Singaporean
students would be denied a place at the
University Town and we are privileged
to have their support,” said Mr Johnny
Tan, President of NUSS.
Celebrative atmosphere
As everyone entered the guild hall,
Dr Della Lee was surprised with a
birthday cake amidst a chorus of
“Happy Birthday”.
The celebratory mood continued
with an opening dance performance
by Dance Ensemble Singapore
titled ‘Vibrance’ which wowed the
audience.
Over a sumptuous spread of
local favourites, guests were also
captivated by the scintillating
performances by dancers from
Shawn & Gladys Danceworld. The
dancers showcased their intricate
footwork in their performances of
Cha-Cha-Cha, Waltz and Samba,
which drew thunderous applause
from the crowd.
Nuss endowment fund for
utown student advancement
At the Society’s Annual General Meeting
held on 29 April 2011, members
voted overwhelmingly (97.1%) in support
of a resolution to empower the
Management Committee to pledge a
sum of $1 million over a period of five
years or such period as the Committee
deems fit, to help needy students
studying at NUS University Town
(UTown).
Accordingly, the Society proceeded
to establish the NUSS Endowment
Fund for UTown Student Advancement,
with a pledge of $1 million
to be met by 31 December 2016 to
provide financial assistance to disadvantaged
Singaporeans enrolled for
studies at UTown.
As part of our ongoing fundraising
efforts, the Society has been exploring
the possibility of extending naming
rights to potential major donors.
With Drs Della Lee and Lee Seng
Gee’s generous donation of $1 million
towards the fund, their gift has helped
us fulfil our pledge and at the same
time, the endowed fund will receive a
1.5:1 matching from the government.
As a gesture of our deep appreciation
for their generosity, the Society
has renamed the Guild Hall at Kent
Ridge Guild House, the Della & Seng
Gee Guild Hall.
Drs Della Lee and Lee Seng
Gee’s names are synonymous with
philanthropy, altruism and generosity.
They have reached out to the less
privileged, and contributed to the arts,
disaster relief, community outreach,
women’s issues and sports.
Drs Della Lee and Lee Seng Gee celebrating
with guests and friends.
“Drs Della Lee and Lee Seng
Gee’s generous gift will go a long
way towards cultivating a thriving
and an all-inclusive learning
environment and ensuring that no
deserving Singaporean students
would be denied a place at the
University Town.”
mr Johnny tan
President, NUSS
OCT-DEC 2011 THE GRADUATE 17

Club News
Best way to celebrate a birthday — with a Chocolate Ganache cake!
Guests getting into the mood of the night.
18 THE GRADUATE OCT-DEC 2011
After a presentation
of a replica cheque of
S$1 million to NUS
President Professor Tan
Chorh Chuan, Dr Della
Lee was presented with a
huge birthday card with
birthday wishes penned
by guests.
NUS President
Professor Tan Chorh
Chuan, and Mr Johnny
Tan then gamely took to the
microphone and showed off their
vocal prowess, much to the delight
of Drs Della Lee and Lee Seng Gee.
Other guests too took turns to belt
out their favourite songs.
“Thank you very, very much.
I would like to thank NUSS
Birthday
wishes from friends
and guests.
and the organising committee for
tonight’s celebration. And also to
Dance Ensemble Pte Ltd and Shawn &
Gladys Danceworld for the wonderful
performances,” said Dr Della Lee.
No doubt, it was an evening one
would not forget quickly.
Dancers from Shawn & Gladys Danceworld and Dance Ensemble delighted the crowd with their
moves.

nuss MeDAl | 4-14 July 2011 | University Cultural Centre
Awards for Achieving
The NUSS Medal for Outstanding Achievement continues to recognise NUS
graduates who are all-rounders.
launched last June, the NUSS Medal for Outstanding
Achievement is awarded annually to
recognise one graduating student from each
faculty or school for outstanding all-round
achievement. It is one of the initiatives aimed
at forging closer ties with our alma mater by way of
financial endowments for educational purposes and
synergistic partnerships to strengthen bonds between
the graduate community and NUS.
This year, the awards were given to 11 graduates
from various schools and faculties. They each received a
certificate, a gold medal and an NUSS membership with
a one-year waiver of subscription fees.
NUSS would like to congratulate the following recipients
and welcome them to the NUSS family!
nuss MeDAl for
2011
outstAnDing AChieveMent
Mr Ho Junyi
Faculty of Law
Mr Haresh s/o Sivaram
Faculty of Science
Mr Sarabjeet Singh
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Mr Chen Zhaonan
NUS Business School
Mr Song Sirui
Faculty of Engineering
Mr Lee Shin-Jhie Eugene
School of Design and Environment
Ms Wong Mei Jin Irene
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Ms Chi Xin Ci Heather
University Scholars Programme
Mr Ho Weiren Travis
School of Computing
Mr Tan Peng Chay Azariah
Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music
Ms Chan Su-Wan Bianca
Duke-NUS Medical School Singapore
Club news
Three recipients of the award are (from top): Mr Azariah Tan Peng Chay,
Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music; Mr Haresh s/o Sivaram, Faculty of
Science; and Ms Heather Chi Xin Ci, University Scholars Programme.
OCT-DEC 2011 THE GRADUATE 19

club news
sepTeMbeR Reigns | 7 September 2011 | Esplanade Concert Hall
nuss choir Reigns
At The esplanade
NUSS Choir presents a
concert showcasing the
choral group’s skills and
extended repertoire, to
raise awareness and funds
for dementia reseach.
Mr Dick Lee entertaining the audience.
Show of hands and voices: NUSS Choir at the Esplanade.
20 THE GRADUATE OCT-DEC 2011
Voices resounded in unison
and echoed through
the Esplanade Concert
Hall as the NUSS Choir
sang, with not just their
lungs and vocal chords but their
hearts, songs in Italian, Japanese,
Latin and others, including three in
English written by their Music Director,
Mr Darius Lim.
This performance was a special
one for the Choir in two respects:
a guest appearance by well-known
local singer and songwriter Mr Dick
Lee, and the objective of raising funds
for research on Alzheimer’s disease
and dementia prevention.
“It is for a good cause,” said Dr
Maurine Tsakok, Honorary Convenor of
the NUSS Choir.
This is the first time that the Choir
has performed at the Esplanade. They
sang songs from around the world,
including one in Tagalog from the
Philippines, and half a dozen from
Broadway musical West Side Story.
They were also supported by guest
conductor, Ms Susanna Pua. Playing
the piano, Mr Lee sang two solos,
followed by his official National Day
theme song ‘Home’ with the Choir.
“I attended a
medical conference
a few years ago and
became interested
in some findings
about how choral
singing can prevent
or delay dementia.”
Dr Maurine Tsakok
Honorary Convenor
NUSS Choir

The Choir and its conductors, Mr Darius Lim (left) and Ms Susanna Pua (in black).
Together, they
visibly wowed their
audience who gave
thunderous applause,
and asked for an
encore performance
from the Choir.
At the time of
going to press, the
concert had raised
more than $130,000
for medical research.
Fundraising For
Research On
Dementia prevention
All proceeds from the Choir’s performance
will be used to support
Doctoral students at NUS researching
on dementia prevention, according to
Dr Tsakok, a practising obstetrician
and gynaecologist. “We wanted highlevel
graduate student involvement,”
she said.
Alzheimer’s disease is among the
more well-known types of dementia,
which is the progressive deterioration
of the mind’s intellectual faculties.
Dr Tsakok also shared how links
have been found between dementia
and choral singing. “I attended a
medical conference a few years
ago and became interested in some
findings about how choral singing
can prevent or delay dementia.”
Dementia is a growing problem for
older people in Singapore, especially
as the country has one of the fastestgrowing
ageing populations in the
world, she explained.
Over A Decade Of song
The Choir marked its 13th year of
singing together with a repertoire
NUSS members and Choir Patron Mrs Goh Chok
Tong at the performance.
that included music from a range of
genres including pop, folk, musical
styles and classical. Their collection
of songs with a range of styles and
origins reflected the way the singers
have evolved collectively in their
musical journey.
They have come a long way since
the time he became their conductor,
said Mr Lim.
A choral singer himself since
primary school, Mr Lim is also an
accomplished pianist. When he first
club news
came onboard,
the Choir had
been exploring a
more mainstream
repertoire such
as Andrew Lloyd
Webber medleys
and classical music.
“I’ve had to
start them from
basics because
every conductor is
different. So far we
have been doing
Italian madrigals,
pop songs,
musicals, every
single genre you
can think of.”
He started
working with the Choir in early 2010,
and is happy with the group’s growth
in strength and maturity, particularly
in vocal technique and ensemble
performance.
“I felt the
Choir gave a
very sincere
performance.
It was nice to
see the variety
of people who
came together
for this concert
and effort they
put into it.”
Mr Kenneth wee
At Their peak
Indeed, the 50-strong Choir was in
peak condition that night, reflecting
months of hard work to prepare for
the concert. The ‘Reigns’ in its title
signified how the group is now at its
peak for this performance, said Dr
Tsakok, reigning over everything after
reaching the pinnacle of learning all
of their lessons since January.
The audience enjoyed the
performance too, particularly with
Mr Dick Lee’s participation. “I
felt the Choir gave a very sincere
performance. It was nice to see the
variety of people who came together
for this concert and effort they put
into it,” said Mr Kenneth Wee, who
has a background in singing.
Others liked the pieces by
conductor Mr Lim, and also thought
that Mr Lee’s performance was
“fantastic”.
NUSS member Mr LC Chong said
although he preferred more lively
songs, it was a high standard for an
amateur choir. “The fact that they’re
performing in somewhere like the
Esplanade shows that they’re pretty
good to have made it here already,”
he added.
With this concert it was certainly
proven that the NUSS Choir reigned
during September, and we can be
sure that the next year’s performance
will be even better.
OCT-DEC 2011 THE GRADUATE 21

insight
WiNNiNG THE NObEl
Luck and
hard Work
2010 Nobel Prize Winner
in Physics and 2011 NUSS
Professor, Professor
Andre Geim shares his
success formula with
The Graduate.
nUss ProfessorshiP LectUre
guest speaker:
Professor Andre geim,
Langworthy Professor &
Director of the Manchester
centre for Mesoscience and
nanotechnology, University of
Manchester
Date: 7 July 2011
Venue: Kent Ridge Guild House
Topic: Graphene Revolution:
Welcome to the Carbon Age
22 THE GRADUATE OCT-DEC 2011
Professor
Geim with
NUSS
members.
Professor Andre Geim
delivered his lecture at
the NUSS Professorship
Lecture held on 7 July
at the Kent Ridge Guild
House to a packed audience.
Professor Geim, who co-discovered
graphene in 2004 with Professor Konstantin
Novoselov at the University of
Manchester in England, was awarded
the 2010 Nobel Prize for Physics.
For the newly initiated, graphene
is the thinnest and strongest material
in the world made by a flat monolayer
“Adventurous
research and
your education
are important
ingredients. Without
education, or if you
are educated badly,
whatever you do, it
will probably be a
waste of time.”
of carbon atoms tightly packed into a
two-dimensional honeycomb lattice.
Inspiring the audience with his
sense of humour, Professor Geim
shared his experience on how he and

his colleague discovered graphene
during one of his “Friday evening
experiments” at the university.
Professor Geim had said before
in an interview with Nature that one
of the first applications of graphene
could be in the development of
flexible touchscreens.
He also said he has not patented
the material because he would need
a specific application and an
industrial partner.
Daring to take risks
During his lecture, Professor Geim
shared with his audience how he
would spend hours doing “crazy
experiments” on things that may or
may not work.
One of his more notable
experiments is one that involved
levitating a frog magnetically in 1997.
Called ‘Of flying frogs and
levitrons’, this experiment aims to
show that all materials have some
magnetism. It was also his way of, as
he puts it, “helping students studying
magnetism to get less easily bored”.
By putting the frog in a high
enough magnetic field, Professor
Geim and Sir Michael Berry managed
to levitate a frog.
For their efforts, it earned them
the 2000 Ig Nobel Prize – an
American parody of the Nobel Prizes –
for ‘Improbable Research’.
secrets of Winning the
nobel Prize
Speaking to The Graduate on how he
felt when he was awarded the Nobel
Prize in 2010, Professor Geim said
while it was a pleasant experience,
he felt it disrupted him from his normal
duties.
“Everyone wants your opinion,
everyone values your opinion, and
everyone invites you to travel all
over the world. I’m trying to reduce
my travels but yes, it was a great
experience,” said Professor Geim.
He also shared tips for success to
win the much-coveted Nobel Prize.
“You have to be lucky and I was
lucky. You can, however, improve
your chances of luck. One way is to
do those adventurous experiments
that I described.”
He is of course referring to his
“Friday evening experiments” where
he and his colleague would explore
crazy ideas.
Another winning formula is to
work hard.
“Instead of working from 9am
to 5pm, you have to work 60 hours
a week at least. Someone already
said before me, the harder you work,
the more luck you have,” said
Professor Geim.
Last but not least, a good
insight
education. “Adventurous research
and your education are important
ingredients. Without education, or
if you are educated badly, whatever
you do, it will probably be a waste of
time,” he said.
NUSS members engaging Professor Geim (centre) in a light-hearted Q&A session.
WhAt MeMbers
WAnteD to KnoW
DURiNG Professor Geim’s lecture, one member wanted to know if his
experiment that involved levitating the frog has had any effect on it.
“The frog did not jump on my computer. Having said that, people
are always exposed to magnetic fields in hospitals and they seemed to
be ok,” said Professor Geim, drawing laughter from the audience.
Others wanted to know how graphene can be
commercially produced.
Said Professor Geim: “For a few years, it was a
problem as you cannot make wafers of graphene.
There is another method that i showed in the picture
earlier of people growing graphene on copper
and nickel and then pasting it on transparent polymer
film.”
One had wanted to know what materials can be
used as graphene.
“it can be used as computer screens. However,
i would like to say that i cannot solve all the world’s
problems. i can’t save the world,” he said, again drawing
laughter from the floor.
Star attraction:
Professor
Geim and his
admirers.
“However,
I would like
to say that
I cannot
solve all
the world’s
problems.
I can’t save
the world.”
OCT-DEC 2011 THE GRADUATE 23

HIgHlIgHts
groceries On Wheels Rides
Into second Year
Over 400 volunteers hit the road to deliver groceries to needy families in
North West District.
Mayor of North West District Dr Teo Ho Pin flags off the event.
gROCERIEs ON WHEEls
Date: 23 July 2011
Venue: Kent Ridge Guild House
led by at least a dozen
motorbikes, a convoy of
vehicles started out on a
mission of charity one sunny
Saturday morning. With this,
NUSS in collaboration with the North
West Community Development Council
kicked off its second year of Groceries
On Wheels on 23 July, with the aim of
delivering groceries to over 2,000 needy
families living in one- and two-room
HDB flats in North West District.
24 THE GRADUATE OCT-DEC 2011
This year’s Groceries On Wheels
witnessed 400-plus volunteers supporting
a worthy cause by giving and
spreading good cheer to the elderly
and needy in Singapore. It is an extension
of the Society’s other community
outreach activities.
The volunteers included NUSS’
members and friends, undergraduates
from the National University
of Singapore (NUS), the Harley
Owners Group (HOG) Singapore
Chapter, student volunteers from
Anglo-Chinese Junior College, The
Boy’s Brigade Company from Anglo-
Chinese School (Independent), Hwa
Chong Institution, Raffles Institution,
Temasek Junior College Alumni, as
well as The Lions and Leo Clubs
of Singapore Metropolitan. These
and other volunteers delivered over
2,000 bags consisting of basic necessities,
extending a hand to help the
less fortunate. Each bag was worth
$20 and NUSS members contributed
to buy the items, which included
a hand towel, instant coffee, tea,
vegetable oil, wholegrain rice, soya
sauce, salt, sugar, instant noodles,
and soap.
At 10.30am sharp, Guest-of-Honour,
Dr Teo Ho Pin the Mayor of North
West District, officially flagged off
Groceries On Wheels led by the HOG.
The HOG delivered their first
batch of groceries to needy families

Dr Teo and NUSS members visiting a resident.
living in Marsiling, where they were
greeted warmly by residents who
expressed their gratitude.
“It was really good to ride with the
rest of the Harley owners for a really
good cause. Today, several people received
the help they needed so it was
a good feeling,” said Mr Peter Bruce, a
member of HOG. Another member, Mr
Aldo Vella, said, “I’m always trying to
help. I will always be there to help the
less fortunate.”
“I’m proud a lot
of people came
forward to buy
groceries to help
needy residents
at the North West
District. It brought
the young and the
old together, to
give a helping hand
to deliver groceries
to those who are
in need.”
DR tEO HO PIN
Guest-of-Honour,
Mayor of North West District
Student volunteers help out.
NUSS member, Ms Yee Boon Ling,
thought it was a good learning experience
for the younger generation. “It
was a meaningful event, especially
for my young nieces who I brought
along,” she said.
Summing up the event, Dr Teo said
he was pleased to see so many people
coming together this year. “This is a
good event. I’m proud a lot of people
came forward to buy groceries to help
needy residents at the North West District.
It brought a lot of people, such
as the young and the old together, to
give a helping hand to deliver groceries
to those who are in need.”
He also encouraged volunteers to
chat with the residents as they delivered
the items, and get to know more
about the people they were helping.
Following this, a further 240 bags
were distributed to needy families in
HIgHlIgHts
Groceries On Wheels in MacPherson.
the MacPherson area on 20 August.
Members of the NUSS Community
Care Sub-Committee loaded and transported
the bags to MacPherson Community
Club, where they also served
dinner to the beneficiaries. It was a
fitting end to Groceries On Wheels in
the season and spirit of Ramadan, as
the meal was the iftar – evening meal
– to break the fast of the day.
This year’s Groceries On Wheels
received strong support from Sheng
Siong Supermarket and Adobe
with generous donations by Akbar
and Boncafé, who together with
the volunteers, helped to make the
delivery of groceries possible and the
event a success. Although we did not
set out to do this, we also established
a record in the Singapore Book of
Records as the ‘Largest Grocery
Distribution Social Service’.
OCT-DEC 2011 THE GRADUATE 25

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26 THE GRADUATE OCT-DEC 2011
InsuranCE
Make Sure you Know
What Is Covered
Buying life insurance
may seem quite daunting
to some. In this article
we look at the pitfalls
of not clarifying or fully
understanding a product’s
features, benefits and also
its limitations before taking
up the product. at the end
of the article, we provide a
list of questions to consider
or ask your Financial
adviser before buying a life
insurance product.

T I p
1
Always
check what
returns are
guaranteed
and what
returns are
projected
CASe STudy
Mr Foo had been looking forward to
the maturing of his 20-year endowment
policy. He was paid $36,000
when the policy matured. Recalling
a higher number being mentioned
when the policy was incepted, he immediately
looked through his papers
and found the amount of $43,000
mentioned in one of the documents.
Mr Foo was very angry; he noted that
the insurer had been making steady
profits and that its staff and assets
had been growing. He asked his insurance
company for an explanation. He
also asked if insurers were required to
restore bonus cuts when the economy
is doing well.
The insurer explained that the
maturity value of a policy consists
of guaranteed and non guaranteed
components. The guaranteed maturity
value was $20,000, which was also
the sum assured for the policy. The
projected bonus for the policy was
$23,000.This was based on the
investment outlook at the time the
policy was sold. The insurer further
explained that it had to reduce
bonuses due to poor market conditions
subsequently. The policy benefit
illustration also stated that bonuses
and special bonuses were nonguaranteed.
Bonuses for life insurance policies
are not guaranteed. The projected
values in a policy benefit illustration
provided at the point of sale assume
that bonus rates remain unchanged
throughout the policy term. But actually,
bonus rates declared annually
may vary with the insurer’s performance
and also the expected future
performance of the participating fund
from which bonuses are declared.
A participating fund pools together
premiums from various policyholders.
The insurer invests the fund, and then
distributes bonuses to policyholders
based on its performance. The
Bonus rates
declared annually
may vary with
the insurer’s
performance and
also the expected
future performance
of the participating
fund from which
bonuses are
declared.
performance of the participating fund
is in turn influenced by several factors
such as investment returns and the
claims experience of the fund.
Insurance companies declare
bonuses each year, based on the
performance of the participating
fund. Once the bonus for each year is
declared, it becomes vested and the
insurer cannot revise it further.
As for the insurer’s profitability,
the amount from the participating
fund that can be distributed to shareholders
is capped at 1/9th of the value
of bonuses allocated to policyholders.
The cap has the objective of aligning
shareholders’ interest closer to that of
policyholders’ and prevents excessive
distribution to shareholders. Shareholders
are, however, required to bear
fully any losses in the participating
fund resulting from meeting the guaranteed
benefits due to policyholders.
Policyholders will receive an Annual
Bonus Update which contains,
amongst other things, an explanation
of how the past three years’ experience
and future outlook will impact
the bonus allocation for the policy.
Policyholders may also request for an
updated benefit illustration.
In the case of a bonus cut in any
particular year, insurers may or may
not restore this in subsequent years
of bonus declaration. Usually, insurers
make an assessment of the ability
of the fund to pay a special bonus
at the point of termination of policy
such as a maturity claim, death claim
or surrender.
T I p
2
MOney
Be clear
about
the costs
involved
CASe STudy
Several years ago, Mr Lim purchased
a number of investment linked plans
(ILPs) which included coverage for
critical illness. Later, Mr Lim said he
didn’t fully understand the meaning
of surrender charges, premium holiday
and withdrawal charges.
The policy documents will provide
a description of the ILP and of the
application of the various charges,
e.g. for insurance coverage, surrender,
premium holiday and withdrawal
charges. If you have read through the
policy document but still have questions,
please do contact your financial
adviser to clarify.
Here is some information on the
charges.
For ILPs, the insurance coverage
charges will rise with age, although
the premiums are kept level.
As an illustration, say you are 21
years old and buy an ILP where you
pay a monthly premium of $100. The
premium is used to purchase units
in the investment–linked fund(s) of
your choice. The units are then sold
to pay various charges including
insurance charges.
Since the risk of death, disability
and illness generally increases with
age, the insurance coverage charges
will typically increase as you grow
older even if you maintain the same
coverage. Even though you may still
be paying a monthly premium of $100,
more units might now be deducted
to pay the higher insurance coverage
charges, thus leaving fewer units for
investments. If you have a combination
of high insurance coverage and a
poorly performing investment-linked
fund, the value of the units in your
policy may not be adequate to pay the
insurance coverage charges. In such
a scenario, you will have to increase
your premium payment or reduce the
insurance coverage.
Surrender charges may apply
when you sell units in your ILP,
whether a partial or full sale of units,
before a certain time period. Before
you sell your units, make sure you
have enough units left to sustain the
OCT-DEC 2011 THE GRADUATE 27

MOney
level of insurance coverage that you
selected.
Withdrawal charges on the
other hand refer to charges imposed
for withdrawing units in the ILP. The
withdrawal charge is only applicable
for liquidating units in the ILP
as requested by the policyholder.
Units deducted for the payment of
insurance charges are not subject to
withdrawal charge.
Units are purchased at offer price,
and sold at bid price. The spread,
usually 5%, is the difference between
the offer and bid price. The spread
pays for distribution costs, marketing
and other general administration
expenses. Units deducted for the payment
of insurance charges are subject
to this charge.
A limited number of fund switches
are allowed each year without charge.
Subsequent switches will be subject to
a charge.
ILP policyholders can take a premium
holiday if there are sufficient
units to pay for the insurance charges.
If you have a
combination of
high insurance
coverage and a
poorly performing
investment-linked
fund, the value of
the units in your
policy may not
be adequate to
pay the insurance
coverage charges.
In such a scenario,
you will have
to increase
your premium
payment or reduce
the insurance
coverage.
28 THE GRADUATE OCT-DEC 2011
T I p
3
Take time
to clarify
what is
covered
by your
insurance
policy
CASe STudy
Mrs Chua had a hysterectomy after
giving birth. When she made a claim
to recover the hysterectomy charges,
her insurer informed her that the
medical report had indicated “complications
arising from childbirth” as
the reason for the surgery and that
they would not cover her claim. Under
normal circumstances, claims on hysterectomy
operations would have been
paid out. But her policy excluded any
claims relating to treatment relating to
pregnancy, childbirth or delivery.
When buying critical illness cover,
disability cover and medical insurance
policies, do take time to clarify what is
covered and what is excluded by your
insurance policy because conditions
apply for each type of illness or disability.
Before Buying An Insurance
product
We buy insurance products to help us
deal with the financial loss that may
accompany certain risks or events
which happen, e.g. the costs of hospitalisation
or medical treatment. We
might sometimes buy insurance products
for the investment benefits which
come bundled with the insurance coverage.
Whatever our objectives, it’s
important to understand whether the
products we buy actually serve the
purpose we bought the products for.
Here are some key questions to
consider before we buy an insurance
product:
Question:What is the risk am I
insuring against? Is it death, a critical
illness, total or permanent disability?
Is the insurance to help my dependents
cope with financial loss if the
event happens? How much insurance
coverage do I need? How much should
I buy if I have a limited budget?
Tip: If your main objective is to have
insurance protection, term policies
typically offer premiums that are
lower as compared to whole life and
endowment policies.
Question: What kind of insurance
plan is recommended after identifying
my needs (priorities) and objectives as
well as what I can afford? Why?
Tip: Ask your insurance adviser
why he or she considers that it is
suitable for you. If the recommended
plan offers to help you grow your
savings or investments, find out
what the returns and risks are. Are
you able to withstand the risks? How
does the plan suit the time horizon
you have for your financial goals?
Can you lose some or all of your
money in this plan?
Question: What will the insurance
plan cover? What kind of benefits
does it have? How will it meet all my
objectives? What does the plan not
cover?
Tip: Ask your insurance adviser to
highlight and explain the exclusions in
the policy document to you.
Question: How much will I be paying
for insurance cover? How long
do I need to pay the premiums for?
What happens if I become disabled?
Do I still have to continue paying the
premiums?
Tip: Some insurers offer riders that
waive future premium payments if the
insured becomes disabled or diagnosed
with a critical illness. If such
coverage is important to you, you may
want to ask your insurance adviser to
explain how these riders work. There
is no free lunch. So these riders will
usually come with additional premiums,
or the costs might be already
factored in the policy’s premium.
Question: If I am buying a participating
life insurance plan for savings or
investment reasons, what cash values
and coverage amounts are guaranteed?
What amounts are not guaranteed?
Tip: Read the Benefit Illustration
which will set out the guaranteed and
non-guaranteed policy values. The
non-guaranteed values are based on
certain bonus projections and assumptions.
The actual amount payable will
depend on the actual bonuses declared
by the insurer.

Question: If I am buying an ILP,
what types of funds are available?
What are their investment objectives,
risks, performance track record and
their charges? How do I select a fund
based on my risk profile? Even if I am
told they are professionally managed,
what knowledge & understanding of
the funds should I have myself?
Tip: Take time to choose a fund(s)
to suit your financial goals (including
time horizon) and risk profile. Your
choice should not be based on your
assessment of the fund’s return only.
It is important that you understand
the fund’s investment objective, as
well as the potential risks associated
with this objective. The risks you are
taking must be consistent with your
risk profile. This refers to how much
financial risk you are willing to bear
in exchange for the potential returns
of the investment. But do remember,
some losses are not recoverable. Do
not change your risk profile to take
on more risk in the hope of a higher
expected return.
Question: What happens if I find it
difficult to keep up with premium payments?
What other options can I consider?
What options do I have if I want
to stop my premiums temporarily?
Tip: While you check that the
premium is affordable at the time of
taking up a policy, it is useful to find
out what options might be available
to you if you have difficulty paying
the premiums in future. For instance,
does the policy offer you the option
Ask your insurance adviser to highlight and explain the exclusions in the policy document to you.
MOney
of reducing the premium amount or
taking a premium holiday? What are
the costs of these options?
Question: What happens if I need
funds on an urgent basis? Can I take a
policy loan or withdraw some units (in
the case of an ILP)? What happens if
I want to terminate my policy prematurely?
What are the pros and cons?
Tip: Participating policies usually
come with a policy loan feature. This
allows you to withdraw some monies
from your policy. Do note however
that there is an interest charge. In the
case of ILPs, you might be able to sell
some of the units in your policy, based
on the prevailing unit prices. Do ask
your insurance adviser for details of
how these options work.
Question: How does the policy compare
with other plans in the market?
Tip: There are many different insurance
policies and providers in Singapore.
Do shop around to compare
the costs, features and benefits before
deciding which policy to take up.
Question: How do I nominate
beneficiary(ies) for my policy? What
happens if I wish to make changes?
Tip: If you decide to nominate a
beneficiary(ies), consider if you
want to have a trust nomination or
a revocable nomination. Note that if
you opt for a trust nomination, you
will lose all rights to the ownership
of the policy. You will need to obtain
the written consent of all nominees
before you can make any change to
policy, revoke the trust nomination,
take a loan under the policy or surrender
the policy.
For more information on life insurance products
and what you should look out for, do read the
the consumer guides at www.moneysense.gov.
sg. Just visit the section marked ‘Publications’
> ‘Consumer Guides’ > ‘Financial planning’.
Key guides to browse:
• Your guide to participating policies
• Your guide to investment-linked policies
• Your guide to the nomination of insurance
nominees
This article is based on information provided by
Life Insurance Association Singapore and the
Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) as part
of the MoneySENSE national financial education
programme.
OCT-DEC 2011 THE GRADUATE 29