TR EMERITUS

Prior to the 2011 GE, a local university carried out a massive exercise in firing professors, including many Singaporean professors. Our “good” Government even brought in a European (foreigner) to oversee the firing, and many Singaporeans lost their jobs. After that, many of the positions previously held by Singaporean professors were filled by foreigners. This is one of the reasons why there are so few Singaporean professors in the university. After the 2011 GE, this university did a complete u-turn in that for the professors who were due to be fired, they were given contracts to stay. Who could have caused this reversal in policy? Could it be the opposition voters who caused the worst election result to the Government since Singapore’s independence? If it is, the professors who are still working at the university should thank the opposition voters for saving their jobs. So, voting for the opposition could actually do some “good” to fellow Singaporeans! TW * Submitted by TRE reader  Read More →

PM Lee during National Day Rally 2012: "But I am worried by some of the nasty views which are expressed, especially online and especially anonymously... When the foreigners say or do something wrong, especially to Singaporeans, the response is overwhelming." 1. Immigration hugely exacerbates cost of housing for everyone. 2. Singapore is already the most overcrowded place (other than central Hong Kong): it is the most densely populated country – and increasing population density just damages quality of life for everyone. Once upon a time it was relatively easy to get a seat on public transport. Now, it is really the exception. 3. Immigration damages the employment prospects of citizens. It brings down salaries. 4. Imposing immigration on a society that doesn’t want just changes the mix and damages the existing relations between the communities that are already here. 5. Immigration increases inequality in society by increasing the wealth of those who employ immigrants (who tend already to be rich) and reducing that of those who compete with them (who tend to be less well off). 6. Immigration is no solution to an ageing society, because immigrants grow old at just the same pace as everyone else. What may be needed is babies and not all immigrants are bringing babies with them or making babies themselves. And they may not even stay. 7. Migration means citizens often cannot develop the skills and get the experiences and it also reduces the incentive to be more economic productivity. 8. Much if not most of the supposedly temporary or short term migration is permanent. 9. Singaporeans, fed up with the changing nature of the community, e.g. heavy influx of Mandarin-speakers and other foreigners, are themselves migrating in large numbers to places like Australia and US so fragmenting communities and changing Singapore even further. Then the government only feels justified to allow in more foreigners and the cycle continues, till we cannot recognize Singapore and fellow Singaporeans. Dinners are just dinners * Comment appeared in: Out-of-job SG: My ex-company brings in 120 FT expats    Read More →

Applications for AY2015 SIA Youth Scholarship will open from 6 June 2014 (7.30am India Time) to 13 July 2014 (7.30pm India Time). Please submit your application via our online application system. If you encounter difficulties during your online application, please refer to Frequently Asked Questions or call our Customer Service Centre at +65 6872 2220. The SIA Youth Scholarship is tenable for 2 years of Pre-University studies in selected Singapore Junior Colleges leading to the award of the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education ‘Advanced’ (GCE ‘A’) Level (or equivalent) certificate. The Scholarship is for 2 years of Pre-University studies in selected Singapore Junior Colleges and is renewed annually, subject to the satisfactory performance of the scholar. Eligibility Students who meet the following criteria are invited to apply for the scholarship: Nationals of India Born between 1996 and 1998 Completed Standard 10 in the Year 2014 Possess outstanding academic track record (at least an average of 85% / minimum ‘A’ with English as first language in the Standard 10 State/National examinations) Important Dates Any dates given below are tentative and are subject to changes. Activity Date Application Period 6 June to 13 July 2014 Selection Test End August to early September 2014 Selection Interview End October to early November 2014 Award of Scholarship Mid to late November 2014 Arrival of Scholar in Singapore Mid January 2015 Candidates short-listed for the selection test/interview will be notified a week before the selection test/interview dates. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified. Test and Interview City Delhi Terms and Conditions Annual allowance of S$2,400 with hostel accommodation Settling-in allowance of S$500 (once only) Return economy class air passage Coverage of school fees (excluding miscellaneous fees) Coverage of GCE ‘A’ Level examination fees (once only) Subsidised medical benefits and accident insurance cover Application Procedures Applicants are to apply online using the online application system. Each applicant should submit only ONE application only. If you encounter difficulties during your online application, you may contact Customer Service Centre at +65 6872 2220. Please follow the application steps: Step 1 1(a) Online application Please submit your application via our online application system. Step 2 All applicants are to send certified copies of the following items directly to the Singapore Ministry of Education. The documents should arrive before the closing date (13 July 2014): Birth Certificate; Identity Card / Passport (if any); and Final Examination Result Slips for the last two years (Standard 9 final examinations and Standard 10 State/National Board examinations) SIA Youth Scholarships / < Indicate online application number for online applicants> c/o School Placement & Scholarships Branch Ministry of Education 1 North Buona Vista Drive, Level 3 Podium Block Singapore 138675 Original documents that are not in English must be translated to English. The translated documents must be accompanied by a photocopy of the original documents. Please do not send in any original documents as they will not be returned. If you have applied online, please indicate your online application number on all supporting documents sent to us.   [Source]: http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/scholarships/sia/  Read More →