ThE cOw AnD i

Sunday, May 25, 2008

The age of complacency

It is often said that NUS students have far lackluster performance when compared to their NTU and SMU counterparts during interviews. Of course, let's put aside the creme de crop, because, afterall, the stakes are higher when it comes to the average masses.


the career advisors from NUS warned.

NTU students are praised for their humility and sincerity. SMU students rise above for their soft skills, which are highly demanded in commerical jobs such as banking, and are deemed more confident, eloquent etc. Word has it that the institution also has a strong and foresightful career advisory fort, enabling >80% students to secure jobs at least 1 month after graduation.

Now, what has NUS to offer? A longstanding tradition on education based on solid theory based foundation. Good ground work, but is that adequate? Employers have commented that NUS students appear arrogant, and tactless.

Ironically, NUS is the longest serving Tertiary institution. Stoic foundation it seems, is her strength as well as her biggest weakness.

It takes more than sheer rote learned knowledge to thrive in the workplace. Attitude, Branding, Confidence and a wholesome packaging to tell the world what NUS students have to offer, is equally important. After 4 years in NUS, i reckon that the institution has still not caught up with that notion. Either that, or that change is slow to capture the bosses out there.

Here's a look at some statistics:
Shell Petroleum Company: As of April 2008, 6 NTU students (chemical engineering) have been gainfully employed. NUS: 0. That's a snub at the old cow, given that NTU is only at it's pioneer batch of chemical graduates.

Take a look at the newspapers. Aggressive branding by NTU, front page advertisement, with the limelight stealing title:



I hardly see such creative and bold approaches from NUS. Our tactic, comparatively, is conversative and modest. Now, what about being complacent? There is hardly any surprise to see that students are "a chip off the old block".

Frankly, i think more can be done by NUS and not forgetting, the students. First, the mindset and the whole focus of the curriculum structure has to change. Students shouldn't be made to overlearn. Also, being "well-known" is really not a reason for us to be rooted in progress.

Move on. And do it fast.

by xiaojia at 12:21 PM |