Comments, opinions and an occasional ramble
Clarification from A*Star over AcidFlask incident
I have received an official clarification from A*Star about the defamatory remarks in the AcidFlask incident in 2005, and I have decided to reproduce their reply below. This is because in this official reply, A*Star has granted permission for the defamatory remarks to be reproduced (under certain conditions), so the issue can now be openly discussed and objectively judged by everyone.
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The Truth about the postings on A*STAR by Chen Jiahao/AcidFlask and those parts of the postings that were defamatory have been reproduced here in the interest of showing the gravity of these untrue allegations and the damage that they had caused to A*STAR, its officers, scholars and partners.
To this day, Chen Jiahao/AcidFlask appears to have taken the position that he was not aware of the defamatory statements made by him, but he nevertheless apologized on 9 May 2005. This was notwithstanding the fact that his attention was specifically drawn to his blog of 3 March 2005 in which the defamatory statements were made, when A*STAR sought from Chen/AcidFlask the retraction and apology.
Contrary to suggestions and reports that the statements complained of by A*STAR pertained to his criticisms of A*STAR’s GPA requirement before its scholars could apply for PhD funding, it is clear from the excerpts published below that the statements were indeed defamatory and went well beyond fair comment.
The defamatory statements made in Chen/AcidFlask’s posting have no basis in fact, are wholly untrue, and completely damaging to the good name, reputation and integrity of not only A*STAR and its officers but also its scholars, the universities attended by our scholars and their faculty members.
A*STAR therefore has no option but to set the record straight.
On the statement that -:
“…a*star feels justified in bribing universities for taking in PhD students.â€
Fact: A*STAR has never offered to pay or actually paid any university bribes or any other form of incentives to admit our scholars. All our scholars gain admission on merit and in accordance with the usual admission requirements applicable to all other applicants who apply to pursue PhD studies at the universities. A*STAR has neither asked for nor have our scholars been offered or given any special dispensations in this regard. Through our scholarships, and like any other scholarship body, we fund the applicable tuition and other compulsory fees charged to the students by the universities. We have no need to offer any bribe – our scholars apply to the best universities and with their outstanding credentials and the strong undergraduate academic performance our scholars are able to gain admission to these universities without special favours. A*STAR’s GPA benchmark ensures that only the best and scholars who show real potential to be able to undertake the rigors of PhD studies are given the privilege (and not an entitlement) of fully funded public scholarships.
On the statement that -:
“…a*star gives out generous funding grants to specific faculty members (to the tune of us$150k/yr or so) for accepting up to three a*star scholars into their labs,…â€
Fact: A*STAR does not provide any such funding grants to overseas based universities, and certainly not as incentives for them to admit our students to their labs for PhD studies. A*STAR funds the local universities and locally based entities under our extra-mural grant programmes but these grants are unrelated to our students and our scholarship programmes.
On the statement that -:
“…giving out gobs of honey to universities who will sign back-door agreements for taking in scholars without going through the formal application procedure.â€
Fact: A*STAR has not signed any agreement with any university to permit our scholars to be admitted without going through the formal application procedure – all our scholars are required to apply to the universities and subject themselves to that university’s usual application procedure. If they are not accepted by a particular university, then they will simply have to gain admission to another through the usual admission process. A*STAR has no “back-door†arrangements with any university nor has A*STAR paid any university in order to by-pass the usual admission criteria required by the university.
On the statement that -:
“A fellow alumna of UIUC once attended a Chemical Engineering class…suddenly the professor remarked: Oh, by the way, if any of you are in need of money, you should consider applying to this agency called A*STAR in Singapore. They offered my $150,000 for my research with no strings attached, plus an extra $35,000 for every one of their students that I accepted into my group.â€
Fact: A*STAR has never offered to or actually funded any professor or research lab in any overseas university. Neither has A*STAR offered professors of universities cash payments to take our scholars into their labs.
On the statement -:
“…that “a certain high-up†in a*star has a tendency to recommend scholars to go to some institutions, like UIUC, U of Wisconsin, and UCSD.. perhaps it is those very schools that a*star has those connections with? and perhaps the reason for asking scholars not to go to the top universities is that they tend to be awfully expensive when it comes to tuition fees too (like Stanford, Harvard, MIT, Princeton).â€
Fact: A*STAR has a list of selected universities. Our scholars are free to choose to go to any of them.
http://www.a-star.edu.sg/astar/studentsandscholarships/action/scholarship_info_grad_biomed.do
http://www.a-star.edu.sg/astar/studentsandscholarships/action/scholarship_info_grad_sciengr.do
The details of the distribution of A*STAR PhD scholars at US universities can be found at our web-site at
http://www.astar.edu.sg/astar/attach/textlet/0e44d2035bWE/(US)NSS(PhD)_Scholars’_Choice_of_Uni_20062007_US.pdf
One only needs to look at the statistics and it will be clear that A*STAR only has 2 scholars at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1 at University of Wisconsin-Madison and 3 at University of California at San Diego. On the other hand, A*STAR has 25 PhD scholars at Stanford, 18 at MIT, 5 at Harvard, and 4 at John Hopkins, 2 at Princeton.
The statements made in Chen/AcidFlask’s blog mean or would be understood to mean that A*STAR has acted corruptly in its dealings with universities and that it’s Chairman and officers have procured it to act corruptly or condoned such acts. The statements also cast serious aspersions on our scholars to the effect that they were not admitted to their universities on merit but only because their universities were bribed by A*STAR to do so.
All these allegations are totally false and as a result, A*STAR had no but option to require Chen/AcidFlask to remove these postings and apologise.
A*STAR did not at any time require Chen/AcidFlask to shut down his entire blog-site. We had asked that the offending and defamatory postings in his 3 March 2005 blog be deleted. Chen/AcidFlask chose to shut down his entire blog-site on his own volition. Any imputation that A*STAR had demanded that Chen/AcidFlask shut down his blog is untrue and misleading.
The above clarification is made for the purpose of setting the record straight and because there have been lingering impressions that A*STAR had taken exception to comments about A*STAR’s GPA requirements. This is not the case and serious defamatory statements were made that damaged A*STAR’s good name and reputation. A*STAR has agreed to the disclosure of the defamatory postings for this purpose alone. Any or all of the defamatory postings must not be reproduced except in their entirety and must be accompanied by the whole text of the apology dated 9 May 2005 from Acid Flask as well as the full text of the clarification above. Selective reproduction of any part of the defamatory postings outside of their full context and without the full apology and the above clarification may constitute separate and actionable libel, thereby exposing the person publishing the same to the risk of potential legal action by the person or persons whom may be defamed and suffer damage as a result.
================================================
The Truth about the postings of Chen Jiahao/Acid Flask.
Postings by Chen Jiahao/Acid Flask at http://www.scs.uiuc.edu/~chen6/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=318 (now defunct).
caustic.soda by AcidFlask
liminal musings of a graduate student
this is “a*star in parliament†by AcidFlask at 03 03 05 – 13:03. please leave a comment.
a*star in parliament
-03 03 05 – 13:03
Science, Singapore
which is perhaps why a*star feels justified in bribing universities for taking in PhD students. staggeringly enough, the cost quoted is very likely to be grossly understated, since I have been told that a*star gives out generous funding grants to specific faculty members (to the tune of us$150k/yr or so) for accepting up to three a*star scholars into their lab, as well as giving out gobs of honey to universities who will sign back-door agreements for taking in scholars without going through the formal application procedure. to the cash-strapped universities in America, the unbelievable godsend that visiting a*star contingents herald is something they can’t get enough of/f. after all, who else would be so incredibly naive and stupid as to throw money at other people instead of investing money to fund their own local research and developing their own r&d communities?
to quote a certain high-up in a*star: “if you don’t like it, then leave!†which perhaps explains the quiet turnover of more than one a*star scholar within the last twelve months. but at last, perhaps quiet no longer.
I would gladly do so, except that my sources are very likely to suffer the kind of spiteful retributive backlash that characterizes the public service. Therefore they can only remain hearsay and rumour under the current circumstances.
[AcidFlask] (email) (link) – 03 03 05 – 17:39
Lest I set myself up for libel, let me state what I know about this.
I do not recall the exact sums involved but this is the gist of what I had been told.
A fellow alumna of UIUC once attended a Chemical Engineering class in this university sometime in 2003. The subject of the lecture somehow went on to funding crunches faced by researchers in the US due to post-9/11 budget cuts when suddenly the professor remarked: Oh, by the way, if any of you are in need of money, you should consider applying to this agency called A*STAR in Singapore. They offered me $150,000 for my research with no strings attached, plus an extra $35,000 for every one of their students that I accepted into my group. Singapore seems to be a very rich country; they have money to throw at you, all you have to do is ask for it!
[AcidFlask] (email) (link) – 03 03 05 – 20:30
going further down the list.. a*star scholars seem to know that “a certain high-up†in a*star has a tendency to recommend scholars to go to some institutions, like UIUC, U of Wisconsin, and UCSD.. perhaps it is those very schools that a*star has those connections with? and perhaps the reason for asking scholars not to go to the top universities is that they tend to be awfully expensive when it comes to tuition fees too (like Stanford, Harvard, MIT, Princeton).
[AcidFlask] ( email) (link) – 04 03 05 – 11:30
==============================
Mon 9th May 2005
http://www.scs.uiuc.edu/~chen6/blog/
APOLOGY
I recognize and accept that a number of statements that I made on my on-line journal “Caustic Sodaâ€, in particular the blog post of 3 March 2005, were defamatory of A*STAR, its Chairman, Mr. Philip Yeo and its executive officers.
I admit and acknowledge that these statements are false and completely without any foundation.
I unreservedly apologize to A*STAR, its Chairman Mr. Philip Yeo, and its executive officers for the distress and embarrassment caused to them by these statements.
I undertake not to repeat the statements, or make further statements of the same or similar effect in this or any other forum or media. I further undertake to remove any such posting anywhere that has not been deleted.
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about 4 years ago
I was Chairman, Defence Science Organization Executive Committee from 1976 to 1985.
UAV were useful things.
________________________________
In modern warfare, useful weapons used by infiltration cum stealth units are the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.
about 4 years ago
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
Is it because it’s the requirement for Colombo Plan Scholarship awardees to serve the administrative service of their respective commonwealth countries? Anyway, isn’t Colombo Plan a brainchild of Commonwealth Foreign ministers in Colombo? More of an external body assisting in the administration of commonwealth countries by providing training awards. Scholars have to follow the terms set by the external body (Colombo Plan) and serve their bond in their respective countries, if I am not wrong,
Anyway, now the bond period for PSC overseas scholars is shorter at six years. If it’s 10 years of bond, well the scholar will be well over his 30s at the end of the bond.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dee
about 4 years ago
Aid from Canada to Singapore.
The recipient must serve his country.
He/she cannot stay in the donor’s country.
Cannot break bond.
I reduced the bond to 6 years for the EDB Glaxo scholarship.
PSC had no choice but to catch up.
For the A*STAR scholars, for 8 years of funding of BS (3 years, 6 years bond ) and PhD (5 years, 5 years bond), I made the bonds concurrent. Hence, total service period 6 years only.
When the scholar comes home after the BS to do the compulsory lab attachment of 1 year, the service obligation is reduced by 1 year.
After the US 5 years PhD training, chap need to serve 5 years only.
Good deal. Must have high bar of academic standard.
______________
Is it because it’s the requirement for Colombo Plan Scholarship awardees to serve the administrative service of their respective commonwealth countries?
about 4 years ago
I noticed that blogs circulate in perpetuity on the matter of my asking former MP, Mr Chng Hee Kok to resign in 19th January 1998.
Let me post the facts from the Singapore Parliament records once and for all.
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Parliament Sitting Date: 1998-03-11 12.38 pm
SCHOLARS AND SCHOLARSHIP BONDS
(Statement by the Deputy Prime Minister BG Lee Hsien Loong – 1998)
Mr Chng Hee Kok’s meeting with Mr Philip Yeo
One extraneous issue which has been introduced into this debate is the meeting between Mr Chng Hee Kok and Mr Philip Yeo on the question of bond breakers.
Members have heard Mr Chng’s account of the meeting. Other Members too have commented on the matter, although they were not present at the meeting, notably Dr Tan Cheng Bock.
I urge Members to exercise restraint in criticizing civil servants, especially in this House. The civil servants are not here to defend themselves, nor can they answer back. If MPs have problems with individual civil servants, they should take the matter up with the Minister in charge. And if they are still not satisfied, they can raise it with me or the Prime Minister. MPs and civil servants both play crucial but different roles in our body politic. Without mutual respect and appreciation between them, the Government cannot work.
Mr Chng had spoken to me earlier about his meeting with Mr Philip Yeo. He had complained about Mr Philip Yeo asking him to resign. I therefore called for the file note of the meeting.
It was a breakfast meeting, which took place on 19th January 1998. Besides Mr Chng and Mr Philip Yeo, four others were present: Mr Ho Meng Kit, Managing Director of EDB; Mr Stephen Yeo, Chief Executive of NCB; Mrs Shirley Chen and Mr Timothy Sebastian, both EDB staff. The file note was recorded by Mr Timothy Sebastian, vetted by Mrs Shirley Chen, and approved by Mr Ho Meng Kit. The note was classified Confidential, because EDB had no intention of publicizing the meeting with Mr Chng. But since Mr Chng has made the matter public, I am releasing it to Members.
I am also releasing the letter which EDB wrote to Mr Chng after the breakfast meeting, inviting Mr Chng to say who were the MPs who had views different from Mr Yeo’s, so that Mr Yeo could arrange a meeting with them to discuss the issue further. It is the first page of the handout. Dr Tan Cheng Bock described this as EDB trying “to summon MPs for a meeting to answer to him why they disagreeâ€. He will see that it is in fact a very courteous letter, which unfortunately did not receive a reply.
Mr Yeo did indeed tell Mr Chng that MPs who held such views should resign. It was wrong of Mr Yeo to say this. And I have told him so. I have reminded him that it is for the party leadership and the Whip, not Chairman EDB, to take an MP to task.
But this exchange between Mr Chng and Mr Yeo did not take place out of the blue. It is relevant to read the discussion between Mr Chng and Mr Yeo which preceded this. And I refer Members to the file note. Let us look at paragraphs 4 and 5.
‘Taking up the point of honour and integrity, Mr Chng said that he did not agree that scholars who broke their bonds lacked these qualities. He said that so long as they paid what was owed to the organization, they had fulfilled their obligations.
Chairman disagreed. He said that as an MP, Mr Chng should uphold values such as honour, integrity and commitment. By putting forth his views publicly on this issue, scholars would think that it was all right to break their bonds. He was therefore doing a disservice to young Singaporeans who would take this to mean that scholarships were mere legal contracts that could be entered into lightly and broken easily. Chairman said that it was incumbent on MPs and public leaders to set the right example and to send the right messages.
Mr Chng retorted that this was Chairman’s view, and that it was not necessarily a correct one. He reiterated that he did not see anything wrong with scholars who broke their bonds without serving a single day, so long as they paid up their liquidated damages. He added that there were instances where MPs do not agree with the government’s position on various issues.
Chairman cited the example of his son, Eugene, who had asked about taking up a scholarship prior to entering university in USA. Chairman advised him to do so only if he was genuinely committed to returning to serve his bond. If not, he was not only taking away an opportunity from another good student, but he was also being unfair to his sponsor. Upon consideration, Eugene decided not to take up a scholarship.
Chairman asked Mr Chng whether he would advise his daughter who was studying in Yale any differently. Mr Chng said that if his daughter wanted to break bond, he would not be against it. And at this point, according to the note, “Chairman said that MPs who held such views should resign as they were sending the wrong signal to young Singaporeansâ€, and so on.
In other words, the issue was not whether or not we should publish the names of the bond breakers, which is a matter on which we may reasonably disagree. The issue was a fundamental one: whether or not there is anything wrong with breaking a scholarship bond, especially without making the slightest effort to fulfil it. It is clear from the file note that Mr Chng had argued that it was quite all right to break a scholarship bond, because it was just a matter of a legal contract and liquidated damages, and this is what provoked the dispute with Mr Yeo.
No MP has argued in Parliament that there is nothing wrong with breaking a bond. On Monday, Mr Chng Hee Kok, to his credit, no longer maintained that this was nothing wrong. Instead, he argued, and I quote from his speech.
‘Certainly, scholars do have an obligation other than legal to serve their bonds. We cannot encourage scholars to terminate their bonds. Moreover, a scholarship in Singapore brings much honour and prestige to the scholar and the family. Hence terminating a bond must bring with it some dishonour.’
Mr Chng has told me that he had thought the matter over and modified his stand. Had Mr Chng taken this more responsible line in his meeting with Mr Philip Yeo on 19th January 1998, I doubt if he would have provoked the reaction that he did. The view that he actually expressed in his meeting with Mr Yeo, and recorded in the file note, is wrong, and dangerous if it becomes widely held. MPs are opinion leaders. The views they propagate in public speeches set the tone for society.
about 4 years ago
Let me make an objective comment, if I may, please … let us all not be so self-righteous.
If there is a problem to be solved, then solve the problem, at least the approach to solving has to be started and discussed. No solution is perfect and thus, no problem is ever solved completely. And the process is never ending. Athens survived but not Sparta.
Hence Mr Philip Yeo has his goals and objectives, motivation and purposes set up in the BMS initiative. How it is done depends on the plans he has laid out in terms of the constraints, resources that will result in the kind of efficiency and effectiveness that are debatable from different perspectives. Furthermore, time is not a luxury.
The debates can only serve to be helpful if we are mindful of the 2nd paragraph above, and productive if we are mindful of the 1st paragraph.
I hope I am not pontificating .. it’s not my intention. My only claim to any merit so far is that I have been through the local trenches of “R&D” warfare comprising annihilation and self-promotion to beat the system. Of course, other places would have such characteristics but the saving grace may be that they have more than a critical mass of (historical and present) exemplary role models of greatness in accomplishment and ethics. Form and substance are both important. The more we learn, the more we learn that we do not know alot.
Cheers.
about 4 years ago
Agreed.
A little learning is a very dangerous thing.
Some life inexperienced people suffer “the frog in the well” mentality.
They think they know everything from their narrow dark perspective.
Until they hop on to the beach front and see the mighty ocean.
Hence it is important to broaden the horizon of such people for their own sake and for the sake of others who had to suffer their noisy views.
________________________
James SINGAPORE // Mar 21, 2007 at 2:50 pm
The more we learn, the more we learn that we do not know alot.
about 4 years ago
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
I do think there’s two sides to a coin, even on issues like your debate with Mr Chng. People like us at the ground level will be exposed to information in the media, and word of mouth from friends. It’s good for the debate in the blogosphere that you have given the nitty gritty details in the debate, which I find commendable.
BTW, glad to know you are back in Singapore, Home Sweet Home!!!
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dee
about 4 years ago
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
I hope you can take my current comment in a humorous spirit. I cannot help but notice your frequent mention of a particular amphibian, the frog. May I enquire if you have any interest amphibian biology, i.e. read any animal biology books about frog, or if A*STAR works on frogs???!!!!!
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dee
about 4 years ago
In a scholarship bond, the sponsor and the scholar expressly agree on two things: if required to by the sponsor after the scholar’s completion of studies, the scholar will serve his bond with the sponsor. If the scholar for any reasons is unable or chooses not to serve out the bond, he has to pay liquidated damages. Why are these promises understood as the scholar has a moral duty to serve? If having been groomed and mentored by Goh Keng Swee, Philip Yeo decides to join the private sector by giving the requisite notice under his employment contract, is he committing a moral wrong too? If EDB terminates a scholar who has tried his best but does not achieve the requisite grade, has it committed a moral wrong even though the contract says EDB can do that?
about 4 years ago
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
I thought that frogs cannot survive in sea water at the beach front. Did you mean to say “the frog in well knows not the majesty of the sky”?
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dee
_____________________________
philip yeo // Mar 21, 2007 at 11:11 pm
Agreed.
A little learning is a very dangerous thing.
Some life inexperienced people suffer “the frog in the well†mentality.
They think they know everything from their narrow dark perspective.
Until they hop on to the beach front and see the mighty ocean.
Hence it is important to broaden the horizon of such people for their own sake and for the sake of others who had to suffer their noisy views.
about 4 years ago
Dee,
Frog legs ate tasty. Ha!
The Sayings of Râmakrishna: 200-299
248. Be not like the frog in the well. The frog in the well knows nothing bigger and grander than its well.
Means that the noisy croaking frog thinks that his well is the greatest thing in his limited vision. Until he hops out to see the mighty ocean. And when he hops into the ocean, he will be a dead salted frog.
Those who know little, makes the most noise.
Old English saying: Empty vessels make the most noise.
_________________________
Dr Dee SINGAPORE // Mar 22, 2007 at 1:52 am
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
I thought that frogs cannot survive in sea water at the beach front. Did you mean to say “the frog in well knows not the majesty of the sky�
about 4 years ago
Ooops! Frog legs are tasty. Ha!
about 4 years ago
The frog used to be a common lab ally for researchers.
Now the zebra fish etc etc has pushed it out of the lab table?
_____________________________
Dr Dee SINGAPORE // Mar 22, 2007 at 12:19 am
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
I hope you can take my current comment in a humorous spirit. I cannot help but notice your frequent mention of a particular amphibian, the frog. May I enquire if you have any interest amphibian biology, i.e. read any animal biology books about frog, or if A*STAR works on frogs???!!!!!
about 4 years ago
After all the gallivanting in foreign lands and sights, it is always good to return home.
Home is also where the heart is.
__________________
BTW, glad to know you are back in Singapore, Home Sweet Home!!!
about 4 years ago
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
Are you a fan of frog leg porridge? Heard of some nice stalls along Geylang, or was it somewhere else?
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dee
philip yeo // Mar 22, 2007 at 8:11 am
Ooops! Frog legs are tasty. Ha!
about 4 years ago
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
You are right. Zebra fish is one candidate that researchers use to elucidate signal transduction pathways. I know one Professor formerly from IMCB and now tenured in NUS that works on zebrafish.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dee
about 4 years ago
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
Am pleasantly surprised that you are familiar with the works of Ramakrishna and his sayings.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=1550-3283(189910)3%3A4%3C761%3ARHLAS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-3
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dee
about 4 years ago
To whoever is interested,
Geylang Lor 9…good frog leg porridge and good venison.
about 4 years ago
Thank you! I will head for it ….
_____________________________________
Ned Stark SINGAPORE // Mar 22, 2007 at 4:56 pm
To whoever is interested,
Geylang Lor 9…good frog leg porridge and good venison.
about 4 years ago
Dear Ned:
I have adstained from meat 5 years ago. Will not know how frog leg porridge tastes like.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dee
about 4 years ago
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
I think for Singaporeans, Home is not the only place where the Heart is, but it’s also where our stomach is.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dee
about 4 years ago
Dee,
You are a vegetarian? Healthier lifestyle.
Some say that Singaporeans live to eat.
about 4 years ago
IMCB has a extra large collection of zebra fish!
Can start a zebra fish shop.
_______________________________
Dr Dee SINGAPORE // Mar 22, 2007 at 4:49 pm
I know one Professor formerly from IMCB and now tenured in NUS that works on zebrafish.
about 4 years ago
IMCB has an extra large collection of zebra fish!
Can start a zebra fish shop.
_______________________________
Dr Dee SINGAPORE // Mar 22, 2007 at 4:49 pm
I know one Professor formerly from IMCB and now tenured in NUS that works on zebrafish.
about 4 years ago
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
Actually zebrafish is a good animal model for humans.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dee
about 4 years ago
To Mr Yeo,
Go to Lor 9 must be careful. Got some fellas will whack ur car window to kope ur belongings one.
Dr Dee,
Vegetarian ah…heh…i am a meatarian. I cannot eat veg without puking. But now starting to eat the teppan yaki dao gei.
about 4 years ago
I will hunt for the frogs porridge. Many thanks!
Fish porridge has been my first choice.
_____________________________
Ned Stark SINGAPORE // Mar 22, 2007 at 11:10 pm
To Mr Yeo,
Go to Lor 9 must be careful. Got some fellas will whack ur car window to kope ur belongings one.
about 4 years ago
Check out the lamprey. Ancient.
Has no active immune system.
Another model.
_________________________
Dr Dee SINGAPORE // Mar 22, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
Actually zebrafish is a good animal model for humans.
about 4 years ago
Dee,
Ramakrishna: His Life and Sayings (2002 Paperback)
by F. Max Muller
about 4 years ago
During my 1986 to 2000 tenure at EDB scholars give it a try for first two years after their graduation as they are on probation. If they cannot make the grade, they are allowed to leave for other opportunities. Obviously they have to pay up the remainder liquidated damages of their original 6 years contract.
The Chng Hee Kok case was about scholars (1 EDB, 2 NCB) who on graduation did NOT come home to serve at all.
One hypocritical chap said that his goal was “to serve the world (US) and not Singapore”.
He wanted to be in the US for some 15 years before he comes home.
If I had served my 10 years bond, no one can stop me. Right?
_____________________________
legally confused scholar UNITED STATES // Mar 22, 2007 at 12:35 am
In a scholarship bond, the sponsor and the scholar expressly agree on two things: if required to by the sponsor after the scholar’s completion of studies, the scholar will serve his bond with the sponsor. If the scholar for any reasons is unable or chooses not to serve out the bond, he has to pay liquidated damages. Why are these promises understood as the scholar has a moral duty to serve? If having been groomed and mentored by Goh Keng Swee, Philip Yeo decides to join the private sector by giving the requisite notice under his employment contract, is he committing a moral wrong too? If EDB terminates a scholar who has tried his best but does not achieve the requisite grade, has it committed a moral wrong even though the contract says EDB can do that?
about 4 years ago
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
Actually with regards to food, there is this age old advice that taking too much of something is not good either. A healthy diet is a healthy mixture. However, I am a fan of mediterreanean food, the non-meat ones. Somehow, people who consume them never face cardiovascular problems. Even revasterol, the chemical component of red wine is an antioxidant like Vitamin C.
Actually there are some healthy and delicious local delights, especially the desserts. You have your ice kacangs, cheng tngs, ang tau tng, bur bur cha cha, etc. Healthy desserts in fact. Who says you cannot eat to live and live to eat at the same time?
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dee
philip yeo // Mar 22, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Dee,
You are a vegetarian? Healthier lifestyle.
Some say that Singaporeans live to eat.
about 4 years ago
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
If I read your post correctly, EDB scholars who don’t make the grade may have to pay liquidated damages.
I was thinking perhaps EDB might not be their calling? Would EDB have considered sending these scholars to other government sectors more suitable towards their calling?
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dee
about 4 years ago
Dee,
Misquoted and misunderstood.
If they want to leave before their 6 years bond is up, they are free to do so with payment of LD.
If they want a transfer to another dept who wants them, they carry their remainder bond over.
Since 1986, very few cases.
We are not cruel.
____________________________
Dr Dee SINGAPORE // Mar 23, 2007 at 5:21 am
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
If I read your post correctly, EDB scholars who don’t make the grade may have to pay liquidated damages.
I was thinking perhaps EDB might not be their calling? Would EDB have considered sending these scholars to other government sectors more suitable towards their calling?
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dee
about 4 years ago
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
Thanks for the clarification. I stand corrected. Please accept my apologies.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dee
about 4 years ago
Dear all:
In my comment #133, I mentioned
“Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
If I read your post correctly, EDB scholars who don’t make the grade may have to pay liquidated damages.”
It was a mistake on my part, and the truth of the matter upon clarification from Mr Philip Yeo is that EDB scholars desiring to leave EDB BEFORE their six years of bond is up are required to pay liquidated damages. If they wish to transfer to another government department who wants them, they can serve the remainder of their bond at the government department.
Thus, I stand corrected.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dee
about 4 years ago
When I was Chm, NCB (1981-1987) I permitted NCB scholars to do their self funded PhD studies after their BS and on their return, transferred their bond to NUS (U of Singapore then). No LD recovery. Free bodies to NUS.
NCB had no funds for PhD studies but did not hold back anyone wanting to do so.
Likewise, EDB scholars were free to do their PhD studies on their own and were then released to NUS.
Since 2001, EDB and PSC scholars have been transferred to A*STAR for funding their PhD studies.
Concurrent bond. Means for their BS (3/4 years) and PhD (3 to 5 years) studies, their bond obligation is still 6 years.
During their PhD studies. A*STAR scholars have a home stipend in addition to the overseas stipend and tuition.
No compromise on high GPA. No free lunch.
about 4 years ago
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
No government scholarships are free lunches irregardless of GPAs for the simple matter that scholars have to fulfill their end of their bargain by serving out their bonds. Perhaps the only thing free is the air we breathe. Ha! Ha! Ha!
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dee
about 4 years ago
Except our southern neighbour adds some FREE carbon particles now and then.
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Perhaps the only thing free is the air we breathe. Ha! Ha! Ha!
about 4 years ago
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
Yeah man. Even as we breathe the free all, we need not look further than the South for some additional carbons. It’s around us. Heard of flatulance? Ha! Ha! Ha!
about 4 years ago
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
Yeah man. Even as we breathe the free air, we need not look further than the South for some additional carbons in our free air. It’s around us. Heard of flatulance? Ha! Ha! Ha!
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dee
about 4 years ago
Especially garlic eaters. Ha!
about 4 years ago
Dear Mr Philip Yeo,
I wonder whether you remember that 10 years ago at The Chinese High School, you delivered a speech and chaired a Q & A session during our assembly session? I was 1 of those sitting among the 300 students then, not having a clue what EDB was about and I still can’ t recall exactly what you said about EDB (haha!) But what I do remember is that you encouraged all of us to dare to pursuit our dreams, and to dare to believe in ourselves.
10 years on, I thank you for that, and maybe I m pointing out this to highlight “the other side†of Mr Yeo haha.
On another note, I just want to add that I have 2 good friends who were interviewed and selected by Mr Yeo personally as A* Star scholars. They had drive, were extremely hardworking, had excellent academic grades, and distinguished cca records. They are most certainly outstanding all-rounders, contrary to the image of some who feel that scholars are “those who only know how to studyâ€. I could be generalizing, but I do believe that no selection system in the world is 100% perfect, or that A* Star “mistreats†their scholars.
P.S: Haven’t been eating frog legs since smashing and killing live bullfrogs with my bare hands back in my army days.. Apparently when frogs die, their tongues will stick out. And 1 of the frogs actually pee-ed on my mate’s hand moments before he was going to smash its head.. Well..all part of training..
about 4 years ago
Dear Ching Hock,
I am not perfect.
I try hard to find Cranes (Chinese symbol for wisdom?) amongst young Singaporeans.
And some Frogs and Toads hide in their midst.
Yuk! I prefer to buy “ready for cooking” frog legs from Cold Storage. Supposed to be good for people with asthma.
philip
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Ching Hock SINGAPORE // Mar 24, 2007 at 6:42 pm
On another note, I just want to add that I have 2 good friends who were interviewed and selected by Mr Yeo personally as A* Star scholars. They had drive, were extremely hardworking, had excellent academic grades, and distinguished cca records. They are most certainly outstanding all-rounders, contrary to the image of some who feel that scholars are “those who only know how to studyâ€. I could be generalizing, but I do believe that no selection system in the world is 100% perfect, or that A* Star “mistreats†their scholars.
P.S: Haven’t been eating frog legs since smashing and killing live bullfrogs with my bare hands back in my army days.. Apparently when frogs die, their tongues will stick out. And 1 of the frogs actually pee-ed on my mate’s hand moments before he was going to smash its head.. Well..all part of training..
about 4 years ago
Dee,
I am now at Chapter 12 of this sad monster book.
Cheated and jumped to Chapter 28.
Looking for HOPE. Found none.
Most depressing book to read.
philip
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Dr Dee SINGAPORE // Mar 18, 2007 at 12:23 am
Dear Mr Philip Yeo:
Isn’t the book by Robert Frisk about contemporary warfare in the Middle East?
http://www.robert-fisk.com/book_extracts_serial1.htm
Actually I am the of the opinion that the most important impetus for war nowadays is the black gold – oil. I mean there are OPEC members in the Middle East. Oil is predominatly traded in US dollars, little wonder that Uncle Sam is interested in Middle Eastern affairs and can afford to print Greenbacks. However, that will all change when OPEC countries choose to trade in EUROs.
http://www.chewinthefat.com/artman/publish/article_381.shtml
I always thought that the war in the Middle East is akin to a monkey representing the Middle East being crushed between two titans, the US dollar VS EUROs. Saddam Hussein sold his oil in EUROs as is the intention of the Iranian government. Wait, isn’t Iran next on the hitlist?
http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CLA410A.html
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dee
about 4 years ago
Aaron,
Double posting again!
Trouble you to “terminate” the duplicate.
Thanks.
philip
about 4 years ago
Hi Mr Yeo,
I believe you must have read the Straits Time this morning.
Do you think the article did you justice?
Lee
about 4 years ago
I read the article this morning and I must say that I was fuming how a civil servant can respond in such a rude way.
After reading through all the exhanges including those on the other blog, I begin to understand why the Chair is acting in such a way. Though I have to say that much need to be done to cool his froggie thingy and minimise his arrogance side. In his own words….”our PR is weak”.
I do appreciate Mr Yeo for coming on and giving his views and comments. I believe that most of us will have benefited from his exhanges & experience as well as the whole truth.
Lastly, I think the best way for Mr Yeo to clear up the public misunderstandings about him is to set up his own blog where he can be his own moderator . Create a Junto on his website where as usual he will be the Chair and we can argue and discuss with manners no personal insult of course……till the cows come home .
Best regards
Tim
about 4 years ago
Justice does NOT sell SPH papers.
Melissa Sim is biased.
She is of the Acidflask vintage.
To be expected. Ha!
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Lee SINGAPORE // Mar 25, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Hi Mr Yeo,
I believe you must have read the Straits Time this morning.
Do you think the article did you justice?
Lee
about 4 years ago
Tim,
Good advice.
But takes too much time.
Maybe I should hire you to run the PY website.
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Tim SINGAPORE // Mar 25, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Lastly, I think the best way for Mr Yeo to clear up the public misunderstandings about him is to set up his own blog where he can be his own moderator . Create a Junto on his website where as usual he will be the Chair and we can argue and discuss with manners no personal insult of course……till the cows come home .
about 4 years ago
Putting Mr Philip Yeo aside, I’d rather a more open discussion or debate in Singapore or the Parliament to clarify this matter, beyond bond or no bond. It goes beyond Mr Yeo and his blog, so better not impose on him.
I note that the political masters have from time to time in the past espoused different stands on the topic of scholarship vis-a-vis Mr Tony Tan and then DPM Lee Hsien Loong. If I am not wrong, one is not strongly for the need for scholarships and the other is.
Such differing stances were also evident when then Finance Minister Mr Richard Hu indicated ‘asset inflation’ followed then by then PM Goh CT indicating ‘asset enhancement’. I dun supposed back in those days, there was even Sammyboy Coffeeshop to ‘debate’ this.
If otherwise i.e. nothing happens, then I suppose it is another missed opportunity to openly discuss, debate and resolve matters of great public interests and national importance.
Nonetheless, I thank Mr Philip Yeo for engaging thusfar his views in the manner that he is most natural in. The ST article today just goes to show that MSM and its limited ‘space-time’ cannot allow for a freer exchange on the Web. Strangely, it is catching up on this engagement LOL.
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philip yeo SINGAPORE // Mar 25, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Justice does NOT sell SPH papers.
Melissa Sim is biased.
She is of the Acidflask vintage.
To be expected. Ha!