Blog

Madrasah Wak Tanjong Student Becomes 2-Time Valedictorian

Valedictorian Nisha Mohd Rafiq, who will graduate with a PhD in Biological Sciences from NUS and King’s College London on 9 July, has been interested in science since she was young.

At fourteen years of age, the avid reader established a Science Club in her secondary school — Madrasah Wak Tanjong — so that she could gather like-minded individuals for discussions about science. Generous with her time and knowledge, Nisha conducted extra lessons and practical sessions in the laboratory for her peers in Secondary Four. Upon completion of her O Levels, Nisha studied biomedical science at Temasek Polytechnic and as part of her course, served as an intern with a research institute. The experience inculcated in her a deep passion for scientific research, so much so that as an undergraduate, the NUS Life Sciences major would seek every opportunity to work in the laboratories during school vacations.

Nisha is the inaugural PhD student for the four-year PhD programme jointly offered by NUS and King’s College London under the NUS Research Scholarship. As part of her graduate degree, Nisha conducted research on the mechanical signalling in podosomes. Podosomes, which are found in cells such as immune cells, break through barriers, allowing cells to move to a new location. The study of podosomes appealed to Nisha as cancer cells also had structures similar to podosomes, and she hoped that the study of the latter would provide some insight into the migration of cancer cells.

Speaking of what drives her, Nisha said, “In science research, more than 90 per cent of your experiments are likely to fail, but there is always this excitement and promise about uncovering something new or totally unexpected. And this really motivates me to pursue science.”

For her PhD degree, Nisha carried out research on mechanical signalling in podosomes

In June 2016, Nisha served as the co-chair of the Gordon Research Seminar meeting on “Signalling by Adhesion Receptors”. These two-day meetings, which take place before the Gordon Research Conference, provide post-doctoral fellows and students with the opportunity to meet with established professors in their respective fields. The week-long Conferences are intensive affairs, with sessions starting at 7.30am and ending around 11.00pm daily. Earlier this year, Nisha gave two talks on fibronectin, integrins and related molecules at a Gordon Research Conference held in California, US.

“In science research, more than 90 per cent of your experiments are likely to fail, but there is always this excitement and promise about uncovering something new or totally unexpected. And this really motivates me to pursue science.” — Nisha Mohd Rafiq

During her PhD candidature, Nisha also co-authored four research papers in peer-reviewed international journals, including Nature Communications and The Journal of Cell Biology. In spite of her busy schedule, Nisha makes time for the Women in Science Initiative at Mechanobiology Institute, Singapore (MBI) where she is currently a Research Associate. The Initiative seeks to encourage more girls to pursue science through interactive platforms such as talks and visits.

The two-time valedictorian — the first time being upon completion of her undergraduate degree — had this to share with aspiring researchers, “They should know that they will keep failing.” Nisha opines that success is achieved when a researcher, with minimal supervision, is able to shed light in a particular field.

Upon graduation, Nisha will continue working at MBI till the end of the year, after which she will seek a post-doctoral fellowship position in either Europe or the US. Her heart remains rooted to Singapore though, and she sees herself returning in the future to work on issues that the country faces, such as an ageing population.

Source: NUS

July 6, 2017
Singapore’s Prison Officer Charged For Allegedly Attempting To Obtain Bribes Amounting To $81,000

A prison officer was charged on Thursday (Jul 6) for allegedly attempting to obtain bribes to the tune of S$81,000 in cash and loans from an inmate. Kobi Krishna Ayavoo, 50, a senior chief warder at Changi Prison, allegedly solicited the bribes in exchange for “facilitating” inmate Chong Keng Chye’s transfer out of Changi Prison Cluster A1, court documents stated.

Kobi, who faces eight counts of corruption, allegedly tried to obtain loans of up to S$70,000 and cash amounting to S$11,000 between September 2015 and March 2016, the court heard. He will next appear in court on Aug 3. If convicted, Kobi faces up to five years’ jail and/or a fine of up to S$100,000, per charge.

Source: Channelnewsasia

July 6, 2017
Alamak! Unlicenced Pasar Malam In Bedok Defiantly Operated For 3 Whole Days

Featuring more than 20 stalls, the pasar malam in Bedok operated for three days – July 1 to 3 – without a licence.

Repeated efforts by The New Paper to contact the pasar malam operator came up empty.

Yesterday, a spokesman for the National Environment Agency (NEA) told TNP that its officers had found stalls operating at an unlicensed pasar malam at the open area between Blocks 84 and 89, Bedok North Avenue 4 last Saturday.

The spokesman said: “In spite of warnings issued by the NEA, the operator continued to operate the pasar malam without a permit from July 1 to 3.

“NEA will apply for a summons against the operator for an offence under Section 35 of the Environmental Public Health Act (EPHA).”

The spokesman added the operator was issued a permit on Tuesday after meeting the requisite requirements. The pasar malam runs until July 16.

Section 35 of the EPHA states that “no person shall promote, organise or stage any temporary fair, stage show or other such functions or activity without first obtaining a permit from the director-general”.

Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $10,000 for first offence and $20,000 for subsequent offences.

The NEA spokesman reminded operators of all temporary fairs to apply for a permit before commencing the fair.

“This is to ensure that potential disamenities and public health concerns arising from these fairs such as food hygiene, waste management and noise nuisance are addressed,” the spokesman said.

In 2016, NEA had, on five occasions, taken operators to court for operating a fair without a valid permit and fines of up to $4,000 were handed out.Madam Rozaelfita Amran, 42, a griddle pancake stall owner, told TNP that NEA officers had visited the pasar malam on Monday.

She said: “They told us to call the organiser and tell them if they don’t have a licence, we (stall holders) won’t be allowed to operate. The organiser initially told us they had a licence.”

She said this was the first time she has encountered such a problem in six years of running a stall at pasar malam.

Source: TNP

July 6, 2017
[Malaysia] Jakim Told A Muslim Dog Owner To Repent

The Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has told a Muslim dog owner to repent, advising her that unnecessarily touching of dogs is forbidden in the school of Islam followed in Malaysia. Nurhanizah Abdul Rahman, in a video uploaded to Facebook, shared the story of her relationship with her pet dog Bubu as part of a competition by pet food brand Smart Heart.

Jakim said her decision to touch a dog for no reason had “caused distress among Muslims because it goes against the mazhab (Islamic school of thought) and customs practised in Malaysia. Jakim director-general Othman Mustapha said although Islam provides a cleansing method if a Muslim has touched a dog, it does not mean that it is permissible to touch dogs for no reason. “This is just like someone who commits a sin with the excuse that they will repent later. Jakim hopes she will immediately stop what she is doing and repent to Allah. She appears to be trying to set a new custom which could lead to actions which malign Islam,” he said in a statement.

Source: Malaysiakini

July 6, 2017
2 Guru Melayu Antara 6 Penerima Anugerah Belia Cemerlang Dalam Pendidikan

Dua guru Melayu/Islam antara enam penerima Anugerah Belia Cemerlang dalam Pendidikan tahun ini yang disampaikan Menteri Pendidikan Ng Chee Meng, semalam (5 Jul). Cik Farah Syed Haider Alsagoff yang mengajar di Sekolah Rendah Chongzheng adalah di antara pemenangnya.

Berkat sokongan ibunya, yang juga seorang guru, beliau bukan hanya dapat mengatasi mata pelajaran matematik, yang digeruninya tetapi kini menjadi guru subjek tersebut! Pendekatan ini juga yang beliau amalkan dalam mengajar dua kelasnya di bawah program sokongan pembelajaran matematik. Ini termasuk meneroka cara menarik seperti permainan dan pertandingan, untuk membina keyakinan murid. Cikgu Farah yang juga merupakan ibu kepada tiga orang anak, walau bagaimanapun menekankan peranan penting yang perlu dimainkan ibu bapa dalam menghidupkan minat dalam pelajaran matematiks dan sains, melalui kaedah mudah dalam kehidupan sehari-harian.

Seorang lagi pemenang, guru pendidikan jasmani Muhamad Fadly Mohd Ariff, pula mengongsi pengalaman pahit semasa di bangku sekolah membakar tekad beliau untuk memastikan murid-muridnya tidak melalui perkara yang sama. Guru di Sekolah Rendah Temasek ini pernah ditolak pemohonannya mengikuti kegiatan sukan, kerana dianggap kurang berbakat dalam bidang itu. Maka itu, beliau memulakan inisiatif-insiatif baru seperti karnival padang dan balapan tidak kompetitif agar semua murid dapat merasakan pengalaman bersukan. Atas dedikasi mereka dalam pembangunan belia, Muhammad Fadly dan Farah diberi penghargaan khusus bagi guru di bawah usia 35 tahun.

Source: Berita Mediacorp

July 6, 2017