Selfish or sell fish?
2 days ago, there is an article in the Straits Times. The content of the article is that NUS is going to send letters to its Alumni appealing for donations so that the University can provide more bursaries to needy students.
In the article, it was claimed that overseas universities also has the same practice. Well firstly, I think these alumni wanted to be associated with the university because it is famous, for NUS case, I serious do not think that is the case. My whole University life especially during my Honors year was screwed up by NUS and I am sure I can find a handful of people who share the same sentiment as me.
Secondly, not like in other countries where a job position is pursued by several graduates from at least more than 2 universities, in Singapore, each position is usually pursued by the two oldest universities here, NUS or NTU. In this day and age where a job position is pursued by several graduates, would it not be better to eliminate as much competition as possible? Especially with the rising costs of obtaining a degree and the rapid reduction of the value-added of the degree, more and more people are desperate to get hold of a job especially a permanent position. All must note that there are still undergraduates who are not poor enough to get a bursary but not rich enough to pay off the tuition fee without taking a loan. Who is going to help these guys? Can we count on those whose bursary is made possible because of donations?
I for one would not donate when the letter comes. For the reason is, what if I am forced to look for a new job in the future and among the people who are also vying for the job is one who obtained the bursary that is partially donated by me? Would that not tantamount to grabbing a stone to throw at my feet? Or what if I am hit by retrenchment and the person whom the company hires to replace me is a fresh graduate who obtained a bursary that is partially donated by me?
Would that particular graduate help me when I am in my dire straits?
Well a lot of you would say that my thinking is very selfish. But between selfish and sell fish (Apologies, to those fishmongers, it is just an expression only), I think I would rather be called selfish.
Cheers!
In the article, it was claimed that overseas universities also has the same practice. Well firstly, I think these alumni wanted to be associated with the university because it is famous, for NUS case, I serious do not think that is the case. My whole University life especially during my Honors year was screwed up by NUS and I am sure I can find a handful of people who share the same sentiment as me.
Secondly, not like in other countries where a job position is pursued by several graduates from at least more than 2 universities, in Singapore, each position is usually pursued by the two oldest universities here, NUS or NTU. In this day and age where a job position is pursued by several graduates, would it not be better to eliminate as much competition as possible? Especially with the rising costs of obtaining a degree and the rapid reduction of the value-added of the degree, more and more people are desperate to get hold of a job especially a permanent position. All must note that there are still undergraduates who are not poor enough to get a bursary but not rich enough to pay off the tuition fee without taking a loan. Who is going to help these guys? Can we count on those whose bursary is made possible because of donations?
I for one would not donate when the letter comes. For the reason is, what if I am forced to look for a new job in the future and among the people who are also vying for the job is one who obtained the bursary that is partially donated by me? Would that not tantamount to grabbing a stone to throw at my feet? Or what if I am hit by retrenchment and the person whom the company hires to replace me is a fresh graduate who obtained a bursary that is partially donated by me?
Would that particular graduate help me when I am in my dire straits?
Well a lot of you would say that my thinking is very selfish. But between selfish and sell fish (Apologies, to those fishmongers, it is just an expression only), I think I would rather be called selfish.
Cheers!
posted by Strategist at 9:26 AM
4 Comments:
Heya,
I think you are rite in the sense that most of us would hesitate about donating to an alma mater that we do not bond strongly with.
But it did provide us with a reasonable amount of education to have allowed many a swell-headed opinion to fester in our tiny brains.
What's more, if one is truly capable, then one might be dwelling on a very trivial possibility of bursury receipients surpassing our standards ;)
I should believe that I give, because I never know when I'm going to be on the receiving end~
Hello,
You are right, if we are capable, we should not worry about the possibility.
But like I said in my blog is does your circumstances when you are looking for a job allow you to have that small amount of possibility.
It is the same thing as gamblers. As long as there is that small possibility, they would bet on it.
Anyone want to take the chance?
Hello Strato,
You are right in the sense that NUS should not be totally blame for screwing up my honors years. But maybe an in depth story would be nice.
Firstly I was on an accelerated track, so I am not from the 'normal' track. The admin and faculty seem to be not adequate or maybe do not want to dedicate resources to these small group of people. We are not given the same set of modules that are available to the 'normal' track people. I was forced to take modules that I do not like at all.
Our thesis administration was not the same as that of the 'normal' track as well. The thesis preparation was started in my second Honor Sem compared to the 'normal' track which is the First Semester. Well you could say I could prepare first. But I do not have to social capital to go about doing it because I do not know any seniors or my family members are graduates before. No one to turn to and ask. But I have to admit I could have done more during that time as well.
If I had known all these, I would have taken the 'normal' track and leisurely complete my degree course in 4 years instead of 3.5 years. But you have to know here is that my family does not come from a well to do family where they can pay my tuition fees in cash. I have to apply for loans. Who want to incur such a huge debt especially when the value of a degree is dropping fast and worse when I was looking for a job it was during the time when a graduate is fighting tooth and nail for the same job with a diploma graduate.
Moreover, people would say I am stupid but, I took Honors Years to further my knowledge, to learn more things but there is at least one modules that 'encourage' cheating which I refuse to follow.
So did NUS screw my Honors Year? Well maybe u are right, I have worded it too strongly but I think it has to take up most of the blame definitely.
By the way, if one is a first class honors. It goes to show that he is the best in the batch that is taking the same degree as him.
Sorry to my other friend who got the first class honors. :P
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