Papers of Lee Kuan Yew for 1990-2011 launched

SINGAPORE - The latest 10 volumes of former Minister Mentor Mr Lee Kuan Yew's speeches, interviews and dialogues have been launched by Cengage Learning and the National Archives of Singapore, an institution of the National Library Board (NLB).

Minister for Education Mr Heng Swee Keat graced the occasion, which was held at the National University of Singapore.

The Papers of Lee Kuan Yew: Speeches, Interviews and Dialogues (1990-2011) cover Mr Lee's tenures as senior minister and minister mentor.

This collection is a record of his statements and thoughts over the last two decades, some of which are published for the first time.

As with the first 10 volumes which span 1950 to 1990, the latest volumes were researched and produced through the joint efforts of the National Archives of Singapore, the Office of the Press Secretary to Mr Lee, and Cengage Learning.

The collection covers a significant period of development for Singapore as a nation, and provides insight into Mr Lee's views on a wide range of topics such as racial harmony, productivity, language education, anti-terrorism, crisis control, and Singapore's international relations.

Said Mr Tan Tat Chu, President, Asia-Pacific Group, Cengage Learning: "Cengage Learning is honoured to be the publisher of this important collection, and we are proud to have played a part in making these records accessible not just to Singaporeans, but also to libraries and research institutions worldwide."

Mr Eric Chin, Director, National Archives of Singapore, said: "The National Archives of Singapore is very happy to present this comprehensive publication of speeches, interviews and dialogues from 1990 to 2011. This publication is the culmination of hard work put in by the staff of the National Archives of Singapore, drawing from the richness of records in our archives and working alongside our equally dedicated partners. We hope the public will find this collection of Mr Lee's thoughts a valuable resource to better understand decisions and events that have affected Singapore and our development as a country."

The Papers of Lee Kuan Yew: Speeches, Interviews and Dialogues (1990-2011) is compiled by the National Archives of Singapore and published by Cengage Learning under its Gale Asia imprint.

The collection is presented in a ten-volume set and is available in a case-bound edition at US$3,000. A limited leather-bound edition is priced at US$3,800. The collection will also be made available at all National Library Board (NLB) libraries and in electronic format from the NLB eResources website in the coming months.

Singaporeans are Asia's happiest people online: survey

Singaporeans have been named Asia's happiest people online in a new study that monitors and tracks social media sentiments.

The Republic tops the study coming in an index scored of 518. A distant second is Malaysia at 245, with Philippines third at 90.

India at 29 and Indonesia at 11 round up the top 5.

The new Asian Happiness Index, which was released on Wednesday -- which happens to be the International Day of Happiness -- is by Eden Strategy Institute, a consulting firm that provides thought leadership and investment advice on social innovation.

It says on its website that the Index is backed by "scientifically-reviewed principles of true happiness" and is powered by an online intelligence tracking engine that covers over 200 million social media accounts in its initial set of five countries.

More tourists from China and Japan visit Singapore in Jan-Sep 2012

By Vimita Mohandas | Posted: 27 March 2013 1700 hrs


SINGAPORE: The number of tourists from China and Japan saw double-digit growth during the first three quarters of 2012.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said arrivals from China grew 23 per cent to an all-time high of 1.5 million.

This was attributed to secondary markets such as Hangzhou and Wuhan.

Tourism receipts from China also posted a growth of 18 per cent to a record S$1.86 billion.

The number of visitors from Japan was also up - 17 per cent or some 554,000 visitors. It was the third consecutive year of double-digit growth since the opening of the integrated resorts in 2010.

Japanese tourists spent S$700 million, an increase of 20 per cent.

STB said it expects the good growth to continue in 2013.

It is targeting tourism receipts of S$23.5 billion to S$24.5 billion this year, up from last year's estimate of S$23 billion.

Mr Lionel Yeo, Chief Executive of Singapore Tourism Board, said: "If you look at the pipeline of attractions, we have the River Safari that is due to open in a few months time. We will have a full year in which the Marine Life Park is in operation. There are a number of factors that would continue to draw visitors to Singapore."

- CNA/de

Singapore is 10th most attractive city for work

Singapore has been placed 10th among the most attractive international cities to work in, but ranked 13th in the country category, according to a global survey of student career preferences upon graduation.

The International Mobility Benchmark, created by employer branding specialist Universum, is based on a survey of 4,300 students.
Its latest survey found that when offered a job, students considered the US the most attractive country, followed by the UK and Australia, despite Asia being the world's largest growth market.
The only other Asian country in the top 10, apart from Australia, was Japan, which was ranked ninth. China, which includes Hong Kong, was in 12th position, just ahead of Singapore.
Where cities are concerned, New York was in pole position, trailed by London and San Francisco. Sydney and Hong Kong took the fifth and eighth spots.
The results of the survey were consistent with a similar study done by Universum five years ago.
The survey also found that job opportunities were the most important factor determining the attractiveness of a place to live.
Adding to the allure of working in a place are hopes of a higher salary and the amount of time spent commuting to work.
"While cities like New York and London remain attractive for international talent to relocate to for their careers, the woes of commuting in some of these big cities can be frustrating," said Joakim Ström, Universum's managing director for Asia Pacific.
"Even in a small city like Singapore with good transport infrastructure and the amount of time spent commuting being relatively shorter, employers should remember that work-life balance is the No 1 career goal among these millennial talents, men or women."
He warned that employers who do not consider creative or flexible approaches to address such concerns among their workforce will lose out in the long run.
The globalisation of business has led to a heightened desire to have an international career, Mr Ström said, adding that in order to succeed in the war for talent, employers have to identify what matters most to employees and meet those expectations.
Thanks
By Teo Si Jia
The Business Times
Sunday, Mar 24, 2013

Singapore's hotels par excellence

SINGAPORE - Ever wondered what gives a hotel its five- star rating? Or how many 5-star hotels there are in Singapore?

Wonder no more as the recently released Forbes Travel Guide 2013 Star Awards shows that, for the first time, three hotels in Singapore have received a 5-star rating from the "Oscars" of the travel industry.

Founded in 1958 as Mobil Travel Guide, the Forbes Travel Guide is recognised as the gold standard for hospitality excellence due to its rigorous selection process.

The Singapore recipients of the highest accolade in the hospitality industry - Capella Singapore, The Fullerton Bay Hotel and Mandarin Oriental - were among 76 luxury hotels around the world to be recognised for fulfilling the award's criteria of having strengths in both "hardware" and "software".

Traditionally, hotels here are rated by the Singapore Hotel Association according to their "hardware" only, which refers to the physical amenities and standard services that the hotel boasts, including the number of rooms and facilities such as swimming pools, 24-hour room service and 24-hour reception.

The prestigious Forbes Travel Guide awards, though, also considers the "software" aspects, including the level and extent of personalised services that the hotel provides.

Among other things, hotels are judged on how long it takes for a guest to be greeted at the restaurant entrance, escorted to the table and provided with chair assistance; the ability of the staff to offer thoughtful and creative suggestions when asked for a menu recommendation; the ability of the server to discuss details of menu items and beverages, including basic ingredients and preparation methods; and the total time that service took.

Other criteria focus on the restaurant menu, which must be presented in pristine condition, free of stains and water spots and not dog-eared, as well as whether service stations, the bar counter and back bar area are always neatly maintained and appealing to the eye.

Hotels are also gauged on their ability to communicate with their guests and so the criteria include telephone greeting and conversation, which must be calm and clear; the guest is always asked permission before being placed on hold or recording; and that no telephone call should hold longer than 30 seconds without offering call back.

Other customer service qualities a hotel is evaluated on include how long the registration process took, whether the staff smiles readily and maintains an engaging expression, and if the staff member makes eye contact and keeps focused on the guest and exhibits a genuine sense of interest and concern for the guest's satisfaction.

Michael Cascone, president and chief operating officer of Forbes Travel Guide, said: "The Forbes Travel Guide Annual Star Awards represent the best in class in luxury hospitality.

Travellers seeking exceptional experiences rely on our ratings to guide them to the world's finest hotels, restaurants and spas.
"By continuing to evolve our ratings categories, we are establishing a global benchmark for the highest standards in hospitality service and facilities."

Capella Singapore said that the award was not only a recognition of its achievement but would also cement its position as an industry leader.

"We are truly honoured to have been reviewed and audited in detail by the Forbes Travel Guide's professional inspectors and rated as one of the best hotels in Asia," said Robert Lagerwey, general manager of Capella Singapore.

"We are excited to have been given the highest accreditation available by the Forbes Travel Guide and strongly believe that education and empowerment play a crucial role in creating one of the world's best luxury resorts. This award is a culmination of the hard work by our team members.

"We are confident that Capella Singapore will continue to grow with Singapore's tourism industry and are proud that we have become recognised as one of the industry's leaders attracting some of the world's most seasoned travel connoisseurs."

The Fullerton Bay Hotel said that the award would spur it to improve its offerings.

"We are deeply honoured that the hospitality extended by our team at The Fullerton Bay Hotel has achieved the exacting standards of the Forbes Travel Guide's expert inspectors," said Giovanni Viterale, general manager of The Fullerton Heritage, a dining and hospitality precinct comprising The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, The Fullerton Waterboat House, One Fullerton, The Fullerton Pavilion, Clifford Pier and Customs House.

"We will continue to refine our services and seek to present a memorable experience to every guest who stays with us."

Thanks The Business Times

Singapore is 10th most attractive city for work

Singapore has been placed 10th among the most attractive international cities to work in, but ranked 13th in the country category, according to a global survey of student career preferences upon graduation.

The International Mobility Benchmark, created by employer branding specialist Universum, is based on a survey of 4,300 students.

Its latest survey found that when offered a job, students considered the US the most attractive country, followed by the UK and Australia, despite Asia being the world's largest growth market.

The only other Asian country in the top 10, apart from Australia, was Japan, which was ranked ninth. China, which includes Hong Kong, was in 12th position, just ahead of Singapore.

Where cities are concerned, New York was in pole position, trailed by London and San Francisco. Sydney and Hong Kong took the fifth and eighth spots.

The results of the survey were consistent with a similar study done by Universum five years ago.

The survey also found that job opportunities were the most important factor determining the attractiveness of a place to live.

Adding to the allure of working in a place are hopes of a higher salary and the amount of time spent commuting to work.

"While cities like New York and London remain attractive for international talent to relocate to for their careers, the woes of commuting in some of these big cities can be frustrating," said Joakim Ström, Universum's managing director for Asia Pacific.

"Even in a small city like Singapore with good transport infrastructure and the amount of time spent commuting being relatively shorter, employers should remember that work-life balance is the No 1 career goal among these millennial talents, men or women."

He warned that employers who do not consider creative or flexible approaches to address such concerns among their workforce will lose out in the long run.

The globalisation of business has led to a heightened desire to have an international career, Mr Ström said, adding that in order to succeed in the war for talent, employers have to identify what matters most to employees and meet those expectations.

Thanks

By Teo Si Jia
The Business Times
Sunday, Mar 24, 2013

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Diploma or Advance Diploma in LOGISTICS.. Scholarship SGD 2000...Only few seats available!!! Join today...

Study Singapore immense pleasure to introduce 2 new programmes at Nanyang Institute of Management, Singapore. Keeping the motto of market relevant programs ensuring better learning and overall development of student we introduce:

· Diploma in Logistics & Supply Chain Management
· Advance Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

As you know; with the rise of Asia as the new economic powerhouse, organizations are looking towards the region to expand their business. There is a surge of investment pouring in from west and the Asian region needs to move swiftly to accommodate incoming interests. Thus logistics & Supply chain emerges as one of the most important arm for any organization ensuring the timely delivery and maintenance of the product & services.

Creating a need of relevant programs which can deliver well trained and developed leaders to take up the role and increase the efficiency of the organization. Therefore Nanyang Institute of Management launching programs in Logistics & Supply chain management, below are the details of the same

Diploma in Logistics & Supply Chain Management:
Awarded By: Nanyang Institute of Management
Eligibility: 10th Standard

Structure & Duration: 8 modules to be covered in 8 months
Total Fee: S$ 12,020.50
Scholarship: S$2000
Fee Post Scholarship: S$ 9,880.50

Advance Diploma in Logistics & Supply Chain Management
Awarded By: Nanyang Institute of Management
Eligibility: NIM Diploma or equivalent qualification subject to approval from NIM

Structure & Duration: 8 modules to be covered in 8 months
Total Fee: S$13,090.50
Scholarship: S$2000
Fee Post Scholarship: S$10,950.50

Please do feel free to contact us back for any further queries or register at our online application formhttp://www.edusingapore.sg/registration-form/

Studying in Singapore