Backpack Malaysia ESP

On 15^th December 2008, a group of eight began their 6 day journey along the west coast of Malaysia. Students had to travel the unconventional way of backpacking, which they handled with much ease. The journey started from Johor Bahru where we made our way to our first pit stop – Melaka. Before making our way to the historic city of Melaka, we settled for lunch at a Hong Kong Café at City Square, Johor Bahru. Due to the tight schedule, we were unable to stay long in City Square.

Melaka

We boarded the bus to Melaka at around 1.30pm only to arrive at around 4pm.We met up with our ESPian local guide of the day, Mr Lee Gah Hung who showed us around the heritage city of Melaka. We checked into our hostel for the night – Ringo’s Foyer. We were greeted with warmth by the owner of the hostel, Mr Howard, which was really friendly. After check-in, Gah Hung showed us around the key destinations around Melaka which included A’Farmosa and Dutch Square. As the night befall on us, we were treated to a sumptuous dinner of Satay Jeluk at a popular restaurant, Capitol Satay, which was near the Dutch Square. We feasted on the humungous variety of food in the restaurant. The most popular food was the huge tiger prawn which was simply too tempting. After dinner, we proceeded back to our hostel where some engaged on card games, while some chose to surf net, while some decided to take a rest.

Penang

We departed for the food haven of Penang at 10 am from Melaka Sentral Bus terminal. We had to endure an approximate of 8 hour journey to the northern island of the Malay Peninsula. We only arrived at Penang at around 6pm as we checked into our hostel for this leg of the trip, Hutton Lodge. It was an interesting experience as the hostel was revamped from a former colonial building. Most of its colonial characteristics were still very much prominent. We met up with our ESPian local guide for Penang, Ms Foo Chuang Ning, who showed us around the food haven of Gurney Drive as well as took us to a pub named QE II. Though the weather didn’t favor us, it didn’t stop us from ordering food from the stalls. Some were totally drenched after getting the food, while some remained under the shelter of the huge umbrella. We were treated to an enormous variety of hawker food. Penang Laksa, Char Kway Teow, oyster omelette are merely some examples of the food we tried at Gurney Drive. To say that the food was delicious would be a complete understatement. After dinner, we headed to the nearby Gurney Plaza where we took some time to walk around before heading to QE II where we sat down at chat and relax. It was about 12am that we finally decided to go back and round up the day. The next morning, we proceeded to visit one of the finest Buddhist temple, Kek Lok Si Temple. It was an eye-opening experience for some as some were impressed by the delicate architecture. Some took the chance to pray to the Gods while some took the chance to obtain divine lots to ask for their personal matters. After which, we took some time to take the inclined elevator to the top of the temple where we took pictures of the view of Penang. After which, our local guide took us to the beach, Batu Ferringhi, where some of us decide to spend a lazy afternoon by the beach while some took the chance to try out jet skiing which was a memorable moment for some. As dusk nears, it was time to get back to Georgetown for dinner before heading to Genting on an overnight bus. We had the Malaysia’s version of Bah Kut Teh (Meat Bone Tea) for dinner before some of us hitched a ride from Chuang Ning back to the hostel while some risked getting lost by walking back to the hostel which we eventually managed to do it. Kudoz! Due to the lack of time, we had to pack up and shower in preparation for the overnight bus to Genting.

Genting

We headed to Sungei Nibong Bus terminal where we took the 10pm bus to Genting only to reach there at an unearthly hour of 4am. Some of us then decided to have our cold KFC bought from Penang for breakfast at 4am, some decided to take a short rest, while some decided to take off our overcoats to walk around the outdoors of Genting without any jackets on. Everyone was exhausted due to the overnight bus as we took a 3 hour break after checking in at around 6.30am. We proceeded to the theme park for a fun filled day. Some chose the exciting path of attempting rides like the Space shot, Corkscrew, while some took the relaxing path of just taking rides like the merry go horse. After dinner, we parted ways for free and easy around Genting.

Kuala Lumpur

After checking out of Genting First World Hotel, we took a cable ride down to the foothill to take a bus to the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. Due to the simplicity of navigating around Kuala Lumpur, Mr Tang Muzhi led this leg of the journey despite having 2 locals, Mr Low Han Wuen and Mr Ang Shan Zheng, present during this leg of the trip. It was a great learning experience as we learn how to navigate and travel around an area totally clueless to some. It was simply a test of adaptability for some. After check in, we bought our bus tickets from Puduraya Bus terminal for our trip back to Singapore. After which, we proceeded to the Golden Triangle of Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang for a free and easy afternoon. Eventually, most of us ended up in a KTV which I would say was really cheap as we only paid RM 12 for an afternoon in the KTV. The rest decided to do their own shopping at the shopping haven of Kuala Lumpur. After KTV, we went for dinner before heading to the iconic Petronas Twin Tower for the night view. Many were amazed by the sheer size of the twin tower as we spent the night taking photographs of the majestic 2^nd tallest building in the world just behind Taipei’s 101 tower. We ended the photograph taking session at around 10.30pm where we headed back to Petaling Street for the night market. Unfortunately, we could not make it for the night market in time as most of the stalls were packing up for the night. As fatigue sets in, some decided to engage in their deep slumber for the very last night of the arduous journey, while some decided to have Hokkien Mee for supper at a nearby stall. To round it up, most of us headed to the Petronas Tower the next morning to get tickets to enter the sky bridge of Petronas Tower. We spent some time taking photographs yet again before heading back to the hotel for check out. We rounded up the trip at 4pm when we boarded the bus for our journey back to Singapore.

From,

Martin

Vice President

ESP Sub club

ESP BBQ

On 5th December 2008,ESPians gathered to celebrate the end of the examinations. It served as a good break after a long semester. It was also a great chance for all 3 batches of ESPians to interact with each other and seniors exchanging pointers with juniors about the forthcoming semester.Preparation for the event started as early as 3pm by the ESP subclub while students arrived at around 6pm for the event, professors and staff arrived later at 6.30pm.The event started on a high note as students had a variety of ways to kick start the event. Some students started on the food, while some started playing Chinese chess.ESPians were treated to a sumptuous dinner.Food and beverages were aplenty as the students started barbequeing on makeshift pits set up by the sub club earlier in the day.There was also Peking Duck from Beijing served on the night courtesy of ESP Year 2 student, Feng Jingduo. The Peking Duck was such a delicacy as it was finished in no time. Unfortunately, there was a slight drizzle in the middle of the BBQ.However, the situation was resolved in quick time as students showed great team work in shifting all the tables indoor to continue BBQ.Some shifted the BBQ pits onto the corridor while some settled down at the pavilion.As the pavilion was not sufficiently lit,candles were placed around the pavilion to create a wonderful atmosphere. The BBQ was rounded up at around 10.30pm as we started packing up.

From,
Martin

Choosing of Specializations

Yesterday, our ESP administration officer Flora Wang had sent a very important email to all current year two students. All year two students should take note that they are required to choose their specialisations and submit back to her by 26th December!

If you have contact of your friends in China, Malaysia, etc. Do take an extra mile to inform them about this! As this requires extensive planning and it will be time consuming, as a result, it would be a nightmare if one only prepares it in eleventh hour.

Some useful links:
NUS Module Search - Search your modules whether it is offered in which semester
Engineering Science Curiculum

Thanks and have a nice holiday!

From,
Franco
ESP Blog Admin

ESP Post-Exam Outing

After a difficult (perhaps not for some? :)) yet exciting final exams, a group of enthusiastic ESP Year Two students made their ways to Vivo City together for a post-exam dinner.

The 16-people group went to VivoCity together with the heart of excitement to find for a place whereby all people can sit together as one table. Finally, a cafe named "Breek" was chosen and the students had a wonderful time there fellowshiping and bonding with each other. After the event, ESP students clearly felt a sense of enjoyment and the filling in their stomach. With a few group photos taken, a surprise birthday song singing session with Jeffrey Yu, our welfare director of Engineering Science Subclub and an informal farewell party for our PC2230 Hong Kong Exchange student Emily Yuen.

The nigh ended with a sense of happiness and everyone proceeded to E3A to have an exciting yet thrilling session of DOTA, until dawn arises.... What an enjoyable time!


From,
Franco

Design Project I Part B - Heat and Mass Transfer

After 6 weeks of intensive research and experimentation on drying of potatoes, design teams finally got to present their dryer design on 12 Nov 2008. Groups showed vast difference in confidence from that in the first week of the project. The presentation was a showcase of how design teams has progressed over the past 6 weeks. Groups showcased a variety of styles of presentation. Some teams focused on the business aspects,some towards the marketing aspect and some gearing towards technicality. It was a eye opening encounter this afternoon as various teams displayed very different styles of approaching the project. Dr Erik Birgersson, who is our project supervisor, was generally impressed with the performance by the teams today.

1st BEST Series Talk

On 5th of November, the long awaited 1st BEST Series Talk was held at LT2 at 1600 to 1700 hours.

The main speaker, Dr. Palani Balaya talked about the "Anomalous behavious of nano-materials".

He shared about how nanostructures can play a part to be energy-saving and energy-efficient. 

*UPDATE : 

At 3.50pm most of the participants have been seated. The turnout was an overwhelming crowd of more that 50 people from diverse backgrounds. The audience comprise of people who are interested in how this new discovery can propel their innovative sense to greater heights and  people who are interested in the result itself. 

The audience were a very focused group of people. Nail-biting and pencil-biting are the common evidence that they(the audience) were deep in thought. Those who hail from non-scientific background will probably find the entire lecture too technical, whilst those from the engineering and science background will follow through easily.

The essence of Dr. Palani's talk was to introduce us to the newly discovered property of anomalous behaviour, and in particular, how it had increased the efficiency of energy storage and generation. 

We all know that semiconductors conduct electricity only when electrons 'jump' across the conduction band. The main idea here is that semiconductor materials are fabricated at the nano-level, such that the atoms are so closely packed together, and the size of atoms are that of the conduction band. This results in a drastic improvement in energy efficiency, as there will now be less resistance to current flow.

Overall, the talk received a warm applause from students and they seem to be looking forward to the next BEST series talk, which will be held in Semester 2.

From,
Franco and Jen Sern

Congratulations to Dr Pang!

6 November 2008 might be remembered as a day at which US got the first african american president. However, as for ESPians, it would be remembered as the birth date of the baby girl of our beloved Dr. Pang. As an act of appreciation and blessings, the ESPians from all 3 batches have written a well wishes card for Dr. Pang and ESP Subclub was proud to present a gift to Dr. Pang for a gift of his daugther's borne. 

On behalf of whole Engineering Science Sub Club, once again, we would like to tell Dr. Pang, 'Congratulations and enjoy to be in the beginning of new stage of life with the participation of the little girl and hope Dr. Pang can enjoy teaching us in Engineering Science!'

From,
Franco

BEST Series #1

Well guys,

It's finally starting soon. Our very own Bridging Engineering and Science Talks(BEST) Series. Below is the advertisement/flyer for our first talk by Dr. Palani Balaya, on "How anomalous behavior of nano-materials can improve energy efficiency in energy generation and decrease the energy loss in energy storage."





-Jen Sern

Table Tennis

On September 19th 2007,some of the year 2's decided to go for some recreation at the Sports and Recreation centre and it is in the form of table tennis or also known as ping pong. It serves a good break for all after a physically and mentally demanding 6weeks of bridge design. It was a great afternoon of table tennis at the SRC. We also had a mini table competition which came impromptu with no prizes of course. 

Year 2 Design Project Part A - Mechanics of Structures

After 6 weeks of bridge design, it was the moment of truth. Who shall win the bridge design competition? It was a tense moment for the ESP year 2 students as it was the day where they reap the fruits of their labour.The winning team went to the team of Tan Jian Hao, Rebecca Sian Shing Yin and Teo Yu Han with a load of 45kg and a P/W ratio of a whopping 108 which no other design teams were able to match. Congratulations to the winning team!

ESP Mooncake Festival

On 12th September, a total of approximately 50 ESP students attended the mid autumn festival celebrations held at E3A level 4. Students arrived at 5.30pm for the celebrations.The celebrations kick started at 6pm when Prof Wang made an opening speech.As a formality, a video tribute to the outgoing 2nd MC was screened. It was a strategic time to have this celebrations as it was nearing the recess week where many would have to undergo the gruelling mid term tests. It serves as a good break for fellow ESPians. Students and professors were treated to mooncakes,snacks as well as hot piping Japanese tea.Dr Pang also treated us to delicious mooncakes which he had bought.The night was fun filled with people enjoying Chess games, solving riddles and of course winning prizes for the riddles.It was a great night for the new year ones to mingle with the seniors as well.

Welcome ESP!

With thanks from the 3rd Engineering Science Management Comittee, we are proud to launch this new ESP blog. It shall serve as an avenue to promote ESP life(for e.g , design projects, events) to others outside ESP to give the public an overview of student's life in Engineering Science Programme as well as an avenue to update ESPians on future plans by the 3rd MC.

We would like to thank you for your support.

Moderator

Franco