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Harold
Nordgaard (Norway), M.Sc. (Strategic
Studies) Programme
The MSc programme is a challenging and intense academic experience.
It forces you to process loads of information within several fields
over a limited period of time. It however allows you to use, develop
and present your gained knowledge in numerous compulsory papers, presentations
and seminar discussions. The combination of smaller classroom based
groups and larger seminars with internationally renowned lecturers,
makes the MSc programme a rewarding experience.
Personally
I particularly appreciate the knowledge
and understanding I have gained about
Southeast Asian issues. The MSc programme
has enabled me to see political truths
and realities that are not very visible
from Europe. In that respect the programme
has been a real eye opener for me.
The friendships established during
the programme will stay with me and
definitely add something to my perception
of Singapore, Southeast Asia as well
as the rest of the world.
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Aruna
Vasantha Raj Urs (India), M.Sc. (International
Political Economy) Programme
M.Sc. (International Political Economy) Programme Coming from a pure
financial trading background, the IPE Master’s programme has deepened
and widened my knowledge about world economics and politics. As a trader,
I have to keep abreast of current economic and political developments
to capitalize on the market opportunities. To be successful in my profession,
I felt the need to upgrade my understanding of International Political
Economy, since the world does not necessarily work according to the theory
of classical economics. The course widened my perspective and taught
me to recognize the nuances of economic and foreign policies. The IPE
course is rigorous, demanding but equally rewarding. The faculty is superb
and they always have time for the students. The stimulating and candid
discussions in lectures are terrific as classmates come from many countries
with various backgrounds. The graduate programme offers an ideal environment
to study and network. The student facilities are excellent. I made some
good friends and felt privileged to attend seminars conducted by leading
academicians and experts. I strongly recommend the M.Sc. programme to
anyone who has personal interest and commitment.
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Da
Silva Horta Maubere Lorosae (Timor
Leste), M.Sc. (Strategic Studies) Programme
My stay was a most constructive and enjoyable one both from an academic
point of view, but also from a social and cultural perspective. Academically
the graduate programme has offered me a first class education delivered
by very competent and dedicated lectures. I do not make such a statement
lightly. I was previously educated in Australia and the US and I honestly
believe that RSIS is now capable of offering its students a world class
education. Apart from the courses it runs, the School organizes a series
of seminars and conferences that are quite unique both in terns of frequency
and scope allowing students to interact with the world’s top thinkers
in the field. Living in Singapore allowed me also the opportunity to
see the amazing success of a tiny nation with literally no natural resources
achieve in four decades what took the West two centuries to achieve.
My stay in Singapore not only gave me a first class education but also
very useful and practical lessons on nation building.
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Lee
Wei Cheng (Singapore), M.Sc. (International
Relations) Programme
In my course of the MSc (International Relations), I gained not only
insights on policy and strategic awareness, but also valuable friendships
from both local and foreign advanced level students. Besides, the wide
range of elective subjects has provided me with the options to pursue
selected scholastic topics of interest. Coupled with an excellent assembly
of qualified and renowned teaching staff, the School has given me a learning
journey that was filled with fun, challenges and inspirations. In this
respect, Prof Amitav Acharya, Dr Rohan, Dr Ralf Emmers, Dr Tan See Seng,
Dr John Harrison and Dr Joseph Liow were instrumental in inspiring academic
excellence. The Masters programme was well-contrived and well-spaced,
which in my opinion, has facilitated an environment for deep learning.
I also benefited from the myriad range of colloquiums and the constituents
of the School, specifically the International Centre for Political Violence
and Terrorism Research. Also, the admin and library staff were most helpful
and friendly. Looking back, it was a year of positive learning experience
for me. For those enrolling for a Masters programme, I congratulate you
on your opportunity to have a year of ineluctable fun, reward and enrichment.
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Leah
Davis (Canada), M.Sc. (International
Relations) Programme
After years of looking for a programme that fit, I found RSIS. The warm
and energetic welcome of the faculty and staff made attending this graduate
programme an easy decision. The lecturers and guest speakers were from
all over the world and gave us different perspectives on everything we
learned in classes. They challenged us to develop and substantiate our
own opinions. The flexibility of the programme was great. For me, being
able to combine my love of education and youth with international relations
was fantastic. It allowed me to explore unique territory and the faculty
supported me every step of the way. I have gained so much insight into
the way the world works and how I can play a role, as well as how to
look more deeply and closely at things. I will always be grateful to
the fabulous people involved in the graduate programme for all I have
learned.
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Chen
Xilai (China), M.Sc. (Strategic Studies)
Programme
Time goes by so fast. From the beginning of the academic year, I was
driven to read, think and discuss. I developed a passion in doing such
work. I felt very happy in communicating with the outstanding lecturers
and excellent classmates. Different ideas particularly our concerns about
war were discussed in class. We found that we could understand each other
better during the conversations and resolve disputes peacefully. In the
end, thank you to all the staff for their hospitality during my stay
in NTU.
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Ong
Wei Chong (Singapore), M.Sc. (Strategic
Studies) Programme
The M.Sc (Strategic Studies) programme is a rigorous and challenging
intellectual journey that I thoroughly enjoyed. I had the honour and
pleasure of interacting with top academics, and practitioners in the
realm of military affairs. My stint as a student and research assistant
was an enriching experience that honed my research skills, and vindicated
my aspirations of becoming a defence scholar. Indeed, I would highly
recommend the School to all budding academics looking for the right foundation-building
postgraduate programme.
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Allan
Layug (Philippines), M.Sc. (International
Relations) Programme
MSc
(International Relations) programme
is no mean feat yet worthwhile graduating
with flying colors. The workload is
strenuous but reasonably impregnated
with hard lessons. The brilliant professors
are very challenging with their high-caliber
expertise on theories and international
affairs ably motivating critical thinking
and analytic rigour. Equally worth-mentioning,
the academic environment is impeccably
invigorating and intellectually engaging
- what with the world-renowned scholars,
diplomats and government leaders frequenting
it with variegated ideas, perspectives,
and contestations in numerous seminars,
workshops, and conferences. And no
less important, the students with their
diverse educational backgrounds, cultures
and interests adding quality to the
School as an international venue for
debates and camaraderie. As a rewarding
experience and intellectual sojourn,
this graduate programme has helped
me plough my academic furrow in the
field of international politics.
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Chan
Git Yin, Jane (Malaysia), M.Sc. (International
Relations) Programme
My experience with this graduate programme has been a positive and enriching
one. Keen to take a significant step forward in my career development
and a step outward to enhance my global perspective and prospective,
RSIS clearly is the best option because of its excellent mix of academic
excellence and recognition, coupled with a truly diverse student body,
making this learning environment unique and dynamic. The teaching and
learning process challenges students to think outside the box and to
go beyond our comfort zone, allowing us to fully explore our ability
to assess and form views of our own. The course gave me a new perspective
on the world that has been invaluable to my academic and personal development.
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Shoji
Tomotaka (Japan), M.Sc. (Strategic
Studies) Programme
The M.Sc. program offered me a variety of subjects on strategic studies,
with excellent staff. Thanks to the course, I could study, both intensively
and extensively, the basics of war study. Moreover, I obtained the knowledge
of security issues in Southeast Asia and outside the region. Other than
the course work, I was given chances to attend exciting seminars and
conferences on diverse topics, which contributed to extending my intellectual
scope. Having time to talk with students from various countries was another
fun to me. I can assure you that the one year programme surely provides
you with a wonderful academic experience.
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Genevieve
Koh (Singapore), M.Sc. (International
Political Economy) Programme
The year went quickly and though it was difficult at times, it was worth
all the effort. There are few opportunities in mid-career, to take a
step back and systematically try to understand just how the world ended
up with its current set of political, economic and social arrangements!
The IPE programme helped me to put disparate pieces together for a bird’s
eye view of global issues and to identify problems facing state and non-state
actors in the international system. Most importantly, the year’s
study stretched me intellectually and class interactions challenged me
to see things from different viewpoints and to respect others’ perspectives.
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Lim Keng
Bin (Singapore), M.Sc. (International
Relations) Programme
My one year stint at the
S. Rajaratnam School of
International Studies has been
rigorous and challenging, to say
the least, but unquestionably enlightening and rewarding. Having
come from a graduate background in Biotechnology, my plunge into
a postgraduate course in the discipline of International
Relations (IR) has not been comfortable. The inertia and
trepidation I experienced during the first trimester of the
course would have been unbearable if not for the
patience and tutelage of the RSIS’s faculty members.
The course design was also intended to be progressive
so as to allow the mid-streamers like myself to learn and
blend at a manageable pace. Enabled by a diverse and
experienced faculty, RSIS offers a broad spectrum of
academic curriculum complemented with strong
emphasis on practical applications. Its methods of
instructions went beyond readings, lectures and
discussions to include a plethora of seminars and
colloquia by prominent academia, practitioners and
policy-makers in related fields. These have deepened
students’ comprehension of theories and issues and
offered them additional capacity to unlearn, re-learn and
conduct further research. Some faculty even went into
the realm of simulation exercises to tickle the students’ imagination
and allow them to appreciate the gray between IR theories and policy
applications.
In
RSIS, the nurturing does not come from
the faculty alone. The popularity and
effectiveness of the RSIS’s
curriculum has resulted in an exponential growth of its
student population. During my academic year, the
student population at RSIS was comprised of a highly
diversified pool of expertise from more than 30 nations,
many of whom were professionals from foreign
ministries, regional armed forces, academia, journalists
and others. This offered an excellent melting pot for me
to network, learn and derive fresh perspectives in issues.
I was fortunate to be with the Institute at its defining
moment, when the deserving Institute of Defence and
Strategic Studies (IDSS) transformed into today’s RSIS.
The promotion in the Institute’s stature was timely and a
firm recognition that many students, like myself, have
benefited and brought what they acquired to their
related work fields. I am confident that prospective
students of RSIS will attest to this and find their journey
as enlightening and rewarding.
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Do
Thi Thuy (Vietnam), M.Sc. (International
Relations) Programme
Studying in RSIS was an
opportunity-cum-challenge
for me as I was under
pressure to continue the
path set for me by my previous Vietnamese colleagues
who also had the privilege to study in RSIS. Looking
back, I felt that I had made the right decision to study at
RSIS. Through the MSc programme, I have learnt skills
such as research and diplomacy which are essential to
my job as a lecturer and researcher at the Institute for
International Relations in Vietnam. The programme has
also prepared me for future post graduate studies in the
field of International Relations. I am thankful to RSIS for
giving me the chance to study with distinguished
lecturers who had not only shared with me their
knowledge in their respective fields, but also shared with
me their professional experiences. Apart from the
exciting academic programme that the School offers, I
am also glad to have met many international friends
from diverse cultural backgrounds who have made my
stay in Singapore very fulfilling and memorable.
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Xanthe
Ng Khooi Lei (Singapore),
M.Sc. (International Political Economy) Programme
For my four years of my undergraduate life in NTU, I saw the signboard, “Institute
of Defence& Strategic Studies”, pointing in the direction
of Popular bookshop I had absolutely no idea where and
what on earth that place was. I never knew it is a graduate school in NTU
until I saw the email inviting
final year undergraduates in NTU to enroll in their Masters program. It
was only two weeks away from
the deadline of the application. Maybe the limited amount of time to consider
was apt for me as I was
accepted for the IPE course before my decision was shaken by voices of
protests. It was by no means a regrettable decision! I had
a fulfilling, engaging and enjoyable year with RSIS. The flexible curriculum
structure allows one the freedom to take up modules
according to one’s interests and the diversity of the class permits
vigorous interactions among the students and professors. To a
Materials Science and Engineering graduate with no IPE background, the
Programme has given me a good foundation to the
understanding of economic theories. It has taught me how these theories
are applied in the real world and has broadened my
understanding to how events can shape the world. This program provide me
with the tools for a continuous, independent
learning in the area of political economy. All these are made possible
thanks to the professionalism of the prestigious school, the
presence of insightful, well-informed and enthusiastic professors sharing
their valuable experiences with us. I shall not forget such
a memorable, rewarding and intellectually stimulating experience!
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Teng
Chew Hang
(Singapore),
M.Sc. (International Political
Economy) Programme
I was an IPE student at the
RSIS class from 2006-07.
One of the first things that
struck me about the school was its diverse nature of its
student cohort. There was a good mix of international
students, nature of work experience and skill sets. This
gave us invaluable opportunities to widen our horizons
and more importantly, make new friends. To say that the
programme is challenging is an understatement. But I
had particularly enjoyed the lectures, the instructor’s able
stewardship to engender lively and thought provoking
discussions. An unique takeaway for me was the sense
that each of the course had sought to strike a balance
between academic rigour and practical/policy
considerations while encouraging creativity to
stretch intellectual boundaries. There was no rigid
adherance to schools of thought. Instead students got a
chance to make up their mind through deep analysis,
questioning of underlying assumptions and seeing its
relevance to policy challenges. But ultimately, the most
memorable aspect was the many wonderful lecturers,
staff and fellow students I met at RSIS.
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John
Campbell
(United Kingdom),
M.Sc. (Strategic Studies)
Programme
As an older mature student I
was somewhat apprehensive
at embarking upon a
masters at my age in such a young and dynamic
institution as NTU but I quickly found it possible to adapt
and become enthralled in what turned out to be a
rewarding and pleasant year. The professors are of high
calibre and most impressive in their training delivery and
the standards demanded to achieve a pass are high. I
have no doubt at all that my decision to choose Nanyang
Technological University for my course was the correct
one and I am seriously considering applying for another
course.
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Elaine
Tan
(Singapore),
M.Sc. (International Relations)
Programme
The MSc programme at the
RSIS is an intensely academic
experience, demanding
much commitment and hard work. It requires you to
digest and incredible amount of information, and to
comprehend and find your place in a wide range of
competing theories and arguments. The RSIS faculty is
composed of brilliant academics who are committed to
ensuring their students graduate with a good
understanding of the complexities of international
relations. The seminars and conferences organized by
the RSIS expose you to the ideas of renowned policymakers
and scholars, and force you to pit your own
arguments against those of the leading experts in the
field. The students at the RSIS come from diverse
backgrounds, and you will find that many of your
assumptions about international politics will be sorely
challenged by the insights that each of your classmates
brings.
The MSc programme at the RSIS is no walk in the park,
yet it is also immensely rewarding. I graduated from the
RSIS more knowledgeable about the different
perspectives on the most important issues in
international politics today and more confident in my
skills in research and analysis. I feel privileged to have
had the chance to learn from the wonderful academics
at the RSIS and to have made so many good friends
along the way. The MSc programme is an exciting
learning opportunity that I would recommend to anyone
who is interested in learning more about international
relations.
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