Why I chose JCU Singapore?

JCU Singapore is located on level 3 @ SPRING Singapore building

Why I chose JCU Singapore?

“JCU Singapore (JCUS) has given me more than I thought possible from an International campus of a reputed Australian university. Also its nearer to home.

I never in my wildest thought I would vouch for Masters in Business Administration, that too from Singapore. My educational qualification was restricted to Diploma in Hotel Management & Catering technology, and the thought of wanting to study further, prompted me to search for an University that gave me convenience, value for money and also time.

The programs offered at JCUS are prepared by the same people who develop the program at the Australian campus, so the quality and standard is guaranteed. So in simple sense, Australian education with the Singaporean economy.

What I enjoyed most about my studies here?

So many things have excited me during the tenure of my education at JCUS. Some of them are:

= The teaching style by the lecturers at JCUS was more informal and participative, unlike the way I was used to back in India.

The most memorable experience from the lecturers were with Mr. Param Alahakone, Dr. Daniel Theyagu, Dr. Lim Yey Ban, Mr. Kamal Kant, Mr. Manek Mukesh and Dr. N. R. K. Reddy.

= Absolute freedom to express opinion and views.

= Use of Audio Visuals for teaching including Hollywood movies, documentaries and commercials.

= Un-limited access to resources at the online library of JCU.

= The multi-cultural atmosphere and exposure to new culture and lifestyle, which by itself is an experience

= The MBA gave me a new way to look at the world with a new dimension

= MBA at JCUS with its experienced faculty made me think differently about everything because suddenly I was in a place where everybody’s ideas and experience of life meant something.

= I now wonder why the course completed so fast???

The most useful element of my course:

= The friends I made here and some have become a part of me. They made a world out of me and have enabled me to understand life better.

= Most memorable modules from the MBA were, Organization Behavior, Account and Financial Management, Global Economics, Human Resources, Managing Employee Relations, Strategic Management and Quality Management.

= Crisis Management (when meeting the deadlines for reports and assignments), Time management and planning (though it might contradict)

= Flexible study timings (only 3 hours class a day x 5 days a week)

= Convinced me to consider education as a profession

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Experience at JCUS is true to the tag line

For Learning. For Life. For You.

Location and Contact info !!!

SPRING
Building

JCU Singapore,

2, Bukit Merah Central, # 03 - 01, SPRING Building,
Singapore - 159833

Tel: (65) 6377 6833 Fax: (65) 6272 5833

Web: http://www.jcu.edu.sg

Important mail id's:

Enquiry : enquiries@jcu.edu.sg
Admissions: admissions@jcu.edu.sg
HR : hr@jcu.edu.sg

Quick reference

Since the blog has grown in length, I thought this would help anyone who happens to visit my site to easily navigate and reach the section that would interest them most.

Click on the section name for getting directed there.

FACILITIES:

Library
Students Lounge
Students class presentations
Alfresco
Cafeteria

PICTURES:

MBA Topper (2004-2005 batch)
Graduation pictures - batch 1, batch 2 & batch 3
Class pictures - Managing Employee Relations, Intl Business, 8 months, 12 months

HIGHLIGHTS:

Get-together (1st party at JCU S'pore)
Unity in diversity
Myanmar Cultural Night
Tiger Beer - Factory visit

Singapore snapshots !!!

Fare card reader, available in all the buses. The EZ link card (below) has to be tapped for starting and ending the bus/train journey, for the fare to be calculated.

Fare card used for travelling in the bus and trains. There are no tickets issued in buses or trains. They can be topped up from any Train stations or EZ link kiosks.

In Singapore, for travelling using EZ link cards are cost effective compared to cash,

This card can also be used in McDonalds, selected outlets of KFC, National Library and Government Agencies.

To understand more about EZ link cards, click on the link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EZ-link

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The two public transport corp's - SMRT (top) & SBS Transit (below)

SMRT operated mainly with Mercedes Benz buses along with Mann and Nissan, while SBS uses both Volvo and Mercedes Benz

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Amazing Singapore

QueensTown MRT.

Some info for Students !!!

Student's representing private educational institutions at Singapore on Student's pass, need to know the limitations and then get their acts together, so as to have a good experience in this country and more important create a good impression to the law authorities as other fellow citizens can also have a better life with the experience they can have in a foreign country..

Individual students wrong action and deed, multiplied by like minded people would only give rise to the society catagorizing, which is not a fair practice.

These things not only apply to foreign countries, but can also be practiced in our home country, why is it that we do not do so?

Here it goes, my mind on some do's and don't:

As per law:

+ A student has to attend a minimum of 15 hrs of class/lecturing per week
+ 90 % attendance in the place of study
+ Not permitted to undertake any part time work what so ever, unless it has been approved by the University and the Immigration. (Applicable only to certain programs, approved by the Ministry of Education)
+ Cannot take up ful time employement during the course of education (Moral issues),
+ Do not TIP anyone, as Service Charge is applied on all bills,
+ One has to be responsible and refrain from spitting, jay walking, creating unwanted sound and shouting in the public places.

The counrty and its law enforcement representatives are generally non-partial and treat everyone with respect, dignity and fairness.

But at the end of the day, its your actions that demand the reaction from the other side.

Psychology Clinic @ JCUS

Click on the image for a larger view.

FEES:
--- The clinic charges a discounted fees of SGD 20 per session regardless of the type of assessment or theraphy.
--- Government agencies, Insurance claims, and medicolegal referrals are charged on a different scale.

THERE IS NO NEED TO OBTAIN A REFERRAL FROM A DOCTOR. Contact the clinic to discuss your needs and to make appointments.

source - website

Library !!!

@ level 4 - JCU Singapore has its library set up within the SPRING library.

(above) Students going through the book and making references.

(below) The computer section, for students to browse internet, photocopy & print

The university has set up this library only recently and they have ensured that the books made available for students are of good standards and addresses the current needs. Many students have started using this facility and this has encouraged the University to further develope this venue for the benifit of the students.

The University library offers students to search for information through internet free of charge and use the advanced copier to print or photocopy at a very affordable price of 200 copies for SGD 6.

The students can also browse through the books, journals and publications, stored by SPRING without any restriction.

MBA topper

Krishnamoorthy Aditya Narayanamoorthy, is the class topper in MBA.

During the graduation ceremony, he addressed the whole gathering sharing his experiences at the University and his life in this country. It was a very interesting speech with some humorous events, making the whole effort a worthwhile experience.

A few things that had fascinated all of my friends and re-called by Aditya, were

- Singaporeans fascination for queuing at every possible place, be it eatery, supermarket in fact anywhere, they seem very eager to find a queue…

- Fascination for food and their never fulfilling appetite and the economy driven by food products.

- Aircon. Everywhere

- Fun loving and also eye for detail and quality

The events, when he was re-calling sounded very mild and funny, but then the intensity was severe.

Over all the speech was good and interesting.

1st Graduation ceremony pictures !

Pradeep (MBA), Aysha (Psychology) posing with the new graduates along with Mercy's brother

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Sravan and Senthil (MBA students) with Sreevatsava and Dat (graduates)

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Sreevatsava, along with Pui leng Wong (Officer - Examinations and Ceremonies) & Kendrick Tan (Director Operations)
To be graduates eagerly awaiting for the ceremony to begin

74 Graduates of JCU Singapore
[The picture is in compressed format, would loose clarity when enlarged]

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(L-R) Me , Mercy, Dr. N.R.K.Reddy (Faculty), Aditya & Sreevatsava

Sreevatsava with the Dr. Noel Richards (James Cook University, Australia)
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2004 - 2005 MBA batch

Class Presentation !!!

Class presentation in progress (module- Human Resourse Management, dt 26th Aug 2005)
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[above] Sreevatsava presenting his section of the slides (E-commece & E-business)

[below] Aditya & Me, taking up questions after our class presentation.

Presenting in front of the class a particular topic or concept is a skill that my friends and I were able to develop through the MBA program.

My friends and I had conducted numerous class presentations, both individual and group as part of the curriculum. Good deal of importance is given to presentations in the MBA program, so that the students are confident and also they can be an effective communicator at the challenging world.

Class presentations are unfortunately not used in schools back home and this causes difficulty and strain on students without exposure to this, as they feel morally low and slow to develop confidence.

Generally the presentations are for 20-30 mins, followed by about 10 minutes of question and answers.

The longest presentation in record at JCU Singapore stands at 1hr 20 mins for Quality Management module. The group consisted of Aditya (20 mins), Mercy (15 mins) and I (45 mins). My group was presenting on the Quality Standards @ CIAS, In-flight catering divn.

Now presentations exceeding 30 minutes are penalized !!!

Unity in Diversity !!!

This is what you call "Unity in Diversity".

A unique feature @ JCU Singapore is the number of International students from as many as 10 countries. Inspite of this, the atmosphere is very friendly and spirited.

I feel that being amongst people from different countries, gives us the opportunity to know their beliefs, faith, religion, culture and above all the lifestyle they lead.

JCU Singapore has students coming in from India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, maldives, Sri Lanka, Australia and Sweden. (think I have covered all the countries).

Atmosphere is very much true to the tag line of JCU - 'For Learning. For Life. For You'

MER - Class picture !!!

Last lecture for the Managing Employee Relations class with
Mr. kamal Kant !

This was one of the most interactive and interesting modules of JCU Singapore MBA, as there was a lot a interaction between the students and the faculty which gave us a different perspective on various matters relating to the subject.

This module is very special for me, as not only me but the whole class had a lot of new experience about the way the things work in the real practical working world. The faculty Mr. Kamal Kant (Singaporean of Indian origin), is a Career Advisor and his critical observation of the students performance was a worthwile experience. I am very happy to have had the opportunity to study under him.

Click on - http://www.nexttransition.com/facs.htm to be directed to
Mr. Kamal Kant's website

IB - Class picture !!!

Students of 'International Business' with lecturer Dr. Kwoo

Picture taken on the last day of the module.

Student Lounge - 7th level (room 07-04)!!!

This is not of the latest pic's of the student lounge, as they have reduced the size of the room to include a stationary shop for the students use,which doubles as a copying and printer centre too.

A common scene @ 7th level, students spending time at the lounge.

This picture was taken at the lounge on 7th level, where my friends and me used to spend our time for assignments and other discussions. The is very comfortable and this place gives a good atmosphere to study as well as to relax.

My friends, me and others use this place for both productive and un-productive use. From the picture one can visualise that my friends and me are juct chatting and for sure students d use this venue to view their presentations before having them performed them in the class. The Uni has equipped this place with projectors, TV and VCR for the students use. this place is open all weekdays betweem 0830 - 2200 hrs. Now studnts can have unlimited access to internet, as Wireless broadband is provided at no extra cost.

When my batch started our studies at JCU Singapoe, we did not have this place and we all were using the corridor as u see above in the picture, it was only around October end that the Uni came up with this well furnished and equipped room.

@ the deck - 3rd level

(R-L) Pradeep, Sreevatsava, Abhishek, Aditya and Arun

This is small open area on the 3rd level enroute to the cafeteria. The students generally use this sitting area for smoking (Only place in the building, where smoking is permitted).

My friends and me use this place occassionally, just to get our mind and body temperature back to normalcy, after being exposed to the very cold aircon in the class room. Yet another occassion we spend time here, is when its a bit cloudy with gentle breeze.

Even till about a month back, the University had in place Umbrellas, for protection against sun, but the rains here are so heavy that the umbrellas gave way.

Its a good place to beat the cold.

Get-together !!!

A small get-together for the students at the Students Lounge on the 7th level. After a set of games and fun activities, Mr. Param had taken the role of DJ and there we had a Disco evening.

Click on the picture for a larger version

Just to add about the venue, the lounge is equipped with a television, Video cassette recorder, over-head projector, LCD projector with retractable screen and white board. This facility can be used by students on all days between 0830 and 22oo hrs, except on Sunday.

English news paper, magazines, postcards and journals are available for students use.

For recreation, the Students Affairs Officer office provide with indoor table games.

Cafeteria !!!

Aditya and me at the cafeteria.
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Aditya and Pradeep playing pool.

MBA students during a class break

(L-R) Mohamed, Vishal, Paes, Atmajit and Bobin





Cafeteria is at the 3rd level, open from 0700 till 1800hrs on weekdays and 0700-1300hrs on weekends. Its a good place to chit chat and spend time.

This is one place where my friends and me oftenly use at the University and we all have a very good time here inbetween and after classes. The staff here is very nice and they do not mind the students using the facility to discuss their assignments or even have some fun.

For leisure, the cafeteria has a pool table and dart board. The pool costs SGD 2 per game.

Myanmar - cultural evening !!!

Students from Myanmar (formerly Burma),
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Small dolls in different clothing and style , representing the 8 clans.

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MBA student - Su Mar Tun (Organizer for the Evening), presenting about the tradition, culture and values of their country Myanmar
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Students activiley taking part in the presentation

'MINGALAR BAR', meaning Welcome in Myanmar language.

As u can see from the pictures, JCUS encourages students to come out with such events and these only help one community to understand and know the other.

The Myanmar students under Ms. Su Mar Tun (presenter in picture 3), had arranged for the cultural evening, (held on 2nd September'05), from the assistance of the International Students Affairs office.

Through the two way presentation by these students, all participants for the evening, including the campus director's had the opportunity to know the culture, values, traditions, life style, places of interest, religion and above all understand the country from a different perspective.

After the presentation, the presenters had asked like a quiz to the participants about Myanmar. The winners were given a small token of appreciation. One of the highlights was a Swedish student Ms. Anna, taking up the challenge to try and dance the traditional dance, as it was being played on the screen.