As a student of NTU’s History programme, Ping Siang has learnt the significance of different societal norms and cultural practices, their impact on policy decisions and the ever changing global dynamics.

The History programme in Nanyang Technological University (NTU) touches on various disciplines: Cold War politics, environmental history, or even plastic surgery's place in Korean history. Perhaps in this regard, one might think it almost impossible to coalesce these varied topics into a singular point of impact. Yet, that is exactly what the programme has done for me over the past three years. To critically think, dwell, and contemplate the "stories" of the world we've been told. In doing so, to question and revisit how we ourselves conceptualise the world - that is what every History module has done for students.

A good teacher of mine in NTU History once said the following, "Every good scholarship in History draws a link between the past and present and uses this link to point out something about modern society". More than just reading and questioning stories, I find that my greatest takeaway from the course is learning how to illuminate the truth behind present societal mechanisms through the investigation of the past. In that sense, the past is brought to, and brings life to the "present" we are currently living in.

I mean this in more than an academic sense of improvement, this takeaway is also one that has left an indelible mark on my personal life. For example, the recent COVID-19 pandemic that we've all been victims of, I now question how I came to have such a preference for biomedical vaccines over medicines such as TCM. Is it truly because they are more "effective"? Or is it simply because of historical factors and events that have subtly sculpted my own view of the world? There are many more instances of such moments in the everyday life where I question my own thoughts and how they come to be.

Outside of being a student, I am also a national speed skater and naval officer with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). Two wildly different scopes that you might think have no relevance whatsoever to my pursuit of History.

This is not the case at all. Beyond generic traits such as grit or determination, to which my professors have done a wonderful job of inculcating within students, the course has also taught me to how to formulate sound arguments and decisions. For example, I naturally seek out and understand the historical factors that underpin existing policy decisions. Even the act of serving the military and nation, I now embrace and internalise better as I know the history that comes with it. In that sense, what NTU History also does is to teach students historical empathy, understanding and emoting history of those before within our own lives, in order to better live our present day out.

All in all, I've enjoyed my time in NTU History. More than just academically, the programme has provided my life with much more nuance and meaning. For prospective students, I highly recommend participating in the course or related modules over your coming years in NTU. I promise that it will be a fruitful experience that will redefine how you view and think of the world.

Written by: Ng Ping Siang, School of Humanities, Year 3

Related stories