tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249905192011-11-20T10:31:08.807+08:00Crystallizing random thinking...Calvin Neo Qitaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590005331833028097noreply@blogger.comBlogger151100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24990519.post-69493548285131604682006-12-09T12:21:00.000+08:002006-12-09T12:23:29.791+08:00

From the perspective of "commoners", its difficult to accept that a shot at a scholarship and a future position of huge responsibility is mainly based on excellent academic results. The additional focus on community service and extra curriculum activities promoted in schools are nothing but "toppings" to this fundamental criterion. This may be justifiable given no other better selection

Calvin Neo Qitaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590005331833028097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24990519.post-15468922159535372122006-11-29T21:43:00.000+08:002006-11-30T10:03:04.954+08:00

In a recent lecture by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong on Singapore's experience in sustaining growth against the backdrop of a rapidly changing environment, he mentioned: "All countries want to find the elixir of eternal growth. We are all too conscious that Singapore's continued growth in the last 41 years is no guarantee that prosperity can be sustained over the next 20, 30, or 50 years." "

Calvin Neo Qitaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590005331833028097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24990519.post-1153406457377041472006-07-20T22:37:00.000+08:002006-07-20T22:40:57.393+08:00

My birthday presents for the past 25 years...

Calvin Neo Qitaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590005331833028097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24990519.post-1151330998071317722006-06-26T22:03:00.000+08:002006-06-26T22:09:58.086+08:00

Living is all about work, money, food, dreams etc.Dying is all about being happy.

Calvin Neo Qitaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590005331833028097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24990519.post-1151225854059572392006-06-25T16:18:00.000+08:002006-06-25T16:57:34.093+08:00

[From left] Dr. Kazutoshi (my FYP supervisor), Dr. Uchida, Katrin (Germany exchange student), Ahbi (Master student from India), and myselfDr. Uchida, a professor from Tohoku Univeristy (Japan), visited my research lab at NUS recently. Dr. Uchida is an expert on dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC), and we looked forward to his visit so much since we were dealing with nanofibers DSSCs ourselves. (

Calvin Neo Qitaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590005331833028097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24990519.post-1151223486777211872006-06-25T15:57:00.000+08:002006-06-25T16:18:06.790+08:00

Its been some time since I blogged. My writings had always been serious and critical, so I decided to write something of a lighter note. How about my cycling trip to Sentosa with my girlfriend? Ah... it was a fun, sunny day. We cycled around the coast and towards Sentosa Cove (near the golf course). There were some long slopes, and we had to push our bicycles up all the way - but the coming down

Calvin Neo Qitaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590005331833028097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24990519.post-1146885272444853272006-05-06T11:14:00.000+08:002006-05-06T11:14:32.446+08:00

I was very shocked today when I found out from an old cleaner that his monthly pay was only $250. He works eight hours a day clearing plates and doing cleaning in one of the food canteens in the National University of Singapore. Being an undergraduate with a bight future ahead of me, I felt shame if this was the type of canteen management I would grow up to lead in.What type of work warrants $250

Calvin Neo Qitaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590005331833028097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24990519.post-1146885181206430032006-05-06T11:09:00.000+08:002006-05-06T11:13:01.216+08:00

This is a letter I worte which was published in Straits Time Forum in April 2006.I REFER to Prof Er Meng Hwa’s article that few students apply for post graduate studies ('Few Singaporeans apply for postgrad studies'; ST, April 29). There are a few reasons why I think this is so.First, I think local students often compare Singapore Universities to established foreign Universities like Harvard, MIT

Calvin Neo Qitaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590005331833028097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24990519.post-1146231757103418452006-04-28T21:35:00.000+08:002006-04-28T21:42:37.113+08:00

Stock trading in Singapore is expected to slow down after Feb/Apr 06 period. Why is it still running like a bull? Two reasons I think.1. When people read too much of Buffet's invesment philosphies but does not acquire the skill to do simple valuations or assess competitive forces, positive sentiments can remained dangerously strong.2. Actually, the market is already showing signs of weakness...

Calvin Neo Qitaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590005331833028097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24990519.post-1145695623872344402006-04-22T16:45:00.000+08:002006-04-22T16:47:03.873+08:00

"its the difference of opinions that makes horses race..." Mark TwainTry applying it to the stock market!

Calvin Neo Qitaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590005331833028097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24990519.post-1145695491303137542006-04-22T16:40:00.000+08:002006-04-22T16:44:51.320+08:00

While reading a recent online article, Mr. Phillip Yeo, EDB's Chairman, mentioned that the Singapore biomedical industry did not have an existing market. This got me thinking about other industries in Singapore. For example, the local energy industry is mainly limited to electricity production and oil and gas refining. Acknowldging that we have limited land, resources and must be pragmatic in

Calvin Neo Qitaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590005331833028097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24990519.post-1145691116547814762006-04-22T15:22:00.000+08:002006-04-22T15:31:56.556+08:00

I think ten years from now (which is 2006), humanity will come to a cross-road. While energy production will become a major issue, with most of the money flooding into oil and gas exploration and tapping, it would also be the root of severe environmental problems.Maybe the correlation between energy and a country's GDP will have to go through some major correction.There will be four types of

Calvin Neo Qitaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590005331833028097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24990519.post-1145542302218729932006-04-20T22:11:00.000+08:002006-04-20T22:11:42.220+08:00

Today marks the end of my 11 month NOC Internship in the US. It has been a truly interesting experience. The internship had been a much needed time away from home, from friends, family and everything else. At the same time, it was meeting a new culture, new people, gaining new insights and re-discovering oneself. It is enlightening when you pluck yourself out of your environment and look at it

Calvin Neo Qitaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590005331833028097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24990519.post-1145542054547638792006-04-20T22:06:00.000+08:002006-04-20T22:07:34.556+08:00

18 months ago, as I walking home accompanied by a friend, we talked about the uncertain future that may lie ahead of us after we graduate. One question that lingered on my mind was his question, “where do I go from here after I graduate?”It was interesting how difficult such a simple question like that can be, and I believe at least a few graduates every year would lose some sleep pondering over

Calvin Neo Qitaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590005331833028097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24990519.post-1143648431533937012006-03-29T23:55:00.000+08:002006-03-30T00:07:11.543+08:00

Its interesting how the business analyst get it wrong so often. DSB predicts that CAO would trade between 0.515 to 0.80 but CAO's first day trading turns out to be a whooping 1.64 at closing. I was shocked enough that the opening price was 1.30; but almost had a heart attack when it shot up to 1.85 in less than half an hour. And I almost, yes almost, did a short sell at 1.70.Anyway, stock

Calvin Neo Qitaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590005331833028097noreply@blogger.com0