Interview with Dr Lam Ping Koy, alumnus of NYJC
1. How receptive was the audience to your lecture?
The audience was okay; I hope I’ve managed to spark off some interest in Physics amongst them. However, there was not much interaction between them and myself. In Australia, the students are not as reserved and dare to challenge the teacher. I guess it’s the cultural difference. Not that I blame local students, for I myself was once very attentive during lectures. But students should ask more questions to be a good scientist.
2. You have just given a lecture on Quantum Physics. Was the content covered any different from that during your JC days? If so, in what way was it different?
The syllabus covered back in my JC days was very different indeed. Physics has undergone a rapid revolution over the years. Twenty years ago, students learning Quantum Physics would have been unheard of. Now, I hear it is part of the H2 syllabus.
3. What subjects did you study during your JC days?
I did Further Maths, Physics, Chinese AO and GP. I tried Computer Science for a while but later gave it up.
4. I hear that you enjoy music, chess and sports. Did you enjoy such activities as extra-curriculum activities (ECAs) in NYJC?
I took part in a great many activities: Chess Club, cross-country, multi-racial events etc. It was not really as busy as it sounds. The ECAs you take up should be something you enjoy doing, or based on your hobbies. It is very important to pick an activity that you enjoy doing. Otherwise, ECAs will seem like a chore and you will be left wondering, “What am I going to do?”
5. Have you met any of your ex-teachers?
Yes I have! There’s Ms Katherine Moey, Ms Quennie Wong, Mr. Poon, Mr Koh…
6. Judging by the curriculum vitae featured in your homepage, one could say that you are a very successful person. How much did JC education prepare you for your current career?
JC education played a very important role. For one, Singapore has really good education standards. Once, I showed my Australian lecturer some ‘S’ paper questions. Impressed, he asked ‘Mind if I use them to set an exam?’ In the end, a few questions appeared in the university second year exam! Another thing about undergoing JC education is that it makes the first 2 years of university very relaxed. Do you know, it’s actually easier to be in Year 1 of University than in JC2!
7. This interview will be read by the NYJC population. Is there anything you would like to say to NYJCians?
Must study hard and enjoy! Note that these are not mutually exclusive…
About the good old days in the 80s..
I usually sit in the front row, on the right side of the Physics Lab. One day, my teacher heard me talking during lesson. Actually, I was talking to myself while conducting the experiment! She remarked,” You have got to be crazy when you talk to yourself!” To which I replied, “No, it’s not crazy to talk to yourself. It’s only crazy when you listen to yourself!
Once, my Physics teacher Mr. Wong set a very tough exam that caused half of the class to fail. When the students complained about it, Mr. Wong replied, “No, it’s not that tough. Ping Koy received a hundred marks.” I must say, I wasn’t too popular after that…
My gang of friends consisted of members of my CT and the cross-country team. We used to sleep over at College when we felt like it. We ‘borrowed’ the high jump cushion from the PE room and brought it out into the open. We then lay on it and spent the rest of the night admiring the stars and talking. My friends and I also used to play ‘tag’. It was really challenging, especially when you had to chase after a cross-country runner!
We still had the house system back in my JC days. Except that back then, the houses were named after members of the cat family (e.g. jaguar, cheetah, leopard) and birds (e.g. eagle)
By Wan Ying Yi
Pix by NYJC Photographic Society