USP will host 12 postgraduate students from the Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran, during their week-long study trip to Singapore. The visit is the reciprocal component of USP’s biennial study trip “Civilisation of Iran”, led by USP faculty Prof Syed Farid Alatas. USP students are invited to join the delegation for the various talks and sessions scheduled throughout their visit, including: Tue, 25 July | 3.00pm – 5.00pm | Master's Commons, USP Discussion with USP faculty A/P Barbara Ryan on American Studies Tue, 25 July | 6.30pm |Master's Commons, USP Dialogue on Sectarianism Thu, 27 July | 11.00am – 12.30pm | Master's Commons, USP Guest Lecture – The Sources of Islamist Radicalism in Southeast Asia

Organised by the University Scholars Club (USC), USP Freshmen Orientation Week (O’Week) builds on the friendships developed among the freshmen during USC Camp earlier this month, to further integrate the freshmen into our community. They will be exposed to the wide range of opportunities that USP provides and the diversity of people here in USP. We hope to see them get involved, shape, and develop our community in the next four years.

Led by Prof Syed Farid Alatas, the dialogue on sectarianism will deal with problems of Sunni-Shi'ite conflict witnessed throughout the Muslim world today. The session will involve a discussion on the nature of this conflict and assess ways in which it can be dealt with.

USP faculty Assoc Prof Barbara Ryan will talk about teaching American Studies glocally. The session will include a discussion of Sonny Liew's graphic novel, “The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye”, as an example of glocal thought that references US popular culture.