SINGAPORE

After its huge success in 2009, Earth Hour is back in 2010.  On March 27, from 8.30pm, Singaporeans are invited to join like-minded citizens of the world to switch off their lights and ignite environmental awareness.  Grab your picnic basket, bring your family and friends and join thousands of others at the Esplanade Park from 7.00pm to witness Singapore's skyline going dark.  This year's concert will be hosted by Jamie Yeo and will include performances by Jack & Rai, Illusionists JC Sum and Magic Babe ‘Ning' and a special appearance of Earth Hour Ambassador Nadya Hutagalung.

 Let the hour be the first in changing the way you live going forward, whether it's taking that extra step to sleep air-con free or becoming vegetarian.  This year, WWF is emphasizing on ‘Earth Hour, Every Hour' and encouraging people to take their commitment beyond 60 minutes and adopt a sustainable lifestyle.  For more information, visit:  www.earthhour.org

If you have any questions, or are interested in interviews with the Earth Hour team, please contact:

• Sanjani Shah: 9321 1441
• Xiao Yu Tan: 6825 8032

Keynote Presentation

Interest rates are one of the key monetary policy variables and are important for the investors. The term structure of interest rates, as captured in a yield curve, defines the behavior of interest rates over the maturities of interest bearing securities at a particular point in time.

The shape of the yield curve at any time reveals the expectations about the future (direction) of the interest rates and the macroeconomic conditions. The shape, the level and volatility of the yield curve respond promptly to the uncertainty arising from financial crises. Thus, the inter-temporal movements of the government securities' yield curve serve as a closely watched financial barometer.

In an era of interconnected financial markets, isolated, contained or domestically inclined financial crises of the past exhibit currently increasing contagion. Thus, this presentation will examine the behavior of interest rates in Singapore between 1999 and 2009. There are two financial crises that have put their signatures on this period. The attacks on New York City's twin towers on September 11, 2001 is an exogenous shock for Singapore while the global financial crisis, which has been effective since at least mid 2007, has implications for being an endogenous shock for all economies in the world.

Concluding discussion will offer presenter's views on the future of the interest rates in Singapore in the near future.

About the Speaker

Professor Dogan TIRTIROGLU is a Professor of Finance and the Chair in Banking at the Business School, the University of Adelaide since June 1, 2008. He earned his Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Connecticut in 1991 and held various academic posts at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth in USA, Salisbury University in USA, Concordia University in Canada, and Cambridge University in UK between 1990 and 2008. He is a fellow of the Homer Hoyt Advanced Studies Institute in USA.

Professor TIRTIROGLU has wide research interests, mainly in banking, corporate finance and real estate finance. Both graduate (MBA, MSc and MPhil) and undergraduate level courses comprise of his teaching portfolio. He has supervised the theses of several post-graduate students and presented numerous papers at various international meetings.

This event is strictly by registration only. Seats are limited. Please RSVP to lilyloh@naaec.com.sg or 67382910 with your Full Name, Email, Contact No, Company and Designation. http://www.adelaide.edu.au/sg/bizforum2010/

 

Around the world most subordinates complain about bad management from their bosses in exactly the same way as their subordinates complain about them. As we are talking about highly intelligent, educated and motivated people who have access to any number of books, articles, seminars etc. on the art of good management this cannot be an accident. It must be that these executives are setting out to be bad managers and they show this by practising diligently every day. The role of academics and consultants is to help managers achieve their goals and although most bad managers clearly have a sound intuitive grasp of the fundamentals of poor management this presentation is designed to help them become bad management superstars - the worst of the bad.
Speaker: Dr. Chris Smith, Program Director - Offshore, University of Adelaide

Having initially qualified as a secondary school teacher, Dr Chris Smith's first full-time job was as a clinical psychologist working mainly in the field of adult psychiatry. From there he moved into the business world wherein a brief stint as a senior IR/HR manager was followed by GM/MD roles across a range of industries and settings ending in a Divisional CEO role overseeing a range of companies in the UK, Europe and Australasia. Dr Smith entered the academic world via Warwick Business School (UK) and joined Adelaide at the beginning of 2004.

Dr Smith's research/writing interests mirror his teaching interests and he is also interested in research/writing on the dynamics of learning and teaching in business related education. He teaches across a range of areas related to strategic management including business strategy, corporate strategy and strategic change.

Date: 29 January 2010 (Friday) Time: 2.00 pm - 3.30 pm Venue: 97 Tank Road, Level 3, Teochew Building, Singapore 238066 Website: www.adelaide.edu.au/sg   FREE REGISTRATION RSVP: yvonnechan@naaec.com.sg or 6738 2910    

The Singapore Gifts and Stationery Show (SGSS) is the annual event to showcase and secure corporate premiums and supplies for the year ahead.
The 2009 event staged more than 100 exhibitors from 5 countries, including Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and this 2010 will boast an even bigger show.
With exhibitors presenting a myriad of creative products and services for any budget, buyers can be sure to find a comprehensive selection of customizable gift premiums and ideas.
SGSS welcomes local and international gift exhibitors, buyers and visitors to register their interest early at www.gsshow.net, and be kept informed of developments and promotional opportunities from our partners.
The 2010 event will be held at the spanking new Marina Bay Sands from August 18th to 20th. 
Organised by TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd, SGSS is the only event supported by the leading trade associations in the region - Gifts Association Singapore, The Singapore Booksellers and Stationers Association, Malaysian Gifts and Premium Entrepreneur Association, Thai Gifts Premiums and Decorative Association. Industry related talks held in conjunction with the show are offered by Marketing Institute of Singapore. The event is also supported by IE Singapore.    Visit the website