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NTU Profs in a sporting class of their own
Posted On 05 Apr 2016
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They are in school every day doing what they do best – teaching. But students often forget that teachers have lives outside work. For some teachers, regular exercise is an integral part of that life. Sports writer Ignatius Koh takes a look at three professors who dedicate time to exercise.
SERVING WITH PASSION
Associate Professor Lee Yong Tsui, Assistant Chair, School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering
Switching from one racket sport to another, Assoc Prof Lee Yong Tsui picked up squash while warming up for a table-tennis match 40 years ago. PHOTO: NICHOLAS YEO
Assoc Prof Lee Yong Tsui has played squash in the past seven editions of Inter-Hall Games (IHG) for Hall of Residence 12 and even helped the team finish second — their best achievement — last year.
“Before I participated in IHG, I didn’t know hall fellows were allowed to play,” he said.
“When I became a hall fellow in 2009, the team was practising in the next court, and invited me to join them after seeing me play.”
Prof Lee’s first encounter with the sport took place by accident over 40 years ago.
A table tennis school team player until his university days, Prof Lee had walked into a nearby squash court before training to warm himself up on a wintery day in Leeds, England, where he studied.
The rest is history.
“After a few rounds, I didn’t return to the table tennis room – I stayed on in the squash court,” said Prof Lee, 61.
Despite suffering from a torn Achilles tendon in 2004, he retained the skills he acquired in England, where he worked for eight years after graduation.
While he was there, he represented a club in a local league in Nottingham and competed weekly in the second tier.
His experience fuelled Prof Lee’s love for squash, as the sport doubled as a social event.
“I enjoyed post-match outings as much as the matches as the home team always put out a spread of good food and drinks,” he said.
“Players from both sides would gather after their shower and have good banter all evening.”
After returning to Singapore, he continued to play squash competitively, participating in the annual Public Service STAR Games with his colleagues.
As a strong advocate of regular exercise, Prof Lee urged students to make it a part of their lives.
He said: “I will not accept anyone telling me that they have no time to exercise. Do a little, if that’s all you can afford.”
“Studying is important, but in order to keep up with your studies, you need a healthy body.”
DUNKIN’ DAILY
Associate Professor Wu Yuan, Division of Banking & Finance, College of Business (Nanyang Business School)
A familiar face at the Sports and Recreation Centre, Assoc Prof Wu Yuan has been playing basketball every night since he joined NTU in 1994. PHOTO: NICHOLAS YEO
In class, Prof Wu Yuan is all business while giving lectures on Actuarial Science.
But on the basketball court, he becomes a formidable ally — if you are on his team.
Prof Wu said: “The classroom is different from the court. In class, I’m their teacher but on court, our relationship becomes much friendlier — we are basketball buddies.”
He is a familiar face at the Sports and Recreation Centre.
“I represented my secondary school and high school in basketball but I was too short for the university team,” said Prof Wu with a laugh.
The sport gives him a chance to let off steam after a long day.
“I’ve been playing every night for two hours since I joined NTU in 1994.
“I need the exercise because I’m very busy – it makes me more refreshed,” said the 59-year-old.
Prof Wu said his age does not hinder his passion for basketball.
“Sometimes when I play basketball, I forget my age. I feel the same age as the students.
“I’m slower than them physically but mentally, I am as young as them.”
Being in the game for so long allows him to go toe-to-toe with students, most of whom are less than half his age.
“As I play basketball every day, I usually have better stamina than some students who only play once or twice a week,” said Prof Wu.
While exercising consistently may be a struggle for many students, Prof Wu believes the motivation will come naturally if they stick to an exercise plan.
“The most important thing is to keep going after you start. One month is no problem; one year is fine. But for 10, 20 years, it’s not easy,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s easy to find an excuse to skip exercise. But if you strongly believe in improving the quality of your work and life, you will find the motivation to keep going,” he added.
ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Associate Professor Lee Yee Hui, Assistant Chair (Students), School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, College of Engineering
Assoc Prof Lee Yee Hui, who runs every day, takes part in at least one marathon a year in Europe. PHOTO: NICHOLAS YEO
For Prof Lee Yee Hui, running is second nature — not even pregnancy could stop her from doing what she loves.
“During my first pregnancy, I was still running every day, even until the day before my delivery,” said Prof Lee, who is also the Assistant Chair of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
“My gynaecologist told me not to do it, but I knew my body well. So I continued to run.”
Prof Lee, who is in her 40s, has been running daily without fail since 1994.
“During my first marathon, I fell out at the 32-kilometre mark as I didn’t train beforehand so I was sent back to the starting point. I was so disappointed at that time,” she said. “Since then, I’ve been running every day.”
The mother of two begins her daily run at 7am every day. On weekdays, she wakes up at 6am to get her children ready for school.
“After sending my kids off, I run one round around NTU,” said Prof Lee, who is also a hall fellow at Hall of Residence 3. The NTU campus loop is an estimated 5.5km long.
For Prof Lee, running is a way to relax and clear her mind amid her busy schedule.
Her love for running knows no rest. Even while on holiday, she takes part in at least one marathon each year in Europe.
She said: “Some marathons are at places with beautiful landscapes, so running there is an experience.”
“Running the marathon forms part of my holiday experience with my family.”
Describing her love for running as an addiction, she added: “Running, to me, is how smoking and alcohol are to others.
“Once you’re used to it, you can’t live without it.”
Sharing tips with students eager to pick up running, Prof Lee said: “You have to start slow. Go at a comfortable pace before slowly building up for more.
“Don’t push yourself too hard as everyone has a physical limit.”
