It's another Team Singapore campaign.

Newly crowned Miss Singapore World Faraliza Tan is in the race for the global title on Dec 12, but this clashes with examinations for the mass communications undergraduate.

'I've four exam papers to sit for,' said the 21-year-old who is of Malay and Chinese lineage.

After she discussed her plight with the relevant authorities at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), they decided to play cheerleader.

'My dean said that this pageant is the Olympics of beauty and brains and that it is for a national cause,' said the former East Spring Secondary School student.

Her professors will now roll out separate exam papers for the 1.75m-tall Tan, who beat 21 rivals to win the local contest at Raffles Convention Centre on Aug 16.

Incidentally, her cousin Nuraliza Osman was crowned Miss Singapore Universe in 2002.

This year's grand final was slated to be held in Ukraine but the recent fighting between Russia and Georgia has prompted the search for a new venue.

Asked if life has changed for her, she said: 'In the past, I usually kept a very low profile, but now, more of my peers look at me when I walk by.'

And for the NTU guys who really must know, she said: 'No, I do not have a boyfriend.'

Loh Keng Fatt

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Aug 24, 2008.