Healthy interest in local literature at S'pore unis

The report ("Who's afraid of 'chao ah beng'?"; Monday) highlights interesting ways that Singapore literature is being read overseas.

It has also drawn attention to the fact that Singapore literature is taught in local secondary schools.

However, Singapore literature is taught at local universities, too.

Both the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University have modules which focus on Singapore literature. Contrary to general perception that local literature is not warmly received here, these classes have healthy subscription rates and are made up of both local and international students.

Apart from "Singapore-specific" modules, it is not uncommon to find local literature featured in other contexts as well.

For instance, Suchen Christine Lim's The River's Song is read in a class called "Women Novelists". In these classes, local literature is used to teach about Singapore in the context of global issues.

Our universities are doing a great job promoting a healthy interest in Singapore literature.

Nadiah Song Xiuhua (Ms)

This article was first published on February 18, 2016.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.