What is Blogs@NTU?
Leveraging on the popular WordPress platform, it is easy for a user to start a blog. With our 24/7 self-help guides available online, users may find the answers to their questions speedily with minimal waiting time. To apply for a blog, the user must be a current NTU staff or student. Approval is on a case-to-case basis.
All blog owners are expected to comply with the University’s policies and guidelines namely, Social Media Policy, IT Usage Policy, and corporate identity. Blog owners will be personally liable for any infringement of Copyright and Licensing laws.
Please note that blog owners are responsible for administrating the blog and keeping it up to date. Please ensure there is an email address somewhere in the blog for anyone to contact you.
Finally, please include the below disclaimer stated clearly in the blog, preferably in the footer, or in an “About” page for your blog.
Disclaimer: The content of this blog does not reflect or represent the views and opinions of NTU Library. If you have a concern or feedback about the content published here, please get in touch with library@ntu.edu.sg
We reserve the right to retrospectively edit or remove any content (text, images, etc.) without consulting the content owner/author upon advice from the schools or NTU offices.
Categories
Academic and Research
Comprising of staff/student profiles, research sites, course blogs, showcases, and event sites.
Administrative
Includes library blogs, administrative office sites, and other non-academic/non-research blogs.
Featured NTU Sites
Here is a listing of some of our sites.
What You Need To Know
Only current NTU staff and students may apply for a blog. Approval is on a case-to-case basis. Blogs for academic and research use are usually accepted. Upon leaving the University, users will not be able to access the blog.
Themes
We have a range of different themes available including the highly customisable Divi theme. Installation of new themes is not allowed as well as access to server files.
Plugins
A variety of useful plugins are available for activation. Blog admins may either activate plugins or submit a request. Installation of external plugins is not possible.
Online Guides
Need help? We have a range of self-help guides available online. Can’t find what you are looking for? Reach out to us by submitting an enquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s some answers to the most frequently asked questions about our Blogs@NTU. Links with asterisks* refers to external site.
What is Blogs@NTU?
We are using WordPress. Blogs are hosted externally and maintained by a vendor who will ensure the security and integrity of our multisite network. A valid NTU network account is required to successfully login to our Blogs@NTU platform. Login is not required for blogs that were set as ‘public’.
Do note that this is not a web hosting service. Users may wish to explore self-hosting options for more customisation, flexibility and control. We can’t advise on web hosting management and we don’t provide funding for services or projects.
Blogs are provided as-is.
How do I login?
To login, please click on the Log In link at the top left corner of the blog or append “wp-admin” at the blog address (e.g. “blogs.ntu.edu.sg/xxxxx/wp-admin”). You must have a valid NTU network account. At the username field, key in your NTU username without the domain and suffixes (e.g. “xyz123” not “xyz123@e.ntu.edu.sg”).
If you are able to login but are not able to access a specific blog, this refers to access issue not login issue. In this case, please request the blog admin to register you to the blog.
Can’t login?
If you encountered login issues, please do the following before trying again:
- Verify that your NTU username and password is correct.
- Ensure that the username field does not include the domain or other suffixes.
- Empty the cache or browsing history.
- Completely exit the browser (closing tabs may not exit the app).
- Use incognito or private browsing mode.
- Use a different browser than the one you had used previously.
- Use a different computer or device.
If unsuccessful, please visit our Q&A page for help and error reporting details.
How do I apply for a blog?
All current NTU users with a valid NTU network account may apply for a blog.
To apply for the following types of blog, please click on the following buttons:
To Apply
Please click here for the application details. Applications with incomplete or missing details will be declined.
Custom Domain
We no longer accept custom domain requests.
Blog Access and Export
Upon leaving the University and cessation of NTU network account, blog users will no longer be able to access the blogs. The blog may be exported and imported to an external WordPress platform (such as wordpress.com) in XML format. Media files must be exported/imported and relinked manually.
We do not provide any support for external WordPress platforms including export/import and relinking services.
What do I need to know about blog development?
Blogs are provided as-is. Users are expected to design, develop and populate content themselves.
Themes and Plugins
Installation of themes and plugins are disabled. Blog admins may request to activate existing themes* and plugins*. Access to server files is prohibited. However, blog admins may customised their blogs using custom CSS and the Divi theme*. Insertion of scripts is possible but not guaranteed. We are not able to troubleshoot errors arising from custom codes and scripts.
Design and Development
We don’t provide the following services:
- Blog design.
- Blog development.
- Populate content.
- Update content.
- Installation of external themes or plugins. Please use available themes and plugins.
- Troubleshooting for blogs using custom codes or scripts.
- Troubleshooting of user-created plugin errors (e.g. Formidable Form).
- Recommend plugins, themes, features, functions, etc.
- Advice on cybersecurity.
Blog admins may engage other NTU users to design and develop the blog. It is also possible to pay (using blog admin’s own fund) an external vendor to design and develop the blog. However, blog admin must apply for a temporary NTU network account on behalf of the vendor. Issues arising from the vendor’s design and development must be routed to the vendor or resolved by the blog admins themselves.
NTU Logo and Branding
Blog admins who wish to incorporate our NTU logo and branding into the blog must get prior approval from our Corporate Communication Office. Please adhere to their guidelines to ensure consistency and professionalism with our NTU brand.
What happens after I leave the University?
Before Leaving
Upon leaving the university, former users may not be able to access the dashboard of their blogs; as a valid NTU user account is required. Further additions or edits are no longer possible. Please ensure that you had exported your blog beforehand. Should you wish to deactivate your blog, please contact us using your NTU email. Do note that deactivated blogs are not deleted but archived – meaning, it will not be viewable nor accessible.
Exporting Your Blog
You may export your blog in XML format and import it to an external WordPress platform (such as wordpress.com). You must be the blog admin to do this. Please note that media files (images, videos, documents, etc) must be exported and imported to the new blog manually. Pages and posts that linked to these files must be relinked to it’s new location.
We do not provide any support for external WordPress platforms including export/import and relinking services.