Purpose

Leading Global Institutions launch alliance to advance human-centric urban research
The founding members of the Global Alliance on Sustainable Urban Societies are (R-L) Prof Orlando Woods, Director, Urban Institute, Singapore Management University, Prof Karen Chapple, Director, The School of Cities, University of Toronto, Prof Cathy Oke, Director, Melbourne Centre for Cities, Prof Loretta Lees, Director, The Initiative on Cities, Boston University, Prof Hyun Bang Shin, Head of Department, Department of Geography and Environment, The London School of Economics and Political Science. Five globally respected academic institutions have come together to launch the Global Alliance on Sustainable Urban Societies – a pioneering initiative that places people at the heart of urban research and policymaking. The partnership was announced on 1st July 2025 at the Singapore Management University (SMU) City Dialogues held in Vienna, taking place as part of the Mayors Forum of the World Cities Summit 2025. The alliance aims to deepen understanding of how city dwellers sense, navigate and shape the urban environments they inhabit. This includes examination of the social and cultural norms, social networks and economic linkages – the “soft infrastructures” – that underpin resilient and sustainable cities.


    Students showcasing their recommendations on improving the management of intergenerational diversity in the operation of Nestle Singapore
    During the 2019 showcase of students' final presentations for the SMU-X course Managing Diversity in Asia, Assistant Professors Aidan Wong (left) and Charlotte Setijadi (second from left) from the School of Social Sciences reviewed the work of a group of students. The students worked with Nestle Singapore and recommends various solutions in enhancing gender diversity and inclusion in its workplace. The course, in collaboration with the School of Social Sciences, aims to equip students with the necessary skills to become effective and empathetic managers of people in dynamic multicultural environments. In the course, students will learn analytical frameworks that will enable them to gain deeper understanding of existing problems to do with inequality and diversity in contemporary Asian societies.
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      Launch of the Dato' Kho Hui Meng Career Centre in 2012
      SMU President Arnoud De Meyer (left) and SMU Board of Trustee Dato' Kho Hui Meng (right) at the launch of the Career Centre named in honor of Dato' Kho Hui Meng's generous contribution to the University. The Dato' Kho Hui Meng Career Centre (DKHMCC) collaborates with employers to empower students in shaping their career paths through personalized support, workshops, and networking opportunities, enhancing their skills and confidence for the workforce.
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        Inaugural run of ASEAN Internship Programme Plus in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
        Students participating in the inaugural ASEAN Internship Programme Plus (AIP+) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, had the opportunity to visit a local business and gain firsthand insights into how agriculture contributes to economic growth and supports rural livelihoods. They also studied at Vietnam National University to gain insights into Vietnam’s politics, economy, and society. Launched in May 2025, the AIP+ programme is jointly managed by the Centre for Global Education and Opportunities (GEO) and the Dato’ Kho Hui Meng Career Centre (DKHMCC). It aims to enhance students' employability and global readiness through internships at ASEAN companies. Students are introduced to ASEAN cities with high business potential, providing them with an understanding of the companies, challenges, opportunities, and the business culture and landscape. They are also given opportunities to acclimatize to the city and country, and to build contacts in their assigned location.
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          SMU-X introduces X-Scent, a collaboration with perfume label "Scent by SIX" in its inaugural INDEX Symposium in 2023
          At its inaugural INDEX symposium, SMU-X unveiled X-Scent, a collaboration with the Singaporean artisanal perfume label "Scent by SIX". With the tagline "Turning possibilities into realities," the fragrance embodies the spirit of dreaming big, reaching for the stars, and believing that anything is possible. Each symposium participant received a complimentary bottle of the perfume. Additionally, the perfume was sold for $50, with all proceeds going to the SMU-X Opportunity Award. This award supports financially needy students who require funding to participate in transformative projects abroad through the SMU-X overseas (SMU-XO) courses.
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            Arnoud de Meyer, SMU President and Shi Jianjun, UIBE President, signing the MOU on 7 May 2012
            Arnoud de Meyer, SMU President and Shi Jianjun, UIBE President, signing the MOU on 7 May 2012. The MOU covers the full spectrum of programmes – from undergraduate and post-graduate programmes to executive education. Under the MOU, both universities will conduct joint research, as well as the exchange knowledge, faculty, staff and students.


              Oral History discussion panel held on 10 February 2012
              Oral History panel held on 10 February 2010, Janice Bellace, Ho Kwon Ping, John Niland, and Paolina Martin


                At the SMU Leadership Symposium 2019
                Panelist Mr Lam Shiu Tong, Carrie Tan, Josephus Tan, Koh Wei Ren at the SMU Leadership Symposium 2019.


                  At the launch of Mapletree Real Estate Programme in 2018
                  Mapletree Investments Chairman, Mr Edmund Cheng, presenting Mapletree's gift to SMU President, Professor Arnoud De Meyer, at the launch of Mapletree Real Estate Programme. The programme aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge and cross-disciplinary skills to navigate the growing real estate sector in Singapore and globally.


                    SMU Blue Ribbon Commission on Undergraduate Education announcement in 2018
                    Prof Paulin Straughan, Prof Elvin Lim, Provost Prof Lily Kong and Prof Lim Kian Guan at SMU Blue Ribbon Commission on Undergraduate Education announcement in 2018.


                      Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Ho Rih Hwa Lecture 2018
                      Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with SMU senior management at Ho Rih Hwa Lecture 2018


                        Participants at the SMU Leadership Symposium 2018
                        80 international participants from 37 overseas universities joined 250 student leaders from SMU, Polytechnics and Junior Colleges at the SMU Leadership Symposium 2018


                          SMU hosted the CNA Perspectives Season 7 episode 2
                          SMU hosted the CNA Perspectives Season 7 episode 2 “Smart City: How close are we to realising the vision?” which featured an esteemed panel of thought leaders including SMU Professor Archan Misra, CEO of Katoen Natie Mr Koen Cardon, CE of GovTech Singapore Ms Jacqueline Poh, Director of Research Dr Limin Hee, Centre for Liveable Cities Moderator Mr Teymoor Nabili.


                            Andrew Keen speaking at SMU’s Presidential Distinguished Lecture Series 2018
                            Entrepreneur, author and broadcaster Andrew Keen speaking to about 150 students, business leaders and the SMU Community at SMU’s Presidential Distinguished Lecture Series 2018.


                              Launch of SMU-A*STAR Joint Lab
                              Signing Ceremony: Launch of SMU-A*STAR Joint Lab in Social and Human-Centred Computing


                                Daw Aung San Suu Kyi addressing the audience at the Ho Rih Hwa Lecture Series
                                Daw Aung San Suu Kyi addressing the audience at the Ho Rih Hwa Lecture Series


                                  Taichung Education Fair
                                  Singapore Management University attended a number of overseas education fairs to recruit students to the new university. This photo shows Associate Professor Low Kee Yang, Deputy Dean of the School of Business, and Professor Tan Chin Tiong (hidden), Deputy Provost, talking to prospective students at the Taichung Education Fair in Taiwan in November 1998.


                                    SMU's Logo
                                    Press conference held at library@Orchard on 15 December 1999 to introduce Singapore Management University's new logo. Left to right: Associate Professor Tan Lee Chuan, Deputy President Tan Teck Meng, Chairman Ho Kwon Ping, Provost Tan Chin Tiong and Dean Tsui Kai Chong.


                                      SMU's Logo
                                      Provost Tan Chin Tiong speaking at a press conference introducing Singapore Management University's new logo. The gold and dark blue logo of a lion's face is constructed from the seven geometric pieces of a traditional tangram puzzle. The press conference was held at library@Orchard on 15 December 1999.


                                        SMU expands regional presence with Overseas Centre in Bangkok
                                        Striking the gong to launch the SMU Overseas Centre Bangkok on 27 October 2023. From L-R: Professor Lily Kong (SMU President), Mr Panote Sirivadhanabhakdi (SMU Trustee and Group CEO of Frasers Property Limited), Guest of Honour Dr Krissanapong Kirtikara (Former Deputy Minister of Education & Chairman, Kasetsart University Council), Mr Chartsiri Sophonpanich (Chair of SMU’s International Advisory Council in Thailand and President of Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited), Mr Alexander Lim (Charge d’Affaires ad interim, Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Bangkok) and Professor Lim Sun Sun (Vice President, Partnerships and Engagement, SMU).


                                          SMU sharing insights on the SMU-X pedagogy at the 2024 ACEEU Asia-Pacific Forum
                                          From L - R : Professor Thorsten Kliewe, Chair, ACEEU, Germany ; Ms Siobhan Curran, Director, Entrepreneurship University of Newcastle, Australia ; Mr Kevin Koh, Head, SMU-X, Office of the Provost, Singapore Management University ; Mr Noor Azizi Ismail, Senior Professor at Malaysian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship and Business Universiti Malaysia Kelantan. The 2024 forum emphasised amplifying societal impact through entrepreneurship, community engagement, and cutting-edge technologies in higher education. Mr Kevin Koh, was invited to share insights into how SMU equips students with innovation and entrepreneurship skills through various strategic initiatives and programmes, including the award-winning SMU-X programme in a discussion panel on "The Future of Entrepreneurship and Engagement in Higher Education".
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                                            Launch of Sustainable Futures Track in the 2023 SMU Global Summer Programme
                                            A new Sustainable Futures track was launched on the 8th edition of the Global Summer Programme in 2023. With the new track, students now had the opportunity to learn about the rich cultural heritage, economic dynamism and diverse social landscapes of multifaceted Asia; underpinned by the crucial elements of sustainable development and protecting the environment. At the event in SMU Mochtar Riady Auditorium to open the annual programme are (from left) Ms Bay Hwee Eng (Assistant Director, GEO) ; Ms Zealyn Heng Shi Lin (Manager and Personal Assistant, Academic Services and Operations) ; Dr Navin Rajagobal (Senior Director of Academic Services and Operations) ; Guest of Honour Professor Tommy Koh ; Professor Timothy Clark (SMU Provost), Mr Rick Tay (Head, Centre for Global Education and Opportunities).
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                                              Panelists at the 2024 ACEEU Asia-Pacific Forum
                                              From L - R : Professor Thorsten Kliewe, Chair, ACEEU, Germany ; Mr Kevin Koh, Head, SMU-X, Office of the Provost, Singapore Management University ; Ms Siobhan Curran, Director, Entrepreneurship University of Newcastle, Australia ; Mr Noor Azizi Ismail, Senior Professor at Malaysian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship and Business Universiti Malaysia Kelantan. Panelists of the discussion panel on "The Future of Entrepreneurship and Engagement in Higher Education" at the 2024 Accrediatation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (ACEEU) Asia-Pacific Forum. The discussions underscored SMU-X’s dedication to cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and adaptability, and equipping students and professionals with skills to thrive and lead in a dynamic, global marketplace.
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                                                IdeaX : A toolkit develop for innovation and problem solving since 2021
                                                The IdeaX Toolkit was developed by the SMU-X team in response to recurring challenges observed across multiple SMU-X classes and project presentations. Drawing from firsthand insights and classroom experience, the toolkit was designed to better support students throughout their project journey – from ideation to execution – by addressing common pain points and guiding them towards more effective and impactful outcomes. The toolkit comes in a deck of five coloured coded cards, addressing the concept of Themes, Disciplinary Knowledge, Analysis & Solution Frameworks, Problem-solving Road Map and Desired Learning Outcomes.
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                                                  SMU-XO students with their mentors and senior management of VinaCapital
                                                  The picture was taken after the students' presentations to the mentors and senior management of VinaCapital in Ho Chi Minh City. VinaCapital, one of Vietnam’s leading investment management companies, sponsored the SMU-X Overseas (SMU-XO) project of ECON248 Overseas Project Experience (Macroeconomics in Asia). (Front row from left): Mr. Andy Ho, CIO of VinaCapital; Ms. Que Hoang-Phuong Vu, Adjunct Lecturer at the School of Economics, SMU; Mr. Derek Chiang, Senior Development Partner of SMU-X; and Mr. Brook Taylor, CEO of Asset Management and Executive Director at VinaCapital. Through projects, students gained first-hand experience in the fast-paced buy-side analyst role, identifying high-alpha projects to benefit various VinaCapital funds. They also deepened their knowledge of modern and sophisticated financial products such as SPACs and digital assets, understanding how these products have different characteristics under various macroeconomic and financial market conditions, especially in developing countries. As final deliverables to VinaCapital, students evaluated investment projects from different stakeholders’ perspectives and provided recommendations. They gained insights into the investment process and learned how to leverage market fluctuations to identify asset classes that could deliver positive investment returns. They also had the opportunity to interact with faculty and students at the Vietnam National University, network with aspiring start-up founders and SMU alumni based in Ho Chi Minh City. They also managed to squeeze in some time to soak in the sights and sounds of the city, and visit cultural sites like the Cu Chi Tunnel and Mekong River.
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