The first Makerspace available to SMU community in SMU Labs
In 2018, the first Makerspace supported by Prudential was made available to SMU community. It serves as a collaborative environment for students and the SMU community to create, learn, explore, share, and generate new ideas. Workshops and activites were organized for the community to learn how to use the 3D printing machines and various tools available in the Makerspace.


    A student showcasing various ideas generated with 3D printing machines from the newly opened Makerspace in SMU Labs
    During the opening of the Makerspace in SMU Labs in October 2018, a student showcased various objects created using 3D printing machines to Ms. Neetha Nair, Head of the Center of Excellence with Prudential. Supported by Prudential, the Makerspace serves as a collaborative environment for students and the SMU community to create, learn, explore, share, and generate new ideas using 3D printing and other tools available in the space.


      Associate Professor Gary Pan, recipient of the inaugural SMU-X Excellent Teacher Award in 2018
      Associate Professor Gary Pan from the School of Accountancy (Right) received the inaugural SMU-X Excellent Teacher Award from SMU Provost Professor Lily Kong (Left) at the 2018 State of University Address. The award recognizes faculty who are dedicated to teaching SMU-X courses and collaborating with partners from the private, public, or social sectors to integrate experiential activities where students address real-world issues impacting communities and organizations. Prof Pan, along with Prof Venky Shankararaman from the School of Information Systems, bridges accounting and information Systems in the SMU-X Accounting Analytics Capstone, preparing students for future changes in the work landscape. Prof Pan was also acknowledged for being nurturing and supportive in guiding students through their learning progress.


        SMU-X : Transforming Education for a VUCA World
        A video highlighting SMU-X, an interdisciplinary and experiential learning framework that emphasizes project-based, real-world learning through collaboration with corporate, non-profit, and government organizations.


          The first IdeaX Innovation and Problem-Solving Workshop in 2021
          Mr. Derek Chiang, Senior Development Partner of SMU-X, is featured as one of the instructors for the first workshop that utilized the IdeaX Toolkit in 2021. The workshop aims to equip students with the skills needed to support their SMU-X project journey, from ideation to execution.


            Group discussion using the deck of cards from the IdeaX Toolkit
            Students in a group discussion using the deck of cards from the IdeaX Toolkit to build their project road map. SMU-X hosted its inaugural IdeaX workshop – an innovation and problem-solving session for students on how to better approach their SMU-X projects in February 2021. The IdeaX toolkit is designed to guide students in their project challenges, where the deck of cards are used to facilitate conversations, ideate solutions and evaluate ideas. IdeaX can also be used beyond the classroom by organisations seeking opportunities to make meaningful impact.


              SMU-X wins prestigious Triple E Awards for innovation and employability
              SMU-X wins prestigious Triple E Awards for innovation and employability. From L-R : Kevin Koh, Head; Yuanto Kusnadi, Associate Professor and Academic Director; Derek Chiang , Senior Development Partner of SMU-X at the Accrediatation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (ACEEU) Asia-Pacific Forum, where leaders in higher education gathered to advance the role of entrepreneurship and community engagement


                Kickoff of the first SMU-X Lifelong Learning course in August 2024
                In August 2024, Professor Gary Pan from the School of Accountancy (standing) and Professor Venky Shankararaman from the School of Computing and Information Systems (left, seated) launched the first lesson of the SMU-X Lifelong Learning (SMU-XL) programme, offer in the Industry Practice Master (IPM) of Digital Economy Capstone. It builds on SMU’s Industry Project-Based Experiential Learning (INDEX) programme, focusing on andragogy, lifelong learning, and industry collaboration. SMU-XL connects adult learners with industry partners for practical, hands-on learning experiences throughout different stages of their careers and education. The initiative leverages the principles of andragogy, emphasizing the unique needs of adult learners and promoting a self-directed, collaborative, and experience-based learning approach. At SMU-XL, faculty members and industry champions mentor adult learners to innovate solutions to actual business challenges and objectives.


                  A SMU-X class in collaboration with industry partner SearchAsia
                  Adjunct faculty, Mr. Jörg Dietzel from the Lee Kong Chian School of Business, commented on the recommendations presented by students to enhance the brand strategy of industry partner SearchAsia in January 2024. The SMU-X pedagogy offers a transformative approach to business education by seamlessly integrating interdisciplinary learning, industry collaboration, and experiential methodologies. It connects students with real-world projects, fostering innovation and practical problem-solving through engagement with industry partners, complemented by data-driven insights and analytics. This approach empowers students to lead with agility and creativity, preparing them to be future leaders capable of navigating complex global environments. SMU won the Innovation in Business Education Award at the 11th QS Reimagine Education Awards & Conference held in London in December 2024.


                    Professor Venky Shankararaman, recipient of the inaugural SMU-X Excellent Teacher Award in 2018
                    Professor Venky Shankararaman from the School of Information Systems (Right) received the inaugural SMU-X Excellent Teacher Award from SMU Provost Professor Lily Kong (Left) at the 2018 State of University Address. The award recognizes faculty who are dedicated to teaching SMU-X courses and collaborating with partners from the private, public, or social sectors to integrate experiential activities where students address real-world issues impacting communities and organizations. Prof Shankararaman, along with Prof Gary Pan from the School of Accountancy, bridges accounting and information systems in the SMU-X Accounting Analytics Capstone, preparing students for future changes in the work landscape. Prof Shankararaman was also acknowledged for assuming the roles of facilitator, negotiator to bolster students' confidence and support their learning in interacting with the real-world.


                      Welcome to SMU Labs
                      SMU partners with Ascott Limited to launch lyf@SMU in 2017. Located within the SMU Labs, it provides SMU copmmunity with a 24/7 dynamic and trend-setting co-study, co-work, co-living environment that also serves as a ‘living lab’ where applied research simultaneously takes place.


                        SMU wins prestigious THE Awards Asia 2025 – Teaching & Learning Strategy of the Year
                        SMU's Vice President (Partnerships & Engagement) Prof Lim Sun Sun receiving the prestigious award on behalf of the University. Singapore Management University (SMU) is proud to announce that it has been named Winner in the ‘Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year’ category at the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2025. The accolade was awarded in recognition of SMU-X, the University’s flagship industry project-based experiential learning framework that integrates academic knowledge with real-world industry projects. It marks a significant milestone for SMU-X, pioneered 10 years ago as a differentiating pedagogy, underscoring the University’s longstanding commitment to redefining learning through interdisciplinary, collaborative, and experiential approaches.


                          SMU-X team in the 2024/2025 INDEX Symposium held in CUHK Business School, Hong Kong
                          From L - R : Gloria Zhang, Joyce Tay, Kevin Koh (Head), Yuanto Kusnadi (Academic Director), Derek Chiang, Emmaline Lim (Deputy-Head), John Tay. SMU-X team with Professor Kusnadi at the 2024/2025 INDEX Symposium in Hong Konog. Launched by SMU's SMU-X team in 2023, the INDEX Symposium was created as a platform to foster collaboration between academia and industry. With its second edition, SMU-X joined forces with CUHK Business School to expand this global dialogue, reaffirming its commitment to advancing experiential education through interdisciplinary partnerships.


                            Faculty, Adjunct Teaching Mentors and Staff behind the SMU-X programme
                            SMU Provost Prof Tim Clark (seated front row, fifth from the right) shared a light-hearted moment with the Faculty, Adjunct Teaching Mentors (ATMs), and staff supporting the SMU-X programme during an appreciation lunch event. The SMU-X programme first engaged ATMs in 2018. Since then, they have played a vital role alongside faculty in guiding student teams through real-world, project-based experiential learning. These mentors familiarize themselves with the course structure and objectives, regularly meeting with student teams to coach them through research, analysis, prototyping, and deliverable preparation. Beyond mentoring, ATMs also support logistical and academic coordination by recruiting guest speakers or technical experts, attending major project events like kick-offs and final presentations, reviewing drafts, offering substantive feedback, and ensuring smooth collaboration between students, faculty, and project partners. Through their hands-on facilitation and structured guidance, ATMs help uphold SMU-X’s high standards while enabling students to develop professional confidence, teamwork, and practical problem-solving skills.


                              Participants in a creative workshop at the opening of the Makerspace in SMU Labs in 2018
                              A instructor is pictured conducting a workshop for a group of students at the opening of the Makerspace in SMU Labs in 2018. Supported by Prudential, the Makerspace serves as a collaborative environment for students and the SMU community to create, learn, explore, share, and generate new ideas. Workshops and activites were organized for the community to learn how to use the 3D printing machines and various tools available in the Makerspace.


                                SMU partners with Ascott to launch lyf@SMU
                                lyf@SMU (lyf stands for Live Your Freedom) was officially in Feb 2017. Located within the SMU Labs, it offers SMU students a dynamic and trend-setting co-study, co-work, co-living environment that also serves as a ‘living lab’ where applied research simultaneously takes place. L-R: Mr Lee Chee Koon, CEO of The Ascott Limited, Professor Arnoud De Meyer, SMU President, Minister Ong Ye Kung, Mr Lim Ming Yan, President & Group CEO of CapitaLand Limited, Professor Lily Kong, SMU Provost


                                  SMU-X Overseas : Transforming Education for a VUCA World
                                  A video highlighting SMU-X Overseas (SMU-XO), a programme that immerses students in international, entrepreneurial environments to tackle real-world business challenges, in collaboration with global partners.


                                    SMU-X student associates enjoying Peranakan food at the SMU 2023 INDEX Symposium's Gala dinner
                                    Mr Derek Chiang , Senior Development Partner of SMU-X (Standing) is pictured with the student associates who supported the inaugural SMU 2023 INDEX Symposium at its closing Gala dinner. SMU-X hires its first batch of student associates in 2018. They are the unsung contributors who work quietly behind the scenes to support the experiential learning engine. From managing databases and designing resources to facilitating industry engagements and running events, they ensure the smooth delivery of projects while balancing their own studies. With creativity, precision, and a deep sense of ownership, these student associates gain invaluable real-world skills while shaping the SMU-X experience for others. Their efforts may unfold backstage, but their impact is both lasting and essential.


                                      All about SMU Labs
                                      Launched in December 2014, SMU Labs is a specially-designed facilities located at the old MPH building in Stamford Road that supports SMU-X courses. Facilities in the three-storey building such as the While and Huddle rooms, are designed to promote active participation, discussion, ideation and collaboration. There are also spaces for play, relaxation and rest. This video introduces the different spaces available to students round the clock for their enriched learning experiences.


                                        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.


                                          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".