Establishment of the Centre for Global Education and Opportunities (GEO), under the newly formed Academic Services and Operations (ASO) division
The cake-cutting ceremony celebrating the establishment of the Centre for Global Education and Opportunities (GEO), a new member of the Academic Services and Operations (ASO) group. GEO plays a pivotal role in driving global exposure participations of our students through immersive and meaningful signature global education programs. The event was attended by (Front, from left) Mr Ivan Low, Head of Marketing and Outreach, Office of Admissions and Financial Assistance (OAFA); Mr Tan Lee Chuan, Director, Office of Registrar; Ms Linette Lim, Director, OAFA; Dr Navin Rajagobal, Senior Director, ASO; Professor Timothy Clark, SMU Provost; Mr Rick Tay, Head, Centre for Global Education and Opportunities (GEO), (Back, left) Ms Prasanthi Guda, Head, Undergraduate Careers, Dato’ Kho Hui Meng Career Centre (DKHMCC); (Back, 4th from right) Mr Henry Yeo, Deputy Director, Postgraduate Careers, DKHMCC; along with the staff of ASO and GEO.
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    Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Global Summer Programme
    The Centre for Global Education and Opportunities (GEO) celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Global Summer Programme on 23 June 2025, with a cake cutting ceremony at the Mochtar Riady Auditorium. At the event are (from left to right) Cheska Geraldine Gonzales Padilla, SMU student emcee ; Ms Bay Hwee Eng, Senior Assistant Director, GEO ; Ms Pooja Nikam, Head of Loyalty, Disney + ; Assistant Professor Darlene Machell Espena, College of Integrative Studies ; Mr Ted Howland, Vice-President Group Sustainability, CapitaLand ; Alan Chan, SMU Provost ; Dr Navin Rajagobal, Senior Director, ASO ; Mr Rick Tay, Head, GEO. The Global Summer Programme was started in 2015. It was suspended in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and resumed in 2021.
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      Representatives from Seoul National University engaging students at the Global Education Fair 2026
      The photo shows representatives from Seoul National University engaging with students at the Global Education Fair, held in January 2026 at SMU’s basement concourse. The Asia Pavilion—a curated cluster spotlighting partner universities from China, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand—attracted large numbers of students and highlighted the growing interest in regional opportunities. This focus reflects SMU’s commitment to deepening engagement within Asia. Through these programmes, students gain exposure to Asia’s diverse cultures and socioeconomic landscapes, building region specific knowledge and cross-cultural competencies that are highly valued by employers both locally and globally.
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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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          Students in conversation with representatives at the Mahidol University International College booth, eager to learn more about global study opportunities
          The photo captures students engaging enthusiastically with representatives at the Mahidol University International College booth at the Global Education Fair, held in January 2026 at the University’s basement concourse. In a first, this year’s Fair was organised into two distinct zones. Universities from Oceania, the Americas and Europe lined the longer arm of the T-Junction, creating a vibrant corridor of global opportunities. Participating institutions included the University of Sydney, University of Minnesota and University of Glasgow, among others. The shorter arm of the T-Junction featured an Asia Pavilion spotlighting partner universities from China, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. This curated cluster, which attracted large numbers of students, underscored the growing interest in regional opportunities and reflected SMU’s commitment to deepening engagement within Asia.
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            AIP+ students and industry leaders connected at Industry Engagement Session in August 2025
            Students participating in the AIP+ programme had the opportunity to engage with industry leaders during the Industry Engagement Session in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The session included a keynote address and a panel discussion focused on talent development and future-ready skills. Representatives from leading companies such as Shopee Vietnam, WHT Trade & Investment Consulting, and SMARTR.CO shared their insights during a panel session. Drawing from their rich experiences across e-commerce, consulting and tech entrepreneurship, the panel explored the region's evolving skills landscape. Students gained valuable insights into industry expectations, the impact of AI and automation and the importance of adaptability and cultural intelligence. Front (L - R) Ms Bay Hwee Eng, Deputy Head, Business Development and Partnerships & Lead, Short-term Study Programmes, Centre for Global Education and Opportunities (GEO), SMU ; Ms Wong Soo Mei, Assistant Director, ASEAN Programme Development, Dato' Kho Hui Meng Career Centr (DKHMCC), SMU ; Mr Van Nguyen, Founder & CEO, SMARTR.CO ; Ms Windy Huong Tran, CEO & Founder, WHT Trade & Investment Consulting LLC ; Mr Anh Tuan Tran, Executive Director, Head of Shopee Vietnam ; Dr Ng Xu Wen, Investment and Innovation Lead, Innoventures Inc. Dr Ng also teaches at the SMU Global Summer Programme.
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              SMU Global Summer Programme 2024 introduces a new Digital Intelligence Track
              Singapore Management University (SMU) launched the 9th edition of its annual Global Summer Programme (GSP) with the introduction of a Digital Intelligence track. The new track empowers students to confidently harness technology for success in an AI-driven world. Held at the Mochtar Riady Auditorium on campus, the launch event was attended by more than 250 programme participants from 35 nationalities around the world. Gracing the event was Guest of Honour Ms. Feon Ang, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, LinkedIn (4th from right). Joining her (on her right) was Aidan Wong, Asst Prof, Urban Studies (Education), College of Integrative Studies, who moderated at the launch and (from her left) Yuanto Kusnadi, Assoc Prof of Accounting (Education) and Academic Director (SMU-X), as well as Mr. Rick Tay, Head, and Ms. Bay Hwee Eng, Asst Director, from the Centre for Global Education and Opportunities (GEO). Attendees from the SMU Office of Industry Engagement (OIE) included (from the left) Ms. Jenn Goh, Asst Manager, Mr. Nelson Ng, Assoc Director, and Ms. Catherine Chong, Director.
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                SMU students with the representatives from Sabanci University from Turkey at the 2024 Study Abroad Fair
                The 2024 Study Abroad Fair (SAF) saw a record-breaking 1,512 registered participants, the highest since its inception. Students are offered a wide range of Global Exposure (GE) programmes at SMU to enrich their learning. These include overseas community service projects by the Centre for Social Responsibility, overseas internships by the Dato' Kho Hui Meng Career Centre, study abroad and immersion programmes by GEO, overseas study missions offered by Schools and overseas project experiences by SMU-X, among others. The Fair served as a comprehensive platform for students to learn about the various programmes available, engage directly with representatives from SMU’s partner universities, and gain insights into overseas exposure opportunities. The photo shows SMU students interacting with representatives from Sabanci University in Turkey, marking the university's first participation in the Fair.
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                  In 2026, SMU rebrands Study Abroad Fair as Global Education Fair to reflect expanding international opportunities for students
                  In 2026, against a backdrop of growing interest in global and regional exposure, SMU’s annual Study Abroad Fair was rebranded as the Global Education Fair (GE Fair). The refreshed identity reflects the expanding range of international programmes offered by the University and its partner institutions, and underscores SMU’s commitment to nurturing globally agile graduates equipped to thrive in an interconnected world. Held on 28 January 2026 at the University’s basement concourse, the GE Fair was organised by the SMU Centre for Global Education and Opportunities (GEO), a unit within the Academic Services and Operations (ASO) group. This signature GEO event continues to serve as a key gateway for students seeking transformative international experiences, offering insights into study, internship, and overseas immersion opportunities.
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                    Crowds of students thronged the in-person Fair at the SMU Concourse in the first-ever hybrid Study Abroad Fair in 2023
                    After conducting virtual editions of the Study Abroad Fair (SAF) in 2021 and 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, GEO ran the first ever hybrid SAF in 2023. Over a thousand students thronged the in-person Fair at SMU Concourse and seized the chance to engage with representatives from 22 partner universities and 53 exchange students from various continents, gaining valuable insights into what to expect from an exchange or global exposure programme at different universities.
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                      Students at the University College London booth during the 2023 Study Abroad Fair
                      The Centre of Global Education and Opportunities (GEO) hosted its first hybrid Study Abroad Fair (SAF) in 2023, as in-person overseas immersion opportunities resumed after the Covid-19 pandemic. The in-person SAF was held in SMU Concourse and was abuzz with excitement as students explore the University's diverse Study Abroad programmes, destinations, and partner universities, including the popular International Student Exchange Programme (ISEP). In the photo, students are seen engaging with a representative from University College London (UCL).
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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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                          T-Junction at SMU Concourse bustling with energy as crowds of students thronged the Global Education Fair 2026
                          Held on 28 January 2026 at the University’s basement concourse, SMU’s annual Study Abroad Fair was rebranded as the Global Education Fair (GE Fair). Among the Fair’s most anticipated highlights was the University’s International Student Exchange Programme (ISEP). Managed by the Centre for Global Education and Opportunities (GEO), ISEP partners with over 230 universities across 46 countries, offering students the opportunity to study at leading institutions worldwide while immersing themselves in diverse cultural and academic environments. With representatives from more than 30 partner universities in attendance, the Fair drew strong participation from across the SMU community. The T-Junction was abuzz with activity as students engaged in lively conversations with university representatives, collected information materials, and explored pathways for their global journeys.
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                            Students visited the Old Town White Coffee Coastal Playgrove at East Coast Park under the Global Summer Programme
                            As part of the Asia Pacific Business course within the Global Summer Programme (GSP), students visited the Old Town White Coffee Coastal Playgrove at East Coast Park. The programme features onsite visits to various local companies, allowing participants to enhance their socioeconomic and cultural understanding of Singapore and Asia. Students learned about the importance of leveraging technology for business success and appreciating cultural diversity. The visit to Old Town White Coffee offered real-world exposure to the local food industry.
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                              International students in the 2024 Exchange Student Ambassador (ESA) Training
                              This is a group photo featuring the batch of graduating students from the 2024 Exchange Student Ambassador Training. The Training was first launched in February 2023 to equip exchange students with skills to be an ambassador of SMU through a series of specially curated workshops held over a semester.
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                                Representatives from Korea University engaging students at the Global Education Fair 2026
                                The photo shows representatives from Korea University engaging with students at the Global Education Fair, held in January 2026 at SMU’s basement concourse. The Asia Pavilion—a curated cluster spotlighting partner universities from China, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand—attracted large numbers of students and highlighted the growing interest in regional opportunities. This focus reflects SMU’s commitment to deepening engagement within Asia. Through these programmes, students gain exposure to Asia’s diverse cultures and socioeconomic landscapes, building region specific knowledge and cross-cultural competencies that are highly valued by employers both locally and globally.
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                                  Students with representatives from Kyushu University at the Asia Pavilion of the Global Education Fair 2026
                                  Held on 28 January 2026 at the University’s basement concourse, SMU’s annual Study Abroad Fair was rebranded as the Global Education Fair (GE Fair), reflecting the Centre for Global Education and Opportunities (GEO) commitment to shaping globally agile, Asia-ready graduates with real world experience. Beyond semester long exchanges, GEO offers a diverse suite of flexible global programmes that support students’ academic, professional, and experiential learning goals. These include Short-Term Study Programmes (SSP), which provide structured overseas exposure in credit-bearing and non-credit formats, as well as international work opportunities such as the ASEAN Internship Programme (AIP), AIP+, and the Global Innovation Immersion (GII) Programme. Complementing these are SMU-X overseas project experiences and Overseas Study Missions, which integrate classroom learning with real world projects and industry focused study trips, enabling students to gain global and regional perspectives through immersive learning experiences. The photo features students engaging with representatives from Kyushu University, a new participating institution, at the Asia Pavilion—a curated cluster spotlighting partner universities from China, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand.
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                                    Students in the inaugural run of SMU Asia Global Exposure programme at University of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City
                                    SMU students with local students from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Vietnam, during the inaugural run of the SMU Asia Global Exposure (SAGE) programme in 2024. The photo was taken in a UEH campus classroom during their first lesson. SAGE is a series of short-term immersion programmes comprising classes hosted by local universities, cultural immersion activities and company visits in Southeast Asia countries. The initiative aims to broaden students’ understanding of regional economies and diverse cultures.
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