Education Commons^™

Up Close And Personal With Mr Sundar Selvam: Hitting Zero Targets, Sundar Selvam

Oral History Collection

He might not be one you would have come across on campus. And not one you might read much about in SMU news or in the limelight for its achievements, preferring to remain in the background. But look around the SMU campus and you will see the fruits of his work and that of his team. Meet Sundar, SMU’s Vice-President for Campus Infrastructure and Services. Since January 2015, he has been at the forefront of driving SMU’s own sustainability journey which has resulted in several “firsts”. This interview was published in the August edition of SMU CIRCLE.

Up Close And Personal With Hugh Edmiston: Engineering Smu Towards Growth And Excellence, Hugh Edmiston

Oral History Collection

So what can a chartered engineer from the United Kingdom tell us about our aspirations to contribute to growth in Asia, as a young university in Singapore? As I found out…plenty. And then some. Meet SMU Senior Vice-President (Administration) Hugh Edmiston, who joined us just as COVID-19 hit our shores (“Little did I know there was a global pandemic on the horizon when I moved!”); and read on to learn more about his multiple roles and responsibilities in SMU as he drives our growth in Asia. This interview was published in the June 2021 edition of SMU CIRCLE.

Up Close And Personal With Smu President Prof Lily Kong, Lily Kong

Oral History Collection

On the occasion of SMU’s coming of age (21st anniversary), alumnus Terence Quek (MCM 2013) 'Zoomed' SMU President Professor Lily Kong, and through a host of questions discovered her leadership challenges, why she ran 248km, and how she plans to keep SMU “glowing”.The interview was published in the February 2021 edition of SMU CIRCLE.

Oral History Interview With Timothy Clark, Timothy Clark

Oral History Collection

The interview covered:

• Starting at SMU
• Concepts and Value
• Challenges and Future
• Teaching and Curriculum
• Campus - Prinsep Street going forward
• Faculty
• Challenges & Future
• Advise for Students

Oral History Interview With Lily Kong (Part 2), Lily Kong

Oral History Collection

The interview covered:

• Research - Capacity building
• Teaching & Curriculum - Postgraduate professional programs
• Presidents - Internal and external role
• Presidents - Garden metaphor
• Leadership styles, group dynamics
• Challenges & Future - A relatively young university
• Concept & Values - Making a difference in higher education
• Challenges & Future - Healthy competition, cooperation and collaboration
• Personal Reflection - As a woman in senior management
• Advice for Students - Dare to dream
• Presidents - Learning & delegating
• Personal Reflection - Getting a different perspective
• Advice for Students - Know yourself and find a good fit

Oral History Interview With Lily Kong, Lily Kong

Oral History Collection

The interview covered:

• President – Career in Singapore prior to joining SMU
• Teaching & Curriculum – Blue Ribbon Commission for Undergraduate Education
• Campus – Prinsep Street Residences
• Teaching & Curriculum – SMU-X courses
• Research – Societal Challenges
• Teaching & Curriculum -SMU Academy

Oral History Interview With Arnoud De Meyer, Arnoud De Meyer

Oral History Collection

The interview covered:

• Teaching and Curriculum – Title: Maintaining SMU’s competitive edge
• Challenges & Future; Title: Developing SMU into an internationally recognized university
• SMU research and its impact on society in Singapore
• Campus – Title: Renovating Campus Green
• Renovating Prinsep Street Residences
• SMU-X Building
• Designing SMU-X Building
• Building a culture of sustainability
• Goals as President
• Support from the government
• Advice for students – Grasping opportunities

Oral History Interview With Ruth Chiang: Growing Smu, Ruth Chiang

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with SMU, first batch of SMU students, student creed, CIRCLE values, student community service, finishing touch program, career services including OnTrac, internship, graduate employment service, Dato’ Kho Hui Meng Career Centre.

Biography:

Director of the Office of Student Life and the Office of Career Services, SMU, 2000-2015

Ruth has a Master Degree in Communications Management from the University of South Australia; a graduate Diploma in Business Administration from NUS and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Economics from Singapore University. She is also an accredited administrator of personality inventories like MBTI, DISC, MAPP, Proscan, …

Oral History Interview With Rajendra Srivastava: Growing Smu, Rajendra K. Srivastava

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: role of provost, AACSB accreditation, evolution of SMU undergraduate program, development of postgraduate program, executive development program, faculty recruitment, development of research effort, research centres and institutes, areas of excellence, start of case writing initiative, India Desk.

Biography:

LKCSB Chair in Marketing Strategy and International Business, SMU, 2015 - Present

Provost and Deputy-President (Academic Affairs), SMU, 2009 - 2015

Rajendra Srivastava was Provost and Deputy President at Singapore Management University (SMU) from 2008 to 2015. Prior to joining SMU he was the Roberto C. Goizueta Chair in Marketing and Digital Commerce, Goizueta Business School, Emory University where …

Oral History Interview With Sharon Tan: Growing Smu, Sharon Tan

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with SMU, risks in joining a new university, roles and responsibilities for corporate communication, first advertising campaign, branding SMU, Bukit Timah campus, first commencement, city campus, Advancement Office, endownments, Lee Kong Chian gift, alumni.

Sharon Tan was the Director of Corporate Communications and Director of the Office of Advancement and Alumni in SMU until 2014.

Revisiting The Determinants Of Students' Performance In An Undergraduate Accountancy Degree Programme In Singapore, Poh Sun Seow, Gary Pan, Joanne Siok Wan Tay

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

The current study investigates the association of prior academic achievement, admission interview, critical thinking, mathematical aptitude and gender with successful academic performance in an undergraduate accountancy degree programme at a Singapore university. The purpose of revisiting the determinants of academic performance in the Singapore context is twofold. First, university accounting education in Singapore has changed greatly since Koh and Koh’s earlier study (1999); the current study examines if determinants previously identified as significant continue to be so in the new setting. Second, the study tests the usefulness of admission interview in identifying applicants who achieve subsequent academic success. Data on …

Oral History Interview With Sim Teow Hong: Growing Smu, Teow Hong Sim

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with SMU, finance administration, CFO, government funding, stakeholders, tuition fees, financial crisis, donors, campus development, facilities management, student hostels, parent, risk management, reputation.

Biography: Senior Vice President of Finance & Administration, SMU, 1999–2016

Sim Teow Hong graduated with a Bachelor of Accountancy from the former University of Singapore and worked as an auditor with the Ernst & Young public accounting firm for a few years. He then embarked on a banking career by joining the Chase Manhattan Bank (now JP Morgan Chase), Singapore. He worked with the Bank for 18 years, fulfilling different roles from …

Oral History Interview With Annie Koh: Growing Smu, Annie Koh

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with SMU, risks of joining a new university, roles and responsibilities, financial markets and institutions course, executive and professional education, collaboration, Wharton School, business cases, International Trading Institute, commodities trading, Masters in Wealth Management, Office of Business Development and External Relations.

Biography: Vice President for Business Development and External Relations, SMU, 2000–present

Annie Koh is Vice President for Business Development and External Relations at the Singapore Management University (SMU). An Associate Professor of Finance, Annie also holds the position Academic Director of The Financial Training Institute (FTI), Center for Professional Studies (CPS), International Trading Institute …

Oral History Interview With Ronald Frank: Conceptualising Smu, Ronald Frank

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with SMU, President of SMU, Bukit Timah campus, roles and responsibilities, faculty recruitment, advertising campaigns, student feedback, autonomous universities, strategy, law school, higher education landscape, impact.

Biography:

President, SMU, 2001–2004

Board of Trustees, SMU, 2000–2001

Professor Ronald E Frank, or Ron as he affectionately known, joined SMU’s board of trustees in 2000 and assumed his role as SMU’s second president in September 2001. His presidency was a time of rapid growth for the young university. SMU had just admitted its second cohort of undergraduate students in August 2001. During his time as president two schools …

Oral History Interview With David Montgomery: Conceptualising Smu, David Montgomery

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with SMU, business school dean, school re-organisation, faculty recruitment, Wharton School, balanced excellence, Centre for Teaching Excellence, first SMU graduates, conferences, future of tertiary education.

Biography:

Dean, Lee Kong Chian School of Business, SMU, 2003–2005

Professor David Montgomery served as the second dean of the Lee Kong Chian School of Business from 2003 to 2005. It was a period of rapid growth for the school—hiring faculty, building a research atmosphere, developing professional degrees, and continuing to make SMU better known in the academic community. Professor Montgomery is known for his use of the phrase 'balanced …

Oral History Interview With Howard Hunter: Conceptualising Smu, Howard Hunter

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with SMU, roles and responsibilities, tuition fees, autonomous university, law school, Juris Doctor program, undergraduate education, marketing, SMU pedagogy, curriculum, university library,

Biography:

Professor of Law, SMU, 2004–present
President, SMU, 2004–2010

Described as a passionate educator who truly believes in multidisciplinary education, Professor Howard Hunter served as SMU’s third president from September 2004 to August 2010. During the course of his presidency the university continued its rapid growth—moving to the city campus, opening the law school, expanding postgraduate programmes, building the endowment, and doubling the number of students and faculty. While at SMU he emphasized …

Oral History Interview With Tony Tan Keng Yam: Conceptualising Smu, Tony Keng Yam Tan

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: higher education landscape, setting up SMU, naming a new university, different university, admission criteria, student interaction, first graduation ceremony, future of university education.

Biography:

Patron, SMU, 2011–present
Visionary and architect of SMU

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam steered the development of university education in Singapore and was instrumental in the creation of Singapore Management University. Involved in higher education in Singapore for over three decades, he served as education minister (1980–1981 and 1985–1991), vice-chancellor of the National University of Singapore (1980–1981), and was appointed deputy prime minister of Singapore (1995–2005). He is credited with restructuring Singapore’s educational …

Oral History Interview With Steven Miller: Conceptualising Smu, Steven Miller

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with SMU, setting up School of Information Systems, collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University, industry relations, student interaction, faculty research, graduate placement, postgraduate programs.

Biography:

Founding Dean, School of Information Systems, SMU, 2002–present

Professor Steven Miller is founding dean of the School of Information Systems at Singapore Management University, a position he has held since December 2002. Since joining SMU, he has concentrated on developing all aspects of the School of information Systems, including undergraduate and post-graduate educational programmes, research strategies and capabilities, interactions with external stakeholders, and the school’s relationship with Carnegie Mellon. Through LiveLabs, …

Oral History Interview With Ho Kwon Ping: Conceptualising Smu, Kwon Ping Ho

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: capturing SMU history, view of Singapore education system, Singapore Institute of Management, third university, business schools, business education, faculty recruitment, differentiating SMU, board of trustees, governance, student interaction, job satisfaction, non-profit organisations, inaugural convocation, differentiating SMU, future of SMU.

Biography:

Chairman, Board of Trustees, SMU, 2000–present
Chairman, Governing Council for Singapore Institute of Management, 1997–2000

One of Singapore’s most prominent businessmen, Mr Ho Kwon Ping, was tapped by Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan in 1997 to lead the effort to establish a new national university which would be autonomous and based on an American-style of education. An …

Oral History Interview With Low Aik Meng: Conceptualising Smu, Aik Meng Low

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with SMU, role and responsibilities, curriculum, student experience, first freshman team building camp, first classes, pioneer class, student activities, student ambassadors, community service, student hostel, student financial assistance.

Biography:

Founding Dean of Students, SMU, 2000–2011

Member of SMU start-up team

An SMU ‘pioneer’, Professor Low Aik Meng was one of the first three faculty to join the start-up team for the new university in 1998. Curriculum development was one his early responsibilities. Professor Low is best known for his next assignment—in 2000 he was appointed as SMU’s founding dean of students, a role in which …

Oral History Interview With Michael Furmston: Conceptualising Smu, Michael P. Furmston

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with Singapore and SMU, challenges and opportunities for the law school, faculty recruitment, law research, job opportunities, relationship with legal communities, internships, law building, future developments, dispute resolution.

Biography:

Founding Dean, School of Law, SMU, 2007–present

Professor Michael Furmston became the founding dean of the School of Law in August 2007. The second law school in Singapore, SMU’s undergraduate law programme has been noted for the significant proportion of business and finance courses. Its first students graduated in July 2011. In 2009, a postgraduate law programme was introduced, the juris doctor. During Professor Furmston’s tenure …

Oral History Interview With Ruth Pagell: Conceptualising Smu, Ruth Pagell

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with SMU, new library, city campus, role and responsibilities, academic librarians, research support, digital library, PYXIS, changing role of librarians, challenges.

Biography:

Founding University Librarian, SMU, 2005–2011

Ruth A. Pagell served as SMU’s first University Librarian from June 2005 until February 2011. During her time at SMU she led the effort to create a 21st century academic library recognised for enabling university research and teaching. She oversaw the implementation of the digital library (PYXIS) and the institutional repository (InK), and the development of the oral history site. After leaving SMU in February 2011, she moved …

Oral History Interview With Arnoud De Meyer: Conceptualising Smu, Arnoud De Meyer

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with Singapore, tertiary education in Singapore, business schools, role of university, city campus.

Biography:

President, SMU, 2010–present

Professor De Meyer became the fourth president of SMU in September 2010. A leader and well-known scholar in management studies, his research interests include manufacturing and technology strategy, management of R&D and innovation, management under conditions of high uncertainty and for novel projects, management and innovation in Asia, the globalisation of Asian firms, and e-readiness in Europe. He publishes widely in academic journals and books.

For twenty three years, Professor De Meyer was associated with INSEAD where he …

Oral History Interview With Tan Chin Tiong: Conceptualising Smu, Chin Tiong Tan

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with SMU, changes to concept plan, research, private university, faculty recruitment, challenges, marketing, advertising campaign, autonomous universities, collaboration with Wharton School, schools in SMU, change agent for education landscape, differentiating SMU, SMU students.

Biography:

Provost, SMU, 1999–2008, and Deputy President, SMU, 2007–2009

Member of SMU start-up team

In 1998 Professor Tan Chin Tiong was one of the first three faculty members who joined the start-up team to create what would become Singapore’s third university, SMU. Among his many responsibilities during the planning phase of SMU, he oversaw faculty recruitment, public relations and marketing, and the …

Oral History Interview With Khoo Teng Aun: Conceptualising Smu, Teng Aun Khoo

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: concept for new university, university library, first admissions exercise, student reaction to SMU, achievements of SMU.

Biography:

Associate Professor of Accounting, SMU, 2000–present

Member of SMU start-up team

Professor Khoo Teng Aun was one of the SMU ‘pioneers’, the faculty who formed the start-up team for Singapore’s third university. He joined the start-up team in 1999. Today he is a faculty member of the School of Accountancy and teaches corporate reporting and taxation. His research interests include internet financial reporting, multinational companies, cost and management accounting systems, taxation, and entrepreneurial studies. He also teaches in SMU’s master …

Oral History Interview With Low Kee Yang: Conceptualising Smu, Kee Yang Low

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with SMU, university education in Singapore, curriculum, CIRCLE values, private university, logo, teaching pedagogy, interview students for admissions, legal aspects, incorporation of SMU, first day of class, law school, challenges, student recruitment, law internships, Juris Doctor programme, challenges.

Biography:

Associate Professor of Law, SMU, 2000–present

Member of SMU start-up team

Professor Low Kee Yang joined the start-up team for SMU in 1998; one of his responsibilities was supervising legal matters. He served as deputy dean of the business school from 1999 to 2002 and chaired the organising committee for the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business …

Oral History Interview With John Yip Soon Kwong: Conceptualising Smu, Soon Kwong John Yip

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with SMU, future needs of university education in Singapore, business education, third university, Singapore Institute of Management, achievements.

Biography:

Executive Director and CEO, Singapore Institute of Management, 1997–2003
Director of Education, MOE, 1987–1996

Dr John Yip Soon Kwong played a major role in developing the concept for Singapore’s third university, Singapore Management University. With his first-hand knowledge of international universities as well as his knowledge of Singapore’s education system, he was part of the early effort to define the scope of Singapore’s third university and to identify an overseas university partner for this new institution. …

Oral History Interview With Tsui Kai Chong: Conceptualising Smu, Kai Chong Tsui

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with SMU, roles and responsibilities, overseas visits, information technology, dean of School of Business, planning, undergraduate programme, Wharton curriculum, first admissions exercise, opening day, teaching pedagogy, students, case competition, postgraduate programmes, Masters of Applied Finance, achievements.

Biography:

Founding Dean, School of Business, SMU, 1999–2003

Member of SMU start-up team

Professor Tsui Kai Chong was an SMU ‘pioneer’, a member of the start-up team for Singapore’s third university, and he oversaw planning for communications and information technology. He was appointed as the first dean of the School of Business in 1999, became vice provost of undergraduate …

Oral History Interview With Hwang Soo Chiat: Conceptualising Smu, Soo Chiat Hwang

Oral History Collection

The interview with Hwang Soo Chiat covered:first involvement with SMU, roles and responsibilities, first classes, teaching pedagogy, pioneer students, student interaction, student recruitment, parent interaction, commencement, milestones.

Biography:

Associate Professor of Accounting, SMU, 2000–present

Member of SMU start-up team

Professor Hwang Soo Chiat is one of the SMU ‘pioneers’, a member of the start-up team for Singapore’s third university. Today he is an associate professor of accounting at SMU. In December 2005, he was named Outstanding Teacher in the School of Accountancy. His research interests are in the use of accounting ratios for prediction of bankruptcy of companies, corporate governance, …

Oral History Interview With Leong Kwong Sin: Conceptualising Smu, Kwong Sin Leong

Oral History Collection

The interview covere: first involvement with SMU, third university, role and responsibilities, planning, mission statement, employer engagement, faculty compensation, city campus, pioneer students, first commencement, achievements.

Biography:

Associate Professor of Accounting, SMU, 2000–present

Member of SMU start-up team

Professor Leong Kwong Sin, an SMU ‘pioneer’, joined the start-up team for the new university in 1998. Today he is an associate professor of accounting in the School of Accountancy. He was named one of the outstanding teachers in the School of Accountancy in December 2005. His research interests include the area of accounting disclosure, accounting education, corporate governance and financial reporting …