Education Commons^™

Students Can Still Assimilate Different Cultures Via Virtual Learning, Yuanto Kusnadi, Gary Pan

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

The year 2020 has been unique and exceptional. The Covid-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to economies and societies across the world. Universities too had to pivot and adapt, with lessons and examinations moved online, for example. One of the challenges faced by universities is how to equip their students with the relevant skillset of gaining exposure to different cultures through internships and exchanges when international borders are largely closed. To overcome the constraint posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, a recent initiative by the Singapore Management University (SMU), called SMU-X Overseas (virtual), has allowed students to work on real-world projects …

Smu Appoints Professor Lily Kong As Fifth President, Singapore Management University

SMU Press Releases

The Singapore Management University (SMU) is pleased to announce that top academic leader, and award-winning researcher and educator, Professor Lily Kong, will be the University’s fifth President. Professor Kong, who currently holds the position of SMU Provost and Lee Kong Chian Chair Professor of Social Sciences, is slated to succeed Professor Arnoud De Meyer on 1 January 2019.

Smu Will Introduce Residential Learning-And-Living Concept At Prinsep Street Residences In The New Academic Year 2018-2019, Singapore Management University

SMU Press Releases

In the new academic year (AY) 2018-2019 starting August this year, SMU will introduce a new residential learning-and-living concept at its existing student residence – Prinsep Street Residences (PSR). At PSR, SMU aims to build a community for the Community, where students co-live/work/learn together, and are also nurtured to be change agents by giving back to the Bras Basah community.

Staying true to SMU’s hallmark holistic approach to education, the University will offer programming guided by five themes – (i) Entrepreneurship, (ii) Social Entrepreneurship, (iii) Community Service, (iv) Grooming Future Leaders, and (v) Social Integration and Diversity. Through this thematic …

Oral History Interview With David Chan: Growing Smu, David Chan

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with SMU, challenges, his recollection and perspective from the early days of the School of Social Sciences until now, and his role as the Director of the Behavioural Sciences Institute.

Biography:

Director, Behavioural Sciences Institute, SMU, 2009-present

Interim Dean, School of Social Sciences, SMU, 2007-2008

Prof David Chan was appointed as the Interim Dean of the newly set up School of Social Sciences from 2007 to 2008. The School of Economics and Social Sciences was split into the School of Economics and the School of Social Sciences in April 2007. He was the Vice Provost …

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 …

Daringly Different: The Making Of The Singapore Management University, Kevin Y. L. Tan

Oral History Collection

This is a book about the founding and early years of Asia’s first university in the 21st century - the Singapore Management University or SMU. It provides a background to tertiary education in Singapore to set the scene and offer the reader a glimpse of the landscape in which the remarkable changes leading to SMU’s establishment, and ramifications flowing therefrom, took place. So many of the key actors who were intimately connected to this grand story are still around and actively engaged in the life of SMU, and thus the book benefitted greatly from first-hand interviews with a number of …

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

Arnoud DE MEYER

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 Kirpal Singh: Growing Smu, Kirpal Singh

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with SMU, risks, admissions process, first priorities, core curriculum, general electives, creative thinking program, student projects, parent interaction, cross-cultural studies, Wee Kim Wee Centre, writers festivals, humanities, arts and culture management, students.

Biography: In recent years Creativity Guru and poet Dr Kirpal Singh has come to be regarded as one of the world's sharpest Futurists, charting territories yet uncharted but certain to materialize in the not-too-distant futures. Dr Singh believes that thinking of the future in the singular sense is no longer going to hold because the Future will be made up of several futures, …

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.

Comments On The Setting Up And The Growth Of Smu By Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister For Education At Smu Commencement Ceremony 2013, Swee Keat Heng

Oral History Collection

Transcript of speech by Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Education at SMU Commencement Ceremony on Wednesday, 25 July 2013, 9am at Resorts World Sentosa. He was involved in the setting up of SMU and talked about the growth, the daring, and the sharing by SMU and its students.

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 John Niland: Conceptualising Smu, John Niland

Oral History Collection

The interview covered: first involvement with SMU, SMU's Board of Trustees, early priorities of the Board of Trustees, the Academic Affairs Committee, the tenure process at SMU, Finance and Remuneration Committee, admissions criteria, early days at SMU, the role of QAFU, the role of the International Academic Advisory Panel, looking ahead, Singapore's public policy in guiding universities, personal impact, advice for students.

Biography:

Deputy Chairman, SMU Board of Trustees (2000-2012)

Professor John Niland joined SMU Board of Trustees in 2000 and has been closely involved with SMU's growth and development since then. He served as the Chair of the Finance …

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, …