To mark Earth Day 2024, SMU Engage provides a review of SMU’s recent contributions towards a greener planet through research, thought leadership, achievements, outreach and education.

A book examining the remarkable life and legacy of Dr Yong Pung How was launched at SMU on 11 April 2024. Dr Yong was the second Chief Justice of Singapore between 1990 and 2006 and served as the Chancellor of SMU between 2010 and 2015. In 2021, SMU renamed the School of Law to include Dr Yong Pung How's name as a recognition for his founding contributions to the University.

Assistant Professor Andree Hartanto from the SMU School of Social Sciences has been recognised as a “Rising Star” by the Association for Psychological Science (APS). APS presents the Rising Star Award to outstanding APS members in the earliest stages of their research career post-PhD and recognises researchers whose innovative work has already advanced the field and signals great potential for their continued contributions.

SMU President Prof Lily Kong gave the Keynote Address at the launch event for the inaugural Social Sciences and Humanities Ideas Festival. As part of the Festival, SMU’s College of Integrative Studies (CIS) organised a public lecture titled “Growing Up in an AI-Fuelled World: Reflections on Childhood Amid Digital Acceleration" helmed by SMU Vice President (Partnerships and Engagement) and Professor of Communication and Technology Lim Sun Sun.

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, the seventh President of Singapore from 2011-2017, and Honorary Patron and Distinguished Senior Fellow at SMU, launched his book, “Tony Tan Keng Yam: My Political Journey”, at SMU on Tuesday, 12 March 2024. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was the Guest of Honour at the event.

SMU President Prof Lily Kong was one of the eminent participants in “Inspiring Inclusion in a fragmented world”, a panel discussion hosted by BlackRock Singapore in celebration of International Women’s Day 2024.

SMU celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024 with a slew of inspiring initiatives, that many women and allies in the SMU community were able to take part in and enjoy.

SMU was again partner and host of The Straits Times Education Forum, which examined the opportunities and challenges around AI, and the critical issues demanding solutions from policymakers, companies, and individuals. Moderated by SMU Professor Lim Sun Sun, it featured Mr Ben King from Google, Mr Tan Kok Yam from SkillsFuture and SMU Asst Prof Jerrold Soh.

At the 3rd annual Sustainability Week Asia, organised by Economist Impact in Bangkok, three of the panels featured SMU’s academics and experts sharing their profound perspectives while exchanging knowledge with other sustainability-minded individuals from various sectors.

Open House 2024 saw the largest turnout in SMU’s history, with more than 20,000 visitors to the SMU campus over two days. Visitors were offered 118 information sessions, in-depth talks, and sample classes so they could get an idea of how their SMU journey could be.