![PM Lawrence Wong and SMU President Prof Lily Kong PM Lawrence Wong and SMU President Prof Lily Kong](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/20240702-19hrs47min40s.jpg?itok=cM3rMRTe)
PM Wong discusses mega trends with Prof Lily Kong and students at SMU
Published onSMU had the privilege of welcoming Prime Minister Mr Lawrence Wong for an inspiring dialogue, jointly organised by SMU and attended by nearly 1,000 students from various tertiary institutions. PM Wong discussed issues relevant to the younger generation, including employment and economic trends, and encouraged young people to pursue careers that match their abilities.
![(L-R) Panel Moderator – SMU Dean of Students Prof Paulin Straughan and panellists - SMU Chairman Mr Piyush Gupta, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Ms Grace Fu and Founder & CEO of Insect Feed Technologies Mr Sean Tan. (L-R) Panel Moderator – SMU Dean of Students Prof Paulin Straughan and panellists - SMU Chairman Mr Piyush Gupta, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Ms Grace Fu and Founder & CEO of Insect Feed Technologies Mr Sean Tan.](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/panel-1_0_2_1.jpg?itok=PAds2UCD)
SMU held its inaugural Sustainability Forum to showcase its multi-faceted contributions to economic, social and environmental sustainability. The event attracted students and educators from a range of institutes of higher learning, representatives from various social-service agencies and non-profit organisations, as well as business owners.
![SMU President Professor Lily Kong addressing the audience. SMU President Professor Lily Kong addressing the audience.](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/20231012_LowRes_037%2520-%2520main.jpg?itok=1srSU-9y)
SMU President’s State of the University Address 2023 touched on significant developments, strategic priorities, as well as future endeavours. It took a new and engaging format in embracing SMU’s people-centric thrust: faculty, staff and students shared their experiences and achievements through a series of videos that formed Prof Kong's compelling narrative.
![Striking the gong to launch the SMU Overseas Centre Bangkok on 27 October 2023. Striking the gong to launch the SMU Overseas Centre Bangkok on 27 October 2023.](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/3.%2520IMG_1535.jpeg?itok=Yb0BU9PH)
Aligned with SMU’s “Growth in Asia” strategic priority and its continued commitment to provide high-quality education and contribute to regional development, the University inaugurated its latest Overseas Centre in bustling Bangkok, Thailand on 27 October 2023. The establishment of Overseas Centre Bangkok (OCB) marks the University’s second regional presence, with the first launched in Jakarta, Indonesia in December 2022., SMU plans to launch its third Overseas Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam next year.
![SMU StageIt performing Caryl Churchill's much-lauded Love & Information. SMU StageIt performing Caryl Churchill's much-lauded Love & Information.](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/SMU%2520StageIt%2520performing%2520Caryl%2520Churchill%2527s%2520much-lauded%2520Love%2520%2526%2520Information%2520-%2520AT.jpg?itok=GaoDvSuD)
A vibrant arts scene has always been an indispensable part of SMU life, and this year’s SMU Arts Festival was no different. Themed “POST”, the festival explored the multifaceted meaning of the theme as student artistes delved into the complexities of post-modernity, post-truth, and other “post” concepts.
![Ms Anaanya Bijay, the Managing Partner of Protege Ventures, at the launch of the Marina & David Su Protege Ventures Fund II. Ms Anaanya Bijay, the Managing Partner of Protege Ventures, at the launch of the Marina & David Su Protege Ventures Fund II.](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/Anaanya%2520Bijay%2520Managing%2520Partner%2520of%2520Protege%2520Ventures%2520.jpg?itok=tgtpJGua)
In a move that's set to ignite the flames of innovation and entrepreneurship across Singapore's higher education landscape, Protégé Ventures (PV), a student-run venture fund programme initiated by the SMU Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SMU IIE), has unveiled the Marina & David Su Protégé Ventures Fund II.
![The eight grand finalists of the 11th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition by SMU Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE). The eight grand finalists of the 11th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition by SMU Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE).](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/LKYGBC%2520-%2520AT.jpg?itok=FCHC4RoP)
SMU holds the 11th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition
![Panel discussion on "Wicked problems require wicked solutions" at the programmes' launch. Panel discussion on "Wicked problems require wicked solutions" at the programmes' launch.](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/SMU%2528LaunchSS%2529-90%2520-%2520AT.jpg?itok=vzva0Qc4)
On 22 September 2023, SMU launched two innovative sustainability programmes – the Master of Sustainability (MST), and a Second Major in Sustainable Societies (SSOC). These were launched as part of a suite of sustainability courses and programmes that aim to develop sustainability leaders and meet the needs of a green economy.
![Breaking new ground with research into governance and policing. Breaking new ground with research into governance and policing.](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/GettyImages-1225144148%2520-%2520AT.jpg?itok=oE3UklSt)
Research remains integral to our creation of sustainable yet liveable cities. Ideas from research can be informative to policymakers and help to change the way we understand societal issues and navigate problems.
![SMU Chairman Mr Piyush Gupta (front row, 2nd from right) with SMU President Prof Lily Kong (front row, 4th from right) with students at the Academic Year Opening.. SMU Chairman Mr Piyush Gupta (front row, 2nd from right) with SMU President Prof Lily Kong (front row, 4th from right) with students at the Academic Year Opening..](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/AYO%2520HB.jpg?itok=ihfantQQ)
The opening of SMU’s 2023 Academic Year was marked with an exciting freshmen orientation, a mega Co-curricular Activities (CCA) Fair and a special opening celebration dinner. The Opening welcomed the 24th cohort of about 2,500 freshmen, who began their first Academic Year at SMU on Monday 14 August 2023.
![Graduates cheering on their fellow cohort mates. Graduates cheering on their fellow cohort mates.](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/Graduates%2520cheering%2520on%2520their%2520fellow%2520cohort%2520mates%2520HBM.jpg?itok=akkk7i7R)
Graduation is a celebration of our students’ hard work and achievements – an important period of their lives draws to a close as they stand on the cusp of the next phase of their journey through life. This is why SMU calls this a “commencement”, to signpost it as the beginning of a new journey ahead. Over five days in late July, the 3,737-strong Class of 2023 celebrated the successful completion of their education journey at SMU.