![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.
![During SMU’s first Presidential Distinguished Lecturer Series held overseas, in Jakarta, the panel discussed "Building a Sustainability Talent Pipeline for Indonesia". During SMU’s first Presidential Distinguished Lecturer Series held overseas, in Jakarta, the panel discussed "Building a Sustainability Talent Pipeline for Indonesia".](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/SMU%2520Engage%252026%2520-%2520PDLS%2520-%2520thumbnail.jpg?itok=0FCt5Wnd)
During SMU’s first Presidential Distinguished Lecturer Series (PDLS) held overseas, in Jakarta, SMU President Professor Lily Kong moderated an eminent panel who spoke on the importance of developing a talent pipeline pertaining to sustainability in Indonesia, as well as exploring various strategies to help bridge existing skills shortages.
![The family of the late Dr Yong Pung How made a generous gift of $20m to the SMU Yong Pung How School of Law. The family of the late Dr Yong Pung How made a generous gift of $20m to the SMU Yong Pung How School of Law.](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/YPHSL%2520Signage%2520-%2520AT.jpg?itok=6uPV6kau)
A generous $20 million gift from the family of the late Dr Yong Pung How sets to establish a financial aid programme, fellowship programme and a research fund to further the legal discipline at SMU’s Yong Pung How School of Law.
!["SMU is honoured to see the establishment of our first SMU Overseas Centre in the dynamic city of Jakarta," said Professor Lily Kong. "SMU is honoured to see the establishment of our first SMU Overseas Centre in the dynamic city of Jakarta," said Professor Lily Kong.](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/GettyImages-1201502709%2520cropped.jpg?itok=kgoQsMDD)
The first SMU Overseas Centre is proud to nurture a knowledge climate in which intellectual and cultural diversity is respected and embraced, to drive the economic development of communities and sectors in Indonesia. In an age of rapid technological advancement and globalisation, the need for knowledge exchange between different regional networks has become increasingly important. To drive its strategic priority of Growth in Asia, SMU has unveiled its first Overseas Centre in Jakarta, Indonesia.
![SMU President Professor Lily Kong (left on screen) attended the discussion virtually. SMU President Professor Lily Kong (left on screen) attended the discussion virtually.](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/Engage%252026%2520-%2520WFGM2022.jpg?itok=7sIspMNa)
Education is a fundamental right that should be accessible to everyone, no matter their circumstances. In order to navigate a world that is in flux, it is important to foster skills beyond traditional domain knowledge. SMU President Professor Lily Kong spoke about the education and skills we most need in an age of transformation during the panel discussion, Skills and Education in the Race for Humanity, at the 2022 Women’s Forum Global Meeting.
![At the eighth edition of the biennial World Cities Summit in Singapore, SMU shared ground-breaking technologies and solutions to government and industry leaders, urban solution experts and impact investors at a dedicated pop-up platform. At the eighth edition of the biennial World Cities Summit in Singapore, SMU shared ground-breaking technologies and solutions to government and industry leaders, urban solution experts and impact investors at a dedicated pop-up platform.](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/20220802_JO2_2424_WEBRES.jpg?itok=9Xxjt59f)
There's no escaping it: we all have a role to play in sustainability. Individuals, businesses and governments all need to do their part if we're going to avert the most catastrophic effects of climate change. But what about universities? What role can they play in building sustainability? Turns out, institutions of higher education can make a big difference.
![SMU President Prof Lily Kong (centre and on screen) at the World Cities Summit 2022, in a panel discussion on “What does the future hold for cities?”. SMU President Prof Lily Kong (centre and on screen) at the World Cities Summit 2022, in a panel discussion on “What does the future hold for cities?”.](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/LK%2520speaking%2520with%2520panel.jpg?itok=xv_kQ8PQ)
In a post-pandemic world, rocked by geopolitical crises, the future of cities has never been more uncertain. Whatever they should look like in the future, leaders should always place humans and their needs at the forefront of city development, said Professor Lily Kong, SMU President and Lee Kong Chian Chair Professor of Social Sciences.
![The Elite Quality Index is based on research by SMU, the University of St Gallen and other academic partners. The Elite Quality Index is based on research by SMU, the University of St Gallen and other academic partners.](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/SSRN-id4085752_Page_001%2520map.jpg?itok=qE_EX4ox)
“Elites” is often a term imbued with negative connotations.
![Prof Lily Kong gave her fourth President’s State of the University Address on 9 September 2022. Prof Lily Kong gave her fourth President’s State of the University Address on 9 September 2022.](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/20220909%2520-%252016hr43min18s%2520%25284K%2529%2520resized_0.jpg?itok=EPoGfpE4)
President’s State of the University Address 2022 Singapore has long been known as a garden city, and with good reason. The city is home to an abundance of greenery, from the carefully manicured gardens of the Botanic Gardens to the lush foliage of Pulau Ubin.
![A study by SMU’s Centre for Research on Successful Ageing suggests that just a third of older adults have a family doctor that they visit regularly. A study by SMU’s Centre for Research on Successful Ageing suggests that just a third of older adults have a family doctor that they visit regularly.](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/GettyImages-1328339474%2520-%2520resized.jpg?itok=9in0hHzG)
Do you avoid going to the doctor? Chances are, you're not alone — especially if you’re 57 or older. In fact, older adults are much less likely to visit a doctor than any other age group. While there are many reasons for this, fear is the most common. Fear of getting bad news, fear of being uncomfortable, or fear of spending money they don't have are just a few reasons why seniors may avoid seeking medical care.
!["re:act" was a play composed of vignettes, each revolving around a character or set of characters. "re:act" was a play composed of vignettes, each revolving around a character or set of characters.](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/ReAct%2520Still005.jpg?itok=wsaIzt7n)
The annual SMU Arts Festival is one of the most highly anticipated events in the city's cultural calendar. This year marks a return to live performances after two online editions during Covid-19, and it was a spectacular showcase of the best SMU talents and guest artistes. Themed LOST & FOUND, the festival paid tribute to a platform lost for two years but now found, with a focus on rediscovering the joys of in-person gatherings.